A quintet of restaurants across Europe, where the interiors are considered as delicious to look at as the food is to devour, have been celebrated by a prestigious French design and architecture awards body.
The Prix Versailles, presented at UNESCO’s gilded headquarters in Paris, picks the world’s most beautiful restaurants every year, with five European eateries – including one in London – named on the 2026 list.
Across the globe, a diverse variety of venues have made the latest Prix Versailles cut, with a mountain chalet restaurant, beach club and a skyscraper cocktail bar all praised for their stylish interiors.
What catches the judges’ aesthetic eye? They’re looking for ‘testimonials to multi-faceted beauty’ that ‘walk the line between raw elegance and mouthwatering eye candy’.
London’s Carbone in Mayfair was the only UK restaurant to make the 16-strong ‘world’s most beautiful restaurants’ list released by Prix Versailles this week
Beachy: The diverse list of global eateries included skyscraper cocktail bars and chalet restaurants. Pictured: Monsieur Dior by Dominique Crenn in Beverly Hills
More practical considerations also include how the venue melds into its location, whether the interiors feel welcoming and what the restaurant offers diners beyond the food on their plates.
Since the first awards in 2017, the US has won the most recognition from Prix Versailles, scooping 28 awards with China a close second with 25.
France meanwhile, considered a leading light in global gastronomy, has only seen 18 of its restaurants pick up a Prix Versailles accolade – and not one French venue made this year’s list.
Jérôme Gouadain, Secretary General of the Prix Versailles, said of the latest selection: ‘Whether part of a protected building or an emporium, towering over an urban landscape or melding with the surrounding scenery, the décor at these sixteen establishments is imbued with an array of styles and colours that put each one in perfect harmony with its environment… and its menu.’
Later this month, the most aesthetic airports according to Prix Versailles will also be revealed, with passenger stations to follow in September.
Here’s the five European restaurants that made the ‘most beautiful list’…
Carbone, London, United Kingdom
Moody in Grosvenor Square: Italian American restaurant Carbone impressed Prix Versailles with its 1950s supper club atmosphere, and ‘theatrical’ private dining room
This Italian-American off-shoot of a New York favourite sits in the regal building once occupied by the US embassy in London’s Grosvenor Square.
Channeling a 1950s American supper club, Carbone has been entertaining diners with upscale classics including Lobster Ravioli, Veal Parmesan and New York Strip Steak since opening last year in the Chancery Rosewood hotel.
How easy is it to bag a table? Easy enough…but note there’s a £50 per person deposit that’s lost if you don’t show.
What Prix Versailles loved: The velvet banquettes, lacquered woodwork and contemporary art, plus the ‘opulent, vault-like’ private dining room described as ‘akin to a theatrical experience’.
Price: Pastas from £24, steaks from £114, carbonelondon.com
Le Fou, Vienna, Austria
French glamour with a Viennese twist: Le Fou, in the Austrian capital, is a cocktail bar in the city’s Leo Hotel
Parisian nightlife was the driving aesthetic force behind this flamboyant cocktail bar in the Austrian capital, says Le Fou founder Alexander Schrack and interior designer Theresa Obermoser.
Housed in luxury hotel The Leo Grand, close to St. Stephen’s Cathedral in the heart of Vienna, there’s showy fabrics galore including ‘silk, mohair velvet, natural stone and patinated metal surfaces’, with additional rooms also featuring leopard print and gold.
Joie de vivre reigns supreme on the cocktail menu, with French twists added to classic drinks. Austrian wine does also get a good showing too though.
Price: Cocktails from £14 to £16, le-fou.at
What Prix Versailles loved: Le Fou’s ‘rust and terracotta tones’, shadowed corners and warm colours – and the venue’s expressiveness; the awards’ judges said Le Fou is ‘the perfect place to enjoy style without moderation’.
Finlandia Bistro, Helsinki, Finland
Muted: The Finlandia Bistro was praised for its fusion of traditional heritage and modern layers
Located in the striking Finlandia Hall, considered an architectural masterpiece on Helsinki’s skyline, the Finlandia Bistro arrived in January last year following major renovations – but has preserved much of the distinctive furniture chosen by the hall’s original designer Alvar Aalto.
The restaurant faces the Finnish capital’s Töölönlahti Bay and the food majors on local fare including seafood, with hints of Italian, French, and Spanish cuisines.
The bistro may have impressed the hard-to-please design world with its visual appeal, but this laid-back venue is also a hit with families – children get 50% off dishes ordered.
You’ll need to book weeks in advance to secure a spot though.
Price: A three-course set menu starts from £46, finlandiatalo.fi
What Prix Versailles loved: ‘The muted atmosphere’ created by a ‘dynamic contrast’ between the original features of the 1971 building and the ‘modern layers’ added since.
Marlow, Monaco
Almost cosy: Marlow in Monte Carlo was heralded for its gentle restraint in a principality known for its love of high glamour
At 5 Place Princesse Gabriella in Monte Carlo’s modern Mareterra district, the interiors at Marlow have a decidedly British slant, according to artist and architect Hugo Toro, who imagined an English character enjoying a private members club atmosphere.
Snubbing Monaco’s love of all things ostentatious, Marlow is a laid-back cafe lounge with wood-panelling, bespoke furniture and quirky curiosities – more Grand Tour, than grand glamour.
Brunch is a big deal, as is afternoon tea but the vibe is relaxed…you can order food to take away. Don’t miss the Blue Vesper, Hanky Panky and Dark Manhattan cocktails at sunset.
Price: Expect to pay around £77 per person for lunch with wine, montecarlosbm.com
What Prix Versailles loved: The British elegance meets Mediterranean lifestyle sensibility, the ‘sculptural central bar’ and the ‘club-like atmosphere with contemporary influences’.
Monti, Gstaad, Switzerland
River deep, mountain chic: Monti in Gstaad made the list of Europe’s most beautiful restaurant interiors
With a spectacular mountain view, this contemporary rustic restaurant in the posh Alpina hotel in Gstaad is already winning when it comes to being easy-on-the-eye.
A modern take on the traditional chalet, Monti’s diners eat surrounded by exposed wood but there’s clean lines aplenty alongside natural textures including woven carpets and mohair banquettes.
The dishes are mostly Italian inspired but there’s poke bowls and fattoush salads in there too. Fish and steaks are often prepared at the table and sharing platters, including a Swiss cheese trolley, are popular.
Price: Starters from £26, mains from £38, thealpinagstaad.ch
What Prix Versailles loved: Interiors that encourage ‘togetherness in an elegant, sociable setting’ – and the marriage of ‘contemporary design with Alpine roots’
The 16 most beautiful restaurants in the world according to Prix Versailles
The US has won the most plaudits since the Prix Versailles awards first began in 2017, with Mottai, in Coral Gables, making this year’s list
Le Fou, Vienna, AustriaMonti, Gstaad, SwitzerlandAkira Back, Hong Kong, ChinaHana no Kumo, Hong Kong, ChinaMonsieur Dior by Anne-Sophie Pic, Beijing, ChinaPeridot, Hong Kong, ChinaEscā Playa,Ras El Hekma, EgyptFinlandia Bistro, Helsinki, FinlandCarbone, London, United KingdomRosso, Hinganigada, IndiaMarlow, MonacoLucia, Los Angeles, United StatesMonsieur Dior by Dominique Crenn, Beverly Hills, United StatesMottai, Coral Gables, United StatesAmura by Ángel León, Cape Town, South AfricaNobu One Za’abeel, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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