Massimo Bottura’s Osteria Francescana Named World's Best Restaurant

Chef Massimo Bottura’s Osteria Francescana reclaimed the top spot on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, an always-anticipated and hotly debated list of the best eateries across the world. In this year’s rankings, six U.S. spots made the cut, including last year’s top overall restaurant—Eleven Madison Park, which fell to No. 4. Fellow New York City spots Cosme (No. 25) and Le Bernadin (No. 26) made the list. As did Pocantico Hills, New York, icon Blue Hill at Stone Barns (No. 12); Chicago’s revered locale Alinea (No. 34); and San Francisco’s Saison (No. 46). Chef Dan Barber of Blue Hill at Stone Barns was voted as the Chefs’ Choice Award winner.

The list was compiled from the votes of 1,000 international restaurant industry experts and “well-travelled gourmets” who make up The World’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy, according to a press release. It is independent adjudicated by professional services consultancy Deloitte. The Academy comprises 26 separate regions around the world, each of which has 40 members, including a chairperson.

This year’s list included restaurants from 23 countries, and featured nine new restaurants—six of which made their debut and three of which returned. Den in Tokyo won the “Highest Climber Award,” jumping 28 places to No. 17. Barcelona, Spain, restaurant Disfrutar earned the “Highest New Entry” honor at No. 18.

French Cédric Grolet was named The World’s Best Pastry Chef. London-based Chef Clare Smyth earned World’s Best Female Chef. Gastón Acurio, from Peru, picked up the Lifetime Achievement Award. California’s SingleThread was labeled “Miele One to Watch.”

Chef Bottura’s Osteria Francescana previously held the top spot in 2016.

Spain led with seven restaurants on the list, including three in the top 10. France had five (two in the top 10). The U.K. and Italy each had four, while Peru had three.

William Drew, Group Editor of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, said in a statement: “We applaud all those involved in this list of inspiring restaurants, which is constantly redrawing and reflecting the global gastronomic map. We are also thrilled to see Osteria Francescana return to the top spot in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants ranking this year.”

Here is the full list:

1. Osteria Francescana, Modena, Italy

2. El Celler de Can Roca, Girona, Spain

3. Mirazur, Menton, France

4. Eleven Madison Park, Manhattan, New York

5. Gaggan, Bangkok, Thailand

6. Central, Lima, Peru

7. Maido, Lima, Peru

8. Arpege, Paris, France

9. Mugaritz, San Sebastian, Spain

10. Asador Etxebarri, Axpe, Spain

11. Quintonil, Mexico City, Mexico