While specific rankings for the top 10 restaurants in the world vary across sources, the World’s Best Restaurants list, announcement, in Las Vegas, provides a widely respected benchmark, with Disfrutar in Barcelona, Spain, claiming the top spot for its avant-garde, El Bulli-inspired tasting menu crafted by chefs Oriol Castro, Eduard Xatruch, and Mateu Casañas. Following closely, Asador Etxebarri in Atxondo, Spain, ranks second for its masterful flame-grilled dishes, emphasizing ingredient purity under chef Victor Arguinzoniz. Table by Bruno Verjus in Paris secures third place, offering neo-French cuisine with global influences in an open-kitchen setting.
1. Disfrutar (Barcelona)
Disfrutar, located in Barcelona’s Eixample district, has earned its place as the world’s top restaurant in the world, a testament to its innovative approach, technical brilliance, and unwavering commitment to delighting diners. Run by chefs Oriol Castro, Eduard Xatruch, and Mateu Casañas—alumni of the legendary El Bulli, which held the No. 1 spot five times—the restaurant, opened in 2014, carries forward the avant-garde spirit of molecular gastronomy while forging its own Mediterranean-inspired identity. Disfrutar’s two tasting menus, Classic and Festival, each featuring around 30 courses, showcase a playful yet precise culinary style, with dishes like the caviar-filled Panchino doughnut, frozen gazpacho sandwich, and “Fear: The Prawn,” where diners retrieve seafood from non-toxic dry ice, blending theater with flavor.
These creations, born from a dedicated R&D kitchen, emphasize bold textures, surprising presentations, and local ingredients, earning accolades like three Michelin stars in the past and consistent recognition since its 2018 debut at No. 18 on the World’s 50 Best list. The restaurant’s unpretentious ambiance, light-filled dining room, and warm, professional service create a welcoming contrast to its cutting-edge cuisine, ensuring an accessible yet transformative experience. Priced at €290 (approximately $315 USD) for the tasting menu, with an optional €160 wine pairing, Disfrutar delivers exceptional value for its quality, as noted by diners who describe it as a “steal” for the 3-4 hour gastronomic journey. Its consistent innovation, Mediterranean soul, and ability to evoke joy—true to its name, meaning “enjoy” in Spanish—cement Disfrutar’s status as a global culinary beacon.
2. Asador Etxebarri (Atxondo)
Asador Etxebarri, nestled in the rustic village of Atxondo in Spain’s Basque Country, is rated as one of the world’s best restaurants—securing second place in the 2024 World’s 50 Best Restaurants list—due to its unparalleled mastery of fire and dedication to elevating simple, high-quality ingredients. Under the stewardship of self-taught chef Victor Arguinzoniz, the restaurant transforms the art of grilling into a sublime culinary experience, using custom-built ovens and carefully selected woods like holm oak to impart nuanced, smoky flavors to dishes such as Palamós prawns, baby squid, or grass-fed beef chops. Unlike the molecular gastronomy of peers like Disfrutar, Etxebarri’s brilliance lies in its restraint, coaxing profound depth from minimal intervention—think a single, perfectly grilled prawn kissed by smoke or a caviar tartlet enhanced by subtle char.
Housed in a traditional Basque farmhouse, the restaurant’s unpretentious setting, with stone walls and wooden beams, complements its focus on authenticity, drawing diners to its remote valley location, about 40 minutes from Bilbao. The tasting menu, priced around €250 (approximately $270 USD), features 12-15 courses, showcasing local produce like anchovies or mushrooms, often sourced from the surrounding hills. Etxebarri’s consistent excellence—holding a Michelin star since 2010 and ranking in the World’s 50 Best since 2008—stems from Arguinzoniz’s obsessive attention to detail, from crafting his own charcoal to designing adjustable grills. This commitment, paired with warm, familial service and a wine list emphasizing Spanish varietals, creates a singular dining experience that celebrates purity and tradition, earning global acclaim for redefining what grilling can achieve.
3. Alchemist (Copenhagen)
Alchemist in Copenhagen, Denmark, secured the eighth spot on the 2024 World’s 50 Best Restaurants list, cementing its status as one of the world’s elite dining destinations due to its groundbreaking, multisensory approach to gastronomy. Helmed by chef Rasmus Munk, a 32-year-old culinary visionary, Alchemist redefines fine dining through a 50-course “Holistic Cuisine” tasting menu that blends avant-garde cooking with art, theater, and social commentary. Housed in a former set-building workshop in the industrial Refshaleøen district, the restaurant’s otherworldly ambiance—featuring a planetarium-like domed dining room and immersive light projections—creates a stage for dishes that challenge and captivate. Signature offerings, such as “1984,” an edible jellyfish-like dish addressing ocean pollution, or “The Dog,” a provocative course shaped like a foot to highlight food waste, showcase Munk’s ability to fuse technical precision with storytelling.
