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World’s 50 best restaurants of 2016

Karla Cripps
By Karla Cripps, CNN
Updated 5:22 PM EST, Sun March 5, 2023
This year's 50 Best Restaurant Awards saw some familiar and new names take top honors. At number 20, Amber in Hong Kong was the second-highest placed of seven Asian entries on the list.
20. Amber (Hong Kong) —
This year's 50 Best Restaurant Awards saw some familiar and new names take top honors. At number 20, Amber in Hong Kong was the second-highest placed of seven Asian entries on the list.
Amber
Now in its 30th year, the Art Deco Arpege has held three Michelin stars for two of those decades. The restaurant is noted for its pioneering use of vegetables.
19. Arpege (Paris) —
Now in its 30th year, the Art Deco Arpege has held three Michelin stars for two of those decades. The restaurant is noted for its pioneering use of vegetables.
Courtesy Arpege
Chef Vladimir Mukhin creates luxurious spins on classic Russian dishes at White Rabbit. The "Alice in Wonderland"-inspired restaurant has spectacular sky-high views of the Russian capital.
18. White Rabbit (Moscow) —
Chef Vladimir Mukhin creates luxurious spins on classic Russian dishes at White Rabbit. The "Alice in Wonderland"-inspired restaurant has spectacular sky-high views of the Russian capital.
Courtesy White Rabbit
Another three-Michelin-starred restaurant, Piazza Duomo showcases herbs, flowers and fruits, many of them sourced from the venue's own organic garden.
17. Piazza Duomo (Alba, Italy) —
Another three-Michelin-starred restaurant, Piazza Duomo showcases herbs, flowers and fruits, many of them sourced from the venue's own organic garden.
Courtesy Piazza Duomo
Spain's Azurmendi offers a garden-to-plate dining experience, taking guests through its rooftop vegetable garden and indoor greenhouse before serving them homegrown ingredients.
16. Azurmendi (near Bilbao, Spain) —
Spain's Azurmendi offers a garden-to-plate dining experience, taking guests through its rooftop vegetable garden and indoor greenhouse before serving them homegrown ingredients.
Courtesy Azurmendi
Chicago's sophisticated Alinea restaurant is known for its dishes that could easily be artworks.
15. Alinea (Chicago) —
Chicago's sophisticated Alinea restaurant is known for its dishes that could easily be artworks.
Courtesy Alinea
Australian chef Brett Graham's take on classic British cuisine has made the Ledbury, in London's posh Notting Hill district, one of the city's most prestigious dining locations.
14. The Ledbury (London) —
Australian chef Brett Graham's take on classic British cuisine has made the Ledbury, in London's posh Notting Hill district, one of the city's most prestigious dining locations.
Courtesy The Ledbury
From a lowly 44th place, Lima's Maido restaurant is this year's highest climber, reaching the number 13 slot. Lima-born chef Mitsuharu Tsumura blends Peruvian and Japanese cuisines to create his own vision.
13. Maido (Lima) —
From a lowly 44th place, Lima's Maido restaurant is this year's highest climber, reaching the number 13 slot. Lima-born chef Mitsuharu Tsumura blends Peruvian and Japanese cuisines to create his own vision.
Courtesy Maido
Named for a Mexican herb, Quintonil makes stars of vegetables at this diminutive garden-inspired restaurant in Mexico City.
12. Quintonil (Mexico City) —
Named for a Mexican herb, Quintonil makes stars of vegetables at this diminutive garden-inspired restaurant in Mexico City.
Courtesy Quintonil
Sao Paolo's D.O.M. has fallen from 9th position in 2015 to 11th this year. The restaurant's chef-patron Alex Atala is known for his use of traditional local fare such as palm hearts and cassava.
11. D.O.M. (Sao Paolo, Brazil) —
Sao Paolo's D.O.M. has fallen from 9th position in 2015 to 11th this year. The restaurant's chef-patron Alex Atala is known for his use of traditional local fare such as palm hearts and cassava.
Courtesy D.O.M.
Moving up three spots, Spain's Asador Etxebarri came in 10th at this year's World's Best Restaurants Awards. Located about an hour away from San Sebastian, the restaurant offers creative dishes cooked over a Spanish wood-fired barbecue.
