After seven years waiting in the wings, the Roca brothers have claimed the coveted number one spot on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna, swapping places with Denmark’s Noma, which held the top ranking for the last three years.
The Roca brothers’ restaurant has gained global acclaim for its combination of Catalan dishes and cutting edge techniques and the passion that they share for hospitality. Joan heads up the kitchen, Jordi is head pastry chef and Josep is head sommelier, in charge of front of house. Together they make a formidable team, creating a truly memorable dining experience.
Spain continues to dominate the top 10 with San Sebastian’s Mugaritz at no.4 and Arzak (Elena Arzak Espina – The Veuve Clicquot World’s Best Female Chef 2012) remaining at no.8. The country has five restaurants on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list in total. Quique Dacosta who is renowned for his eco-cuisine and sits amongst the Spanish avant garde giants, climbs 14 places to no.26. Asador Etxebarri features at no. 44 on the list.
UK and Europe
The UK contingent remains the same with last year’s highest new entry, Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, rising two places to no.7, Brett Graham’s The Ledbury up one place to no. 13 and The Fat Duck at no.33.
Other European highlights include Italy’s Osteria Francescana rising two places to number three on the list and Nadia Santini from restaurant Dal Pescatore in Italy being named The Veuve Clicquot World’s Best Female Chef. France boasts six restaurants in the ranking with culinary legend Alain Ducasse being honoured with this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by Diners Club International®.
South America
Spain’s counterparts in South America also have plenty to celebrate with Peru’s Astrid Y Gaston rising 21 places to be crowned the ‘Highest Climber’ on the list. The continent has six restaurants on the list with Alex Atala’s D.O.M at no. 6, once again named The Acqua Panna Best Restaurant in South America.
Asia
Following the success of this spring’s inaugural Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards in Singapore, Asia now boasts seven restaurants in the world ranking including Asia’s highest ranked restaurant Narisawa, at no.20. The Tokyo restaurant scooped both the Acqua Panna Best Restaurant in Asia award and the inaugural Sustainable Restaurant Award, sponsored by Zacapa. The Sustainable Restaurant Award is presented to the restaurant within the ranks of the 50 Best which demonstrates the highest environmental and social responsibility rating, audited by the Sustainable Restaurant Association.
USA
With six restaurants on the list, the USA remains a key international culinary force, matching France as the country with the highest number of restaurants on this year’s list. Best in class goes to Eleven Madison Park, no.5 on the list and taking the award for the Acqua Panna Best Restaurant in North America, from fellow New Yorker Per Se, which ranks at no.11 this year. The individual Chefs’ Choice Award, sponsored by Silestone by Cosentino and voted for by the chefs within The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list, goes to Grant Achatz of Alinea in Chicago, which ranks at no.15.
Australia
Australia’s Attica takes home the Highest New Entry award, sponsored by LesConcierges.com, making its debut on the list at no.21, which also makes it the recipient of the Acqua Panna Best Restaurant in Australasia award.
One to Watch
This year’s One To Watch Award, sponsored by Cacao Barry, goes to South Africa’s The Test Kitchen. British-born chef Luke Dale-Roberts’ first solo restaurant is located in a shabby-chic suburb of Cape Town and his eclectic style results in unequivocally delicious food.
The World’s 50 Best Restaurants
Organised by Restaurant magazine, the awards were presented in the company of the world’s most influential restaurateurs, finest chefs and international media at London’s Guildhall on 29 April.
The list is created from the votes of The Diners Club® World’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy, an influential group of over 900 international leaders in the restaurant industry. The Academy comprises 26 separate regions around the world, each of which has 36 members, including a chairperson, and each member can cast seven votes. Of those seven, at least three votes must recognise restaurants outside their own region.
The panel in each region is made up of food critics, chefs, restaurateurs and highly regarded ‘gastronomes’. Members list their choices in order of preference, based on their best restaurant experiences of the previous 18 months. There is no pre-determined check-list of criteria.