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The World’s 50 Best List has once again produced an elite Copenhagen tasting restaurant, years after it revised its voting body and rules after criticism of sexism and favoritism for European-leaning, male-led tasting menus – and Copenhagen’s Noma, which has won all along one.
Chef Rasmus Kofoed’s Geranium, one of Denmark’s most celebrated culinary establishments, has earned the title of ‘Best Restaurant in the World’ in the first year that Rene Redzepi’s Noma was disqualified. Noma took first place in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2021: The World’s 50 Best organization introduced a rule change in 2019 stating that restaurants cannot win a second time, but Noma still managed a last one after it closed Victory and moved to a new location. Along with Noma, Kofoed’s Geranium is one of Denmark’s two three-star Michelin restaurants. Located on the eighth floor of Copenhagen’s National Football Stadium, the restaurant announced last year that it would scrap its already modest meat offerings on the ~$437 menu to focus on seafood and vegetables.
Central in Lima finished 2nd, while Disfrutar in Barcelona took 3rd place. The results were announced during a ceremony in London moderated by Stanley Tucci. Ahead of the ceremony, World’s 50 Best organization confirmed that Russian-language restaurants would not be eligible for the list this year given the country’s attacks on Ukraine. A spokesman told Eater: “We do not hold restaurants or bars individually responsible for the actions of their governments and we recognize all those in Russia who have bravely denounced the actions of their leaders. However, by including Russian restaurants or bars in our top-flight lists, we would be implicitly supporting hospitality-driven tourism in Russia, increasing revenue in the country, and indirectly supporting the government through taxes… As an organization, we don’t believe it’s right to make Russia the promote as a food or drink destination at this time.” This change effectively removed 2021 list makers, White Rabbit and Twins Garden, from the list.
In the list’s 20-year history, only European or North American restaurants have occupied the “best” restaurant spot. No South American or Asian restaurant has ever made it to the top, and there is no Middle Eastern restaurant on the top 50 list. There are no restaurants on the list from India, a country of 1.38 billion people. The only restaurant from Africa, a continent of 1.28 billion people, is a South African place experimenting with Japanese techniques.
In addition to the Top 50 list, René Frank was named World’s Best Pastry Chef by Coda in Berlin; Leonor Espinosa was named the world’s best chef and Josep Roca took home the world’s best sommelier award. The Art of Hospitality Award went to New York’s Atomix: Atomix was also the top-rated US restaurant on the list at #33. Wawira Njiru from Kenya received the Icon Award. Here is the complete list:
The list of the 50 best restaurants in the world 2022
50. Single Thread, Healdsburg, CA
49. Ikoyi, London
48. Leo, Bogota
47. Oteque, Rio de Janeiro
46. Bel canto, Lisbon
45. Narisawa, Tokyo
44. Le Bernardin, New York City
43. Borago, Santiago
42. Quique Dacosta, Denia, Spain
41. La Cime, Osaka
40. Schauenstein Castle, Furstenau, Switzerland
39. Sorn, Bangkok
38. Jordnaer, Copenhagen
37. Funen, Cape Town
36. Odette, Singapore
35. The Carnation Club, London
34. Hisa Franko, Kobarid, Slovenia
33. Atomix, New York City
32. Mayta, Lima
31. Arpege, Paris
30. Florilège, Tokyo
29. St. Hubertus, San Cassiano, Italy
28. Le Clarence, Paris
27. Hof Van Cleve, Kruishoutem, Germany
26. Restaurant Tim Raue, Berlin
25. Frantzen, Stockholm
24. The Chairman, Hong Kong
23. The Jane, Antwerp
September 22, Paris
21. Mugaritz, San Sebastián, Spain
20th Den, Tokyo
19. Piazza Duomo, Alba, Italy
18. Alchemist, Copenhagen
17. Nobelhart & Dirty, Berlin
16. Elkano, Getaria, Spain
15. Reale, Castel di Sangro, Italy
14 Don Julio, Buenos Aires
13. Steirereck, Vienna
12. Uliassi, Senigallia, Italy
11. Maido, Lima
10. Le Calandre, Rubano, Italy
9. Quintonil, Mexico City
8. Lido 84, Gardone Riviera, Italy
7. A Casa do Porco, Sao Paulo
6. Asador Etxebarri, Atxondo, Spain
5. Pujol, Mexico City
4. Diverxo, Madrid, Spain
3. Disfrutar, Barcelona, Spain
2. Central, Lima
1. Geranium, Copenhagen
Additional reporting by Erika Adams.
