The 2011 World's 50 Best Restaurants are...
April 18th, 2011
04:15 PM ET
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Restaurant magazine and S. Pellegrino's annual "World's 50 Best Restaurants" list was released on Monday at an awards ceremony in London's Guildhall - and it seems the Danes have done it again.

The number one spot goes to Restaurant Noma in Copenhagen, Denmark for the second year straight.

Last year's top ranking catapulted Noma and chef René Redzepi's Nordic cuisine into the international culinary spotlight. According to Redzepi, the day after the list came out in 2010, Noma received more than 100,000 requests for a table.

The top honor is just another indication it's been a delicious year for the small European country. Denmark also beat out 23 other countries to take home gold in the 2011 Bocuse d'Or cooking competition - often referred to as the "culinary Olympics."

One visible omission from the list is the five-time "World's Best Restaurant," elBulli. Chef Ferran Adrià withdrew himself and the storied molecular gastronomy restaurant from the awards because elBulli will serve its last meal as a restaurant on July 30, 2011. It will reopen as a nonprofit "think-tank for creative cuisine and gastronomy" in 2014.


The notable list is compiled by The World's 50 Best Restaurants Academy - an 837 member panel of the world's food and drink glitterati - including celebrated chefs, food writers, restaurateurs and other influential industry experts.

“The original aim still stands, that is to promote and celebrate brilliant restaurants,” said Restaurant magazine editor, William Drew.

Six of the restaurants crowned this year - Alinea in Chicago, Illinois; Daniel, Per Se, Le Bernardin, Momofuku Ssäm Bar and Eleven Madison Park (up 26 spots from 2010) in New York - are on American soil. D.O.M. in Brazil jumped from number 18 to number 7, making it the only South American restaurant to grace the top ten. The highest climber, Nihonryori RyuGin, moved up 28 spots.

Here is the full list:

1) Noma (Copenhagen, Denmark)

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

3) Mugaritz (Errenteria, Spain)

4) Osteria Francescana (Modena, Italy)

5) The Fat Duck (Bray, England)

6) Alinea (Chicago, Illinois)

7) D.O.M. (São Paulo, Brazil)

8) Arzak (San Sebastián, Spain)

9) Le Chateaubriand (Paris, France)

10) Per Se (New York)

11) Daniel (New York)

12) Les Créations de Narisawa (Tokyo, Japan)

13) L'Astrance (Paris, France)

14) L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon (Paris, France)

15) Hof Van Cleve (Kruishoutem, Belgium)

16) Pierre Gagnaire (Paris, France)

17) Oud Sluis (Sluis, Netherlands)

18) Le Bernardin (New York)

19) L'Arpege (Paris, France)

20) Nihonryori RyuGin (Tokyo, Japan)

21) Vendôme (Bergisch Gladbach, Germany)

22) Steirereck (Vienna, Austria)

23) Schloss Schauenstein (Fürstenau, Switzerland)

24) Eleven Madison Park (New York)

25) Aqua (Wolfsburg, Germany)

26) Quay Restaurant (Sydney, Australia)

27) Iggy's (Singapore)

28) Combal Zero (Rivoli, Italy)

29) Martín Berasategui (Lasarte-Oria, Spain)

30) Bras (Laguiole, France)

31) Biko (Mexico City, Mexico)

32) Le Calandre (Rubano, Italy)

33) Il Ristorante Cracco (Milan, Italy)

34) The Ledbury (London, England)

35) Chez Dominique (Helsinki, Finland)

36) Le Quartier Français (Franschhoek, South Africa)

37) Amber (Hong Kong, China)

38) Dal Pescatore (Mantova, Italy)

39) Il Canto (Siena, Italy)

40) Momofuku Ssäm Bar (New York)

41) St. John (London, England)

42) Astrid y Gastón (Lima, Perú)

43) Hibiscus (London, England)

44) La Maison Troisgros (Roanne, France)

45) Alain Ducasse Au Plaza Athénée (Paris, France)

46) De Librije (Zwolle, Netherlands)

47) Restaurant de l'Hôtel de Ville (Crissier, Switzerland)

48) Varvary (Moscow, Russia)

49) Pujol (Mexico City, Mexico)

50) Asador Etxebarri (Atxondo-Bizkaia, Spain)



soundoff (197 Responses)
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  4. hannah

    i never have left the united states but the united states food is good

    October 2, 2011 at 3:38 pm | Reply
  5. Vendooza

    Here it is, 13 days after this list was published by CNN.com and 8 days after the final ridiculous comment was posted. I just stumbled on this list while reading a friend's food blog and eating Sunday morning breakfast. All the comments were pretty amusing and most were just outright stupid. Come on!!! Who would actually take anything that CNN publishes seriously? Some of these people who posted comments were suffering from "righteous indignation" and others were just pumping up their own egos by adding their favorite local eateries...oh and then their were just the "idiots".

    Personally, I could give a rat's ass about where or how a restaurant is ranked. If I like the food and the staff and the environment, I'll eat there again and again regardless of how inventive or traditional or cheap or expensive it is. Euro-centric, American-centric, Western-centric. Missing Asia, Africa, India, the Middle-East and God forbid how could they leave out Canada?

