Japan: Gohgan
The result of a double act years in the making between Gaggan Anand and Takeshi ‘Goh’ Fukuyama – both regulars among Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants – this is the pair’s first permanent space. Expect a fusion of modern French-Japanese cooking and Indian creativity and spices and, if that’s not enough reason to visit, Building 010 also houses bars, boutiques and an immersive theatre. Though any show will likely play second fiddle to this long-awaited culinary combination.
Where: 812-0018, 1-4-17 Sumiyoshi, Hakata-ward, Fukuoka-city, Japan
Bookings: 010bld.com/gohgan
South Africa: Jan Franschhoek
2022 was the year of African cooking and that shows no signs of stopping. Yet while the latest culinary experience from Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen certainly showcases South African regional dishes, it does so for a maximum of just 16 diners a night. Set in a cottage in the middle of gorgeous lavender fields, the semi-tasting menu pairs locally sourced ingredients with wine from the surrounding estate. It’s rustic local dining in the most rarefied way. Let’s just hope you don’t find Ralph Fiennes in the kitchen.
Where: La Motte Wine Farm, R45, Franschhoek, 7691
Bookings: la-motte.com
Italy: Alajmo
After completely revamping a long-shuttered chalet in the Italian Dolomites, culinary brothers Raffaele and Massimiliano Alajmo have turned their previous winter pop-up into a fully fledged destination restaurant. Part of the Cortina d’Ampezzo resort, the classically cosy space is the perfect après ski spot offering delicious Italian fare and a fittingly substantial tasting menu. With dishes like fried pizza with seafood crudo, spider crab with black rice and braised beef cheek with black truffle, staving off the cold at Alajmo is hard to resist.
Where: Località Ronco, 123, 32043 Cortina d’Ampezzo BL, Italy
Bookings: alajmo.it
TÁN: New York, USA
It’s not like the Big Apple desperately needs another world-class Mexican restaurant but even by New York’s standards, Tán is an exciting launch. The follow-up from Jonatán Gómez Luna’s Le Chique in Cancún, the Midtown East location is as vibrant as anything you’ll find in Tulum, with a Yucatán- inspired menu focusing on fresh seafood. That said, you can’t miss the pork belly dish, a heady mix of chilli, sweet potato, pickles and habanero with perfectly prepared meat. If you find yourself too full to leave for a post-meal drink, it’s worth noting that you can continue the Tulum vibe in the soon-to-open Lúm basement bar.
Where: 209 East 49th Street, New York, NY 10017
Bookings: tannewyork.com
Mexico: Estero
If you’ve ever experienced Peruvian chef Virgilio Martínez’s Central restaurant in Lima, you’ll be as excited about this one as we are. Housed in the breathtaking La Casa de la Playa resort on the Mexican riviera, the pan-Latin American tasting menu showcases specific local ingredients like shrimp, corn, squash and spices in a bright, flavourful array of Mexican dishes with a distinct Caribbean twist. In the already enchanting surrounds of the resort, this is next-level beachside dining from one of the best chefs in the world.
Where: La Case De Playa Resort, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Bookings: lacasadelaplaya.com
Germany: Berta
An ode to Jerusalem’s street food, Berta sees Michelin-starred chef Assaf Granit take inspiration from his grandma’s cooking for a feast of traditional recipes seen through a distinctly modern lens. Housed in the Precise Tale hotel in Berlin, the restaurant pairs flavourful dishes like smoked sea bass with spaetzle (hearty German egg noodle dumplings) with low-key elegant surrounds for comfort food done right. This is one of the most long-awaited openings in Berlin and it’s easy to understand why.
Where: Stresemannstraße 99, 10963 Berlin, Allemagne
Bookings: bertarestaurant.com
Hong Kong: Barkada
The first restaurant from Instagram’s Indulgent Eats – real name Jen Balisi – translates to ‘friends’ in Tagalog and the emphasis on modern Filipino comfort foods like Adobo popcorn chicken definitely encourages sharing every dish. There are a few local classics on the menu too like Sisig (a punchy mix of pig face and belly and chicken liver) perfectly paired with a cocktail courtesy of the experiential epicureans at Singular Concepts. Warm, satisfying and unpretentious, Barkada is both neighbourhood and destination restaurant.
Where: U/GF, FOCO, 48 Cochrane Street, Central, Hong Kong.
Bookings: book.bistrochat.com/barkada
Australia: Petermen
While Melbourne often steals the epicurean limelight from Sydney, the city’s culinary scene is set to explode in 2023, with a host of new openings – including Petermen, Josh and Julie Niland’s second proper restaurant since critically acclaimed Saint Peter. The new opening will have a similar approach to the pair’s debut, meaning an emphasis on sustainably sourced fish and local Australian ingredients. Don’t expect pretentious frills here, just good, down-to-earth seafood and some seriously impressive sharing dishes – Mooloolaba yellowfin tuna chateaubriand with all the trimmings is a sure-fire winner.
Where: 66 Chandos St, St Leonards, Sydney, Australia
Bookings: petermen.com.au
