Spain wins 2015 world's best restaurant

 

The battle to be the world's No. 1 restaurant once again felt like a tussle between Spain and Denmark, with Italy caught in the middle.

El Celler de Can Roca in Girona, Spain, got the top spot on the annual The World's 50 Best Restaurants announced Monday in London, beating Noma, Rene Redzepi's daringly innovative Danish restaurant, which fell from first to 3rd place. Wedged between them at No. 2 was Modena, Italy's Osteria Francescana, which had held 3rd place for the past 2 years.

El Celler, which has been run by brothers Joan (head chef), Jordi (pastry chef) and Josep (sommelier) Roca since 1986, was ranked No. 2 in 2011 and 2012, years when Noma held the No. 1 spot. In 2013, El Celler bested Noma to take first place, but last year the restaurants traded places when Noma retook the top honor. Ell Celler - which has 3 Michelin stars - is known for blending traditional ingredients and innovative cooking techniques.

In addition to El Celler, Spain had six other restaurants on the top 50 list, including Mugaritz in San Sebastian (No. 6), Asador Etxebarri in Atxondo (No. 13), Arzak in San Sebastian (No. 17), Azurmendi in Larrabetzu (No. 19), Quique Dacosta in Denia (No. 39), and Albert Adria's Tickets in Barcelona (No. 42).

The Top 10 :

1: El Celler de Can Roca in Girona, Spain

2 : Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy

3 : Noma in Copenhagen, Denmark

4 : Central in Lima, Peru

5 : Eleven Madison Park in New York City, United States

6 : Mugaritz in San Sebastian, Spain

7 : Dinner by Heston Blumenthal in London

8 : Narisawa in Tokyo

9 : D.O.M. in Sao Paulo, Brazil

10 : Gaggan in Bangkok

Recommended Reading :

* Dining out across Spain : Study

* Spain hosts 13 of Europe's top 100 Restaurants