    Get a grip here people...it's CNN.com for God's sake!!!

    May 1, 2011 at 1:08 pm | Reply
  6. obsy

    pubs serve better food.

    April 23, 2011 at 6:30 pm | Reply
  7. christian

    Bestrestaurant?? Base on what?? Come on..!!

    April 22, 2011 at 10:43 am | Reply
  8. Jim

    So New York (City, I assume) is the only place in the U.S. for a decent meal? My guess is the author is unaware that the rest of the country exists, or perhaps does not care. Personally, if I never find myself in NYC, I'll die satisfied. New York snobs can have it, I'll take the rest of the country.

    April 20, 2011 at 5:14 am | Reply
  9. Solara

    Some people mistake a tummy ache for a gastronomic delight. I ate at #16 Pierre Gagnaire and had to chase my meal down with Evian and some Rolaids. Never again!

    April 20, 2011 at 12:42 am | Reply
  10. Don

    Not one restaurant from Canada, I find that hard to believe?

    April 19, 2011 at 8:15 pm | Reply
  11. Martha

    Anrhony's in Tallahassee, Florida is the greatest

    April 19, 2011 at 7:20 pm | Reply
  12. Andulamb

    I'm sure all of these restaurants make really good food. I'm also sure that 99% of their patrons couldn't tell a $200 dish from a $30 dish. Put a small portion of something on plate, make it look fancy, charge an arm and a leg for it, give it a foreign name, and people will swear it's the best thing they've ever eaten.

    April 19, 2011 at 5:02 pm | Reply
  13. nova

    Momofuku Ssäm Bar (New York)??? you sure you didn't mean Momofuku Ko? because Ssam bar isn't anything special

    April 19, 2011 at 4:27 pm | Reply
  14. Bethaltoguy

    Gentelin's on Broadway in Alton, IL is the best restaurant in the United States hands down!

    April 19, 2011 at 4:21 pm | Reply
  15. Wealthy William

    I've ate at 6 of the 50 listed. I guess I have to go to Denmark this month to try out Noma.

    April 19, 2011 at 2:00 pm | Reply
  16. Jen

    Fuddrucker's has the best burgers, hands down.

    April 19, 2011 at 1:59 pm | Reply
  17. Ty

    Delivery?

    April 19, 2011 at 1:49 pm | Reply
  18. Sarah michele

    The French Laundry didn't make the list??? WTF - my meal there was AMAZING. Thomas Keller is a genius.

    April 19, 2011 at 1:27 pm | Reply
  19. TurtleHead

    WaterFront in SD ROCKS!! They have the BEST Cheeseburger HANDS DOWN!!
    ON-ON!

    April 19, 2011 at 12:39 pm | Reply
  20. Erika

    Buenos Aires, Argentina has the best steak in the world and not on the list...shame

    April 19, 2011 at 12:32 pm | Reply
  21. Tom

    Alinea in Chicago has their menu online. For $195.00 it better be the 6th best restaurant in the world. Take a family of 4, have a drink and you probably spent a cool grand. Damn!

    April 19, 2011 at 11:51 am | Reply
  22. MichelinStars

    What do you think it "costs" to get on this list?

    April 19, 2011 at 11:51 am | Reply
  23. I want da gold!

    @#$% that hoity toity nonsense! Give me Bobcat Bite (Santa Fe, NM) or Kuma's Corner (Chicago, IL) over that overpriced, under portioned, cr@p any day!

    April 19, 2011 at 11:28 am | Reply
  24. Not quite fancy, but perfect

    Jack the Horse in Brooklyn Heights

    April 19, 2011 at 11:13 am | Reply
  25. Dirty Joe

    There's a McDonald's down the street from my apartment that should have made this list. That shit's good man!

    April 19, 2011 at 10:40 am | Reply
    • Patrick

      No, redwine and a pimento cheeze sandwich in Spain is good s hit.

      April 19, 2011 at 10:41 am | Reply
    • Ronald McDonald@Dirty Joe

      Adding the McJackson Burger on my menu today. It's 50 year old meat between 10 year old buns. I bet you will love that sh it, man.

      April 19, 2011 at 10:59 am | Reply
  26. Naa

    Obviously my invitation to help craft this list has been lost in the mail again. In order to make it up to me, Pellegrino can pay for me to go to all 50 restaurants.

    April 19, 2011 at 10:10 am | Reply
    • Patrick

      I had the best red wine and pimento cheeze sandwich while dining in Spain.

      April 19, 2011 at 10:23 am | Reply
  27. Eri

    Prestige = quality ¬_¬
    just because they are expensive it doesnt mean they are good
    was in some of them, they werent anything exeptional

    I know severall small, old, "hidden" restaurants that are ways better than these things

    April 19, 2011 at 9:13 am | Reply
  28. rell

    No African restaurants on this list. What about Mama Put-Ibadan, Oyo state

    April 19, 2011 at 8:56 am | Reply
    • rell

      Oyo state, Nigeria

      April 19, 2011 at 8:57 am | Reply
  29. Jorge

    B.S.-I been to Spain, Mexico, California, Netherland Antilles and was born in NY. Done the haute/nouveau/petit food thing (yawn), eaten everything from live baby eels to rocky mountain oysters. Best seafood restaurant that I have ever been to was El Roble on the southern coast of Puerto Rico. Those folks invented island seafood Mojo, which incidentally has been copied in several different forms. They also have a savory fried/mashed plantain and mixed seafood concoction called mofongo tigre that will forever be in your mind as upper stuff.

