Restaurant (magazine) Top 50

"Restaurant" magazine produces an annual list of the 50 best restaurants in the world based on a poll of international chefs and critics. In 2006 El Bulli in Catalonia (Spain) pushed the 2005 winner The Fat Duck down to second place. The two top restaurants are forerunners of molecular gastronomy. The list is believedwho to be compiled from a western-centric world viewpoint, as there is no restaurant from Asia in the 2008 top 50. Most of the restaurants serve classical French cuisine, or at least a close interpretation of it. The following gives the magazines global renound rankings from 2002-2008.

Best restaurant in the world

*2008 El Bulli, Catalonia (Spain)
*2007 El Bulli, Catalonia (Spain)
*2006 El Bulli, Catalonia (Spain)
*2005 The Fat Duck, Bray, Berkshire, England, UK
*2004 The French Laundry, Yountville, California, USA
*2003 The French Laundry, Yountville, California, USA
*2002 El Bulli, Catalonia (Spain)

2008 Top 50

World's best restaurants 2008 winners list:
# El Bulli, Roses, Catalonia, Spain (Best in Europe)
# The Fat Duck, Bray-on-Thames, UK
# Pierre Gagnaire, Paris, France
# Mugaritz, San Sebastián, Spain (Chef's Choice)
# The French Laundry, California, USA (Best in the Americas)
# per se, New York, USA
# Bras, Laguiole, France
# Arzak, San Sebastián, Spain
# Tetsuya's, Sydney, Australia (Best in Australasia)
# Noma, Copenhagen, Denmark
# L'Astrance, Paris, France
# Gambero Rosso, San Vincenzo, Italy
# Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, London, UK
# L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon, Paris, France
# Restaurant Le Louis XV, Monaco
# St John, London, UK (Highest Climber)
# Jean-Georges, New York, USA
# Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée, Paris, France
# Hakkasan, London, UK
# Le Bernardin, New York, USA
# *Alinea, Chicago, USA
# Le Gavroche, London, UK
# Dal Pescatore, Canneto sull'Oglio (Mantova), Italy
# Le Cinq, Paris, France
# Troisgros, Roanne, France
# El Celler de Can Roca, Girona, Spain
# +L'Hotel de Ville - Philippe Rochat, Crissier, Switzerland
# Hof van Cleve, Kruishoutem, Belgium
# Martin Berasategui, San Sebastián, Spain
# Nobu London, London, UK
# Can Fabes, Sant Celoni, Catalonia, Spain
# Enoteca Pinchiorri, Florence, Italy
# +Le Meurice, Paris, France
# *Vendome, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
# +Die Schwarzwaldstube, Baiersbronn im Schwarzwald, Germany
# Le Calandre, Padua, Italy
# Chez Panisse, Berkeley, California, USA
# Charlie Trotter's, Chicago, USA
# Chez Dominique, Helsinki, Finland
# DOM, São Paulo, Brazil (Best in Latin America)
# Daniel, New York, USA
# Oud Sluis, Sluis, Netherlands
# Ristorante Cracco, Milan, Italy
# +Asador Etxebarri, Atxondo, Biscay, Spain
# Les Ambassadeurs, Paris, France
# L'Arpège, Paris, France
# +Tantris, Munich, Germany
# Oaxen Skärgårdskrog, Oaxen, Sweden
# Rockpool, Sydney, Australia
# Le Quartier Français, Franschhoek, South Africa (Best in Mid East & Africa)

