Prix Versailles’ 2025 Picks for Most Beautiful Restaurants in the world

Each year under UNESCO’s auspices, the prestigious Prix Versailles awards shine a spotlight on restaurants where architecture and ambiance elevate the dining experience into an art form. To quote Jérôme Gouadain, Secretary‑General of Prix Versailles:

“When we have a meal, we remember the taste of the dishes, the scent of a venue, the soundtrack of a meeting and perhaps the recollection of an object. It’s impossible not to recognize the mission that is incumbent upon design here.”

For 2025, 16 newly opened or renovated restaurants have earned their place among the most breathtaking globally:

Gerbou – Dubai, UAE

Topping the list, Gerbou (“Welcome to our humble abode”) blends Emirati tradition with sleek modern design. Inside a 1987‑reimagined building, you’ll find camel‑leather sofas, ghaf‑wood chairs, fish‑scale lighting and a richly textured palette reflecting local heritage. Chef Ionel Catau’s menu—70 % locally sourced—mirrors that fusion of ancestral flavours and design.

Smoked Room – Dubai, UAE

Michelin‑starred Chef Dani García’s 14‑seat omakase experience unfolds in a semi‑circular enclave of black brick, brass mesh, mirrors and clean lines, evoking the elemental drama of fire and smoke. The immersive layout focuses attention on the ceremony of cooking.

Blackswan – Beijing, China

Set within Beijing’s Luo Hong Art Museum, this refined venue draws inspiration from a Gary Hume painting. A monochromatic palette, feather‑like chandelier, and swan‑themed details blend to create an elegant, tranquil retreat beside its landscaped garden.

Ōrtensia – Shanghai, China

In Shanghai’s fashionable Zhangyuan district, Ōrtensia merges French‑Japanese culinary traditions with shikumen architecture. Rich wood paneling, lacquer finishes, carved details and artful tiling evoke an intimate, whimsical world.

Lobster Club – Palma de Mallorca, Spain

A modern sea club capturing Mediterranean zest, Lobster Club’s open‑plan bar, infinity pool and panoramic terrace embody laid‑back luxury. A material mix of iroko wood, artisanal tiles and polished steel complements the island vibe.

Bouchon Carême – Helsinki, Finland

Studio Fyra’s adaptation of Lyonnaise bouchon style in a 1900 heritage building preserves exposed brick, cast‑iron columns, and large rounded windows. Rustic wood accents and warm tonal hues create a cozy, refined atmosphere.

Ladurée Rue Royale – Paris, France

The original 1862 Ladurée tearoom reopened in July 2024 with a restored Belle Époque interior by Cordelia de Castellane. Each salon, from Chantilly to Napoléon, celebrates refined Parisian elegance and historical charm.

Ducasse Baccarat – Paris, France

Housed in the former home of art patron Marie-Laure de Noailles, this Alain Ducasse restaurant blends Baccarat crystal with refined French design by Aliénor Béchu, creating a luminous, art-filled dining experience.

Shell – Nusa Penida, Indonesia

A striking example of biomimicry and passive design, Shell’s bamboo‑supported shell‑like roof and reclaimed‑wood interiors sit cliff‑side overlooking Diamond Beach. Natural forms dictate both structure and ambiance.

Julie’s – London, UK

Located in Notting Hill, this reimagined 1970s sanctuary combines modular motifs and artistic flair with garden‑side dining. Once an exclusive members’ gents club, it now celebrates West London charm.

Coro – Orvieto, Italy

Located within a deconsecrated 16th‑century church, Coro honors its sacred origins. Walnut tuff‑stone walls, remnants of the altar, natural light and contemporary art combine to create a quiet, ritualistic dining space celebrating Umbria’s traditions.

Seven Island – Busan, South Korea

This café complex comprises seven interconnected pavilions offering panoramic ocean views. With dark lower floors giving way to light upper levels, its design emulates an island emerging from the sea.

Kimyona – Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

This speakeasy‑style venue draws on black‑and‑white analogue photography. Inside, dim lighting, stone walls, reclaimed tiles and steel surfaces evoke a photographic darkroom ambience.

Another Smith – Tha Sai Luat, Thailand

A playful, bamboo‑framed building with multiple dining rooms, café, and jewelry shop, unified by airy galleries and central kitchen. It reflects family heritage through open, modular design.

Beefbar – New York, USA

Riccardo Giraudi’s Staten‑launched steakhouse in Tribeca features Art‑Deco arches, tall windows, terrazzo floors and marble accents. It unites industrial Manhattan heritage with luxe materials in a bold, minimalist aesthetic.

Japón – Miami Beach, USA

Nestled within The Setai, Japón foregrounds Japanese elegance: gold‑leaf ceilings, crane‑themed mosaics, woodblock art and a private Kyoto Room. Sala­dino Design’s immersive space blends heritage craft with contemporary flair.

Design That Goes Beyond Aesthetics

The Prix Versailles jury recognizes these 16 venues for more than beauty. They celebrate intelligent sustainability, cultural resonance, and sensory richness. As Gouadain reminds us:

“Architecture draws us into its warm embrace, enveloping us with its shapes, and then totally effaces itself in favor of the feast.”