    April 19, 2011 at 8:32 am | Reply
    • Patrick

      I've been to Spain and had the best red wine and a pimento cheeze sandwich.

      April 19, 2011 at 9:02 am | Reply
  30. FOOD_LOVER

    This list is B.S.
    No INDIAN or MIDDLE EASTERN restaurants included.

    April 19, 2011 at 6:04 am | Reply
  31. Deff tone

    Come on! Maybe the list should have more Asian restaurants , but everybody knows Europe is the best place to eat.....especially in Spain, France and Italy.

    April 19, 2011 at 5:51 am | Reply
  32. Gerald F. NcCadden

    The list just ignores Canada all together. Come on! We do have excellent restaurants that do serve more just pancakes and maple syrup with bacon. I worked in the industry and can tell you that in cities like Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver all have excellent places to dine at. The people who put this list together seem to forget we exist or what?

    April 19, 2011 at 4:37 am | Reply
  33. Mariadela

    Check this out

    April 19, 2011 at 3:44 am | Reply
  34. prwiii

    New Orleans have great restaurants.....Wow, I can't believe that they didn't make the list...

    April 19, 2011 at 3:09 am | Reply
  35. Andy Hayler

    At #25 should be Aqua in Wolfsburg, Germany. For some reason you have "nonoured" a restaurant of the same name in Bath in England, where I was born. i wish. However Aqua in Woflsburg is well worth the trip:
    http://www.theworlds50best.com/awards/1-50-winners/aqua

    April 19, 2011 at 3:05 am | Reply
  36. Robita

    This list is Eurocentric, and has nothing to do with the best anything. It is political stuck up garbage. Did the people who made this list go to every restraunt in the world? No.

    April 19, 2011 at 2:39 am | Reply
    • Claes

      You can allways just make your own top50 list an present it for the press, and says thats your Top50 best in the world ;). This list doesn't necesary means it is the Top50 best in the world by all means, its only the 800 judges, judgment, what they think and to let others know that.

      Its free for everyone els to make there own judment/decisions.
      Even though and wil never be able to see fastfood as part os the Top50 best in the world, maybe the top50 best fast food places. ;)

      April 19, 2011 at 2:44 am | Reply
  37. p1user1@hotmail.com

    This list obviously omits or fails to capture many of the emerging cuisine.

    April 19, 2011 at 2:21 am | Reply
  38. p1user1@hotmail.com

    ok

    April 19, 2011 at 2:16 am | Reply
  39. Claes

    So funny to read all your comment 70% og you want Fastfood or somekind of crappy food to be on the list.
    This list is about the 50 best resturants in the world, resturants that don't look like others, ones who cooks there own way.

    Take NOMA (Two Michelins and a upcommin 3rd.) for example, they use only ingreedients from the North of Europe (DK, SE, NO and FI) and cook food so tastefull and new you get stun by every dish. I've been there a couple of times, and yes its a bit expensive ( 7 course meal $190) but when you leave it you actually think it is well spend money, and its nowhere near some of the Frensh ones.

    April 19, 2011 at 2:04 am | Reply
    • Rufy

      I agree with you completely Claes. I think we need to look at the judging criteria that was used to rank these restaurants. I'm not saying that there aren't some great fast food joints or more affordable but delicious restos out there, but i think those restaurants will have to have their own judging criteria. you cannot compare apples and oranges

      April 19, 2011 at 2:37 am | Reply
    • san

      This list is about the 50 best resturants in the world, resturants that don't look like others, ones who cooks there own way--------

      You mean the Indian and chinese food are cooked in different ways !! how can any of the indian / chinese be not on the list itself since the food itself is unique in its own ways

      April 19, 2011 at 2:44 am | Reply
      • Claes

        Don't know about the Chineese or Indian ones. Never eaten at one before who where that different to one or another, and maybe the same with the judges, they need to know of the place to judge it.

        April 19, 2011 at 2:49 am | Reply
      • Rufy

        i think it has to do with the originality of the dishes served rather than the type of cuisine. most of the dishes served in these restaurants cannot be easily duplicated, unlike chinese or indian. again, going back to my previous point. let's look at the judging criteria before slamming the list.

        April 19, 2011 at 2:58 am | Reply
    • I want da gold!

      More money does not equal better taste. And just so you know, your sh!t smells just as bad as mine, if not worse.

      April 19, 2011 at 11:33 am | Reply
  40. Sherri

    Ehh....I prefer the Olive Garden.

    April 19, 2011 at 1:51 am | Reply
  41. Mike

    Not only is this list Eurocentric, but it's only a certain part of Europe that is represented, and only certain kinds of cuisine are represented. Nothing here from the likes of Greece or Portugal, for instance.

