This guide introduces 10 of the best fine dining restaurants in Asia.
Asia serves the world on a plate, blending rich traditions with global techniques. But its most exciting offerings lie in Asian gastronomy and bold flavour fusions.
If Asia is on your visit list and research time is short, this guide has you covered. It’s reliable, easy to skim, and straightforward.
Apéritif Restaurant — Bali, Indonesia
Apéritif Restaurant offers Michelin-level dining. It brings you exceptional culinary mastery and personalised service, making it one of Bali’s top fine-dining destinations.
What to Expect?
- Cuisines — fine dining tasting menus blend Indonesian recipes with international flavours and modern techniques. Its culinary philosophy — Borderless Food Concept— connects people through food.
- Drinks — A curated collection of the world’s most exclusive wines. A sommelier helps pair them with your meal.
- Vibe — Elegant 1920s colonial interiors with baroque patterns, vintage chandeliers, grand paintings, and a black-and-white theme. The restaurant offers three dining spaces for different experiences.
- Service — Staff welcome you warmly at the entry and guide you through meal choices.
- Acclaim — Received several awards such as the prestigious The World’s Luxury Restaurant Awards Winner of Best Fine Dining Cuisine in South East Asia and is recognised as one of Bali’s best restaurants.
- Michelin Star Collaborations— Apéritif hosts exclusive dining events with Michelin-star chefs, like Guillaume Galliot creating a Michelin Dining experience.
SÉZANNE — Tokyo, Japan
SÉZANNE, a three-Michelin-starred restaurant.
What to Expect?
- Cuisines — Modern French with Japanese touches. Chef Calvert refreshes classic French dishes with seasonal ingredients from Japan. The degustation menu changes based on season and ingredient availability.
- Vibe — Stylish yet comfortable. Big windows bring daylight, while Tokyo’s skyline shines at night.
- Chef’s Table — A private dining space with a close-up view of the kitchen in action. Perfect for a more personalised experience.
- Drinks & Desserts — A wide champagne selection for every taste and budget. The Pastry team prepares classic French desserts.
Recognition — Ranked No.1 on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants (2024).
Whitegrass, Singapore
Whitegrass is a Michelin-starred restaurant that blends classic French techniques with Japanese ingredients.
What to Expect?
- Cuisines — Chef Takuya Yamashita’s menus offer simple, nature-inspired dishes. They are shaped by the chefs’ experiences. Signature dishes include Hokkaido scallop with Mont D’Or and Miyazaki Wagyu with cognac sauce.
- Vibe — A cosy 48-seat restaurant in a restored convent. The design reflects Chef Takuya’s love for nature. It’s shaped by his childhood in Nara’s forests. One dining room lets guests watch the kitchen in action.
- Sustainability — The menu features fresh ingredients from trusted farmers and producers.
- Drinks — The wine list offers organic and biodynamic options. Signature cocktails use small-batch liquors, aged fruit juice, and boutique tonics, with no added sugar.
Gaggan Anand — Bangkok, Thailand
Gaggan Anand serves progressive Indian cuisine in a vibrant yet intimate space. It blends fine dining with fun without the usual pretension associated with haute cuisine.
What to Expect?
- Cuisines — Experimental Indian cuisine with inventive flavours and surprises. Dishes engage the senses through texture, temperature, and taste.
- Vibe — Neon lights, blue chairs, and concrete columns contrast sharply. High ceilings add space. Rustic touches keep it cosy.
- Dining Zones — You choose from three experiences:
- G’s Spot – A 14-seat chef’s table for immersive dining.
- Arena G – Lively open-kitchen dining.
- My Private Table – A setting for intimate gatherings.
Recognition — Ranked No. 9 in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants (2024) and No. 3 in Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants (2024).
The Chairman — Hong Kong
The Chairman is a Michelin-starred restaurant. It’s known for ingredient-focused Cantonese cuisine.
What to Expect?
- Cuisines — The Chairman uses locally sourced, organic ingredients and time-honoured techniques. Many ingredients come from small suppliers and local fishermen. Traditional methods enhance seasonal ingredients. This results in authentic dishes.