Note: * New Entry + Re-entry

Readers' Choice: L'enclume, UK

Breakthrough Restaurant: Le Chateaubriand, France

Lifetime Achievement Award: Gualtiero Marchesi

Best in Asia: Bukhara

2007 Top 50

World's best restaurants 2007 winners list:
# El Bulli, Roses, Catalonia, Spain (Best in Europe)
# The Fat Duck, Bray-on-Thames, UK (Chef's Choice)
# Pierre Gagnaire, Paris, France
# The French Laundry, California, USA (Best in the Americas)
# Tetsuya's, Sydney, Australia (Best in Australasia)
# Bras, Laguiole, France
# Mugaritz, San Sebastián, Spain
# Restaurant Le Louis XV, Monaco
# per se, New York, USA
# Arzak, San Sebastián, Spain
# El Celler de Can Roca, Girona, Spain
# Gambero Rosso, San Vincenzo, Italy
# L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon, Paris, France
# Hof van Cleve, Kruishoutem, Belgium
# Noma, Copenhagen, Denmark (Highest Climber)
# Le Calandre, Padua, Italy
# Nobu London, London, UK
# Jean-Georges, New York, USA
# Hakkasan, London, UK
# Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée, Paris, France
# L'Astrance, Paris, France
# Can Fabes, Sant Celoni, Catalonia, Spain
# L'Ambroisie, Paris, France
# Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, London, UK
# Troisgros, Roanne, France
# Le Bernardin, New York, USA
# Martin Berasategui, San Sebastián, Spain
# Le Gavroche, London, UK
# Le Cinq, Paris, France
# Charlie Trotter's, Chicago, USA
# Dal Pescatore, Canneto sull'Oglio (Mantova), Italy
# Daniel, New York, USA
# Rockpool, Sydney, Australia
# St John, London, UK
# Chez Dominique, Helsinki, Finland
# *Alinea, Chicago, USA (Highest New Entry)
# Bukhara, New Delhi, India (Best in Asia)
# DOM, São Paulo, Brazil (Best in Latin America)
# Oaxen Skärgårdskrog, Oaxen, Sweden
# Chez Panisse, Berkeley, California, USA
# Enoteca Pinchiorri, Florence, Italy
# *Cracco Peck, Milan, Italy
# L'Arpège, Paris, France
# +River Café, London, UK
# Oud Sluis, Sluis, Netherlands
# *Combal Zero, Rivoli (Turin), Italy
# Le Quartier Français, Franschhoek, South Africa (Best in Mid East & Africa)
# *Taillevent, Paris, France
# Bocuse, Collonges-au-Mont-d'Or (Lyon), France
# *Les Ambassadeurs, Paris, France

Note: * New Entry + Re-entry

2006 Top 50

World's best restaurants 2006 winners list:

# El Bulli, Catalonia (Spain) (- The Penfolds world's best restaurant), (best in Europe)
# The Fat Duck, United Kingdom
# Pierre Gagnaire, France (- Chef's Choice)
# French Laundry, U.S. (- best restaurant in the Americas)
# Tetsuya's, Australia (- best restaurant in Australasia)
# Michel Bras, France
# Restaurant Le Louis XV, Monaco
# per se, U.S.
# Restaurante Arzak, San Sebastián (Spain)
# Mugaritz, San Sebastián (Spain) (- highest new entrant)
# Can Fabes, Catalonia (Spain)
# Nobu, UK
# Gambero Rosso, Italy (- highest climber)
# Gordon Ramsay (Royal Hospital Road), UK
# Restaurant Alain Ducasse, France
# Jean-Georges, U.S.
# Le Cinq, France
# Daniel, U.S.
# Oud Sluis, The Netherlands
# Chez Panisse, U.S.
# El Celler de Can Roca, Catalonia (Spain)
# L'Astrance, France
# Hof van Cleve, Belgium
# La Maison Troisgros, France
# L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon, France
# Charlie Trotter's, U.S.
# Le Gavroche, UK (- outstanding value)
# La Colombe, South Africa (- best restaurant in the Middle East and Africa)
# Enoteca Pinchiorri, Italy
# Rockpool, Australia
# Le Calandre, Italy
# Le Bernardin, U.S.
# Noma, Denmark
# Restaurant Dieter Muller, Germany
# St John, UK
# Hakkasan, UK
# Martin Berasategui, San Sebastián (Spain)
# Le Quartier Francais, South Africa
# Chez Dominique, Finland
# L'Ambroisie, France
# Die Schwarzwaldstube, Germany
# Dal Pescatore, Italy
# Paul Bocuse, France
# L'Arpège, France
# Gramercy Tavern, U.S.
# Bukhara, India
# De Karmeliet, Belgium
# Oaxens Skärgårdskrog, Sweden
# Comme Chez Soi, Belgium
# D.O.M., Brazil