    April 19, 2011 at 1:17 am | Reply
  42. Chef Boyardee

    Why isn't Olive Garden on here? Good portions and great wine.

    April 19, 2011 at 1:06 am | Reply
    • Sarah michele

      You must have never had good wine....hahaha

      April 19, 2011 at 2:12 pm | Reply
  43. francesco

    I agree with this comment and some others. Seems like a lot of hype will get you in the Top 50. Have been to a couple of the restaurants on this list but have eaten more satisfying, tastier meals in both SoCal and NorCal, among other places. Oh! and in Asia too.

    April 19, 2011 at 1:04 am | Reply
  44. david schofield

    Can't believe that peter gilmore's quay was the only aussie on the list. Tetsuyas anyone??

    April 19, 2011 at 12:41 am | Reply
    • Rufy

      I was wondering about that too....

      April 19, 2011 at 2:30 am | Reply
  45. brian

    There's a HUGE European bias to this. New York is the only state in the US to get a restaurant in the Top 50 and that's only because Europhiles would love to – but just can't – deny NY has great restaurants. But no restaurants from California made the list. Are you kidding me? And none from Canada? None from South America? None from the Indian subcontinent? And only a couple token choices from all of Asia? What a crock of BS!

    April 19, 2011 at 12:31 am | Reply
    • anon

      Chicago, Illinois...

      April 19, 2011 at 1:43 am | Reply
    • anon

      Oh, and there are two in South America, plus one in Mexico. Read before you rage.

      April 19, 2011 at 1:45 am | Reply
  46. Mercy

    I have eaten at Daniel a few times, it is over priced and the food is OK. The service is always great, but of course it has to be when your meal costs between $1,300- $2,2000. My ex loved to dine here, I have no idea why. I was always hungry after the bird portion servings our 11 course meals had. one piece of asparagus, or 4 peas. On the bright side their cosmos are to die for. Maybe this list is for expensive restaurants and not necessarily best. I have had way cheaper food that tastes a lot better. Their desserts are good too :) I will give them that.

    April 19, 2011 at 12:26 am | Reply
    • Michelin Man

      Boy, are you clueless. Your ex loved to dine there because you were paying.

      April 19, 2011 at 12:35 am | Reply
      • marky

        she never statehe paid...

        April 19, 2011 at 1:12 am | Reply
      • Mercy

        Of course a guy with a name like Michelin Man would have his girlfriend/wife pick up the tab on dates. Even though I can afford it, I am a very traditional, old fashioned girl, so my ex husband always paid for the meals. I in turn was a stay at home mom. We both enjoyed it, my current boyfriend is a gentleman too and knows how to treat and speak to a lady. Something you should learn to do, then you will not spend your time making rude and unnecessary comments. Constructive criticism my friend. Jealousy takes you no where bitter,grumpy old man.

        April 20, 2011 at 7:58 pm | Reply
    • I want da gold!

      >$1,000? Dumb@$$.

      April 19, 2011 at 11:35 am | Reply
      • Jerv

        You can say that again!

        April 19, 2011 at 11:45 am | Reply
      • ANW

        So because you wouldn't choose to spend a lot of money on a special meal, nobody should? Grow up!

        April 19, 2011 at 1:06 pm | Reply
      • Patrick@ANW

        I once had a fantastic red wine and a pimento cheeze sandwich while in Spain for a mere 516 euros.

        April 19, 2011 at 1:14 pm | Reply
  47. nina

    It's: São Paulo, with U!

    April 19, 2011 at 12:23 am | Reply
  48. marky

    I can think of 2 in Bali....2 in Signapore and 5 in HK that blow thoses 50 out of the water.... i have been to at least 15 on the list of 50 and they are good i think the ones i listed are better......Seems the judges dont consider going to Asia where everything is 7 star compared to 3 star severice is thr west.....

    April 19, 2011 at 12:18 am | Reply
  49. Gary

    made me fell so angry!!!!!
    who made this list?Where is china restaurants?actually chinese food is very delicious, your guys have no chance to taste it. My email is gary.gao0416@hotmail.com. I can tell you what is best!

    April 19, 2011 at 12:17 am | Reply
  50. Joe Meilak

    We are proud to have trained staff in three of the top twenty in cross selling techniques and social network marketing. Well done guys

    April 19, 2011 at 12:16 am | Reply
    • Michelin Man

      Yeah, but can they cook?

      April 19, 2011 at 12:33 am | Reply
  51. GadaffiFTW

    Meanwhile in Africa... Top 50 ways to find a piece of bread.

    April 19, 2011 at 12:15 am | Reply
    • Michelin Man

      Yeah, that's right up there with the 10 Top Dining Spots in Darfur.

      April 19, 2011 at 12:33 am | Reply
      • MichelinStars

        mmm..road kill stew

        April 19, 2011 at 11:53 am | Reply
  52. Zuna

    Agree with Andrew... The two-day cooked pig in Ubud, Bali – Indonesia is amazing

    April 19, 2011 at 12:11 am | Reply
    • Michelin Man

      Better than the Snake Blood Bile?

