- René Redzepi celebrates Noma’s return to the No.1 spot
- Europe boasts 28 restaurants within the top 50
- Spain has three restaurants in the top 10
- Jordi Roca of El Celler de Can Roca is The World’s Best Pastry Chef
- Azurmendi, Spain, wins Sustainable Restaurant Award
Danish restaurant Noma regained its title as The S.Pellegrino World’s Best Restaurant. After nine years on the list and three consecutive wins in 2010, 2011 and 2012, Noma celebrates once again as it returns to the coveted No.1 position. The results were announced at The World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards, sponsored by S.Pellegrino and Acqua Panna, in London - an event widely considered to be the highlight of the global gastronomic calendar.
Noma chef-owner René Redzepi is recognised for his highly original, sometimes visceral version of new Nordic cuisine. His food strives to reflect the Danish landscape and culture with signature dishes such as ‘Blackcurrant Berries and Roses’. Redzepi’s meticulous attention to detail, innovative approach to foraging and experimentation with fermentation – all driven by passion and a relentless curiosity - has once again brought his restaurant to the pinnacle.
Spain’s El Celler de Can Roca moves to the No.2 spot with plenty to celebrate with Jordi Roca winning the inaugural title of The World’s Best Pastry Chef, sponsored by Cacao Barry®. Jordi is known for his creativity and irreverence when it comes to desserts; his vision matched by incredible skill and precision. Spain has seven restaurants on the list, three of which are in the top ten. Mugaritz is now at No.6, with fellow San Sebastian establishment Arzak remaining at No.8. New entry Azurmendi from Larrabetzu, near Bilbao, debuts at No.26 and also picks up the Sustainable Restaurant Award, sponsored by Zacapa.
Italy has three restaurants on the list with Massimo Bottura’s Osteria Francescana remaining at No.3 for the second year running. For the first time the UK has two restaurants within the top ten with Dinner by Heston Blumenthal at No.5 (climbing two places) and Brett Graham’s The Ledbury at No.10 (up three spots from last year). The Diners Club® Lifetime Achievement Award goes to Fergus Henderson from St. John in London, recognising the fundamental contribution he has made to the UK’s culinary identity. France boasts five restaurants on the list with Mirazur moving up 17 places to No.11.
With seven restaurants on the list overall and two restaurants in the top ten, the USA, another key international gastronomic leader, matches Spain and France with the highest number of restaurants featured. Eleven Madison Park in New York moves up one spot at No.4 to claim the Best Restaurant in North America, sponsored by Acqua Panna title. Another title scooped by the USA is the One To Watch, sponsored by Dekton® by Cosentino, won by Saison, in San Francisco. Last year’s One To Watch, South Africa’s The Test Kitchen, enters the top 50 at No.48.
South America also has reason to celebrate with Helena Rizzo’s Mani rising 10 spots to No.36 and Helena herself taking home the Veuve Clicquot World’s Best Female Chef Award. Alex Atala’s D.O.M in São Paulo is placed at No.7 this year to once again pick up the accolade of being named Best Restaurant in South America, sponsored by Acqua Panna. Atala also receives the coveted Chefs’ Choice Award, sponsored by Gaggenau which is voted for by the chefs on the list. The Highest Climber Award, sponsored by Lavazza, goes to Central in Lima Peru, now at No.15, having climbed an impressive 35 places.
Asia now boasts seven restaurants in the world ranking including the Best Restaurant in Asia, sponsored by Acqua Panna; Nahm in Bangkok, Thailand, which comes in at No.13 (up 19 places). Gaggan, also in Bangkok, is ranked No.17, scooping the Highest New Entry Award, sponsored by LesConcierges.