10. Asador Etxebarri (Biscay, Spain) —
Moving up three spots, Spain's Asador Etxebarri came in 10th at this year's World's Best Restaurants Awards. Located about an hour away from San Sebastian, the restaurant offers creative dishes cooked over a Spanish wood-fired barbecue.
Asador Etxebarri
Vienna restaurant Steirereck offers modern Austrian cuisine made with fresh ingredients from the chef's own farm.
9. Steirereck (Vienna) —
Vienna restaurant Steirereck offers modern Austrian cuisine made with fresh ingredients from the chef's own farm.
Courtesy of Steirereck restaurant
Chef Yoshihiro Narisawa spent eight years training in Europe before opening this award-winning eatery, where he delivers French cuisine featuring Japanese ingredients. His restaurant is ranked number two on the Asia's Best Restaurants list.
8. Narisawa (Tokyo) —
Chef Yoshihiro Narisawa spent eight years training in Europe before opening this award-winning eatery, where he delivers French cuisine featuring Japanese ingredients. His restaurant is ranked number two on the Asia's Best Restaurants list.
Sergio Coimbra
Led by chef Andoni Luis Aduriz, San Sebastian restaurant Mugaritz serves what's described as techno-emotional Spanish cuisine.
7. Mugaritz (San Sebastian, Spain) —
Led by chef Andoni Luis Aduriz, San Sebastian restaurant Mugaritz serves what's described as techno-emotional Spanish cuisine.
Mugaritz
Mediterranean restaurant Mirazur, run by Argentinian-Italian chef Mauro Colagreco, sits on the French side of the riviera, just steps from the Italian border.
6. Mirazur (Menton, France) —
Mediterranean restaurant Mirazur, run by Argentinian-Italian chef Mauro Colagreco, sits on the French side of the riviera, just steps from the Italian border.
Anthony Lanneretonne Photographer
Copenhagen's <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2015/11/06/foodanddrink/culinary-journeys-rene-redzepi-profile/">Noma</a> -- the 2014 "world's best restaurant" -- fell from third to fifth this year. It's led by chef Rene Redzepi, the man behind the rise of "new Nordic cuisine."
5. Noma (Copenhagen) —
Copenhagen's Noma -- the 2014 "world's best restaurant" -- fell from third to fifth this year. It's led by chef Rene Redzepi, the man behind the rise of "new Nordic cuisine."
Peter Brinch
Lima's Central held onto number four. Last September, it topped <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2015/09/24/travel/latin-america-50-best-restaurants/">Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants list</a> for the second year running.
4. Central (Lima) —
Lima's Central held onto number four. Last September, it topped Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants list for the second year running.
Central
Helmed by Daniel Humm, Eleven Madison Park gives modern European cuisine a New York twist.
3. Eleven Madison Park (New York) —
Helmed by Daniel Humm, Eleven Madison Park gives modern European cuisine a New York twist.
Francesco Tonelli
Executive chef Joan Roca, center, stands with his brothers, pastry chef Jordi and sommelier Josep. Last year's winner, the Girona restaurant slipped to number two.
2. El Celler de Can Roca (Girona, Spain) —
Executive chef Joan Roca, center, stands with his brothers, pastry chef Jordi and sommelier Josep. Last year's winner, the Girona restaurant slipped to number two.
El Celler De Can Roca
For the first time ever, an Italian eatery has claimed the top spot. Osteria Francescana is owned by chef Massimo Bottura. He's credited with reinventing classic Italian cuisine by offering dishes that combine tradition and irreverence.
1. Osteria Francescana (Modena, Italy) —
For the first time ever, an Italian eatery has claimed the top spot. Osteria Francescana is owned by chef Massimo Bottura. He's credited with reinventing classic Italian cuisine by offering dishes that combine tradition and irreverence.
PAOLO TERZI Fotografo, Modena
2016 World's 50 Best Restaurants Awards
CNN  — 