      April 19, 2011 at 12:30 am | Reply
  53. BillyDKidd

    This is picture food, not 'real' food. Come to Texas—it's in the United States of America—for a real full tummy and a smile, and walk away with all your kids and no mortgage on the house to pay for a plate of picture food.

    April 18, 2011 at 10:55 pm | Reply
  54. Adrian

    Interesting how most of the restaurants listed are of western type restaurants. Think we need open our minds and taste buds people.

    April 18, 2011 at 10:38 pm | Reply
    • Michelin Man

      Ask and you shall receive. Let's start with Marton Theme Restaurant, in Kaohsiung (Taiwan)

      April 19, 2011 at 12:25 am | Reply
  55. newyorker79

    This is a biased eurocentric list of very very pricey restaurants. None from India, mainland China, middle east , south east Asia. Northern european countries do not have a great variety of cuisine, British food is so bland :(

    April 18, 2011 at 10:35 pm | Reply
    • ck

      i guess you missed it, singapore (iggy's, number 27) is in south east asai.

      April 19, 2011 at 10:07 am | Reply
  56. John Reese

    I'll go with French Laundry. And with Chez Panisse.

    April 18, 2011 at 10:10 pm | Reply
    • Michelin Man

      You must be a lawyer.

      April 19, 2011 at 12:21 am | Reply
  57. Ms.Fairfax

    McDonalds (Everywhere)

    April 18, 2011 at 9:48 pm | Reply
  58. Johann

    Btw, The French Laundry in Yountville, California own's the Per Se.

    April 18, 2011 at 9:44 pm | Reply
  59. FATTY v.1.6

    yawn. nobody gives a flying funk. . there are more subways than any of these places therefore subway is the best.

    April 18, 2011 at 9:28 pm | Reply
  60. Mike

    Obvious Euro (i.e. French) bias. There are a ton of outstanding restaurants on the West Coast of the U.S. that needed to be represented. Sad list...

    April 18, 2011 at 9:24 pm | Reply
    • FATTY v.1.6

      this list was compiled by people who eat 500 calories a day and pay out the nose for it just to look fancy. give me a huge, awesome burger with some wicked onion rings any day.

      The show Man vs. Food shows the real food.

      April 18, 2011 at 9:29 pm | Reply
      • NaoOkami

        Yeah, Man vs Food. Have you had the 12 egg omelet offered at Beth's cafe that the host of that show said was ever so amazing? It was not a decent omelet, Ihop makes better omelets. Bigger isn't always better. Also, before you label me as some up tight ho who eats only 500 calories a day let me say this. I am a runner, as a runner I need to consume plenty of calories, over 2600 calories a day actually. If you eat garbage like that your palette must be in pretty poor condition.

        April 18, 2011 at 11:25 pm | Reply
      • dustyl

        Yeah, this is all prissy stuff, but to bring up Man VS. Food is another offense in itself.

        April 18, 2011 at 11:30 pm | Reply
  61. Gary

    The people who made that list must not have ever eaten in New Orleans.

    April 18, 2011 at 9:21 pm | Reply
    • Stuart

      Agreed. See my reply to Judy's post above.

      April 19, 2011 at 11:44 am | Reply
  62. Joe Pell

    you can get a better meal at Wendys for about 1/100 of the price; and you actually feel like you have eaten something..not like most jokes called high price dining....what a bunch of egotistic non sense.

    April 18, 2011 at 9:19 pm | Reply
  63. Joe

    They should have put Happy Elephant Thai Cuisine Chicago on the list

    April 18, 2011 at 9:09 pm | Reply
    • Vendooza

      ...I love great Thai food as well but "come on man", The Happy Elephant is not in Chicago. It's in Elk Grove...a crappy suburb behind O'Hare Airport and their food is ok.

      May 1, 2011 at 12:30 pm | Reply
  64. Bob

    Any restaurants on this list that aren't exclusive and overpriced?

    April 18, 2011 at 8:51 pm | Reply
    • John Reese

      Are you kidding/ This is marketing, not quality control.

      April 18, 2011 at 10:07 pm | Reply
  65. wratgas

    What difference will this list make.........nobody will be able to get a reservation for 2 years unless you are famous or have a family pedigree, even before these places made the top 50 list!

    April 18, 2011 at 8:39 pm | Reply
  66. freestyle

    Highlands Bar and Grill – Birmingham, AL

    April 18, 2011 at 8:18 pm | Reply
    • Kat Kinsman

      Love me some Frank Stitt! Have you gotten to go to Chez Fon Fon?

      April 18, 2011 at 11:08 pm | Reply
  67. Sigmon

    Charleston has more James Beard Award Winners than NYC. Not one on the list? Do some homework,

    April 18, 2011 at 8:12 pm | Reply
  68. Mark

    Funny. I dont see my local Family Drive In on the list.
    Oh yeah, this is for the people with a stick up their arses. Never mind..

    April 18, 2011 at 8:11 pm | Reply
    • Michelin Man

      The operative word here is "world" not "local". And a drive through doesn't qualify as a restaurant, that is unless you're too lazy to cook. Heck, even Dahmer knew his way around a kitchen.

