Two Indonesian restaurants enter Asia's 50 Best list for 2026.

Amidst the ever-evolving Asian culinary landscape, two restaurants from Indonesia have etched a proud mark. The inclusion of August and Locavore NXT in the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026 list signifies that Indonesia is not merely a destination, but a complete gastronomic experience.

The announcement made in Hong Kong on March 25, 2026, placed August at rank 42 and Locavore NXT at position 44, marking a significant leap from the previous year. 

Yet beyond the numbers, this achievement reflects the evolution of how Indonesia presents its stories through food. Blending tradition, innovation, and sustainability onto a single plate.

Minister of Tourism Widiyanti Putri Wardhana views this achievement as a crucial momentum for national Tourism Promotion.

“The success of two Indonesian Restaurants breaking into the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026 list, along with the award for the Indonesian pastry chef, is an immensely proud achievement. This demonstrates that the gastronomic richness of the Indonesian archipelago possesses global competitiveness when combined with innovation, quality, and strong storytelling,” stated Widiyanti via an official release on Saturday.

Led by Hans Christian, August in Jakarta offers an intimate and refined dining experience. The restaurant is known for its contemporary culinary approach while remaining rooted in Indonesian flavor identity, balancing modernity and taste memory.

A significant role also comes from Ardika Dwitama, the figure behind the signature dessert creations at August. He won the Asia’s Best Pastry Chef Award 2026, affirming that sweet innovations using local ingredients can speak a global language.

This award recognizes his creativity and expertise in translating various Indonesian local ingredients into modern pastry works that are precise, imaginative, and full of strong character.

Meanwhile, in the heart of Ubud, Locavore NXT offers a different approach: an immersive dining experience grounded in eco-conscious and hyper-local principles. 

Each dish is designed not just to be enjoyed, but also to understand the relationship between humans, nature, and time.

Asia’s 50 Best highlighted Locavore NXT’s unique concept of delivering an immersive dining experience with an eco-conscious, hyper-local, and seasonal approach.

This achievement simultaneously reinforces Bali’s position, particularly Ubud, as a center of gastronomic innovation, complementing its reputation as a cultural and natural destination. 

For Indonesia, this is a step further in building its identity as a premier gastronomic Tourism destination in Asia.

"Cuisine is an essential part of the Travel Experience, and Indonesia possesses tremendous potential to continue developing as a world-class gastronomic destination," said the Tourism Minister.

Through the spirit of Wonderful Indonesia, the government continues to promote the national culinary ecosystem to gain greater global recognition.

“We hope this achievement can inspire more players in the nation’s culinary industry to continue elevating Indonesia’s local identity,” expressed Widiyanti.

Behind every dish lies a story of the land, tradition, and transformation. Now, that story resonates louder, from Jakarta to Ubud, reaching the global stage.