The list of the world’s 50 best restaurants for 2019 has been announced.

A surprising new champion has emerged for the world’s best restaurant, and it’s not the one many people had anticipated.

Mirazur, a Mediterranean restaurant, has clinched the top spot at the World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards held in Singapore – an event often referred to as the Oscars of fine dining.

Led by Argentinian-Italian chef Mauro Colagreco, Mirazur is nestled in Menton, France, near the Italian border. This win adds to a stellar year, with the restaurant also receiving its third Michelin star earlier.

Chef Colagreco and his team celebrated the win on stage at Marina Bay Sands, proudly displaying a banner featuring the flags of the countries that have influenced their journey: France, Argentina, Italy, and Brazil.

Colagreco shared with the audience that France allows him to fully express himself, but emphasized that cuisine transcends all boundaries.

After a moment of reflection on the honor, Colagreco expressed his emotions at the post-awards press conference: 'It’s unbelievable, I’m at a loss for words – this is so special. All the work, all the love from my team, and this award means the world to us, especially to me and Julia [his wife].'

Best of the Best

A new rule this year ensured that past winners of the top prize could no longer be considered, guaranteeing that a fresh face would claim the coveted number one spot.

This key change meant that renowned restaurants like New York’s Eleven Madison Park, California’s The French Laundry, The Fat Duck near London, and last year’s champion Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy, were no longer eligible. They will now be inducted into a special 'Best of the Best' category.

The 'Best of the Best' program is still in development, but William Drew, group editor of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, described it as a way to celebrate the projects that passionate chefs and restaurateurs are leading.

According to Drew, the goal is to create a positive impact on the food industry as a whole. 'We aim to use 50 Best Talks and our digital platforms to highlight these initiatives and foster positive change,' he explained.

Daniel Humm, chef-owner of New York’s Eleven Madison Park, told Dinogo that they were not bothered by the new rule. 'It’s far more important to have incredible chefs involved, and that benefits everyone. We can’t hold the top spot forever, and we’re fine with not competing every year,' Humm remarked.

Close, but still not Noma

Despite its new Copenhagen location making it eligible for the top ranking, the highly anticipated Noma only secured second place, falling short of claiming the number one spot, even amid the global hype surrounding one of the world’s most renowned restaurants.

Western Europe dominated the rankings, with Spain’s Asador Etxebarri, where even desserts are flame-grilled, securing third place.

Bangkok’s Gaggan, which has claimed the top spot on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list a record four times, took fourth place and also earned the title of Best Restaurant in Asia.

Live life to the fullest in Lima

For those who can’t book a table at Noma, its neighbor in Copenhagen, Geranium, claimed fifth place, offering a bold tasting menu crafted by chef Rasmus Kofoed, including standout dishes like beeswax and pollen ice cream with rhubarb.

Lima, Peru’s vibrant culinary scene was represented by two restaurants in the top 10: Virgilio Martínez and Pía León’s Central, where diners can sample piranha served inside its toothy head, and Maido, known for its Japanese-Peruvian fusion, with the 50-hour-cooked beef short rib as a highlight.

Despite the acclaim surrounding Lima’s restaurants and other entries from places like Mexico City and Singapore, no restaurant outside of Europe or North America has ever claimed the top spot at the World’s 50 Best awards.

Since the awards began in 2002, all 17 winners have hailed from Spain, the United States, the UK, Denmark, Italy, and, now, France.

Spain’s presence in the rankings was strong this year, with Mugaritz and Disfrutar taking the seventh and ninth positions, respectively. Barcelona’s Disfrutar made a remarkable leap, having been the highest new entry in 2018.

Celebrating female talent

Daniela Soto-Innes, originally from Mexico, was named World’s Best Female Chef. This award often sparks debate, as some feel it highlights the gender imbalance it is meant to address. In her acceptance speech, Soto-Innes spoke about the aggressive culture that still dominates kitchens worldwide, sharing her thoughts on the need for change.

'I made a promise that if I ever had my own kitchen, it would reflect the kitchens I grew up with: filled with joy, happiness, and a sense of community,' she shared.

'As a Mexican woman leading a diverse team, I believe that with each day, every meal, and every guest, we can challenge the ignorance and prejudice that tells us our voices shouldn’t matter. Our happiness is not only important, but it is something we can share with the world,' she said.