      April 18, 2011 at 9:18 pm | Reply
  69. S Travis

    I love all the snarky comments – for once there is nothing mean-spirited.

    April 18, 2011 at 7:58 pm | Reply
    • Hop Sing's Recipe for Disaster

      Careful there Anthony Bourdain and your snarkiness...

      April 18, 2011 at 8:59 pm | Reply
  70. fg1view

    There are 1.3 Billion people in China, 1.2 Billion people in India. Not even one of those top 50 Best Restaurants serves Chinese or India food.

    April 18, 2011 at 7:54 pm | Reply
    • MKind

      What else do you expect from a western magazine ?

      April 18, 2011 at 9:38 pm | Reply
    • Tazeen

      You just spoke my words. Forget cuisine I am sure India and China itself have some great restaurants.

      April 19, 2011 at 1:09 am | Reply
    • Asian

      Excatly.

      April 19, 2011 at 3:29 am | Reply
    • Asian

      Exactly

      April 19, 2011 at 3:30 am | Reply
  71. Jeff

    How come McDonald's ain't on the list?

    April 18, 2011 at 7:51 pm | Reply
    • Hop Sing's Recipe for Disaster

      Was edged out by Taco Bell, who was edged out by some French restaurant that doesn't even serve fries...

      April 18, 2011 at 8:58 pm | Reply
  72. Judy

    shame, shame, shame, nothing in New Orleans??? that alone tells me this list is meaningless.

    April 18, 2011 at 7:41 pm | Reply
    • Stuart

      Yeah, Antoine's and Commanders Palace have made many "best" lists and won many awards. Commanders is also where Paul Prudhomme and Emeril Lagasse honed their skills before becoming world renowned chefs in their own right. Throw in Galatoire's, Restaurant August, Cafe Adelaide, Palace Cafe, etc, etc, etc. Basically you can't find a bad meal in New Orleans – pre-Katrina at least.

      April 19, 2011 at 11:42 am | Reply
  73. LDU2011

    Yeah, totally Eurocentric, and I guess kind of meaningless like any 'top 50' list. Surprised to see Astrid y Gaston in Peru tho, wow. Good stuff

    April 18, 2011 at 7:28 pm | Reply
    • Dyana

      Astrid y Gaston is an excellent restaurant. Good decision!

      April 18, 2011 at 8:13 pm | Reply
  74. Marco Cassina

    These lists are always kind of crazy. Noma and Mugaritz are spectacular, but to leave off Mathias Dahlgren in Stockholm or French Laundry in Napa is nonsense. And while fussy restaurants are very much out of fashion on the West Coast, Urasawa in Beverly Hills or Coi in San Francisco run circles around many of the restaurants I have been to on this list. The Fat Duck, Alinea and Biko are some of the most overrated restaurants I come across in the last 10 years. Alinea's acclaim is actually offensive...some interesting flavors, but falls short on so many levels. Hype wins the day in the current food world.

    April 18, 2011 at 7:26 pm | Reply
  75. Texas gourmand

    I can't believe they left out Beaver's Ice House in Houston.

    April 18, 2011 at 7:24 pm | Reply
    • I want da gold!

      Iron Works in Austin!

      April 19, 2011 at 11:37 am | Reply
    • Hank

      I cant believe they left out Chuck's Pick n Grab All You Can Eat Emporium & Collectibles

      April 19, 2011 at 12:33 pm | Reply
  76. Michelin Man

    Sorry, CNN timed me out. Here goes again:

    DIETER'S DELIGHT HAIKU
    Rich food makes you fat
    And only expands your waist
    I suggest tapeworms

    April 18, 2011 at 6:49 pm | Reply
  77. Michelin Man

    DIETER'S DELIGHT HAIKU
    Rich food makes you fat

    April 18, 2011 at 6:48 pm | Reply
  78. Bubba Gump

    Do any of these 50 have a drive thru window?

    April 18, 2011 at 6:38 pm | Reply
  79. Darryl Schmitz

    The Butcher and Singer (Philadelphia). Outstanding!

    April 18, 2011 at 6:32 pm | Reply
  80. Seri

    Look, I love French food, I love Italian, and I love eating in Paris and all over Italy.

    HOWEVER, nothing beats high-end Asian food. I doubt many of your judges have even tried it... most people I know in the Americas or Europe ever have.

    April 18, 2011 at 6:30 pm | Reply
    • Seri

      Sorry, typographical error:

      HOWEVER, nothing beats high-end Asian food. I doubt many of your judges have even tried it... most people I know in the Americas or Europe never have.

      April 18, 2011 at 6:31 pm | Reply
      • Michelin Man

        Yes, I love high end Asian food. I just don't like the back end surprise.

        April 18, 2011 at 6:51 pm | Reply
      • dustyl

        then you must be eating cheap food

        April 18, 2011 at 6:57 pm | Reply
      • George

        ... then you need to get to know more people.

        April 19, 2011 at 4:39 am | Reply
    • Hop Sing's Recipe for Disaster

      Oh, so you care to partake in the Cleem of Sum Yung Guy?

