The 15 Best Restaurants in the World

I don’t know about you, but when I visit a new country the thing I am most excited about doing is eating. It is not only trying out the cuisine and what each place has to offer that is the exciting part, it’s the whole experience of eating out. The atmosphere, the staff, the drinks and, of course, the food itself. These are the factors that determine whether we enjoy a restaurant, whether we will go back and tell others to visit. Many restaurants do this well, but there are only a select few around the world that are exceptional. Their attention to detail and attention to the needs of their guests is unparalleled. Here are The Gentleman’s Journal’s Best Restaurants in the World.

El Celler de Can Roca, Girona, Spain

What’s amazing about this Catalan family-owned restaurant run by the famous Roca brothers, is how it manages to be so warm, memorable and upliting without any unnecessary theatrics. A classic act.

For more information, visit www.cellercanroca.com

Noma, Copenhagen, Denmark

Innovative, inventive, even shocking at times. Chef-patron René Redzepi is the shining star of this restaurant and his creations keep bringing customers back time and time again.

For more information, visit noma.dk

Osteria Francescana, Modena, Italy

Combining traditional cooking with modern ideas and flourishes creates the perfect blend for an evening filled with quality. Chef Massimo Bottura’s dish ‘camouflage’ – a thin layer of foie gras decorated with powders (hare blood, chestnut, various herbs) and arranged to look like army woodland camo is an absolute crowd pleaser.

For more information, visit osteriafrancescana.it

Mugaritz, San Sebastián, Spain

No one understands the experience of eating out like Mugaritz. Acute attention to detail in their multiple course tasting menu makes it a favourite with visitors.

For more information, visit mugaritz.com

Eleven Madison Park, New York

The first of North-American restaurant on our list, Eleven Madison Park is renowned for the unexpected. Art deco architecture forms the structure but what happens at the tables – card tricks, mysterious gifts from waiters, meat grinders on the table – that brings the restaurant into our top 5.

For more information, visit elevenmadisonpark.com

D.O.M, Sao Paulo, Brazil

Tradition and history for the basis of this Brazilian haven. Expect food such as cambuca fruit, manioc root and tucupi juice.

For more information, visit domrestaurante.com.br

Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, London, UK

Hooray! The first British restaurant to make our list, this legendary chef has made a name for himself making crazy concoctions and science but actually Dinner by Heston Blumenthal just takes historial British cooking and cooks it using contemporary methods. Sounds simple but the results speak for themselves.

For more information, visit mandarinoriental.com/

Arzak, San Sebastian, Spain

What do you get when you put the 2012 World’s Best Female Chef and her Basque cuisine expert mother together. Arzak. Pure and simple.

For more information, visit arzak.info/index

Steirereck, Vienna, Austria

Rare ingredients and his family’s Styrian roots are the inspiration for chef-owner Heinz Reitbauer’s Austrain restaurant. Loved by locals and travelling visitors alike.

For more information, visit steirereck.at

Vendôme, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany

Its name comes from a town in central France, a German address and neue Deutsche küche doctrine, this restaurant doesn’t do anything by the book. Avant-garde with its largest menu containing 25 courses.

For more information, visit schlossbensberg.com/en

Per Se, New York, USA

It is hard to find fault with this ‘plush by non-showy’ restaurant in a city where there are an abundance of great restaurants though few spectacular ones. Per Se definitely falls into the latter category.

For more information, visit perseny.com

Frantzén/Lindeberg, Stockholm, Sweden

The incredible use of ingredients are what sets this restaurant apart from its peers. 95% are from Sweden with many of them coming straight from the Frantzén/Lindeberg’s garden. This combined with Asian and Far Eastern techniques and influences make it a hit on a global scale.

For more information, visit restaurantfrantzen.com

The Ledbury, London, UK

The second of our UK selectees, the reason The Ledbury has made the list is because of the overall feeling you have when walking out at the end of the night. Pure delight. This Notting Hill marvel cooking, Modern French with hints of Pacific and British cuisine, is unpretentious, friendly and relaxed. The perfect meal for a night out with the family.

For more information, visit www.theledbury.com

Astrid y Gastón, Lima, Peru

Simple understated decor, this restaurant lets the food speak for itself. Native dishes cooked to perfection. Trust us, you won’t leave disappointed.

For more information, visit astridygaston.com

Alinea, Chicago, USA

When everyone thinks of North-American restaurants it is easy to get caught up in the wonders of New York City. But, actually, there is a whole host of incredible dining spots all over the USA. Allinea is one of them. People loved it when it first opened in 2005 and that love has only multiplied over the years.

For more information, visit alinearestaurant.com