Each course, served over a 4-6 hour experience, incorporates innovative techniques like 3D-printed molds and fermentation, using premium ingredients such as king crab, caviar, and seasonal Nordic produce. Priced at approximately DKK 3,800 ($550 USD, excluding drinks), the menu, paired with an extensive 20,000-bottle wine cellar or creative non-alcoholic pairings, delivers a journey that engages all senses. Alchemist’s two Michelin stars (awarded in 2020 and 2021) and its climb from No. 18 in 2022 to No. 8 in 2024 reflect its relentless innovation and commitment to pushing boundaries, earning praise from global critics and diners for its bold fusion of cuisine, ethics, and spectacle.
4. DiverXO (Madrid)
DiverXO, located in Madrid’s NH Collection Eurobuilding in the Chamartín district, is celebrated as one of the world’s premier restaurants, securing the fourth spot on the 2024 World’s 50 Best Restaurants list and holding three Michelin stars since 2013, a testament to its audacious creativity and culinary excellence. Chef Dabiz Muñoz, a Madrid native and former protégé of culinary giants like Hakkasan and Nobu in London, has crafted a dining experience that defies convention, blending Spanish ingredients with global influences, particularly Asian, in a single tasting menu dubbed “Flying Pigs Cuisine.” This menu, priced at approximately €450 ($490 USD), features 15-18 courses of theatrical, boundary-pushing dishes like “Galician lobster waking up on the beaches of Goa” or “drunken crabs partying in Jerez,” which fuse Spanish produce with exotic flavors like vindaloo curry or sherry.
The restaurant’s whimsical decor—featuring flying pigs and giant ants—reflects Muñoz’s childhood defiance of skepticism (his father’s quip, “pigs might fly,” inspired the motif) and symbolizes the teamwork (ants) that drives its success. DiverXO’s rise from a small 2007 opening to Madrid’s only three-Michelin-starred venue showcases Muñoz’s relentless innovation, earning him the title of Best Chef in the World for three consecutive years by TasteAtlas. The experience, lasting 3-4 hours, is a sensory rollercoaster, with dishes presented on bespoke dishware, accompanied by detailed cards or hand-drawn art, and served by a dynamic, unpretentious staff, making it a global benchmark for avant-garde dining.
5. Lido 84 (Gardone Riviera)
Lido 84, perched on the picturesque shores of Lake Garda in Gardone Riviera, Italy, has earned its place as one of the world’s top restaurants, ranking No. 12 on the 2024 World’s 50 Best Restaurants list and holding a Michelin star since 2014, just six months after its opening. Led by brothers Riccardo and Giancarlo Camanini, the restaurant transforms traditional Italian cuisine into an innovative, artful experience, drawing on Riccardo’s training under culinary luminaries like Gualtiero Marchesi, Raymond Blanc, and Jean-Louis Nomicos. The “Oscillazione” tasting menu, priced at €140-€160 ($150-$175 USD), showcases Lake Garda’s bounty—think stracchino cheese and sardine risotto or fior di latte ice cream made with raw mountain milk—prepared with creative techniques that blend local ingredients with global influences.
Signature dishes like the theatrical cacio e pepe en vessie, where rigatoni is cooked in a pig’s bladder with pecorino and black pepper, or the 84-hour pasta with pumpkin mustard, highlight Riccardo’s meticulous approach, including a seven-day process to achieve perfect al dente texture. The restaurant’s enchanting lakeside setting, housed in a former 1984 beach club (lido), offers stunning views and a relaxed yet elegant ambiance, with Giancarlo’s warm hospitality ensuring every guest feels cherished. Lido 84’s rapid ascent—earning the One To Watch Award in 2019, debuting at No. 15 in 2021 with the Highest New Entry Award, and peaking at No. 7 in 2023—reflects its ability to deliver memorable, flavor-packed dishes in a setting that celebrates both tradition and innovation.
6. Central (Lima)
Central, located in Lima’s Barranco district, earned its status as one of the world’s best restaurants by topping The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list in 2023, celebrated for its innovative tasting menus that showcase Peru’s biodiversity through dishes organized by altitude, from Pacific seafood to Andean tubers, crafted by chefs Virgilio Martínez and Pía León. Housed in Casa Tupac, the serene setting contrasts the bold, 14-course “Mundo en Desnivel” menu (~$350 USD), featuring vibrant dishes like cushuro algae and Amazonian paiche fish, blending lean proteins, fiber, and antioxidants, though its rich sauces and multi-course format may elevate calories. The open kitchen and warm, storytelling service create an immersive cultural journey, with standouts like the “Diversity of Corn” dazzling adventurous palates, though less familiar ingredients may challenge some, and the steep price and six-month reservation wait make it a special-occasion splurge. Central’s revolutionary approach, rooted in sustainability and indigenous ingredients, delivers a profound, nutrient-rich experience best enjoyed in moderation, cementing its global influence on Latin American gastronomy.
