Bangkok, Thailand, September 14, 2026 / TRAVELINDEX / As TOP25 Restaurants expands its international presence across Asia, Thailand is set to benefit from the growing regional platform promoting gastronomy as a driver of tourism and destination development. Following the inaugural TOP25 Restaurants Sarawak Awards 2026, presented by the Premier of Sarawak, and the signing of Memoranda of Understanding with a number of Asian partners, the TOP25 Restaurants Thailand Awards 2026 will further extend the international visibility of Thailand’s exceptional culinary scene. Taking place on 26th October 2026 at the Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok, the awards will recognize outstanding restaurants and culinary talent while helping strengthen Thailand’s position as a premier gastronomy destination in Asia.
Launched in Bangkok in 2017 as the world’s first AI-powered restaurant guide, enhanced by human expertise, TOP25 Restaurants has continued to evolve its approach to recognising culinary excellence. What began with a pioneering restaurant guide has developed into an international gastronomy tourism platform, with the TOP25 Restaurants Thailand Awards 2026 continuing this journey by celebrating the breadth, diversity and excellence of Thailand’s culinary scene. Over the years, TOP25 Restaurants has recognized the diversity and excellence of Thailand’s restaurant scene across different destinations and culinary communities.
The TOP25 Restaurants Thailand Awards 2026 continues this evolution, bringing the spotlight to Thailand’s dynamic gastronomy scene and recognizing restaurants and culinary talents whose excellence, creativity, authenticity and commitment are helping shape the country’s culinary identity.
Hosted at the iconic Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok, the 2026 awards will bring together leading chefs, restaurateurs, hospitality professionals, tourism representatives, food personalities and distinguished guests for an evening celebrating the people and establishments that make Thailand one of the world’s most compelling gastronomy destinations.
Years of recognizing Thailand’s culinary excellence
Since the first TOP25 Restaurants awards in Thailand, the program has sought to provide a dedicated platform for recognizing restaurants that contribute to the richness, diversity and evolution of the country’s gastronomy landscape.
From Bangkok’s internationally recognized dining scene to the distinctive culinary traditions of Phuket and Southern Thailand, the program has highlighted the extraordinary range of experiences available to diners and travellers throughout the country.
The development of the awards reflects the growing importance of gastronomy within Thailand’s tourism landscape. Food is increasingly one of the principal reasons travellers choose destinations, while restaurants, chefs and local culinary traditions have become important ambassadors for Thai culture and identity.
The 2026 edition builds on this established foundation while looking towards the future of Thai gastronomy tourism.
Bernard Metzger, Founder of TOP25 Restaurants International, said:
“Through TOP25 Restaurants, we aim to amplify Thailand’s culinary excellence on the global stage and connect outstanding restaurants and chefs with the growing opportunities in gastronomy tourism. The TOP25 Restaurants Thailand Awards 2026 will celebrate the people and establishments shaping Thailand’s culinary future, while inspiring more travellers to discover the remarkable flavours, stories and hospitality that make Thailand truly exceptional.”
Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok to host the 2026 celebration
The prestigious Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok will provide the setting for this year’s awards, bringing Thailand’s gastronomy and hospitality communities together in one of Bangkok’s most iconic venues.
Sascha Lenz, General Manager, Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok, said:
“We are delighted to welcome the TOP25 Restaurants Thailand Awards 2026 to Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok. Thailand has an extraordinary culinary heritage and a vibrant restaurant scene that continues to evolve and inspire. Hosting an evening dedicated to recognizing the people and restaurants behind this remarkable gastronomy culture is a great honor for our hotel. We look forward to being part of this special celebration of culinary excellence in Thailand.”
The Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok’s central location, established reputation for hospitality and extensive event facilities provide a fitting setting for an evening dedicated to Thailand’s culinary community.
Where gastronomy meets tourism
The TOP25 Restaurants Thailand Awards 2026 comes at a time when gastronomy is increasingly recognized as a powerful driver of tourism and destination development.
For today’s travellers, discovering a destination often means discovering its food — its ingredients, traditions, markets, restaurants, chefs and the stories behind them.
Thailand is uniquely positioned to benefit from this trend. Its culinary culture connects food, heritage, local communities, agriculture, creativity, hospitality and tourism, creating experiences that resonate with both domestic and international visitors.
By recognizing restaurants across Thailand, TOP25 Restaurants aims to contribute to the continued development of the country’s gastronomy ecosystem and to give greater, global visibility to the people and establishments shaping its future.
A new chapter in the TOP25 Restaurants Thailand story
The 2026 awards represent the next chapter in the TOP25 Restaurants journey in Thailand — building on years of recognition while creating an increasingly visible platform to promote the country’s rich culinary heritage and as a prime gastronomy tourism destination.
The award recipients will be revealed during the ceremony on 26 October 2026, with further announcements regarding the award categories, participating restaurants, distinguished guests and program to follow in the lead-up to the event.
For Thailand’s restaurant industry, the evening will be an opportunity to celebrate achievement and recognize the people behind some of the country’s most memorable dining experiences.
For the wider tourism community, it will be a celebration of one of Thailand’s greatest international assets: its extraordinary culinary culture.
One culinary journey. A celebration of Thailand’s extraordinary gastronomy.
About TOP25 Restaurants International
TOP25 Restaurants is an international gastronomy recognition and gastronomy tourism development platform dedicated to discovering, recognizing and promoting outstanding restaurants and local culinary experiences.
With a growing presence across Asia, TOP25 Restaurants provides a platform that connects culinary excellence, gastronomy, tourism, culture and destination development, while celebrating the distinctive culinary identity of each destination.
The program has a regional presence and is expanding internationally through new destination-focused awards and gastronomy tourism development initiatives.
In 2026, TOP25 Restaurants held its inaugural TOP25 Restaurants Sarawak Awards in Kuching, Malaysia, where the awards were presented by the Premier of Sarawak, the Right Honourable Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Abang Haji Openg, marking an important milestone in the organisation’s international expansion.
Through its growing international network, TOP25 Restaurants seeks to give greater recognition and visibility to outstanding restaurants and culinary talent while highlighting the increasingly important role of gastronomy in tourism and destination development.
About Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok
Located in the heart of Bangkok, Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok is a landmark luxury hotel renowned for its exceptional hospitality, sophisticated dining experiences and distinctive location in the city’s vibrant Ratchaprasong district.
The hotel combines contemporary luxury with warm Thai hospitality and offers an extensive range of accommodation, restaurants, bars, meeting spaces and event facilities. Its culinary portfolio reflects the diversity and sophistication of Bangkok’s dining culture, while its extensive venues make it an established destination for prestigious celebrations, conferences and social events.
As part of Hyatt Hotels Corporation, Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok reflects the Grand Hyatt brand’s commitment to creating memorable experiences through distinctive destinations, thoughtful service and world-class hospitality.
FOR MEDIA ENQUIRIES
Nicole Lim
Media Relations
TOP25 Restaurants International
E: media@top25restaurants.com
