French cuisine has long been considered the best in the world, so it’s surprising that the newly unveiled top 10 very best restaurants in the world contains no French restaurants whatsoever!
Around 900 international industry insiders voted in the annual accolade, where the Top 50 restaurants around the world are compiled and revealed.
Last year’s winner, Noma in Copenhagen has been nudged into second place by El Celler de Can Roca, which is based in the Catalonian city of Girona. The best restaurant in the world first opened in 1986 and is run by three brothers; Joan (head chef), Jordi (pastry chef) and Josep Roca. The brothers’ passion for fine food runs in the family, as their parents also manage a restaurant in Girona.
In second place is Noma which is based in Copenhagen. Serving up Nordic fare, Noma has been at the number one spot three times in 8 years. Noma’s signature dish is brown crab, egg yolk and herbs, which is a traditional Scandinavian dish.
In third place is the modern Italian cuisine at Osteria Francescana, based in Modena. Located in Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region, chef Massimo Bottura loves to create distinctive and unusual dishes such as his signature creation; camouflage. Combining decorated foie gras, it’s designed to look like camouflage.
The US and France dominate the Top 50 with each having 6 restaurants listed. The USA’s highest spot was number 5 for the Eleven Madison Park restaurant in New York City. The UK’s highest spot was awarded to Dinner by Heston Blumenthal. A master creator, Blumenthal is somewhat of a celebrity chef in the UK and is famous for creating weird and wacky fusion foods, reworking dishes from as far back as the 14th century.
European restaurants dominate the list, with an impressive 29 spots in the Top 50. Asia has 7, USA has 6, South America 6 and Australia has 2.
Top 10 Restaurants in the World 2013
10. Vendome, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
9. Steirereck, Vienna, Austria
8. Arzak, San Sebastian, Spain
7. Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, London, UK
6. DOM, Sao Paulo, Brazil
5. Eleven Madison Park, New York City, USA
4. Mugaritz, San Sebastian, Spain
3. Osteria Francescana, Modena, Italy
2. Noma, Copenhagen, Denmark
1. El Celler de Can Roca, Girona, Spain
The full list of winners from one to fifty can be seen on the official website.
Have you ever eaten at any of these restaurants? What did you think?
