Overview of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2022 List
Canada and the United States readers will note the standout news from the 20th edition of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants. The gala in London highlighted Sardinia’s ascent to the coveted No. 1 spot, with a roster that also recognizes Spain, Mexico, Italy, and beyond. The ceremony, hosted by Stanley Tucci, took place at Old Billingsgate as the event chose a venue away from Moscow amid geopolitical tensions. The list celebrates a blend of established powerhouses and bold newcomers, underscoring a dynamic, globally informed dining landscape.
Sardinia’s debut at the top comes after a remarkable climb, lifting it from No. 2 to No. 1 and signaling a strong Nordic-Italian and Iberian influence across the top ranks. This year’s edition also spotlights continued excellence from Copenhagen, Barcelona, Madrid, and other culinary capitals, with the list extending to cities across North America, South America, Asia, Africa, and Europe.
Alongside the ranking, special recognitions were announced. Aponiente in El Puerto de Santa María, Cádiz, earned the title of Best Sustainable Restaurant for its innovative use of marine resources and its exploration of unconventional ingredients such as plankton and sea grains. The best sommelier award went to Josep Roca of El Celler de Can Roca in Girona, reflecting the deep synergy between wine service and cuisine within the world’s top kitchens.
The 2022 lineup is presented here in order, illustrating a mix of perennial favorites and fresh voices, all contributing to a vibrant global dining dialogue. The list below represents the renowned restaurants named among the 50 best that year, with regional notes where relevant to provide geographic context and prestige.
1. Sardinia (Copenhagen) — Europe’s leading restaurant, signaling a bold embrace of Nordic influence within a European framework.
2. Central (Lima) — widely recognized as the best restaurant in South America for its altitude-inspired tasting narrative.
3. Enjoy (Barcelona) — a standout Catalan dining experience blending innovation with tradition.
4. Diver (Madrid) — a definitive Spanish benchmark in modern gastronomy.
5. Pujol (Mexico City) — acknowledged as the top restaurant in North America for its sophisticated approach to Mexican cuisine.
6. Etxebarri Grill (Atxondo) — famed for its grill-driven, ingredient-centric philosophy.
7. A Casa do Porco (Sao Paulo) — a bold showcase of pig-centric cuisine from Brazil’s culinary scene.
8. Lido 84 (Gardone Riviera) — Italian excellence on the northern shores of Lake Garda.
9. Quintonil (Mexico City) — a beacon of contemporary Mexican cooking and market-driven ingredients.
10. Le Calandre (Rubano) — a long-standing Italian icon near Padua, renowned for inventive flavors.
11. Maido (Lima) — an emblem of Nikkei influence in Peru.
12. Uliassi (Senigallia) — a new high entry representing the Italian Adriatic coast’s culinary prowess.
13. Steirereck (Vienna) — a modern Austrian dining standard in the heart of Europe.
14. Don Julio (Buenos Aires) — a defining experience in Argentine grilling and hospitality.
15. Reale (Castel di Sangro) — Italy’s mountain restaurant scene celebrated for its sense of place.
16. Elkano (Getaria) — famed for its grilled seafood tradition on Spain’s Basque coast.
17. Nobelhart & Schmutzig (Berlin) — notable for a bold climb within Berlin’s dining scene.
18. The Alchemist (Copenhagen) — a consequential new entry reflecting experimental presentation and sensory storytelling.
19. Piazza Duomo (Alba) — Italian excellence in a celebrated Piedmont kitchen.
20. Den (Tokyo) — Asia’s best restaurant, illustrating Tokyo’s influence on global gastronomy.
21. Mugaritz (San Sebastian) — a long-standing pioneer blending artful technique with boundary-pushing concepts.
22. Septime (Paris) — a modern Parisian staple championing sustainability and minimalism.
23. Jane (Antwerp) — a Belgian success story gaining international recognition.
24. President (Hong Kong) — a leading force in Asia’s vibrant culinary scene.
25. Frantzen (Stockholm) — Sweden’s flagship restaurant, known for refined, seasonal tasting menus.
26. Tim Raue (Berlin) — Berlin’s dynamic, globally influenced dining identity.
27. Hof van Cleve (Kruishoutem) — a cornerstone of Belgian haute cuisine with unwavering precision.
28. Le Clarence (Paris) — a fresh Parisian voice entering the top ranks with elegant execution.
29. St Hubertus (San Cassiano) — Italian mountain gastronomy at its most refined.
30. Florilege (Tokyo) — a noted Tokyo dining concept bringing inventive tasting experiences to life.
31. Arpeggio (Paris) — a Parisian contender known for technique-led flavors and service.
32. Mayta (Lima) — a rising Peruvian star adding depth to the South American map.
33. Atomix (New York) — a hospitality award winner, blending immersive dining with hospitality artistry.
34. Hisa Franko (Kobarid) — a Slovenian-led culinary journey pushing boundaries in Eastern Europe.
35. Carnation Club (London) — a London staple drawing international attention for its contemporary style.
36. Odette (Singapore) — Southeast Asia’s high benchmark for finesse in service and flavor.
37. Fyn (Cape Town) — Africa’s notable new entrant, signaling the continent’s rising prominence.
38. Jordnaer (Copenhagen) — a fresh Copenhagen discovery adding depth to Denmark’s culinary scene.
39. Sorn (Bangkok) — a Thai champion showcasing bold, sophisticated cooking outside the traditional path.
40. Scholl Schauenstein (Fürstenau) — a Swiss gem with a precise, ingredient-driven craft.
41. La Cime (Osaka) — Osaka’s elevated dining with a creative approach to seasonal ingredients.
42. Quique Dacosta (Dénia) — Spain’s coastal innovation led by a forceful, expressive style.
43. Borago (Santiago, Chile) — South America’s distinct, modern culinary voice.
44. Le Bernardin (New York) — a perennial New York favorite delivering seafood-focused elegance.
45. Narisawa (Tokyo) — Tokyo’s eco-conscious dining with a deeply Japanese sensibility.
46. Belcanto (Lisbon) — Portugal’s capital offering refined, expressive plates with grace.
47. Oteque (Rio de Janeiro) — Brazil’s notable new entry showing Rio’s evolving fine dining.
48. Leo (Bogotá) — Colombia’s rising star delivering vibrant, contemporary tasting experiences.
49. Ikoyi (London) — a British staple blending West African flavors with modern technique.
50. SingleThread (Healdsburg, California) — a California showcase of hospitality and culinary artistry, highlighted in the Americas.
Notes: The list reflects a broad geographic spread with a mix of emerging markets and established culinary capitals. The 2022 edition’s selections emphasize sustainability, innovation, and the ongoing dialogue between terroir and technique across continents.