      April 18, 2011 at 8:55 pm | Reply
  81. Seri

    If you want this to be an International list, you need to get some judges from Asia and other continents, with a non-Western palate.

    April 18, 2011 at 6:26 pm | Reply
    • Michelin Man

      Totally agree. They should have a judge from Papua New Guinea. I am sure he/she would have a very refined palate.

      April 18, 2011 at 9:12 pm | Reply
      • John Reese

        New Guinea. Yes! I just read and interview with a guy from New Guinea who said he had eaten men and he had eaten women and they taste the same. He could add balance to the judging, and maybe a few interesting anecdotes. And recipes.

        April 18, 2011 at 10:03 pm | Reply
    • Asian

      just thinking the same

      April 19, 2011 at 3:26 am | Reply
  82. Rob

    @CaliMan- There are a few good place that could have made the list from California but that would be duplicate to others. Notably, The French Laundry in Napa was left off the list, probably because there is already another Thomas Keller location, Per Se that is in the top ten. There may be one or two worth including in San Francisco but there is nothing Southern California that can match those on this list.

    April 18, 2011 at 6:26 pm | Reply
  83. Cranston

    Me thinks this is a tad Euro-centric. England has more great restaurants than the US? Hmmmmm.

    April 18, 2011 at 6:26 pm | Reply
    • Seri

      Yes, very very Eurocentric...

      April 18, 2011 at 6:27 pm | Reply
    • SS

      Agreed.

      April 18, 2011 at 8:35 pm | Reply
    • Bob

      It's obvious that we can't make Fish 'n Chips quite like the Brits.

      April 18, 2011 at 9:00 pm | Reply
      • MtheK

        You haven't been to the Rose and Thistle in Eugene, Oregon, then.

        April 18, 2011 at 11:37 pm | Reply
  84. Snooty

    These are the top 50 restaurants for rich people.

    April 18, 2011 at 6:23 pm | Reply
    • Yeah

      for rich people who think you have to pay more to get tastier food...

      April 18, 2011 at 7:24 pm | Reply
    • Michelin Man

      It's strange that they left out Pasolini & Benito. A great little bistro on Duc de Blangis in Bologna. Try their signature dish – copros carbonara de la phagein. Bon apetito!

      April 18, 2011 at 8:56 pm | Reply
    • value

      100 bucks says the people who put this list never had to pay a dime for their food. Their food was either free or it was expensed for work.

      Very few of these restaurants would make anybodys list if they were spending their own money.

      April 19, 2011 at 12:27 pm | Reply
  85. Epicurious

    Come on people! The French Laundry is WAY near the top. What are these people thinking?!

    April 18, 2011 at 6:18 pm | Reply
    • Ken

      I was wondering about the French Laundry myself...I've been there a couple times and spent time with Tom Keller because some friends of mine live near there in Yountville. I'm not a food-person...love McDs and ribs from the corner truck, but the food there was amazing.

      April 18, 2011 at 9:28 pm | Reply
    • John Reese

      Me too.

      April 18, 2011 at 9:55 pm | Reply
    • Jason

      I was wondering that myself. How could the French Laundry not be on the list? It has many times been considered the best in the U.S. and has also appeared towards the top of the World List in the past. How, all of the sudden, could this famed restaurant suddenly plummet all the way down and off of the list?!?

      April 19, 2011 at 12:06 am | Reply
    • George B

      I'm guessing since Per Se is on the list they didn't want to honor Thomas twice by adding the French Laundry as well. Somehow I doubt he minds that much...

      April 19, 2011 at 12:17 am | Reply
  86. CaliMan

    So I guess California has no great eateries?

    April 18, 2011 at 6:15 pm | Reply
    • Alex

      yeah, you're right – Cali sucks!

      April 18, 2011 at 6:50 pm | Reply
      • Michelin Man

        Actually, there is a great asian spot off Pico in LA called Phuc Sum Gai

        April 18, 2011 at 6:53 pm | Reply
      • Babak from LA

        no Alex ... U suck!

        April 18, 2011 at 8:05 pm | Reply
      • ladykaka

        I've been in Cali for four years now and haven't found any places that were amazing. They're good...but not amazing. To be honest I will take a good Philly cheese steak over most Cali cuisine any day.

        April 18, 2011 at 10:22 pm | Reply
      • Linda

        Nobody in "Cali" calls it "Cali".

        April 18, 2011 at 11:19 pm | Reply
      • dingo

        Ladykaka, try Steven's Steakhouse in Industry next to casino. Not saying it should be on this list but very good food and atmosphere.

        April 19, 2011 at 12:59 pm | Reply
    • Lettuce Prey

      I thought that was strange, too. There are a lot of fine restaurants in California, I wonder why none of them made the top 50.

      April 18, 2011 at 6:59 pm | Reply
      • jen

        Probably because there are god knows how many restaurants in the world and only 50 of them could be on the list. American is not the only country out there, you know.

        April 18, 2011 at 7:48 pm | Reply
      • JD

        Probably because you've gotta know somebody important in the judge's circle.

