The World’s 50 Best Restaurants for 2024 have been reveaked and Spain dominates the list. As well as taking the number one spot, Spain fielded five eateries that were recognised in the prestigious ranking, with three of them in the top five.
Number 1: Disfrutar, Barcelona
Voted for by over a thousand food industry experts based in 27 world regions, this year’s list is headed up by Barcelona’s Disfrutar, owned and run by Oriol Castro, Eduard Xatruch and Mateu Casanas. Their food, which includes caviar doughnuts and a gazpacho sandwich, is described in a prize press release as “an experience that subverts traditional fine dining in a completely surprising way” drawing on “a Mediterranean identity with avant-garde flavours to deliver daring contemporary food that is truly though-provoking.”
Up from the number two spot last year, Disfrutar will now enter a hall of fame, or “Best of the Best” category, alongside other renowned restaurants such as Noma in Copenhagen.
The rest of the top five
Bilbao’s Asador Etxebarri in Atxondo, a barbecue restaurant unlike any other, came second, praised for its respect for simple ingredients. The Spanish let Paris have a look in at third place where Table by Bruno Verjus ranks, with a menu that includes beetroot and rose water mousse and frog leg rissole.
Diverxo in Madrid came in at fourth place, and Peru’s Maido, based in Lima, rounded out the top five. Lima is known for its fine dining and was the provider of last year’s winner, Central (now like the other members of the elite Best of the Best category not able to win). The South American capital did well overall, with three top 50 spots. In terms of cities though Paris and Bangkok will have to call it a draw for first place, each with four restaurants in the ranking.
The World’s 50 Best Restaurants Director of Content, William Drew, congratulated Disfrutar on their “extraordinary dedication to [their] craft” and went on to note the international flavour of the list, saying: “This year sees the culinary community celebrate a truly global list featuring restaurants across 26 territories, demonstrating that the appetite for diversity and excellence in hospitality shows no sign of waning.”
