scorecard
  1. Home
  2. life
  3. food
  4. news
  5. The 20 best restaurants in the world, ranked

The 20 best restaurants in the world, ranked

Erin McDowell   

The 20 best restaurants in the world, ranked
Workers at the Disfrutar restaurant prepare dishes from the tasting menu on June 6, 2024.Europa Press News/Europa Press/Getty Images
  • The World's 50 Best revealed the top restaurants in the world.
  • The ranking includes restaurants from 26 territories and five continents worldwide.

The World's 50 Best just named the top 50 restaurants in the world, and only one of the top 20 best restaurants is located in the United States.

The ranking features restaurants from 26 territories and five different continents across the world.

Many of the restaurants are ultra-expensive, with some tasting menus costing upwards of thousands of dollars per person — Wing in Hong Kong, which was ranked No. 20, charges $1,980, according to Time Out.

However, the once-in-a-lifetime cuisine experiences at these world-famous restaurants is surely priceless.

From Michelin-starred Korean restaurants to world-class steakhouses, these are the 20 best restaurants in the world.

20. Wing in Hong Kong

20. Wing in Hong Kong
Vicky Cheng poses with a dish.      South China Morning Post/Getty Images

Chef: Vicky Cheng

Cuisine: Chinese

Michelin stars: 0

What it's known for: Included in Michelin's Guide, Wing is best known for its creative spin on traditional Chinese and Asian dishes, such as its famous Cantonese crispy chicken to a braised sea cucumber dish served inside a spring roll.

19. Reale in Castel di Sangro, Italy

19. Reale in Castel di Sangro, Italy
A dish at Ristorante Reale.      Kim N./Yelp

Chef: Niko Romito

Cuisine: Italian

Michelin stars: 3

What it's known for: Reale's chef Niko Romito has risen to acclaim for his minimalist approach to ingredients, titling his dishes simply "Carrot," "Cauliflower," and so on. However, it's not just the cuisine that makes this top-rated restaurant a must-visit. The restaurant itself, housed inside a 16th-century monastery, is also a showstopper.

18. Plénitude in Paris

18. Plénitude in Paris
Chef Arnaud Donckele tastes a sauce during the first service at his new restaurant Plenitud.      EMMANUEL DUNAND/Getty Images

Chef: Arnaud Donckele

Cuisine: French

Michelin stars: 3

What it's known for: From a hidden cheese cave where guests can select their own cheeses to chef Arnaud Donckele's creative spin on French cuisine, it's no wonder that Plénitude has become one of the most famous and highly regarded restaurants in Paris.

17. Kol in London

17. Kol in London
London cityscape.      Karl Hendon/Getty Images

Chef: Santiago Lastra

Cuisine: Mexican

Michelin stars: 1

What it's known for: Mexican cuisine with a distinctly British influence, Kol is one of the buzziest restaurants in London. Though the tasting menu is constantly changing, the langoustine taco has been a mainstay since Kol opened in 2020.

16. Kjolle in Lima

16. Kjolle in Lima
Tasting menu dishes at Kjolle.      marktucan/Getty Images

Chef: Pía León

Cuisine: Latin American

Michelin stars: 0

What it's known for: Run by acclaimed chef Pía León, Kjolle is famous for its dedication to not over-manipulating the natural flavors of the ingredients used, with a focus on vegetables.

15. Sézanne in Tokyo

15. Sézanne in Tokyo
Tokyo.      Francesco Riccardo Iacomino/Getty Images

Chef: Daniel Calvert

Cuisine: French

Michelin stars: 2

What it's known for: You might think it's strange to find a highly rated French restaurant in Tokyo, but chef Daniel Calvert isn't afraid to subvert expectations. Calvert married French cuisine with a Japanese sensibility for exactitude in his most popular dishes, which include a play on duck foie gras and Akkeshi oysters.

14. Quique Dacosta in Dénia, Spain

14. Quique Dacosta in Dénia, Spain
Chef Quique Dacosta.      SOPA Images/Getty Images

Chef: Quique Dacosta

Cuisine: Valencian

Michelin stars: 3

What it's known for: Dacosta's tasting menu is always changing, but it loves to pay homage to Mediterranean vegetables, fish, and seafood with a beautiful fine-dining flair in their presentation.

13. Trèsind Studio in Dubai

13. Trèsind Studio in Dubai
Skyscrapers in Dubai.      jayk7/Getty Images

Chef: Himanshu Saini

Cuisine: Indian

Michelin stars: 2

What it's known for: You won't find chicken tikka masala on this modern Indian restaurant's menu. Familiar dishes like curry have been elevated, and the 20-seat restaurant features an open kitchen front and center that makes every dining experience feel like a theatrical performance.

12. Lido 84 in Gardone Riviera, Italy

12. Lido 84 in Gardone Riviera, Italy
Riccardo Camanini.      Dominique Charriau/Getty Images

Chef: Riccardo Camanini

Cuisine: Italian

Michelin stars: 1

What it's known for: Lido 84 features views of Lake Garda and traditional Italian dishes with a modern flair, thanks to its mastermind chef, Riccardo Camanini. The tasting menu changes frequently, but the chef's most famous dish has become semi-permanent: the rigatoni cacio e pepe en vessie, a pasta cooked in a pig's bladder with pecorino cheese, pepper, and olive oil.

