Thailand shines bright in the 2025 World's 50 Best Restaurants list

Bangkok’s culinary scene continues to solidify its place on the global map, with a spectacular showing in this year’s World’s 50 Best Restaurants list, unveiled on June 19th, in Turin, Italy. In a dazzling display of creativity, flavour, and cultural resonance, four Thai restaurants ranked among the world’s elite, while the title of World’s Best Female Chef 2025 also went to a trailblazing talent from Thailand.

Topping Thailand’s achievements this year is Gaggan in Bangkok, which soared to the 6th place globally — a powerful return to the top after years of evolution under chef Gaggan Anand’s singular vision. Known for his rebellious spirit and genre-defying “progressive Indian” cuisine, Gaggan has transformed dining into an immersive and theatrical experience, where emojis replace menu items and no two visits are the same. With this latest accolade, Gaggan reclaims his throne not just as a regional powerhouse but as one of the greatest chefs in the world today.

In addition to Gaggan, three other Bangkok-based establishments made impressive appearances in the 2025 ranking:

• Potong (#13) – Helmed by the groundbreaking Chef Pichaya “Pam” Soontornyanakij, Potong is a poetic exploration of Thai-Chinese heritage. Its ascension up the list is also symbolic — Chef Pam was awarded the title of The World’s Best Female Chef 2025, making her the first Thai chef to receive this honour.

• Sorn (#17) – Located in a beautifully restored heritage house in Bangkok, Sorn is famed for its meticulous celebration of Southern Thai cuisine. Chef Supaksorn “Ice” Jongsiri combines slow-cooked techniques with rare regional ingredients, delivering dishes that are as emotionally evocative as they are technically refined.

• Sühring (#22) – German twins Thomas and Mathias Sühring bring Bangkok a taste of modern German fine dining with delicate precision. Nestled in a lush tropical garden, the restaurant offers a serene experience of refined comfort and innovation, all with a distinctly European soul.

• Le Du (#30) – A stalwart of modern Thai cuisine, Chef Ton Thitid Tassanakajohn continues to dazzle the world with his seasonal reinterpretations of Thai classics. With locally sourced ingredients and elegant plating, Le Du remains a favourite among both locals and international diners.

Beyond the individual success of these restaurants, Thailand’s strong presence in the 2025 World’s 50 Best list reflects a broader cultural shift: one where Thai cuisine is not just recognised for its bold flavours and street-food legacy, but as a dynamic force in fine dining and sustainable innovation.

Chef Pam’s recognition as the World’s Best Female Chef 2025 is especially momentous. Trained in the U.S. and now redefining the narrative of modern Thai gastronomy, she represents a new generation of chefs who are as committed to heritage as they are to experimentation. At Potong, every dish is rooted in memory, yet elevated with technical brilliance, making her both a cultural ambassador and a culinary revolutionary.

As the world’s culinary eyes remain fixed on Asia, Thailand stands tall, not just for its food, but for the stories, people, and traditions that shape it. Whether it’s a nostalgic broth at Sorn, an avant-garde experience at Gaggan, or a seasonal tasting menu at Le Du, Bangkok continues to prove that it is one of the most thrilling dining destinations on Earth.

In the words of Chef Gaggan: “Food is emotion. It’s memory. It’s who we are.” Thailand, through its chefs and its kitchens, is showing the world just how powerful those memories can be.

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