7. Quintonil (Mexico City)
Quintonil, located in Mexico City’s upscale Polanco neighborhood, is rated one of the world’s best restaurants—ranking No. 7 on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list in 2024 and earning two Michelin stars in 2024—for its innovative yet authentic approach to Mexican cuisine, led by chef Jorge Vallejo and his wife, Alejandra Flores. The restaurant, named after a native Mexican herb, celebrates the country’s biodiversity through a 10-course seasonal tasting menu (~$250-$300 USD) featuring dishes like charred avocado tartare with ant larvae or stone crab tostada with habanero mayonnaise, showcasing local, sustainable ingredients from Milpa Alta and Xochimilco.
Vallejo, a former Noma and Pujol alum, blends traditional techniques with modern flair, while Flores’ warm, impeccable hospitality creates an intimate, unpretentious ambiance despite the restaurant’s global acclaim. Reviewers praise the vibrant, flavorful dishes—like cactus ceviche or huitlacoche tacos—that elevate indigenous ingredients, though some find the insect-heavy courses challenging and the price steep for Mexico City. The sleek, vine-clad dining room and attentive service make Quintonil a must-visit for foodies, offering a cultural and culinary journey that’s both groundbreaking and deeply rooted in Mexican heritage, though reservations require months of planning.
8. Atomix (New York)
Atomix, tucked away in a nondescript townhouse in Manhattan’s NoMad neighborhood, is rated one of the world’s best restaurants—ranking No. 6 on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list in 2024 and holding two Michelin stars—for its innovative take on Korean fine dining, led by chef Junghyun “JP” Park and his wife, Ellia Park. The 14-seat U-shaped counter serves a 10-course tasting menu (~$395 USD) that reimagines Korean banchan with dishes like scallop with firefly squid and gochugaru or A5 wagyu with tomato ssamjang, blending heritage with global influences and intricate fermentation techniques.
Each course, accompanied by artful cards detailing its story, is a masterclass in flavor and texture, though some find the Korean connection subtle and the verbose cards distracting. The minimalist basement dining room, paired with Ellia’s warm hospitality and stellar pairings (wine $250-$550, non-alcoholic options available), creates an intimate, unpretentious experience, despite tricky reservations and a high price. While not every dish hits the heights expected of its ranking, and the small portions may leave some hungry, Atomix’s creativity, cultural depth, and James Beard Award-winning execution make it a must-visit for adventurous diners, offering nutrient-rich seafood and vegetables but best enjoyed as a rare, indulgent treat.
9. Hiša Franko (Kobarid)
Hiša Franko, nestled in Slovenia’s breathtaking Soča Valley in Kobarid, is rated among the world’s best restaurants—ranking No. 32 on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list in 2023 and earning three Michelin stars in 2023—for its visionary cuisine led by self-taught chef Ana Roš, named World’s Best Female Chef in 2017. The restaurant’s 13-15 course “50 Shades of Red” tasting menu (~€255, $280 USD) showcases hyper-local ingredients like Tolminc cheese, trout, and foraged herbs, blended with global techniques to create dishes like compressed quince with almond cream or cauliflower with black truffle, delivering bold, artful flavors in a cozy, red-walled dining room. Reviewers rave about the immersive experience, from the moss-cushion hand ritual to Roš’s personal table visits, though some note inconsistent wine pairings or challenging dishes for less adventurous palates, and reservations require months of planning. The warm, unpretentious service and idyllic setting make Hiša Franko a culinary pilgrimage, offering nutrient-rich local produce but best savored as an occasional indulgence due to its rich, multi-course format.
10. Odette (Singapore)
Odette, located within Singapore’s iconic National Gallery, is rated among the world’s best restaurants—ranking No. 14 on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list in 2023 and holding three Michelin stars since 2018—for its exquisite modern French cuisine infused with Asian influences, masterminded by chef Julien Royer. The 8-course tasting menu (~SGD 368, $280 USD) features delicate, artfully plated dishes like Brittany pigeon with black truffle and Hokkaido uni with caviar, showcasing premium ingredients sourced globally and locally, paired with an elegant, light-filled dining room inspired by Royer’s grandmother.
Reviewers praise the refined flavors and impeccable service, with highlights like the signature rosemary-smoked egg and kampot pepper-crusted pigeon, though some find the Asian influences subtle and the price steep for smaller portions. The wine list, featuring 3,000 labels, and attentive yet warm hospitality elevate the experience, though securing a reservation requires weeks of planning. Odette’s nutrient-rich seafood and vegetable-driven dishes offer health benefits, but the rich sauces and multi-course format make it an indulgent treat best enjoyed occasionally, cementing its status as a global culinary gem for its balance of French precision and Singaporean flair.