11. Septime in Paris

11. Septime in Paris
Europe is a popular destination for many American tourists      Alexandr Spatari/Getty Images

Chef: Bertrand Grébaut

Cuisine: French

Michelin stars: 1

What it's known for: The menu at Septime is highly reliant on the season but offers everything from grilled vegetables to seafood and pork. Head chef Bertrand Grébaut works alongside his school friend Théo Pourriat to select the perfect wine to accompany each of his creative dishes.

10. Don Julio in Buenos Aires

10. Don Julio in Buenos Aires
People sitting down to dinner at Don Julio.      Phil Clarke Hill/Getty Images

Chef: Pablo Rivero

Cuisine: Steakhouse

Michelin stars: 1

What it's known for: One of the most famous steakhouses in the world, Don Julio is known for its selection of specialty steaks and charcuterie. The restaurant is also well known for its wine collection, which lines the walls.

9. Gaggan in Bangkok

9. Gaggan in Bangkok
A diner looking at a dish during the opening of chef Gaggan Anand's new eponymous restaurant in Bangkok.      ROMEO GACAD/AFP/Getty Images

Chef: Gaggan Anand

Cuisine: Indian

Michelin stars: 2

What it's known for: Gaggan is primarily an Indian restaurant, but with a fine-dining approach and influences from French, Thai, and Japanese cuisine. However, just because it's fine dining doesn't mean it's stuffy. According to 50 Best, guests are encouraged to eat with their hands and lick their plates to savor the full experience of Anand's cooking.

8. Alchemist in Copenhagen

8. Alchemist in Copenhagen
The Alchemist restaurant in Copenhagen, Denmark.      SERGEI GAPON/Getty Images

Chef: Rasmus Munk

Cuisine: Fine dining

Michelin stars: 2

What it's known for: Alchemist is known around the world for its high-concept, adventurous dishes. Picky eaters beware: You truly can never expect what you'll be served in this fine-dining establishment. Graphic images surrounding the dining room change to reflect each dish, creating an immersive and theatrical experience.

7. Quintonil in Mexico City

7. Quintonil in Mexico City
Chef Jorge Vallejo.      Victor Chavez/Getty Images

Chef: Jorge Vallejo

Cuisine: Mexican

Michelin stars: 2

What it's known for: Quintonil focuses on local ingredients. The restaurant is run by husband-and-wife duo chef Jorge Vallejo and Alejandra Flores, who manages hospitality at the restaurant.

6. Atomix in New York City

6. Atomix in New York City
Chef Junghyun Park.      Monica Schipper/Getty Images

Chef: Junghyun Park

Cuisine: Korean

Michelin stars: 2

What it's known for: Chef Junghyun Park marries Korean cuisine with a fine-dining flair in this New York City restaurant housed inside a Murray Hill brownstone. The tasting menu is ever-changing and has become one of the most sought-after reservations in the city.

5. Maido in Lima

5. Maido in Lima
Mitsuharu Tsumura, also known as Micha, poses for a picture with the award after his restaurant, Maido, was named the winner of "The Best Restaurant in Latin America 2023."      TERCIO TEIXEIRA/Getty Images

Chef: Mitsuharu "Micha" Tsumura

Cuisine: Peruvian

Michelin stars: 0

What it's known for: Renowned chef Micha offers both a tasting menu and an à la carte menu at his elegant restaurant, which was also voted the best restaurant in Latin America in 2023. One of his most famous dishes is "The Triple," which features avocado, eggs, tomato, and braised pork belly.

4. DiverXO in Madrid

4. DiverXO in Madrid
Chef David Munoz poses in his restaurant DiverXO in Madrid.      PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU/Getty Images

Chef: David Muñoz

Cuisine: Fine dining

Michelin stars: 3

What it's known for: A mixture of Spanish and Asian influences, DiverXO's creative cuisine is served via a 17-course tasting menu courtesy of chef David Muñoz.

3. Table by Bruno Verjus in Paris

3. Table by Bruno Verjus in Paris
Bruno Verjus.      Craig Barritt/Getty Images

Chef: Bruno Verjus

Cuisine: French

Michelin stars: 2

What it's known for: Table has an open-kitchen concept that allows guests to view each course as it's being prepared. The tasting menu features seasonal ingredients such as asparagus and lobster in the summer, as well as exclusive wine pairings.

2. Asador Etxebarri in Atxondo

2. Asador Etxebarri in Atxondo
Victor Arguinzoniz.      The Washington Post/Getty Images

Chef: Victor Arguinzoniz

Cuisine: Fine dining

Michelin stars: 1

What it's known for: Located in a quiet Basque village surrounded by mountains, Asador Etxebarri offers both an á la carte menu and a 14-course tasting menu. Practically everything on the menu is grilled, a signature move by head chef Victor Arguinzoniz.

1. Disfrutar in Barcelona

1. Disfrutar in Barcelona
One of the tasting-menu dishes at Disfrutar restaurant.      Xavi Torrent/Getty Images

Chef: Oriol Castro, Eduard Xatruch, and Mateu Casañas

Cuisine: Fine dining

Michelin stars: 3

What it's known for: Regarded as the best restaurant in the world, Disfrutar is known around the globe for its innovative, avante-garde dishes and signature tasting menus, which focus on Mediterranean seafood. Guests can choose from one of two 30-course menus: the Classic or the Festival.

Advertisement