The 2018 World's 50 Best Restaurants Announced

The world’s best restaurant is in Italy once more, according to the annual World’s 50 Best Restaurants list. Massimo Bottura's Osteria Francescana in Modena has reclaimed its title from Eleven Madison Park in New York, which fell to the fourth spot on this year's round-up. The judges wrote that Osteria Francescana's success comes from a combination of "nods to tradition with fierce modernity, philosophical conceptions with old-fashioned flavor, and warmth with daring." It also helps that the food is dynamite. One of our editors was lucky enough to snag a reservation and try the restaurant's signature "Oops! I dropped the lemon tart" dessert (lemon tart, lemon dust, lemongrass ice cream, pieces of lemon peel, and lemon zabaglione), as well as Croccantino of foie gras and "Riso Levante" that combined perch with flavors like orange, bergamot, and vanilla. It's this tactic of blending the unexpected—or making a "sensory puzzle," per Traveler's Katherine LaGrave—that makes the restaurant a once-in-a-lifetime dining experience (and why reservations have to be made three months in advance).

A panel comprised of 1,000 food experts, chefs, and critics were behind the list. Spanning more than 20 different countries, from Peru to Thailand, most restaurants are regulars on the list, like Septime in Paris, Clove Club in London, Narisawa in Tokyo, and Alinea in Chicago. Enrique Olvera's Pujol shot up from number 20 to 13, while Noma in Copenhagen, which was number 5 in 2016, re-opened too late to qualify for this year's awards. There are a couple of new additions, too: The Test Kitchen in Cape Town, and Disfrutar in Barcelona.

A dish at the widely celebrated Den in Tokyo. Photo courtesy Den.

The list, while a career high for many of the world's most lauded chefs, is not without controversy. As Eater points out, it has come under frequent scrutiny over the years both for its favoritism toward expensive restaurants, and sexism. Dominque Crenn's Atelier Crenn, which was ranked 83rd in 2017, was expected to jump into the top 50 this year; however, Crenn didn't make either list. Overall, only five of the chefs recognized in the top 50 this year are women. It's also worth noting that the aforementioned Test Kitchen is Africa's only winner—and it just squeaked in at 50.

If you’re hoping to experience one of these restaurants any time soon, best to sit tight: Landing a place in the top 50 usually means tables are booked out months in advance. Alternatively, try one of the spots on the 51-100 list—read: dine at Le Coucou before it's too late. Or failing that, just binge watch Chef’s Table on Netflix.