For many travellers, a memorable meal is about far more than what's on the plate. Increasingly, it's the setting, atmosphere and design that turn dinner into a destination in its own right.
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Now, the prestigious Prix Versailles architecture and design awards has unveiled its list of the World's Most Beautiful Restaurants for 2026, celebrating 16 venues that combine exceptional cuisine with striking interiors.
The selected restaurants showcase everything from meticulously restored historic buildings to bold contemporary spaces.
In their judging, experts examine how architecture, hospitality and gastronomy can come together to create unforgettable experiences.
Speaking of the recipients, Jérôme Gouadain, Secretary General of the Prix Versailles, said: “Whether part of a protected building or an emporium, towering over an urban landscape or melding with the surrounding scenery, the décor at these 16 establishments is imbued with an array of styles and colours that put each one in perfect harmony with its environment... and its menu.”
Out of the 16 awarded the honour, five are located in Europe. These are the most beautiful on the continent.
Le Fou, Vienna, Austria
Le Fou – French for “the fool” – is anything but conventional. Hidden inside Vienna’s boutique The Leo Grand, this cocktail bar and restaurant channels the glamour and intrigue of Parisian nightlife through a series of richly designed, interconnected spaces.
Created by founder Alexander Schrack and interior designer Theresa Obermoser, the venue combines silk walls, velvet furnishings, natural stone and aged metal finishes to create an atmosphere that feels luxurious without being showy.
Rooms feature, variously, rust and terracotta tones and gold-tones with leopard-print accents, which add playful, theatrical touches.
As daylight fades, low lighting and cosy corners transform the space into one of Vienna’s most stylish cocktail destinations.
Monti, Gstaad, Switzerland
Set within Gstaad’s luxurious The Alpina Gstaad Hotel, Monti takes Alpine design in a refreshingly modern direction.
Rather than leaning into chalet clichés, architect Jakob Sprenger and creative director Antonia Crespí have created a space that feels rooted in the mountains while remaining sleek and contemporary.
Reclaimed 200-year-old timber from local farmhouses lines the walls and ceilings, while local elm furniture, woven bronze dividers and mohair banquettes add texture and warmth.
A spacious terrace overlooks the surrounding glaciers, and chef Martin Göschel adds a personal touch by preparing select dishes table-side, bringing diners together around the experience.
Finlandia Bistro, Helsinki, Finland
Inside Helsinki’s iconic Finlandia Hall, Finlandia Bistro proves that heritage and contemporary design can coexist beautifully.
Tasked with updating one of Finland’s most important modernist landmarks, in place since 1971, design studio Fyra has managed to carefully balance preservation with renewal at the restaurant.
Original furnishings by the hall’s original architect, Alvar Aalto, sit alongside bespoke contemporary pieces, creating interiors that feel warm, welcoming and lived-in rather than museum-like.
The result is a restaurant that honours the building’s history while serving as a natural extension of the cultural life that continues to flow through Finlandia Hall.
Carbone, London, United Kingdom
The first European outpost of New York institution Carbone brings old-school glamour to London's Mayfair.
Housed within the former American Embassy, the restaurant channels the spirit of classic 1950s supper clubs, combining Italian-American nostalgia with a distinctly lively sense of luxury.
Designer Ken Fulk has filled the space with velvet banquettes, polished woodwork, intricate mosaics and contemporary artworks, from artists including Lola Montes and Ai Weiwei.
A hand-painted mural lines the grand staircase, leading guests into a series of impressive spaces including a bar, lounge and an impressive main dining room. Hidden away is an opulent private dining room, designed to feel exclusive, intimate and perfectly New York.
Marlow, Monaco
Located in Monaco’s recently opened Mareterra district, Marlow offers a softer, more characterful take on Riviera luxury.
Designed by artist and architect Hugo Toro, the restaurant is imagined as the home of a fictional British character, drawing inspiration from the long history of English visitors to the Côte d’Azur, which dates back to the mid-18th century.
Wood-panelled walls, vintage-inspired furnishings and a central bar create the feel of an elegant private club, while quirky details give each corner its own personality.
In the kitchen, chef Sébastien Blin reinterprets British classics with Mediterranean influences. The result is a restaurant that feels refined yet relaxed – a welcome contrast to the more extravagant side of Monaco.
The 2026 list announced by Prix Versailles:
- Nobu One Za’abeel, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Le Fou, Vienna, Austria
- Monti, Gstaad, Switzerland
- Akira Back, Hong Kong, China
- Hana no Kumo, Hong Kong, China
- Monsieur Dior by Anne-Sophie Pic, Beijing, China
- Peridot, Hong Kong, China
- Escā Playa,Ras El Hekma, Egypt
- Finlandia Bistro, Helsinki, Finland
- Carbone, London, United Kingdom
- Rosso, Hinganigada, India
- Marlow, Monaco
- Lucia, Los Angeles, United States
- Monsieur Dior by Dominique Crenn, Beverly Hills, United States
- Mottai, Coral Gables, United States
- Amura by Ángel León, Cape Town, South Africa