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News 21. June 2023, 6 min read

The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2023 unveiled in Valencia!

Author: Birgitte Brøndum
The World's Best Restaurants 2023 group shot on stage in Valencia
The World's Best Restaurants 2023 group shot on stage in Valencia
Photo: David Holbrook

Chefs, restaurateurs, food writers, and all other foodies worldwide have been eagerly anticipating one of the most exciting events in the gastronomic calendar — the unveiling of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2023, this year in Valencia. Now the entire list is finally here!

This summer is filled with culinary awards and celebrations, and we absolutely love it! Just a few weeks ago, we were celebrating the many new stars in the Michelin Guide Estonia 2023. Last week, we raised our glasses to the brand-new Nordic Michelin Guide 2023.

And now, it’s time to celebrate the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2023! Join us in our gastronomic celebrations and discover the extraordinary dining establishments that have captivated a panel of over 1,000 culinary experts, including esteemed chefs, food writers, and restaurant critics.

How are the World’s 50 Best Restaurants selected?

The voting process for The World’s 50 Best Restaurants involves 1,080 international restaurant industry experts. These well-travelled gourmets provide their opinions and experiences to help select the best restaurants worldwide. However, former No.1 restaurants are not eligible, and strict voting rules are in place.

The process is independently assessed by Deloitte, and the list is divided into 27 regions, each with its own voting panel. Panellists must have dined at the nominated restaurants within the last 18 months.

The Best of the Best group honours iconic restaurants that have achieved the No.1 position in the past and are therefore excluded from future rankings:

The definition of greatness: What makes these restaurants the best?

Restaurants included in the 50-best list are not bound by specific benchmarks or the need to have won previous food awards or prizes. Any restaurant that has been open during the voting period is eligible. Essentially, it’s the individual voter who decides what qualifies as a great restaurant.

Naturally, their attention and taste buds are focused on the quality of the food and service. However, ambience, decor, and surroundings also play a role, but the extent to which these factors influence the final decision depends on the voter’s personal experience.

The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2023 welcome event.
Photo: David Holbrook

The unveiling of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants

The highly anticipated award ceremony for The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2023 took place last night in Valencia, Spain. Held at the magnificent City of Arts and Sciences, an architectural masterpiece by Santiago Calatrava, the event celebrated the pinnacle of global gastronomy. Representatives from the top 100 restaurants gathered for the occasion, which is often referred to as the Oscars of the culinary world.

Adding to the excitement, the event was live-streamed, allowing viewers from all over the world to follow the unfolding of this remarkable culinary celebration.

Notable Contenders: Restaurants Ranked from 100 to 51

Before we dive into the much-anticipated unveiling of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2023, let’s take a moment to acknowledge the exceptional restaurants that secured spots on the esteemed list from 100 to 51.

Across 22 destinations, this collection of restaurants represents some of the most esteemed dining establishments worldwide. On the list, you’ll encounter exciting new entries from vibrant culinary scenes like Istanbul, Quito, Singapore, and many other places.

The list of The World’s 100 to 51 best restaurants:

Here is the full list of the 50 best restaurants in the world!

The team behind The World's Best Restaurant No. 1, Central, Lima, Peru.
Photo: David Holbrook

“It gives me great pleasure to share the list of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2023 and celebrate the fantastic achievement of Central as the new No.1. Virgilio Martinez, Pía León, and the whole Central team have truly paved the way in celebrating indigenous ingredients through their innovative dishes and warm hospitality.” – William Drew, Director of Content for The World’s 50 Best Restaurants

With his words, we move on to list we’ve all been waiting for. From renowned dining institutions to rising stars, these restaurants represent the true heart of the gastronomic passion, talent and innovation that keeps the culinary industry alive year after year!

The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2023

Let the culinary celebrations continue throughout the summer, and even after the award season ends, we’ll be here cheering for all the restaurants that create incredible dining experiences for their guests every single day. We’re proud to be part of an industry that brings so much joy to so many people everywhere in the world.

If you’re curious about the list of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2022, you can find it here.