Lima, Barcelona and Madrid headline the world’s top 50 restaurants

South America is giving Europe a run for its money in the culinary stakes, with Lima restaurant Central – described as ‘a love letter to Peru’ for its embrace of native ingredients – claiming pole position in this year’s World’s 50 Best Restaurants list, up from second place in 2022.

It takes on the mantle from Geranium in Copenhagen, which, as is the case for all former number ones, is now ineligible to be part of the list and instead joins previous number ones El Bulli, Eleven Madison Park and Noma in the ‘Best of the Best’ hall of fame.

Don't be fooled by the simple interior, Central's dishes are vibrant (and delicious) works of art.

Barcelona Mediterranean venue Disfrutar, opened in 2014 with a trio of ex-El Bulli chefs at the helm, is elevated into second place, while Madrid’s quirky DiverXO (known for its experimental 12-course tasting menu) closely follows in third position.

Sadly no Australian restaurants have made the top 100 this year. However, there is at least one chef waving the flag, with Singapore barbeque favourite Burnt Ends from Australian chef-owner Dave Pynt gracing the list at number 65.

The remainder of the top five includes Asador Etxebarri in Spain’s Basque Country at number four, followed by Alchemist in Copenhagen, where the menu is divided into ‘acts’ through various locations and storytelling moments.

A sample of the delicate dishes at Disfrutar in Barcelona.

South America further strengthens its position in global gastronomy, with the continent boasting nine restaurants overall, including two new entries: Pía León’s Kjolle (28) in Lima and El Chato (33) in Bogotá.

Asia follows with seven restaurants on the list, including Singapore’s Odette – named The Best Restaurant in Asia – at number 14, along with new entries Le Du (15) and Gaggan Anand (17) in Bangkok and Sézanne, Tokyo (37).

The whimsical styling of DiverXO is matched by the playful dishes served.

William Drew, Director of Content for The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, commends the achievement of Central as the world’s new number one, adding “Virgilio Martinez, Pía León and the whole Central team have truly paved the way in celebrating indigenous ingredients through their innovative dishes and warm hospitality.”

Awarded annually since 2002, the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list is judged by a panel of more than 1,000 industry experts and well-travelled gourmets, who make up the ‘World 50 Best Restaurants Academy’.

The full list of the 50 Best Restaurants is as follows:

1-10
Central – Lima
Disfrutar – Barcelona
Diverxo – Madrid
Asador Etxebarri – Atxondo
Alchemist – Copenhagen
Maido – Lima
Lido 84 – Gardone Riviera
Atomix – New York
Quintonil – Mexico City
Table by Bruno Verjus – Paris

11-20
Trèsind Studio – Dubai
A Casa do Porco – São Paulo
Pujol – Mexico City
Odette – Singapore
Le Du – Bangkok
Reale – Castel di Sangro
Gaggan Anand – Bangkok
Steirereck – Vienna
Don Julio – Buenos Aires
Quique Dacosta – Denia

21-30
Den – Tokyo
Elkano – Getaria
Kol – London
Septime – Paris
Belcanto – Lisbon
Schloss Schauenstein – Fürstenau
Florilège – Tokyo
Kjolle – Lima
Boragó – Santiago
Frantzén – Stockholm

31-40
Mugaritz – San Sebastian
Hiša Franko – Kobarid
El Chato – Bogotá
Uliassi – Senigallia
Ikoyi – London
Plénitude – Paris
Sézanne – Tokyo
The Clove Club – London
The Jane – Antwerp
Restaurant Tim Raue – Berlin

41-50
Le Calandre – Rubano
Piazza Duomo – Alba
Leo – Bogotá
Le Bernardin – New York
Nobelhart & Schmutzig – Berlin
Orfali Bros Bistro – Dubai
Mayta – Lima
La Grenouillère – La Madeleine-sous-Montreuil
Rosetta – Mexico City
The Chairman – Hong Kong