The much-anticipated World’s 50 Best Restaurants list is out and we’re squealing with delight at the number of Spanish and Latin American restaurants who made the cut. Though we’d love to visit them all on a global culinary tour, here are some of our highlights. And a huge congratulations to all the winners!
Number 1: El Celler de Can Roca, Girona, Spain
The number one restaurant in the world is El Cellar de Can Roca by brothers Joan and Jordi Roca. After entering the list eight years ago, the restaurant has climbed steadily. The food is modern Spanish and celebrates the ingredients, tastes, and flavors of their beloved country.
Number 4: Mugaritz, San Sebastian, Spain
This is Mugaritz’s eighth year on the list, a true testament to chef and owner Andoni Luis Aduriz ability to keep the menu fresh, creative, and delicious. At the restaurant, diners feats on a tasting menu of small plates that is described as “Techno Emotional Spanish.” Aduriz aims to “play with guests” and show them how a restaurant can have more impact than just sending out dish after dish.
Number 6: D.O.M., Sao Paolo, Brazil
Alex Atala, the chef and owner of D.O.M. and one of Time‘s Most Influential People, has found a comfortable spot on the list, with 8 years behind him. His food, described as contemporary Brazilian and American, focuses on new spins using traditional, indigenous ingredients, particularly from the Amazon rain forest. Sidenote: D.O.M. has also been named the Best Restaurant in South America four years in a row.
Number 14: Astrid y Gastón, Lima, Peru
Though Gastón Acurio now has a restaurant empire that spans the globe, his original restaurant, remains the jewel in his crown. At Astrid y Gastón, Acurio focuses on Peruvian- Mediterranean flavors, elevating Peruvian cuisine while doing so.
Number 17: Pujol, Mexico City, Mexico
This is the third year Enrique Olvera’s Pujol has made the list, leaving its mark as a leader in Mexican gastronomy. Long known as one of Mexico’s best restaurants, Pujol is now taking its place on the global stage.
Number 31: Biko, Mexico City, Mexico
At Mikel Alonso’s Biko, Mexican and Spanish cuisine collide – literally. The restaurant offers two menus, one that features traditional Basque cooking, and one that features modern gastronomical techniques. Both are delicious.
Number 46: Mani, Sao Paolo Brazil
This is the first year on the list for Helene Rizzo and Daniel Redondo and their Brazilian/European fusion restaurant. The husband and wife team use culinary influences from Brazil, Spain, and Italy to serve up an eclectic menu of stunning dishes.
Number 50: Central, Lima, Peru
This is Virgilio Martinez’s first year on the list. At Central, Martinez combines his experience in Japanese, Vietnamese, French, and Italian kitchens with his Peruvian roots to dish out “Peruvian gastronomy with roots across the globe.”