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Best fine dining destinations in Asia

Tokyo
Japan's capital of temples, towers and food
9.7
Sukiyabashi Jiro in Ginza appears in the film Jiro Dreams of Sushi. Chefs in Tokyo serve edomae sushi, tempura and kaiseki to a few seats at a time. Tsukiji Outer Market sells knives and tamagoyaki. Reservations at the top counters are made weeks ahead. Ginza and Roppongi hold dense blocks of restaurants.
Highlights:
  • 🖼️ Visit the teamLab digital art museum
  • 🌆 Enjoy panoramic city views from observation decks
  • 🍣 Savour sushi at a local eatery
Hong Kong
Where East Meets West
9.3
Lung King Heen at the Four Seasons won three Michelin stars in 2009, a milestone for a Chinese restaurant. Dim sum is served here with a view of Victoria Harbour. Cantonese roast goose, French tasting menus and Japanese counters sit within a few blocks in Central. Street stalls also earn Michelin Bib Gourmand awards.
Highlights:
  • 🥢 Shop and eat street food in Mong Kok’s bustling markets
  • ⛴️ Sail across Victoria Harbour on the iconic Star Ferry
  • 🌇 Ride the Peak Tram and admire skyline views from Victoria Peak
Kyoto
Temples, geisha districts and kaiseki dining
9.2
Kaiseki is the formal multi course meal of Kyoto, with small plates served in the order of the seasons. Restaurants in Gion and near Kamogawa River seat guests at low tables in wooden rooms. Tofu, yuba and pickles from the city show up often. Meals end with matcha.
Highlights:
  • ⛩️ Climb the vermillion torii gates at Fushimi Inari Shrine
  • 🍱 Experience Japan’s beautifully presented Kaiseki dining at a traditional restaurant
  • 🎋 Stroll through the magical Arashiyama bamboo forest early in the morning
Osaka
Castle, neon canals and street food
8.5
Osaka locals use the word kuidaore, meaning to eat until you drop. Kappo restaurants seat guests at a counter facing the chef. Dotonbori is lined with takoyaki stalls and okonomiyaki grills. Kitashinchi has quiet lanes of small sushi and kaiseki rooms. Fried skewers called kushikatsu are another local speciality.
Highlights:
  • 🐠 Visit the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, one of the world’s largest
  • 🍢 Feast on street food at Dotonbori and see the neon lights
  • 🏯 Explore Osaka Castle and wander through its scenic park
Abu Dhabi
Modern luxury meets rich traditions
8.8
Tasting menus at the Emirates Palace hotel come with views of the Gulf. Louvre Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island has a cafe beside the water. Hotels on Yas and Saadiyat islands host chef led restaurants from Japan, France and Italy. Local mezze with lamb and dates start many dinners.
Highlights:
  • 🎨 Admire world-class art at the Louvre Abu Dhabi
  • 🏜️ Take a thrilling desert safari at sunset
  • 🕌 Marvel at the stunning Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Macau
Where East meets West in style
8.3
Macau blends Cantonese and Portuguese cooking in the same kitchens. Robuchon au Dome sits on the top floor of the Grand Lisboa. Jade Dragon at City of Dreams serves Cantonese dishes. Egg tarts are a local favourite. Resort hotels across the Cotai Strip house fine dining rooms.
Highlights:
  • 🗼 Admire views from the towering Macau Tower
  • 🛍️ Explore the vibrant Senado Square and its shops
  • 🏛️ Visit the historic Ruins of St. Paul's
Singapore
Tropical city-state of hawker food and gardens
9.5
Odette serves French tasting menus inside the National Gallery. Candlenut won a Michelin star in 2016 for Peranakan cooking. Hawker stalls with Bib Gourmand awards sit a short ride away. Michelin has covered Singapore since 2016. Chilli crab and kaya toast are local favourites at every price.
