Six Spanish restaurants have entered the ranking of world’s top 50 according to ‘The World’s 50 Best Restaurants’ list. The winners were announced at ceremony in London last week at, with ‘Geranium’ by chef Rasmus Kofoed taking the top slot.
The event, which annually brings together the world’s most important chefs, restaurateurs, media and gourmets, awarded a ‘bronze medal’ the restaurant Disfrutar in Barcelona, while DiverXO in Madrid spearheaded by chef Dabiz Munoz climbed to fourth position in a meteoric rise from number 20.
Geranium, which moved up to the top slot this year from second position, is followed by Central (Lima) who takes over at No. 2, Disfrutar in third place, DiverXO in fourth and Pujol (Mexico City) in fifth place.
Quique Dacosta Restaurante (Denia) goes up to 42nd position
Leaving the ‘top 5’ is Asador Etxebarri (Vizcaya), dropping from third place to number six, although Spain still has two restaurants among the top five, the same as in 2021.
Quique Dacosta is also celebrating after re-entering the 50 World’s Best list in 42nd place with his restaurant Quique Dacosta Restaurante (Valencian Community), moving up from number 74 (the ranking continues up to 100).
What’s more, Aponiente (Cádiz), has been awarded the title of Best Sustainable Restaurant on the Planet thanks to its innovative work in the marine environment and for its use of unknown resources such as plankton or sea cereal, although this year it has not figured among the top 100. In 2021 it occupied 79th position.
Aponiente (Cádiz) has been recognised as the most sustainable staurant in the world
During the ceremony the newly created Beronia World’s Best Sommelier Award 2022 was announced, with the accolade going to Spaniard Josep Roca, from El Celler de Can Roca (Girona).
Other Spanish restaurants that have gone down in the top 50 ranking are Mugaritz (Guipúzcoa), dropping to 21st place from 14th in 2021. Another Guipuzcoan establishment, Elkano stays in 26th place, the same position it held last year.
Spain therefore boasts six restaurants among the World’s 50 elite -Disfrutar, DiverXO, Elkano, Mugaritz and Quique Dacosta Restaurante- the same as in 2021, although the Valencian has replaced Azurmendi (Vizcaya), who currently ranks at 55.
In 2021 Spain and the United States topped the list of countries with the most restaurants on the Best Restaurants list with six award-winning establishments each.
Best of the Best
The gala was attended by the most important chefs on the international scene, among them many other Spaniards who later celebrated this gastronomic fiesta.
The World’s 50 Best Restaurants also features the elite group of restaurants that have reached the number one slot on its prestigious list over the years. Chefs and their teams who have proven themselves will be honoured forever as iconic food destinations in the ‘Best of the Best’ of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants.
There are two Spanish restaurants among this prestigious groups: El Bulli (2002, 2006-2009) and El Celler de Can Roca (2013, 2015).
The list of restaurants awarded with this top accolade is completed with, The French Laundry (2003-2004), The Fat Duck (2005), Noma – original location (2010-2012, 2014, 2021), Osteria Francescana (2016, 2018), Eleven Madison Park (2017) and Mirazur (2019).
The award ceremony, which brought together the world’s top chefs, was presented by actor Stanley Tucci and took place at Old Billingsgate in London after the organisation ruled out Moscow as a setting due to the war against Ukraine, which has also left Russian restaurants White Rabbit and Twins Garden out of the running.