The World’s 50 Best Restaurants of 2018

If there’s a time when dining out is less than ideal – aside from that one disastrous mussels experience – it’s when the world’s top chefs skip out to see if their restaurants have been named the best on the globe.

This year, culinary geniuses from all corners of the world convened in the Spanish coastal city of Bilbao for an awards ceremony to honor the top 50 dining destinations of 2018 and, of course, to crown the ultimate winner.

The highest honor for 2018 went to Italy’s Osteria Francescana, helmed by Chef Massimo Bottura, whose inventive and occasionally surreal interpretations of traditional Italian dishes propelled him back to the top, a position he first claimed in 2016.

There were few shocks at the top of the list for the World’s 50 Best Restaurants, with last year’s third-place finisher and 2015 winner El Celler de Can Roca claiming second, while France’s Mirazur, which was in fourth place last year, secured third this time.

Eleven Madison Park, the 2017 champion which spent part of the year undergoing renovations, dropped to fourth place this time around.

Standing before a packed auditorium at the Palacio Euskalduna in Bilbao, Bottura shared, 'We built this together. I promise I won’t let you down. In 2018, chefs are much more than just the sum of our recipes, especially when we stand united.'

The idea of 'Human workplaces'

While European restaurants remained dominant at the awards, often referred to as the Oscars of fine dining, all five continents were represented, with Bangkok’s Gaggan ranking fifth and Lima’s Central in sixth place.

A notable trend was the continued prominence of male chefs at the top of the culinary world. The award for Female Chef of the Year remains a point of criticism for its perceived lack of inclusivity and fairness.

Clare Smyth, chef-owner of London's Core, used her moment as this year’s recipient to spotlight the ongoing issue of gender disparity and the broader challenges facing overworked kitchen staff.

'I’m often asked why there are so few female chefs, why women aren’t better represented at the top, and why we don’t see more diversity,' she said. 'I don’t have the answers.'

She emphasized the need for the industry to foster better working conditions and transform restaurants into equal, 'more human workplaces' for both men and women.

'We must draw a line here and pave the way for the next generation. I’m eager for the day when we achieve equality and the conversation moves forward,' she added.

Other notable accolades included the Lifetime Achievement Award, presented to Peruvian chef Gastón Acurio of Astrid y Gastón, while France’s Cédric Grolet was honored as Best Pastry Chef, and Spain’s Azurmendi won recognition for sustainability.

Organizers revealed that the rankings were based on an 'independent' panel of 1,000 judges whose selections were subject to review and validation.

The ceremony began with heartfelt tributes to culinary icons who passed away over the last year, including Gualtiero Marchesi, the first Italian chef to earn three Michelin stars, and Paul Bocuse, the revered 'pope of gastronomy' from France.

Anthony Bourdain, the celebrated presenter, writer, and chef, known for his outspoken critique of high-end fine dining, was also honored during the ceremony.

'His authenticity, unwavering determination, and fearless truth-telling helped transform our industry for the better,' said William Drew, the group editor of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants.

The World’s 50 Best Restaurants

1. Osteria Francescana (Modena, Italy) – recognized as the best restaurant in Europe

2. El Celler de Can Roca (Girona, Spain)

3. Mirazur (Menton, France)

4. Eleven Madison Park (New York City) – named the best restaurant in North America

5. Gaggan (Bangkok) – awarded the title of best restaurant in Asia

6. Central (Lima, Peru) – awarded as the best restaurant in South America

7. Maido (Lima, Peru)

8. Arpege (Paris, France)

9. Mugaritz (San Sebastian, Spain)

10. Asador Etxebarri (Axpe, Spain)

11. Quintonil (Mexico City, Mexico)

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

13. Pujol (Mexico City, Mexico)

14. Steirereck (Vienna, Austria)

15. White Rabbit (Moscow, Russia)

16. Piazza Duomo (Alba, Italy)

17. Den (Tokyo, Japan) – recognized for its impressive rise

18. Disfrutar (Barcelona, Spain) – the highest new entry

19. Geranium (Copenhagen)

20. Attica (Melbourne, Australia)

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

22. Narisawa (Tokyo, Japan)

23. Le Calandre (Rubano, Italy)

24. Ultraviolet (Shanghai, China)

25. Cosme (New York City)

26. Le Bernardin (New York City)

27. Boragó (Santiago, Chile)

28. Odette (Singapore) – a new addition to the list

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

30. D.O.M. (São Paulo, Brazil)

31. Arzak (San Sebastian, Spain)

32. Tickets (Barcelona, Spain)

33. The Clove Club (London, UK)

34. Alinea (Chicago)

35. Maaemo (Oslo, Norway) – a new addition to the list

36. Reale (Castel Di Sangro, Italy)

37. Restaurant Tim Raue (Berlin, Germany)

38. Lyle’s (London) – a new addition to the list

39. Astrid y Gastón (Lima, Peru)

40. Septime (Paris, France)

41. Nihonryori RyuGin (Tokyo, Japan)

42. Ledbury (London, UK)

43. Azurmendi (Larrabetzu, Spain) – winner of the Sustainable Restaurant Award

44. Mikla (Istanbul, Turkey) – a new entry this year

45. Dinner by Heston Blumenthal (London, UK)

46. Saison (San Francisco)

47. Schloss Schauenstein (Fürstenau, Switzerland) – a new entry this year

48. Hiša Franko (Kobarid, Slovenia) – making its debut on the list

49. Nahm (Bangkok, Thailand)

50. Test Kitchen (Cape Town, South Africa) – crowned Africa's best restaurant

28. Nahm (Bangkok, Thailand)