Highlights:
  • 🏮 Wander through Chinatown’s temples and traditional shophouses
  • 🌳 Visit Gardens by the Bay and its iconic Supertree Grove
  • 🌆 Admire the futuristic skyline from Marina Bay Sands SkyPark
Bangkok
The city of contrasts and chaos
8.6
Thai chefs here turn farm produce from across the country into long tasting menus. Le Du and Sorn are two names food writers follow. The Michelin Guide has covered Bangkok since 2018. Rooftop bars and river view rooms at hotels along the Chao Phraya add to the evening.
Highlights:
  • 🌇 Watch the sunset over Wat Arun by the Chao Phraya River
  • 🚤 Take a boat ride through Bangkok’s bustling floating markets
  • 🏯 Visit the glittering Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha Temple
Shanghai
A dazzling mix of modernity and tradition
9.0
Restaurants on the Bund serve Shanghainese dishes such as braised pork belly and drunken chicken. The former French Concession has tree lined streets with small chef led rooms. Xiaolongbao, soup dumplings, come in bamboo steamers. Modern tasting menus use river fish and seasonal vegetables. Michelin has covered Shanghai since 2016.
Highlights:
  • 🌸 Wander through Yu Garden and explore its traditional pavilions
  • 🏙️ Take the world’s fastest elevator to Shanghai Tower’s observation deck
  • 🌃 Admire Shanghai’s skyline from The Bund promenade at night
Seoul
Where Tradition Meets High-Tech Marvels
8.6
Restaurants such as Jungsik and Mingles serve modern Korean tasting menus in Gangnam. Hansik, Korean banquet cooking, is served in small dishes set out all at once. Temple cuisine, fermented sauces and aged kimchi show up in careful courses. Michelin has covered Seoul since 2017.
Highlights:
  • 🌇 Admire Seoul’s skyline from N Seoul Tower at sunset
  • 🛍️ Shop and eat street food in bustling Myeongdong
  • 🏯 Explore Gyeongbokgung Palace and watch the royal guard ceremony
Kuala Lumpur
A fusion of cultures and skyscrapers
8.1
Dewakan serves modern Malaysian tasting menus built on local ingredients from the rainforest and the coast. Chefs here rework dishes such as rendang and sambal. Rooftop rooms look up at the Petronas Towers. Malay, Chinese and Indian cooking often share one menu. Michelin covers Kuala Lumpur.
Highlights:
  • 🪷 Visit the Batu Caves and climb the colorful staircase to the temple
  • 🛍️ Shop and dine in the bustling Bukit Bintang district
  • 🏙️ Stand beneath the towering Petronas Twin Towers and take in the view
Beijing
Ancient history meets modern dynamism
8.9
Peking duck is roasted in wood fired ovens and carved at the table in thin slices. Chefs wrap each piece in a pancake with scallion and sweet bean sauce. Imperial style banquet rooms near the Forbidden City serve court dishes. Hutong courtyards hold small chef led restaurants.
Highlights:
  • 🌸 Explore the Summer Palace’s gardens and lakeside pavilions
  • 🧱 Climb the Great Wall of China at Mutianyu
  • 🏯 Walk across Tiananmen Square and visit the Forbidden City
Istanbul
Where East meets West in stunning contrast
8.7
Rooftop dining rooms in Beyoglu look over the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. Mikla and Neolokal serve modern Turkish dishes built on Anatolian ingredients. Meze arrive first and the grilled fish follows. Michelin began covering Istanbul in 2022. Raki, an anise spirit, is poured with the fish course.
Highlights:
  • 👑 Explore the opulent Topkapi Palace and its imperial treasures
  • 🚤 Cruise along the Bosphorus between Europe and Asia
  • 🕌 Admire the grand Hagia Sophia’s domes and mosaics
Ho Chi Minh City
A chaotic blend of history and energy
8.1
District 1 hosts chef led restaurants that rework street food. At Anan Saigon, chef Peter Cuong Franklin serves a high end banh mi and a small tasting menu. Rooftop bars sit above the Saigon River. Michelin began covering the city in 2024. Pho and broken rice remain everyday meals.