Soto-Innes’ restaurant, Cosme in Manhattan, was ranked the 28th best restaurant in the world.

Jessica Préalpato was honored as the World’s Best Pastry Chef. Her exceptional desserts can be enjoyed at Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée, a renowned destination for pastry lovers in Paris.

Icon Award

Spanish-American chef José Andrés was honored with the Icon Award, recognizing his outstanding work as the founder of World Central Kitchen, a non-profit that provides meals in disaster-stricken areas.

In his acceptance speech, he emphasized the need to honor not only the men who often receive the most recognition, but also the women who are 'feeding the world every day in every city.'

He also took a moment to pay tribute to Anthony Bourdain, as the awards coincided with the newly declared Anthony Bourdain Day, marking the late chef’s birthday. 'Bourdain taught us that we should never fear those who are different from us,' Andrés reflected.

Alain Passard, the renowned chef of Paris’s Arpege, received the Chefs’ Choice Award – voted for by his fellow chefs – while his restaurant earned the eighth spot on the global ranking.

Julien Royer’s restaurant, Odette, located in Singapore’s National Gallery, received a warm reception from the local crowd as it was ranked 18th. This marked the first time the awards were held in Asia, and it was also the inaugural year to ensure gender parity among the panel of over 1,000 industry experts.

Tokyo’s Den took home the Art of Hospitality Award, while Lido 84, a modern Italian restaurant set against the stunning backdrop of Lake Garda in Italy, was named the One to Watch for 2019.

World’s 50 Best Restaurants

1. Mirazur (Menton, France)

2. Noma (Copenhagen, Denmark) *Highest-ever new entry*

3. Asador Etxebarri (Axpe, Spain)

4. Gaggan (Bangkok) *Best Restaurant in Asia*

5. Geranium (Copenhagen, Denmark)

6. Central (Lima, Peru) *Best Restaurant in South America*

7. Mugaritz (San Sebastian, Spain)

8. Arpege (Paris, France) - Alain Passard’s renowned restaurant

9. Disfrutar (Barcelona, Spain) *Last year’s highest new entry*

10. Maido (Lima, Peru)

11. Den (Tokyo, Japan) *Art of Hospitality Award*

12. Pujol (Mexico City, Mexico) *Best Restaurant in North America*

13. White Rabbit (Moscow, Russia)

14. Azurmendi (Larrabetzu, Spain) *Highest Climber Award*

15. Septime (Paris, France)

16. Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée (Paris, France)

17. Steirereck (Vienna, Austria)

18. Odette (Singapore)

19. Twins Garden (Moscow, Russia) *New Entry*

20. Tickets (Barcelona, Spain)

21. Frantzén (Stockholm, Sweden)

22. Narisawa (Tokyo, Japan)

23. Cosme (New York City)

24. Quintonil (Mexico City, Mexico)

25. Alléno Paris au Pavillon Ledoyen (Paris, France)

26. Boragó (Santiago, Chile)

27. The Clove Club (London, UK)

28. Blue Hill at Stone Barns (Pocantico Hills, New York)

29. Piazza Duomo (Alba, Italy)

30. Elkano (Getaria, Spain)

31. Le Calandre (Rubano, Italy)

32. Nerua (Bilbao, Spain)

33. Lyle’s (London, UK)

34. Don Julio (Buenos Aires, Argentina)

35. Atelier Crenn (San Francisco)

36. Le Bernardin (New York City)

37. Alinea (Chicago)

38. Hiša Franko (Kobarid, Slovenia)

39. A Casa do Porco (São Paulo, Brazil)

40. Restaurant Tim Raue (Berlin, Germany)

41. The Chairman (Hong Kong, China)

42. Belcanto (Lisbon, Portugal)

14. Mugaritz (San Sebastian, Spain)

15. Lido 84 (Gardone Riviera, Italy) *Highest New Entry Award*

45. Sühring (Bangkok, Thailand)

17. A Casa do Porco (São Paulo, Brazil)

47. Benu (San Francisco)

48. Ultraviolet (Shanghai, China)

49. Leo (Bogotá, Colombia)

19. Narisawa (Tokyo, Japan)