


Before you start making your reservations at restaurants for the year’s special events, might we suggest going through that list again.
The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016 was just revealed in New York, with Italy’s Osteria Francescana being named the best restaurant in the world. Don't be disheartened though, because you don't have to fly all the way to Italy to indulge in the scrumptious and mouthwatering meals. Out of the 50 restaurants named, we have seven from that list right here in Asia.
However, we took the plunge and decided to round up the top 10 restaurants in Asia directly from the top 100 list - just so there's more for you to choose from.
1. Narisawa, Tokyo, Japan

Image Credits Narisawa
Narisawa has officially bagged the title of the best restaurant in Asia and we are not surprised. After all the thought and effort put behind this restaurant, Narisawa is a gastronomical paradise for anyone looking for sustainable and authentic Japanese food. Chef Yoshihiro Narisawa, the owner of the restaurant, takes pride in personally visiting the fields of the producers. With signature dishes such as 'Soil Soup', 'Water Salad', and 'Essence of the Forest', Chef Narisawa ensures that customers gain a new relationship with nature through his dishes. Reservations at Narisawa can be made as early as a month in advance to ensure seats during your visit.
2. Amber, Hong Kong
Image Credits Amber
Having been awarded 2 Michellin stars for 8 years in a row now, there was no arguing this French restaurant's spot on the list. With sleek and elegant interiors that whisk you away to Parisian evenings and gastronomical delights by Chef Richard Ebekkus, who was presented the “Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Merite” back in 2015, Amber will definitely give you a run for your money.
3. Gaggan, Bangkok, Thailand
Image Credits: Gaggan
The best Indian restaurant in Asia is surprisingly not found in India but rather in the Land of Smiles, Thailand. Although this restaurant has been acclaimed many times and have won several culinary awards globally, founder Gaggan Anand, refuses to label his restaurant fine dining. Gaggan offers guests a scrumptious journey by exploiting contemporary techniques and adding molecular twists to traditional Indian dishes, all at an affordable price.
4. Restaurant André, Singapore

Helmed by Chef Andre Chiang, the fine dining establishment rose 14 places from last year to clinch the 32nd spot on The World's 50 Best Restaurants list. The restaurant is popular for its innovative approach to Southern French cuisine. Since the space serves only 30 guests per night, be make sure to call in for your reservations in advance.
5. Nahm, Bangkok, Thailand

Image Credits: Nahm
A place for both serious gourmets and for those who desire to learn more about authentic Thai cuisine, executive Chef David Thompson believes the traditional Thai meal is an exercise in balance - with the dynamic interplay of hot and sour, and sweet and salty. Well, that is exactly what you get at Nahm. The Thai flavours are so fresh and authentic that it lingers in your mouth for a very long time
6. Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet, Shanghai, China

Image Credits: Ultraviolet
This is probably one of the most avant garde-style restaurants in the world. Located in a secret area of the city and serving only 10 guests per night, the experience at Ultraviolet is top notch when it comes to immersive dining. Service in this restaurant is theatrical, with high-tech gastronomic production that utilises video, audio, bespoke lighting and scents to stimulate the senses, as well as the dishes and drinks themselves.
7. Burnt Ends, Singapore

Image Credits: Burnt Ends
Here's a Modern Australian Barbeque spot that offers casual dining. Guests at Burnt Ends are invited to sit by the 17-cover dining counter and take a look at the open kitchen, which is dominated by a four-tonne, dual cavity oven fired by apple and almond wood. The menu at Burnt Ends is written afresh every day but the flavours of classics such as roasted quail and aïoli or pulled pork with slaw and chipotle mayonnaise, is something diners will remember forever.
8. Den, Tokyo, Japan

Image Credits: Den
With a sister who is an organic farmer, chef Zaiyu Hasegawa uses only the freshest of ingredients in his dishes at the restaurant. Glimpses of international influences can be found together with slight touches on traditional Japanese cuisine. Chef Hasegawa playfully presents dishes supported by his technically savvy skills to create modern 'kaiseki', a type of Japanese cuisine involving a series of small, intricate dishes. If you're planning your trip to Tokyo and looking to try this restaurant, then make sure you make your reservations. Den accepts reservations up to 2 months in advance.
9. Hajime, Osaka, Japan

Image Credits: Hajime
With one more restaurant from Japan on the list, we can truly say that if you are looking for out-of-this-world and wonderful dining experiences, then head to Japan. Like most good restaurants, Hajime understates its excellence. Their signature dish, 'Chikyu', meaning planet Earth, uses up to 110 different ingredients composing of vegetables, grains and herbs arranged around a shellfish foam, which is supposed to represent concepts as wide-ranging as destruction, hope and the irreversibility of time.
10. 8½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana, Hong Kong

8½ Bombana is a tribute to all things Italian and is located in the heart of Hong Kong. After all, it is the only Italian restaurant outside of Italy to have received 3 Michellin stars. Known for their craft in combining local and Italian ingredients in a series of classic dishes, such as the 8½ seafood soup of shellfish, zucchini trompetta and fresh herbs, 8½ Bombana will leave you wanting for more.