The hottest dining ticket on the planet right now?

Italy’s Osteria Francescana, which knocked out Spain’s El Celler de Can Roca to earn the top spot at the 2016 World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards.

Osteria Francescana, which came in second at last year’s awards, is located in the small city of Modena in northern Italy’s Emilia Romagna region.

Massimo Bottura: The chef who reinvented Italian cuisine

It’s helmed by chef Massimo Bottura, a man credited with reinventing classic Italian cuisine by offering dishes that combine tradition and irreverence and touch all the senses.

Coming in at number two on the list was last year’s champion, El Celler de Can Roca, while New York’s Eleven Madison Park moved up two places to grab the number three spot.

While accepting his award at the ceremony, held June 13 in New York, a thrilled Bottura held up an Italian flag, saying he felt he might cry he was so emotional.

“I want to thank everyone,” he said.

“Our job is all about hard work. People think we are rock stars, we are going here or there. It’s all about our work – in the kitchen, every day, to work and succeed.”

Top 10 comings and goings

Many of the usual culinary suspects rounded out this year’s top 10.

Lima’s Central, led by Virgilio Martinez, held onto its number four position. Last September, it topped Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants list for the second year running.

From the skate park to the kitchen: Meet Peru's best chef, Virgilio Martinez

Copenhagen’s Noma – the 2014 champion credited with the rise of “new Nordic cuisine” – fell from third to fifth.

Mirazur, located in Menton, France, jumped from 11th place to sixth, while San Sebastian’s Mugaritz dropped a spot to number seven.

Tokyo’s Narisawa – number two on Asia’s 2016 Best Restaurants list – held onto eighth.

At ninth, Steirereck of Vienna celebrated its first appearance in the top 10, along with Biscay, Asador Etxebarri’s restaurant in Spain. Last year’s highest climber, in 2016 the Spanish barbeque eatery moved from 13th up to number 10.

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the night was the dramatic drop of London’s Dinner by Heston Blumenthal.

Last year’s number seven, it plummeted to 45th place.

Another noticeable absence from the top 10 was Asia’s best restaurant, Gaggan.

The Bangkok-based Indian restaurant slipped from 10th to 23rd this year.

MORE: Gaggan: ‘I can’t cook this for 20 years’

Maybe less surprising – with the list often criticized for its male dominance – was the absence of female-run restaurants.

96 of the world's best chefs share their favorite food experiences

Dominique Crenn of Atellier Cren was named “World’s Best Female Chef” while Tokyo restaurant Den was awarded the “One to Watch” prize.

France’s Pierre Herme was named best pastry chef.

The “Chef’s Choice Award,” voted on by other chefs on the 50 best list, was awarded to Joan Roca of El Celler de Can Roca.

This year’s lifetime achievement award went to chef Alain Passard of Michelin three-star restaurant L’Arpege in Paris.

According to organizers, the results were compiled from an “independent” voting panel of 1,000 judges that were subject to adjudication.

This year’s awards ceremony, widely viewed as the Oscars of fine dining, took place in New York – moving away from London for the first time as part of efforts to make the event “truly global.”

During the awards, it was announced that the 2017 World’s 50 Best ceremony will take place in Melbourne, Australia.

The 50 best

1. Osteria Francescana (Modena, Italy)

2. El Celler de Can Roca (Girona, Spain)

3. Eleven Madison Park (New York City)

4. Central (Lima)

5. Noma (Copenhagen)

6. Mirazur (Menton, France)

7. Mugaritz (San Sebastian, Spain)

8. Narisawa (Tokyo, Japan)

9. Steirereck (Vienna)

10. Asador Etxebarri (Biscay, Spain)

11. D.O.M. (Sao Paulo, Brazil)

12. Quintonil (Mexico City)

13. Maido (Lima) – Highest riser

14. Ledbury (London)

15. Alinea (Chicago)

16. Azurmendi (Near Bilbao, Spain)

17. Piazza Duomo (Alba, Italy)

18. White Rabbit (Moscow)

19. Arpege (Paris)

20. Amber (Hong Kong)

21. Arzak (San Sebastian, Spain)

22. The Test Kitchen (Cape Town, South Africa)

23. Gaggan (Bangkok)

24. Le Bernardin (New York City)

25. Pujol (Mexico City)

26. Clove Club (London) – Highest new entry

27. Saison (San Francisco)

28. Geranium (Copenhagen, Denmark)

29. Tickets (Barcelona)

30. Astrid y Gaston (Lima)

31. Nihonryori RyuGin (Tokyo)

32. Restaurant Andre (Singapore)

33. Attica (Melbourne, Australia)

34. Restaurant Tim Raue (Berlin, Germany)

35. Vendome (Bergisch Gladbach, Germany)

36. Borago (Santiago)

37. Nahm (Bangkok)

38. De Librije (Zwolle, Netherlands)

39. Le Calandre (Padua, Italy)

40. Relae (Copenhagen)

41. Faviken (Jarpen, Sweden)

42. Ultraviolet (Shanghai, China)

43. Biko (Mexico City)

44. Estela (New York)

45. Dinner by Heston Blumenthal (London)

46. Combal.Zero (Rivoli, Italy)

47. Schloss Schauenstein (Furstenau, Switzerland)

48. Blue Hill at Stone Barns (New York)

49. Quique Dacosta (Denia, Spain)

50. Septime (Paris)

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