he verdict is out: The World’s 50 Best Restaurants has announced its winning line-up for this year’s top restaurants across the globe – and this year only two London restaurants made it to the top 50.
Every year, the award ceremony takes place celebrating the diversity of the world’s culinary landscape. This year’s was unveiled in Las Vegas yesterday on 5th June and marked the 22nd year of the celebration. The London restaurants in the top 50 were Kol at #17 helmed by Mexican chef Santiago Lastra and Ikoyi, which claimed the #42 spot.
Wondering who topped the charts? Read on to find out the world’s 50 best restaurants in 2024.
1. Disfrutar, Barcelona, Spain
Disfrutar, meaning ‘enjoy’ in Spanish, is a culinary masterpiece from chef trio, Oriol Castro, Mateu Casañas and Eduard Xatruch. The restaurant specialises in Mediterranean delights, with the entryway of the space inspired by Barcelona, from its wrought iron and colourful ceramics.
The tasting menu also embodies the Mediterranean spirit, with a range of options from the ‘classic’ creations made in-house to their sensational wine pairing and offering that celebrates the festivals and season.
2. Asador Etxebarri, Atxondo, Spain
Those holidaying in Spain this summer will want to bookmark this one. That is if you can get a table at this hotspot…
The restaurant is renowned for its grilling techniques, proving that just about anything can be cooked on an open flame and resulting in a delicious taste. It’s also known for its natural ingredients and house-made offerings, from homemade chorizo and buffalo cheese to the dreamiest desserts around. Sustainability is at the heart of the restaurant, with a big focus on educating guests on the ingredients used, drawing on over 100 plant species.
3. Table by Bruno Verjus, Paris, France
With an open kitchen, friendly service and incredible food, Table by Bruno Verjus first appeared in the top ten of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2023, and now has risen to the #3 spot. With a menu that is set to surprise you, the highlight here is the colours of the day special, where the restaurant has a seasonal dish on the menu that’s changed every day. Expect everything from fresh asparagus poached with seaweed to lobster with sugar snap peas, nettle and caper remoulade.
Website: table.paris
4. DiverXO, Madrid, Spain
One look at the DiverXO’s website and you might mistake it as some kind of strange art project, but look a little deeper and you’ll notice the remnants of the iconic Madrid restaurant. The brainchild of Dabiz Muñoz, this restaurant is anything but ordinary – think curtains draped in the centre of the restaurant, innovative flavour combinations and a real theatrical performance. There are even flying pigs hanging from the ceiling, displaying that anything is possible inside these walls.
5. Maido, Lima, Peru
Nestled in Miraflores, Lima, the restaurant was opened in 2009 by chef Mitsuharu “Micha” Tsumura, who specialises in Izakaya style cuisine – Japanese tapas. The restaurant has perfected the art of Nikkei cuisine, bringing together the elements of Japanese and Peruvian cooking into their stunning menu that features delicacies like The Triple – avocado, eggs, tomato and chashu (braised pork belly), and caracoles al sillao, sea snails, with yellow chilli foam and Nikkei sauce. No stranger to awards, Micha was also voted the winner of the Estrella Damm Chefs’ Choice Award this year.
website: maido.pe
6. Atomix, New York City, USA
With a ten-course tasting menu that highlights the best of modern Korean cuisine, this restaurant serves innovative dishes that are rooted in traditional cooking techniques. Expect a soothing ambience with views of the open kitchen, where you will be invited to really focus on your plate. Helmed by husband-wife duo, Chef Junghyun Park and Ellia Park, the menu is all about pushing boundaries, and includes three-day salt-and-nuruk-cured kohlrabi, rich Japanese butterfish dabbed served in white kimchi sauce and rice ice cream with Japanese castella dressed with malted barley syrup and crushed honeycomb candy.
website: atomixnyc.com
7. Quintonil, Mexico City, Mexico
If you’re looking for local flavours and great Mexican cuisine, this one is for you. The menu includes duck pibil with elote cream, braised oxtail in traditional black recado sauce, crème fraîche with melipona honey and cape gooseberry and caviar and prickly pear snow. The interiors feature a counter seating area that serves an interesting, shorter menu that’s not for the faint at heart – think insect-based tacos with grasshoppers and chicatana ants. With a place on The World’s 50 Restaurants list since 2015, Quintonil is definitely one to book.
website: quintonil.com
8. Alchemist, Copenhagen, Denmark
This one combines science, tech and theatre with modern cuisine in an incredible sensory experience led by chef Rasmus Munk. Dine under a domed roof that features incredible graphics that change with the dishes served on your plate. A truly transcendent dining and drinking experience, Alchemist is the kind of place you visit to be wowed – although the restaurant does say that it’s not the right choice for businesses discussions or first dates, so pick your company wisely.
website: alchemist.dk
9. Gaggan, Bangkok, Thailand
Headed by Kolkata-born chef Gaggan Anand, this one’s all about putting some adventure into dining. Or as the website says, “The only way to ignite this is to start with some explosions and end with some fireworks.” Offering what they term as progressive Indian cuisine, the fine-dining restaurant has French, Thai and Japanese influences. Bold, fun and experimental, this is one dining experience that should be on your bucket list – you just might have to fight for a reservation!
website: gaggan.com
10. Don Julio, Buenos Aires, Argentina
If you like your steaks – this restaurant is a must-visit on a holiday to Argentina. The family-run restaurant champions local produce and sustainable agriculture, with a menu focussed on seasonally available produce and local crops.
Apart from the steaks, the wine selection here is excellent, with more than 14,000 Argentinian wines available – a passion that won chef Pablo Rivero the Beronia World’s Best Sommelier Award 2024 this year, along with their top 10 status.
website: parrilladonjulio.com.ar
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The Rest
11. Septime, Paris, France
12. Lido 84, Gardone Riviera, Italy
13. Trèsind Studio, Dubai, UAE
14. Quique Dacosta, Dénia, Spain
15. Sézanne, Tokyo, Japan
16. Kjolle, Lima, Peru
17. Kol, London, UK
18. Plénitude, Paris, France
19. Reale, Castel di Sangro, Italy
20. Wing, Hong Kong
21. Florilège, Tokyo, Japan
22. Steirereck, Vienna, Austria
23. Sühring, Bangkok, Thailand
24. Odette, Singapore
25. El Chato, Bogotá, Colombia
26. The Chairman, Hong Kong
27. A Casa do Porco, São Paulo, Brazil
28. Elkano, Getaria, Spain
29. Boragó, Santiago, Chile
30. Restaurant Tim Raue, Berlin, Germany
31. Belcanto, Lisbon, Portugal
32. Den, Tokyo, Japan
33. Pujol, Mexico City, Mexico
34. Rosetta. Mexico City, Mexico
35. Frantzén, Stockholm, Sweden
36. The Jane, Antwerp, Belgium
37. Oteque, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
38. Sorn, Bangkok, Thailand
39. Piazza Duomo, Alba, Italy
40. Le Du, Bangkok, Thailand
41. Mayta, Lima, Peru
42. Ikoyi, London, UK
43. Nobelhart & Schmutzig, Berlin, Germany
44. Mingles, Seoul, South Korea
45. Arpège, Paris, France
46. Single Thread, California, USA
47. Schloss Schauenstein, Fürstenau, Switzerland
48. Hiša Franko, Kobarid, Slovenia
49. La Colombe, Cape Town, South Africa
50. Uliassi, Senigallia, Italy