- Vibe —A modern yet classic space. The red-and-gold storefront reflects tradition; the white interiors feel elegant and modern.
- Drinks — A curated wine list is offered. Tea lovers can enjoy pu’er tea. It pairs well with rich Cantonese dishes.
Recognition — Ranked No.1 in Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants (2021). It’s the first Hong Kong restaurant to win the honour.
Avartana, India
Avartana reimagines South Indian cuisine with modern techniques and bold presentations. It debuted at No.30 on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants. This was the highest new entry award.
What to Expect?
- Cuisines — Dishes highlight local spices, delicate broths, infused oils, fresh coconut, and aromatic curry leaves.
- Menus — Multi-course tasting menus:
- Maya (7 courses)
- Bela (9 courses)
- Jiaa (11 courses)
- Anika (13 courses)
- Tara (13 courses, coastal focus)
Each menu has unique flavours and presentations. Courses pair with spiced cocktails and curated drinks.
- Vibe — Soft lighting, brass accents, and banana leaf-inspired décor create an elegant space. Rustic tableware adds charm. The 54-seat restaurant and 10-seater private dining room offer privacy.
Noir. Dining in the Dark, Vietnam
Noir offers a dining-in-the-dark experience; you eat in complete darkness. You rely on senses other than sight. This setting enhances your senses of taste, smell, and touch.
What to Expect?
- Cuisines — Two menus with three courses — a starter, a main and a dessert. One features Vietnamese, Asian and international flavours. The other comprises healthy Asian-international fusion vegetarian meals.
- Service — Visually impaired staff guide and serve. They offer an idea into their daily experiences. The staff are attentive and ensure you feel comfortable throughout the meal.
- Features — Upon arrival, you participate in a brief orientation to adapt to the dark environment.
Recognition — Travellers Choice Award for 2024.
Sabayon, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Sabayon is on the 51st floor of EQ, Equatorial Plaza.
What to Expect?
- Cuisines — Contemporary European dining. Degustation menus with seasonal ingredients from around the world. Expert sommeliers curate the wine list.
- Vibe — A sleek space with floor-to-ceiling windows and a romantic setting.
- Features — Hosts the Sunday Sky Brunch. This menu has a four-course meal for adults and a three-course option for children aged 6 to 12. The restaurant also offers private dining options. Additionally, Sabayon has hosted Michelin-starred guest chefs, including Chef Alex Dilling.
Recognition — TripAdvisor’s highest award — the prestigious ‘Best of the Best’ award in 2024
Ise Sueyoshi, Japan
Ise Sueyoshi is an exclusive Kaiseki restaurant in Tokyo.
What to Expect?
- Cuisines — Traditional Kaiseki cuisine. Ingredients are sourced directly from Ise, Mie Prefecture, known for its premium produce. The menu highlights seasonal flavours and luxurious ingredients.
- Drinks — Rare Japanese sake from Mie’s clear streams. An expert sommelier chooses organic wines for thoughtful food pairings.
- Vibe — A small, private setting. You can choose between the chef’s counter or a private dining room. The experience includes an English guide, explaining each stage of Kaiseki dining.
- Service — Personalised and immersive. The restaurant builds a direct connection between producers and diners.
Recognition — Tripadvisor’s No.1 Fine Dining in Japan (2024) and 2nd Best Fine Dining in the World.
Zen — Singapore
Zén is a three-Michelin-starred restaurant in Singapore.
What to Expect?
- Cuisines — Neo-Nordic with Japanese influences. The focus is on purity, seasonal ingredients, and bold flavours. Each dish highlights fine craftsmanship and innovation.
- Menu — Eight-course tasting menu. It’s seafood-heavy with dishes like grilled turbot, razor clams, and scallops with buttermilk vinaigrette. Signature French toast. Occasional use of fermented ingredients for deep flavours.
- Drinks — Extensive wine list. A wide range of Japanese sake. Unique juice pairings like oxidised apple and Oolong tea.
- Vibe — A multi-level experience. Snacks and apéritifs in the kitchen. Mains in the dining room. Desserts in the living room. Service is warm and attentive.
Recognition — Ranked #37 in Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants.
