Put down that bag of Hot Cheetos and close the lid on that cup of ramen. It’s time for some real food. Ramen and Hot Cheetos are great but have you ever eaten a meal made by a trained chef who has honed his culinary skills for years? If you have, you’re one of the lucky ones. If not, you might want to check out our list of the current best restaurants in the world.
This list consists of restaurants that not only offer great food but also have a great ambience and excellent service. Yes, these restaurants can be expensive, but the culinary experience they offer is worth every penny. All of the restaurants below have been awarded by the San Pellegrino World’s 50 Best (the Oscars of restaurants around the world) and are ranked accordingly.
Here are the world’s best restaurants
Mirazur (Menton, France)
Taking our top spot on both our list and the San Pellegrino World’s 50 Best Restaurants, Mirazur is the best restaurant in the world right now. This 3-story restaurant is situated on a spectacular seaside vantage point of the French Riviera, surrounded by rolling mountains, deep-blue ocean, and restaurant-owned gardens where fresh fruit, honey, vegetables, and herbs are gathered and prepared for your meal. Chef Mauro Colagreco sometimes invites diners into his open kitchen where he and his team create modern French-inspired dishes on the 3-Michelin-starred restaurant’s dynamic menu.
Noma (Copenhagen, Denmark)
Mold, ants, and potted plants that transform into soup are among the many unique items on the menu of perhaps the most famous restaurant in the world, Noma. Located on a lake just outside Copenhagen, this top restaurant is surrounded by several Noma-owned greenhouses where vegetables and fruits are used for the 20-course menu created by gastronomic genius Rene Redzepi. Throughout the year, Noma’s menu focuses on one of three foods: vegetables from January through April, seafood from May through August, and game from September through December.
Disfrutar (Barcelona, Spain)
Stepping foot into the bright, modern, charismatic dining room of Disfrutar is like taking a sip of the most refreshing lemonade you’ve ever had. The inside of this two-Michelin starred restaurant located in Barcelona is spacious and unassuming, lacking fancy tablecloths or overdone decorations. Arguably the best restaurant in the world, Disfrutar offers delectable culinary highlights including chocolate peppers and crispy egg yolk and an eclectic wine list expected of Spanish wine country.
Den (Tokyo, Japan)
Located in the exciting Shibuya district of Tokyo, two-Michelin-starred Den is an innovative dining experience, taking guests where they haven’t been before. Presenting dishes such as “Foie Gras Monaka” (a Japanese mochi wafer) and Japanese-style stuffed chicken wings, Den explores your tastebuds with numerous small, intricate dishes in the traditional style of a kaiseki top restaurant. Den is a must-try (if you can manage to book a reservation, of course).
White Rabbit (Moscow, Russia)
White Rabbit has made countless headlines as one of the world’s best restaurants, even starring in Netflix’s “Chef’s Table”, and for good reason. This upscale, contemporary restaurant located atop a Moscow skyscraper gives guests unbelievable city views through its glass-covered dome ceiling. Chef Vladimir Mukhin intrigues guests with recipes using only ingredients grown locally, blending traditional Russian dishes with modern gastronomy trends. His aim is to weave storytelling through creative dishes such as “Black Sea Oysters” and pike caviar.
Cosme (New York City)
Headed by the world’s best female chef, Daniela Soto-Innes, Cosme is a sleek Mexican restaurant located in New York City, a place often defined by its amazing dining experiences. With a menu consisting of mostly small bites, guests are treated to artistic interpretations of traditional Mexican staples, such as the razor clam tostada or the duck fajitas at this top restaurant.
Lyle’s (London, UK)
With a Michelin star to boast, one of London’s great restaurants, Lyle’s provides guests with a minimalistic dining experience- a refreshing approach to Michelin-star dining where its seasonal British dishes are the stars. Guests can enjoy a wide range of delicacies, such as cheese plates, steaks, and seafood. Lyle’s is most popular for their vegetarian dishes where umami takes over even the most unexciting greens.
The Chairman (Hong Kong)
With a local farm where they grow their own produce, Michelin-starred Hong Kong restaurant, The Chairman, ensures their guests experience the most flavorful Cantonese cuisine using the freshest ingredients possible. Their signature dishes include crispy taro cake with smoked duck. At this top restaurant, what captures guests’ attention is the eco-friendly menu’s ability to take seemingly simple dishes, such as the steamed flower crab, and transform it into an extravaganza of unexpected refreshing flavors.
Sühring (Bangkok, Thailand)
Sühring, run by chef twins Thomas and Mathias Sühring, is one of Asia’s top restaurants according to countless worldwide lists. This two Michelin star award winner is known for its refined German-influenced menu that ranges from simple soul food, such as sweet pork sausage rolls to exotic highlights, such as eel soup fused with dried fruit and herbs. The elegant, cozy diner situated inside a villa in the middle of Bangkok, provides a tasteful ambience as you sip from the select German wine list.
Leo (Bogota, Colombia)
The 12-course tasting menu at Leo created by Chef Leo Espinosa features rare ingredients, such as the regional corozo fruit and reptiles. This Bogota-based top restaurant infuses rustic, fine dining interiors with flavours of beloved Colombian dishes spiced with modern artistic gastronomic trends. On top of this, proceeds from Leo go to support local rural communities in Colombia.
Indulging in culinary delights at some of the best restaurants in the world
Each of these restaurants transform every diner’s experience into an unforgettable memory. Not only are you eating a great meal, but you’re also immersing yourself in the restaurant’s magical atmosphere, only elevating your experience. If the opportunity arises, have a meal at one of the best restaurants in the world and let your senses run wild.