        April 18, 2011 at 9:35 pm | Reply
      • John Reese

        California has a lot of excellent eateries, but what about the ribs at Van's Pig Stand in
        Shawnee, Oklahoma? All the real foodies know it is the best.

        April 18, 2011 at 9:53 pm | Reply
      • Andrew

        This wonderful "gastro" treat is such nonesense. The Franco-Anglo centric taste for food is really a remnant of the West still struggling to find relevance in a changing world. I have eaten mouth watering (2 day cooked) pig in Ubod Indonesia, phenomenal Malay curries in outdoor eateries, and dumpling to die for in Beijing – an being born in Mexico – I can name fantastic tex mex in Houston.

        I think any attempt in ranking restuarant is silly, and feeds into such an incredibly pretentious western need show-itself. Even the Asian Restuarants making your list are principally suited to western belly – and the western need to be seen and fed at only the "best".

        April 18, 2011 at 10:08 pm | Reply
      • zizo

        They are not good restaurant in cal

        April 19, 2011 at 12:12 am | Reply
      • shawn

        vans pig stand in norman oklahoma is the best EVER.

        April 19, 2011 at 12:49 am | Reply
    • michael

      NJ has some top eateries too, but like someone already wrote.....only fifty can make it and with all of the countries out there........

      April 18, 2011 at 9:26 pm | Reply
    • Bahlam

      Manresa @ Los Gatos is one of the best restaurants in California.
      Two michellin stars :)

      April 18, 2011 at 11:30 pm | Reply
    • Marshall

      Sorry. But this list is bogus if The French Laundry (Napa Valley, California) does not make the top 50 and five New York restaurants do. The French Laundry was opened by Thomas Keller, the same guy that did Per Se in NY, and they are comparible and some would say the French Laundry outshines Per Se. To those who say there are no good restaurants in California, you are not very well informed. Northern California has some world class cuisine.

      April 19, 2011 at 7:23 pm | Reply
      • mmmm tasty

        I have to agree with you regarding French Laundry. I've dined both there and at Per Se and both are excellent and are worthy of this list. I would be curious to see what the judging criteria includes. There are also some phenomenal restaurants in Las Vegas, including another Keller restaurant, Bouchon.

        April 23, 2011 at 3:39 pm | Reply
    • kubick

      lot of good eateries in california
      One of them is the French Laundry in northern cal. It was number 1 for at least 2 years, then it occupied 3-4th place for a while. Even the chef at Noma learned how to cook at the French Laundry.

      April 20, 2011 at 2:51 am | Reply
  87. Dave

    5 Guys (New York)

    April 18, 2011 at 6:07 pm | Reply
    • n.o.y.bizz

      Five Guys started in Northern Virginia. It's not a New Yawk thing! That aside, their success has spawned a mini-wave of burger joints following a similar model with a few extra flairs (interesting / "gourmet" toppings). While I love me some Five Guys, I'm starting to love the competition and choice even more.

      April 18, 2011 at 6:44 pm | Reply
    • solomon

      So what Country is New York in?? All the other places also list the Country?

      Roger Verge's places in Monaco and just north of Cannes!! Oh, Monaco is it's own "country" and the place N of Cannes is in France.. :-)

      April 18, 2011 at 9:05 pm | Reply
      • Goober Grape

        Geographically challenged I see.

        April 19, 2011 at 7:41 am | Reply
      • Jonas

        Where is the country of Illinois (#6) located then?

        April 22, 2011 at 7:17 am | Reply
    • Yeah Right

      5 Guys is hardly worthy of the bottom 100, not to mention the top 10. There are no less than 4 burger joints in San Diego that put 5 Guys to shame. Over hyped, over priced and last time I checked, the one in Pacific Beach is continuously empty...Rocky's Crown Pub, The Waterfront, In-n-Out, and Hodad's all make burgers that blow 5 guys out of the water...

      April 18, 2011 at 10:26 pm | Reply
      • In and Out?

        Seriously?

        April 18, 2011 at 10:59 pm | Reply
      • Karl

        Are you serious? In & out? Good, but certainly no better than Wendys.

        April 19, 2011 at 1:19 am | Reply
    • Karl

      Obviously some elitists from Europe put this list together. I have been to Europe and, trust me, most of their food is mediocre at best. America has much, much better food and restaurnants. No comparison.

      April 19, 2011 at 1:24 am | Reply
      • Ayeright

        And for your next joke?

        April 19, 2011 at 1:57 am | Reply
      • el rey

        Hehehehe... whew! that was a good one!!! No, seriously... that was a joke, right?!

        April 19, 2011 at 3:45 am | Reply
      • Doris

        Are you mentally ill?

        April 19, 2011 at 5:03 am | Reply
    • Marco

      Five Guys is taking over the king of burgers here in CA. In & Out, move over, here comes Five Guys.

      April 19, 2011 at 1:58 pm | Reply
    • sarah

      do you realize this includes all the restaurants in the entire WORLD. 5 guys cannot be that good, but i guess i wouldn't know! if only we all had access to dining experiences one thousand times better than 5 guys :) that would be pretty cool.

      April 21, 2011 at 1:45 am | Reply

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