Tripadvisor Expands Culinary Awards with New Experiential Categories — Tripadvisor, Inc.

Event summary

Tripadvisor announced the 2026 Travelers' Choice Awards: Best of the Best Restaurants, highlighting top global eateries and experiences.
Four new experiential categories introduced: Food Tours, Cooking Classes, Wine & Beer Tours, and Viral Right Now.
Winners determined by reviews and ratings from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, representing the top 1% of listings on Tripadvisor.
Fogón Asado in Buenos Aires ranked No. 1 in Fine Dining globally, while Ristorante Paoletti in Highlands, North Carolina, topped the U.S. list.
Reykjavik Food Walk and Rome Pasta and Tiramisu Class led the new experiential categories.

The big picture

Tripadvisor's expansion into experiential culinary categories reflects a broader industry shift towards immersive travel experiences. As travelers prioritize authentic and interactive dining experiences, the platform's new awards categories aim to capture this growing demand. With over a billion reviews and contributions, Tripadvisor leverages its vast user base to identify and promote top culinary destinations and experiences globally.

What we're watching

Experiential Growth: Whether Tripadvisor can sustain momentum in experiential categories as travelers increasingly seek immersive culinary experiences.
Market Differentiation: How the new categories will position Tripadvisor against competitors in the travel and hospitality sectors.
Trend Adaptation: The pace at which Tripadvisor integrates social-media-driven discoveries into its offerings to stay relevant.