
When it comes to the finest dining establishments worldwide, there is usually a singular standout. Nevertheless, La Liste deviates from this trend, granting the top accolade to nine different restaurants this year via a data-driven algorithm.
The top honorees include: Le Bernardin in the US; SingleThread in the US; L’Enclume in the United Kingdom; Cheval Blanc by Peter Knogl in Switzerland; La Vague d’Or in France; Guy Savoy in France; Schwarzwaldstube in Germany; Matsukawa in Japan; and Lung King Heen in Hong Kong, all of which achieved a rating of 99.5.
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“It feels meaningful to showcase British culinary talent on this international stage,” comments Simon Rogan, chef-owner of L’Enclume in the Lake District of the UK, which has retained its No. 1 position alongside five other prestigious dining establishments.
Now in its ninth year, La Liste adopts a distinct methodology compared to other rankings. Unlike Michelin, which depends on anonymous judges, or the World’s 50 Best that utilizes individual voters, this Paris-based organization aggregates data from around 1,100 sources, including reviews from newspapers, magazines, guidebooks, and blogs. It utilizes an algorithm to create its rankings of 1,000 restaurants across 79 countries. Their app boasts 35,000 restaurants from 200 countries. The founders claim this approach offers a more objective assessment of top culinary rankings.
The results are largely unsurprising; the list mirrors a collection of the most celebrated restaurants globally, akin to the most popular figures in a yearbook.
Nonetheless, La Liste also harnesses its data to highlight nations with emerging culinary scenes, with England receiving this recognition this year. While established British chefs might view this as a mixed compliment, co-founder and editor-in-chief Joerg Zipprick argues it reflects long-term progress. He elaborates that the UK’s culinary trajectory over the last 20-30 years has showcased a remarkable transformation.
Clare Smyth agrees, stating, “We have seen significant culinary growth throughout the country over the last decade.” Her London restaurant, Core by Clare Smyth, is among 28 establishments sharing the No. 5 ranking this year.
Zipprick further explains that La Liste utilizes its data to identify long-term trends. One such trend reveals an increasing disconnect between the expectations of fine diners and the current focus of chefs. This issue has been acknowledged for years, and La Liste’s data now substantiates it. In response, La Liste introduced a “Show to Table” category to honor venues prioritizing guest experience. Notable winners in this category include the Parisian cabaret Bœuf sur le toit from the MOMA Group and the immersive gastro-theater Krasota in Dubai.
However, challenges persist. “This past year has presented an unprecedented wave of closures. This shift is clearly reflected in our Top 1000,” remarks Zipprick, referring to the restaurants that have dropped off the list, such as Tetsuya in Sydney and Pollen Street Social in London, due to rising rents, debts from the Covid era, and escalating ingredient and labor expenses.
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The silver lining is that while some iconic establishments are struggling, others are reshaping the culinary landscape in what Zipprick describes as “the most diverse dining scene in history.” The expanding realm of gastronomy has opened doors for new global destinations, with places like Kazakhstan becoming prominent in the fine dining sector.
15 Other Restaurants That Are Top Ranked in Their Country
Australia: Vue de Monde
Belgium: Boury
Denmark: Geranium
Italy: Atelier Moessmer Norbert Niederkofler
Mexico: Quintonil
Monaco: Le Louis XV by Alain Ducasse
The Netherlands: De Librije
Peru: Maido
Portugal: Ocean
Singapore: Odette
South Korea (tie): Mingles and La Yeon
Spain: Martín Berasategui
Sweden: Frantzén
Thailand: Baan Tepa Culinary Space
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