Wine Spectator has officially announced the Restaurant Awards 2026, one of the world’s most respected recognitions for restaurants with outstanding wine programs. This year, 4,012 restaurants across 87 countries and territories received awards, with five restaurants from Vietnam earning a place on the prestigious list.
Established in 1981, the Wine Spectator Restaurant Awards have become an international benchmark for wine-focused dining. The awards evaluate not only the size of a restaurant’s wine list but also the quality of its selections, how well the wines complement the cuisine, the accuracy of wine information, service standards, and the restaurant’s long-term commitment to wine culture.
The awards are presented across three levels.
The Award of Excellence recognizes restaurants offering around 75 wine selections or more, with a thoughtfully curated list that complements the restaurant’s culinary style. In 2026, 2,010 restaurants worldwide received this distinction. Vietnam was represented by three restaurants, all located in Da Nang:
- Char Grill House (Danang)
- Lá Sen (Danang)
- Vincognito Wine Bar & Italian Trattoria (Danang)
The next tier, Best of Award of Excellence, honors restaurants with significantly larger wine programs, typically featuring 350 or more labels, covering a broad range of wine regions and vintages. Winners are also recognized for serious investment in cellar management and professional wine service. This year, 1,704 restaurants worldwide received this award.
Vietnam celebrated two winners in this category:
- La Maison 1888 (Da Nang)
- Mad Wine Bar & Eatery (Ho Chi Minh City)
At the highest level sits the Grand Award, reserved for restaurants with some of the world’s finest wine programs. These establishments often offer more than 1,000 wine labels, exceptional vintage depth, rare collections, and highly professional sommelier service. Only 99 restaurants globally achieved this distinction in 2026, and Vietnam has yet to earn its first Grand Award.
One particularly notable trend is that four of Vietnam’s five award-winning restaurants are located in Da Nang. The result reflects the city’s remarkable rise as a luxury dining destination and highlights the growing commitment of Vietnamese restaurants to building world-class wine programs—an aspect increasingly valued by international travelers and wine enthusiasts alike.
For many wine lovers, the Wine Spectator Restaurant Awards logo serves as a trusted mark of quality when choosing where to dine. Beyond recognizing extensive wine lists, the awards represent excellence in food, wine service, and the overall dining experience.
Meet Vietnam’s Award-Winning Restaurants
La Maison 1888 – Da Nang
Best of Award of Excellence
Opened in 2013 within the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, La Maison 1888 is one of Vietnam’s most celebrated French fine-dining restaurants and has maintained one Michelin Star from 2024 to 2026.
In 2024, the restaurant’s Head Sommelier, Nguyá»…n Hữu Toà n, received the Michelin Guide Sommelier Award, further cementing the restaurant’s reputation for exceptional wine service.
Its cellar is particularly renowned for Bordeaux and Burgundy, housing some of the world’s most sought-after wines, including Pétrus, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Henri Jayer, and Domaine Coche-Dury, making it one of the finest wine collections in Vietnam.
Mad Wine Bar & Eatery – Ho Chi Minh City
Best of Award of Excellence
Founded in 2020 in Thao Dien, Mad Wine Bar & Eatery is recognized as the first dedicated wine bar in Saigon. Established by Camilla, Casper, and Mary — all professionally trained with internationally recognized wine certifications — Mad was created with a clear focus on wine. Its carefully curated program features more than 25 wines by the glass and over 500 labels by the bottle, spanning both classic and emerging wine regions. Over the years, Mad has become a favorite destination for the city’s wine community, known for making great wine accessible through knowledgeable service, thoughtful food pairings, and a relaxed neighborhood atmosphere.
Char Grill House – Da Nang
Award of Excellence
Located within Fusion Resort & Villas Da Nang, Char Grill House opened in 2024 as a premium beachfront grill restaurant.
Specializing in charcoal grilling and wood-fired cooking, the restaurant serves premium meats, signature barbecue dishes, and fresh local seafood. Its wine program is particularly strong in French wines, carefully selected to complement the smoky, flame-driven cuisine.
Lá Sen – Da Nang
Award of Excellence
Situated within Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, Hoi An, Lá Sen presents contemporary Vietnamese cuisine that celebrates regional culinary traditions through refined techniques, premium local ingredients, and elegant presentation.
Its wine list is curated by Wine Director Maria Kryshko, whose international experience as Head Sommelier at luxury hotels and Michelin-level restaurants has shaped a collection focused on Champagne, Bordeaux, Burgundy, and the Loire Valley.
Vincognito Wine Bar & Italian Trattoria – Hoi An
Award of Excellence
Housed in a charming villa in Hoi An Ancient Town, Vincognito Wine Bar & Italian Trattoria specializes in authentic Italian cuisine crafted by Chef Alessio Rasom, who is also behind the Michelin-starred Si Dining.
The restaurant’s wine list highlights renowned regions from Italy, France, and selected New World producers, offering guests an extensive selection designed to pair naturally with traditional Italian cooking.
The recognition of five Vietnamese restaurants at the Wine Spectator Restaurant Awards 2026 is more than an achievement for individual establishments it reflects the steady evolution of Vietnam’s fine dining and wine culture.