Highlights:
  • ⛪ Admire French colonial architecture at Notre-Dame Cathedral
  • 🏛️ Visit the War Remnants Museum for a moving history lesson
  • 🕳️ Walk through the historic Cu Chi Tunnels used during the war
Bali
Tropical beaches, vibrant culture and adventure
8.2
Jimbaran Bay serves grilled lobster and snapper at tables set on the sand at sunset. Along Jalan Petitenget in Seminyak, chef led restaurants offer tasting menus with Indonesian ingredients. Uluwatu cliff top rooms look over surf breaks. Dinner starts late and desserts feature coconut and palm sugar.
Highlights:
  • ⛪ Visit Uluwatu Temple perched high on a seaside cliff
  • 💦 Swim beneath the cascading Tegenungan Waterfall
  • 🌋 Watch the sunrise over Mount Batur volcano
Hanoi
Where tradition meets modern vibrancy
8.0
Ba Dinh and the Old Quarter hold restaurants that pair northern Vietnamese flavour with French technique. La Badiane serves dinner in a villa with a courtyard. Tasting menus use herbs from the Red River Delta. Michelin began covering Vietnam in 2024 and Hanoi was among its launch cities.
Highlights:
  • 🚴‍♂️ Ride a cyclo through Hanoi’s Old Quarter’s narrow streets
  • 🏯 Admire the ancient architecture of the Temple of Literature
  • 🌅 Walk around Hoan Kiem Lake and watch locals at sunrise
Taipei
A vibrant blend of old and new
9.0
Taiwanese banquet cooking in Taipei includes three cup chicken, braised pork and fried rice with fish. Xiaolongbao from Din Tai Fung began on Xinyi Road. Chefs combine Japanese and Taiwanese ideas on tasting menus. The Michelin Guide has covered Taipei since 2018. Oolong tea is poured with courses.
Highlights:
  • ♨️ Relax and soak in the Beitou hot springs
  • 🍢 Wander through the bustling Shilin Night Market and try local snacks
  • 🏙️ Take in the skyline views from the Taipei 101 observatory
Tel Aviv
Vibrant Beaches and Nonstop Energy
8.4
Chefs in Tel Aviv shop at the Carmel Market for tomatoes, herbs and fish. Tasting menus draw on Levantine and Mediterranean cooking. Jaffa port has seafood restaurants beside old stone walls. Hummus, tahini and grilled vegetables appear in refined form. Natural wine from Israeli vineyards fills the glasses.
Highlights:
  • 🏢 Admire Bauhaus architecture on tree-lined Rothschild Boulevard
  • 🏖️ Relax and people-watch along Gordon and Frishman Beaches
  • 🏘️ Stroll the historic alleys and flea market in Old Jaffa
Ubud
Bali's Cultural and Spiritual Heart
7.9
Locavore NXT serves Indonesian ingredient tasting menus in Ubud, not far from the Monkey Forest. Restaurants on the Sayan ridge look out over rice terraces and forested valleys. Chefs work with local farms for vegetables and herbs. Evening meals pair with Balinese gamelan music in some rooms.
Highlights:
  • 🏯 Explore the historic Ubud Palace and gardens
  • 🌿 Walk the scenic Campuhan Ridge for nature views
  • 🐒 Visit the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Ubud
Guangzhou
A Fusion of Tradition and Modernity
7.9
Dim sum is a morning ritual in Guangzhou, with steamed shrimp dumplings and roast pork buns on rolling carts. Cantonese banquet rooms in Liwan district serve whole steamed fish and soups slow cooked for hours. The Michelin Guide has covered the city since 2018. Tea comes with every table.
Highlights:
  • 🏯 Explore the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall’s ornate Lingnan architecture
  • 🛳️ Cruise along the Pearl River to see Guangzhou illuminated at night
  • 🌇 Admire the skyline from the Canton Tower’s observation deck
Kanazawa
Samurai streets, gold leaf and Kenrokuen garden
8.2
Kaga cuisine is the local style of Kanazawa. Chefs serve fresh Sea of Japan fish, vegetables from the Kaga plain and jibuni, a duck stew. Kaiseki rooms in the old Higashi Chaya district sit beside wooden teahouses. Gold leaf from the city lands on desserts and even drinks.
