Launched in 2025, Best Historic Restaurant is the first global ranking dedicated to celebrating the world’s most iconic restaurants—places where culinary excellence and cultural heritage merge into a timeless dining experience. The list draws on a prestigious network of over 420 historians, critics, chefs, architects and gastronomy scholars who together ensure a comprehensive and deeply contextual evaluation of each establishment.

The project was created to recognise restaurants that have shaped culinary traditions over decades—and in many cases, centuries—preserving local identity while continuing to deliver outstanding cuisine. Thanks to collaborations with museums, heritage foundations and international cultural organisations, the ranking highlights not only gastronomic quality but also historical integrity and architectural authenticity.

The evaluation process is grounded in a multilayered approach: historical research, on-site assessments, anonymous visits, culinary tasting panels and regional verification. The world is divided into 14 cultural regions, each supervised by an Academy Chair with expertise in architectural heritage and local gastronomic history.

Best Historic Restaurant aims to illuminate the remarkable stories behind the world’s longest-standing dining institutions, from century-old osterie and family-run taverns to landmark establishments with deep national significance. The annual list reveals how history, cuisine and community intertwine, offering a profound journey through the evolution of global food culture.

Since its foundation, Best Historic Restaurant has inspired travellers, researchers and culinary enthusiasts to explore, appreciate and safeguard the world’s gastronomic heritage. Its mission is to champion authenticity, preserve tradition and honour the restaurants that continue to define cultural identity through food.