Just days after Italian Cuisine was recognized as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, the Gran Galà of Italian Cuisine by 50 Top Italy 2026 took place on December 15, 2025 at Teatro Manzoni in Milan, an annual appointment that brings together cooks, chefs, restaurateurs and industry protagonists for the presentation of guides and rankings dedicated to Italian restaurants in Italy and around the world.
The event was also broadcast via streaming, hosted by the brilliant presenter Federico Quaranta who announced the results, alternating with moments dedicated to the guide's partners.
The announcement of the ranking of the Best Italian Restaurants in the World completed the 2026 edition picture. Confirmed in first place was Hotel Cipriani Restaurant in Rio de Janeiro, led by chef Nello Cassese, already winner in the previous edition. Second place went to Il Carpaccio, led by Alessandra Del Favero and Oliver Piras, located at Le Royal Monceau in Paris. Third place went to DaNico by Chef Daniele Corona in Toronto.
The international Top 10 illustrates a broad and consolidated geography of Italian restaurants abroad, with restaurants in New York, Singapore, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Munich, Paris, Modena, Milan, Rome, Padua, Bergamo. "I think Italian chefs should pay close attention to provincialism which is indeed a great advantage because it protects the territory but, at the same time, can become a great disadvantage as it leads to saying that here is better than there. Since Italy is the only country in the world with 70% biodiversity, it would be better if they used the word 'different'" Giovanni Zullo, editor of acena.it, the official restaurant guide on the internet now in its 31st year of life, tells me.
The peaks of Italian cuisine are expressed in countries such as the United States, France, Switzerland, followed by China and Belgium, confirming their importance in major international markets.
Alongside the international ranking, during the evening the other guides that make up the 50 Top Italy 2026 network were also presented, starting with the ranking of Great Restaurants in Italy, which confirms Osteria Francescana by Massimo Bottura at the top, followed by Uliassi and Enoteca Pinchiorri, and guides dedicated to Modern Trattorias and Bistros, thematic spin-offs and hotel restaurants (Luxury) with Villa Crespi by Antonino Cannavacciuolo in the lead.
Sixteen customized special awards for the guide's partners were presented with recognitions involving restaurants and professionals in Italy and abroad, touching various areas of the supply chain, from kitchen to dining room, from management to communication.
Guide curators: Barbara Guerra, Luciano Pignataro and Albert Sapere. (https://www.50topitaly.it/it/)
The Gran Gala concluded with a closing cocktail at NYX Hotel Milan, a meeting and networking moment for the international gastronomic community.
December 16, 2025 (text and photographs) Masha Sirago
article published at the express request of the editor.