Highlights:
  • 🍵 Wander the preserved tea houses of Higashi Chaya District
  • 🏯 Explore Kanazawa Castle and its impressive defensive grounds
  • 🌸 Stroll through Kenrokuen Garden, one of Japan’s finest landscapes
Kobe
Harbour city with hills, beef and hot springs
7.8
Teppanyaki chefs in Kobe grill marbled Kobe beef on a hot plate in front of guests. The beef has strict rules for the breed and region. Steakhouses in Sannomiya and Kitano serve lunch sets and tasting courses. Kobe's port heritage brought bakeries and European style cafes.
Highlights:
  • 🌿 Explore the lush Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens
  • ♨️ Relax in the historic Arima Onsen hot springs
  • 🌆 Visit iconic Kobe Port Tower for stunning views
Hokkaido
Volcanoes, powder snow and fresh seafood
9.3
Hokkaido's cold seas supply sea urchin, scallops and king crab to sushi counters across the island. Chefs in Hakodate and Otaru pair them with local rice. Farms around Furano and Biei supply cheese, melon and vegetables. Dairy desserts such as soft serve and cream puffs finish many menus.
Highlights:
  • 🚤 Explore historic Otaru Canal and its shops
  • 🏂 Ski or snowboard in world-famous Niseko resorts
  • 💧 Visit the spectacular Shirogane Blue Pond
Fukuoka
Kyushu's biggest city, known for yatai and ramen
8.4
Fish from the Genkai Sea ends up at sushi counters across Fukuoka. Chefs slice it in front of guests and set each piece on the counter. Yatai, open air food stalls, line the Nakasu riverbank at night. Hakata mizutaki, a chicken hot pot with clear broth, is a local dinner.
Highlights:
  • 🌸 Explore Fukuoka Castle ruins during cherry blossom season
  • 🌅 Stroll through Ohori Park’s lakeside paths at sunset
  • 🍜 Slurp tonkotsu ramen at the original Ichiran stall
Sapporo
Snow festival city with ramen and beer
7.7
Sushi counters in Sapporo serve fish landed on Hokkaido's coast. The Susukino district has rows of small restaurants open late. Genghis Khan, grilled lamb cooked over a dome, is a local dish. Sapporo is also known for soup curry and for beer from its own old brewery.
Highlights:
  • ⏰ Visit the historic Sapporo Clock Tower landmark
  • 🌳 Stroll through Odori Park, Sapporo’s central green space
  • 🌄 Enjoy panoramic city views from Mount Moiwa Observatory
Maldives
Coral atolls, lagoons and overwater villas
9.2
Resort restaurants here sit over lagoons and on private sandbanks. The Conrad Maldives Rangali Island has an underwater dining room five metres below the surface. Chefs serve fresh tuna, lobster and reef fish. Dinners on the beach come with lanterns. Every island resort has its own menu.
Highlights:
  • 🌌 Watch a glowing beach at night on Vaadhoo Island
  • 🦈 Snorkel with reef sharks and manta rays at Hanifaru Bay
  • 🏝️ Stay in an overwater villa surrounded by turquoise lagoon
Kyushu
Volcanoes, onsen and tonkotsu ramen
8.4
Ryokan inns in Beppu, Yufuin and Kurokawa serve multi course dinners in guest rooms. Guests soak in the hot springs first. Kagoshima's kurobuta black pork and Saga beef appear on tasting menus. Nagasaki adds its own mix of Chinese and Portuguese flavours. Shochu is poured alongside.
Highlights:
  • 🕊️ Explore historic Nagasaki Peace Park memorial
  • 🥾 Hike scenic trails at Mount Aso volcanic caldera
  • ♨️ Relax in Beppu’s famous hot spring baths
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