2012 Top 50

The annual list of the 50 best restaurants in the world, compiled by Restaurant, a British magazine, and sponsored by S. Pellegrino and Acqua Panna, is out. The top three restaurants remain the same: Noma in Copenhagen and Can Roca and Mugaritz in Spain.

The standard bearer for the New Nordic movement, Redzepi’s meticulous attention to detail and innovative approach has enabled Noma to maintain its position at the coveted top spot of the list, which is widely considered to be the highlight of the global dining calendar.

Spain can claim 5 restaurants on the list including Arzak at no. 8, whose joint Head Chef Elena Arzak was awarded the Veuve Clicquot World’s Best Female Chef award.

The Chefs' Choice award, sponsored by Silestone and voted for by the World’s 50 Best chefs, was presented to Andoni Luis Aduriz of Mugaritz in San Sebastian. Devastated by a fire 2 years ago, the restaurant holds its place at no.3.

The host nation also has plenty to celebrate with Dinner by Heston Blumenthal in London shooting straight in at no.9 to take the Highest New Entry award, sponsored by Les Concierges, as well as establishing itself as the UK’s highest placed restaurant. Heston Blumenthal’s historically influenced British cooking has proved hugely popular with both the local and international judging panels.

Australian Brett Graham whose London establishment, The Ledbury, was last year’s Highest New Entry, rose an impressive 20 places to no. 14, taking the Highest Climber award, sponsored by Cacao Barry.

But the biggest news might be in the country-to-country competition. Last year, France held the top spot with eight restaurants in the top 50; this year, the United States leads the pack. The USA boasts 8 restaurants in the list this year, the highest of which is New York based Per Se, owned by legendary chef Thomas Keller, who was rewarded with the Best Restaurant in North America and the S.Pellegrino Lifetime Achievement accolade after spending each of the past 10 years of the awards on the list under one guise or another.  His original Californian restaurant, The French Laundry, which held the top spot for two years (2003-04), has also reentered the list this year at no. 43. 

source IMAGE SOURCE