Bozar, the Brussels restaurant led by the Belgian-Armenian chef Karen Torosyan, has entered The World’s 50 Best Restaurants for the first time, landing at No. 42 on the 2026 list. A year ago it placed No. 63, on the ranking’s extended 51 to 100 list, and was the only restaurant in Belgium to make this year’s 50 Best.
Set inside the Palais des Beaux-Arts in Brussels, Bozar is known for its refined take on classical French cuisine. The restaurant holds two Michelin stars, awarded in 2023, and earlier this year it scored 17.5 out of 20 in the Gault&Millau Belux guide, where Torosyan was named Chef of the Year.
The results were announced at a ceremony in Lima, Peru, on November 4. Spain’s Asador Etxebarri took the top spot, followed by Gaggan in Bangkok and Alchemist in Copenhagen. The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, compiled from the votes of hundreds of chefs, critics, and food writers, is one of the most influential rankings in fine dining, often called the “Oscars” of gastronomy.
After the announcement, Torosyan shared the honor with his team and his wife and business partner, Nani Lee Torosyan. “My greatest pride is not in the awards, but in what we have built together with my wife and partner, Nani Lee Torosyan,” he wrote. “We have always championed a cuisine that honours craftsmanship, guided by dedication, discipline, knowledge, the pursuit of excellence, precision and perseverance. And we will continue in the same spirit, striving to become better every single day, together.”
Congratulations to Karen Torosyan and the entire Bozar team.