2005 Top 50

# The Fat Duck, Bray, Berkshire (Best Restaurant in the world, Best Restaurant In Europe)
# El Bulli, Catalonia (Spain) (Chef's Choice)
# The French Laundry, Yountville, California (Best In Americas)
# Tetsuya’s, Sydney (Best In Australasia)
# Gordon Ramsay, London
# Pierre Gagnaire, Paris
# per se, New York (Highest New Entry)
# Tom Aikens, London
# Jean Georges, New York
# St John, London
# Michel Bras, Laguiole, France
# Restaurant Le Louis XV, Monte Carlo
# Chez Panisse Berkeley, California (Highest Climber)
# Charlie Trotter, Chicago
# Gramercy Tavern, New York
# Guy Savoy, Paris
# Restaurant Alain Ducasse, Paris
# The Gallery at Sketch, London
# The Waterside Inn, Bray-on-Thames, UK
# Nobu, London
# Restaurante Arzak, San Sebastián, Spain
# Can Fabes, Sant Celoni, Catalonia (Spain)
# Checcino dal 1887, Rome
# Le Meurice, Paris
# L'Hotel de Ville, Crissier, Switzerland
# L'Arpège, Paris
# Angela Hartnett at The Connaught, London
# Le Manoir Aux Quat' Saisons, Oxfordshire
# Le Cinq, Paris
# Hakkasan, London
# Cal Pep, Barcelona (Outstanding Value)
# Masa, New York
# Flower Drum, Melbourne
# WD-50, New York
# Le Quartier Français, Franschhoek, South Africa (Best In Middle East & Africa)
# Spice Market, New York
# Auberge de l'Ill, Illhaeusern-Alsace, France
# Manresa, Los Gatos, California
# Restaurant Dieter Muller, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
# Troisgros, Roanne, France
# The Wolseley, London
# Rockpool, Sydney
# Yauatcha, London
# The Ivy, London
# Gambero Rosso, San Vincenzo, Italy
# The Cliff, Barbados
# Le Gavroche, London
# Enoteca Pinchiorri, Florence, Italy (Editor's Choice) #
# Felix, Hong Kong (Best In Asia)
# La Tupina, Bordeaux

2004 Top 50

# The French Laundry, Yountville, California, USA (Best Restaurant in the World, Best American Restaurant)
# The Fat Duck, Bray, Berkshire, UK (Best European Restaurant, Best Newcomer to the List)
# El Bulli, Montjoi, Spain
# L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon, Rue de Montalembert, Paris
# Pierre Gagnaire, Rue Balzac, Paris
# Guy Savoy, Rue Troyon, Paris
# Nobu, Park Lane, London
# Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, Royal Hospital Road, London
# Michel Bras, Laguiole, France
# Restaurant Le Louis XV, Monaco
# Gramercy Tavern, New York (Outstanding Value)
# Daniel, New York
# Tetsuya's, Sydney (Best Australasian Restaurant, Chef's Choice (voted for by last year's 50 Best))
# Hakkasan, London
# The Waterside Inn, Bray, UK
# St John, London (Most Improved Restaurant on the List)
# L'Ami Louis, Paris
# Jean Georges, New York
# Le Gavroche, London
# Flower Drum, Melbourne, Australia
# The Merchant House, Ludlow, UK
# Arzak, San Sebastián, Spain
# Dal Pescatore, Canneto sull'Oglio, Italy
# The Ivy, London
# L'Arpège, Paris
# El Raco de Can Fabes, San Celoni, Spain
# Die Schwarzwaldstube, Baiersbronn, Germany
# The Cliff, Barbados
# Rockpool, Sydney
# Le Manoir Aux Quat' Saisons, Oxford
# Al Mahara, Burj Al Arab, Dubai (Best African and Middle Eastern Restaurant)
# Charlie Trotter's, Chicago
# Le Jardin des Sens, Montpellier, France
# The Square, London
# Spago, Los Angeles
# Bukhara, India (Best Asian Restaurant)
# Chez Panisse, Berkeley, California, USA
# Le Meurice, Paris
# Troisgros, Roanne, France
# Balthazar, New York
# River Café, London
# La Tupina, Bordeaux, France
# Auberge d'Ill, Illhauseern-Alsace, France
# Craft, New York
# La Tour d'Argent, Paris
# La Maison de Marc Veyrat, Annecy, France
# Felix, Peninsula Hotel, Hong Kong
# De Karmeliet, Bruges, Belgium
# The Wolseley, London (Editor's Choice (voted for by editorial panel))
# Gambero Rosso, San Vincenzo, Italy

