World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2015

World 50 best restaurantsIt’s that time of the year again, the announcement of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants. This list seems to be getting more attention each year which probably explains why the questions are getting louder and louder regarding the legitimacy of the restaurant selection process. The judges are anonymous and they do not have to use set criteria, they simply submit a list of restaurants they think are the best, no questions asked. Whether the process is legitimate or not, those that make it onto the list are certainly not complaining about being there! That includes our very own Test Kitchen at position 28 (was 48 last year). The Tasting Room at Le Quartier Francais made it into the top 100 list, at position 88 (was 72 last year). These are the only 2 restaurants on the continent of Africa that made it onto the list.

Last year’s top 50 list was headed up by Noma (now position 3) and the current number 1, El Celler De Can Roca was number 2 last year. The Sustainable Restaurant Award goes to Relae in Copenhagen. I wonder if they penalise them for using bottled water, because the competition sponsor is a bottled water. That would be interesting to know, but regardless I’m pleased they have that award. It’s something to which our local Eat Out Awards should be paying attention.

Here are the winners:

  1. El Celler De Can Roca (Girona, Spain)
  2. Osteria Francescana (Modena, Italy)
  3. Noma (Copenhagen, Denmark)
  4. Central (Lima, Peru)
  5. Eleven Madison Park (New York, USA)
  6. Mugaritz (San Sebastián, Spain)
  7. Dinner By Heston Blumenthal (London, UK)
  8. Narisawa (Tokyo, Japan)
  9. D.O.M. (São Paulo, Brazil)
  10. Gaggan (Bangkok, Thailand)
  11. Mirazur (Menton, France)
  12. L’Arpège (Paris, France)
  13. Asador Etxebarri (Atxondo, Spain)
  14. Astrid Y Gastón (Lima, Peru)
  15. Steirereck (Vienna, Austria)
  16. Pujol (Mexico City, Mexico)
  17. Arzak (San Sebastián, Spain)
  18. Le Bernardin (New York, USA)
  19. Azurmendi (Larrabetzu, Spain)
  20. The Ledbury (London, UK)
  21. Le Chateaubriand (Paris, France)
  22. Nahm (Bangkok, Thailand)
  23. White Rabbit (Moscow, Russia)
  24. Ultraviolet By Paul Pairet (Shanghai, China)
  25. Fäviken (Järpen, Sweden)
  26. Alinea (Chicago, USA)
  27. Piazza Duomo (Alba, Italy)
  28. The Test Kitchen (Cape Town, South Africa)
  29. Nihonryori Ryugin (Tokyo, Japan)
  30. Vendôme (Bergisch Gladbach, Germany)
  31. Restaurant Frantzén (Stockholm, Sweden)
  32. Attica (Melbourne, Australia)
  33. Aqua (Wolfsburg, Germany)
  34. Le Calandre (Rubano, Italy)
  35. Quintonil (Mexico City, Mexico)
  36. L’Astrance (Paris, France)
  37. Biko (Mexico City, Mexico)
  38. Amber (Hong Kong, China)
  39. Quique Dacosta (Dénia, Spain)
  40. Per Se (New York, USA)
  41. Maní (São Paulo, Brazil)
  42. Boragó (Santiago, Chile)
  43. Tickets (Barcelona, Spain)
  44. Maido (Lima, Peru)
  45. Relae (Copenhagen, Denmark)
  46. Restaurant André (Singapore)
  47. Alain Ducasse Au Plaza Athénée (Paris, France)
  48. Schloss Schauenstein (Fürstenau, Switzerland)
  49. Blue Hill At Stone Barns (Pocantico Hills, USA)
  50. The French Laundry (Yountville, USA)

Read more, including the other 50 that make the top 100, at the World’s 50 Best Restaurants website.