2003 Top 50

# The French Laundry USA (World's Best Restaurant)
# El Bulli Spain
# Restaurant Le Louis XV France
# Jean Georges USA
# Restaurant Gordon Ramsay UK
# L'Arpège France (Best Newcomer)
# Comme chez Soi Belgium
# Rockpool Australia
# L'Ambroisie France
# Gramercy Tavern USA
# Michel Bras France (Most Improved)
# Chez Panisse USA
# Pierre Gagnaire France
# The Merchant House UK (Outstanding Value)
# Bocca Estonia
# Sukiyabashi Jiro Japan
# Felix Hong Kong
# L'Auberge de L'Ill France
# Gidleigh Park UK
# Bukhara India
# Bocuse France
# De Karmeliet Belgium
# Al Mahara UAE
# Vincent's on Camelback USA
# Thornton's Éire
# Nobu UK
# Operakällaren Sweden
# Eigensinn Farm Canada
# Le Manoir Aux Quat' Saisons Oxford, UK
# Guy Savoy France
# The Ivy UK
# The Three Chimneys UK
# Petrus UK
# Daniel USA
# Dal Pescatore Italy
# Tetsuya's Australia
# Bagatelle Norway
# Quattro Passi Italy
# Charlie Trotter's USA
# Arzak Spain
# Flower Drum Melbourne Australia
# The Cliff Barbados
# The Square UK
# Enoteca Pinchiorri Italy
# Restaurant 1884 Mendoza, Argentina
# Checchino dal 1887 Italy
# River Café UK
# New York Grill Japan
# St John UK
# Carnivore Kenya

2002 Top 50

# El Bulli Roses, Spain (World's Best Restaurant)
# Restaurant Gordon Ramsay London, UK
# The French Laundry USA
# Rockpool Australia
# Spoon (Alain Ducasse) Des Iles Mauritius
# L'Auberge De L'Ill France
# Restaurant 1884 by Frances Mallman Mendoza, Argentina
# The Ivy UK
# Eigensinn Farm Canada
# Tetsuya's Australia
# Charlie Trotter's USA
# Tangerine USA
# La Coupole France
# Bukhara India
# Vong USA
# L'Ambroisie France
# Al Mahara UAE
# Felix Hong Kong
# The Merchant House UK
# Operakällaren Sweden
# Gramercy Tavern USA
# Sukiyabashi Jiro Japan
# The Inn at Little Washington USA
# Alle Testiere Italy
# Lone Star Barbados
# Chez Vrony Switzerland
# The Flower Drum Melbourne, Australia
# The Three Chimneys UK
# Chez Panisse USA
# Le Jardin des Sens France
# River Café UK
# Kronenhalle Switzerland
# Dal Pescatore Italy
# Nepenthe USA
# The Spa Thailand
# Restaurant Le Louis XV Monaco
# Le Moulin de Mougins France
# Ginza Sushiko USA
# Changa Turkey
# Michel Bras France
# Le Quartier Français South Africa
# Roundwood House Rep Ireland
# The Supperclub Netherlands
# Blue Lagoon Iceland
# Bayona New Orleans, LA, USA
# The Gundel Hungary
# Carnivore Kenya
# Bagatelle Norway
# Susur Canada
# Tantris Germany