The 2021 list of the World's 50 Best Restaurants has been announced with another year at the top for Copenhagen's Noma, while there was a notable lack of UK restaurants in the list.
Nordic cuisine continued its rein at the top filling the first two spots on the list with Noma, winning now for the fourth time, ahead of Geranium, also based in Copenhagen. Geranium's food was described in the awards as "Pure art on a plate that uses Scandinavia's seasonal larder as its palette". In third place was Spain's Asador Etxebarri while Lima's popular Central and Barcelona's renowned Disfrutar, both regulars high up the list filled out the top five.
Last year's winner, Mirazur in the south of France, was not eligible to win again this year as previous year's winners now sit in a 'Best of the Best' category, including the original Noma, which was set in a different location and had a different menu format, as well as Modena's Osteria Francescana which has twice won the award.
The first Asian restaurant on the list was Singapore's Odette in eighth, headed up by French-born chef Julien Royer who uses personally sourced produce from specialists in France, Japan and south-east Asia. The Clove Club was the UK's best ranked restaurant in 32nd just one spot ahead of its fellow London venue Lyle's. It was the inclusion of just two UK restaurants which caused a stir amongst the industry.
Discussing this year's awards, tfp co-founder Charles Banks said: "Huge congratulations to all of those featured in the Worlds 50 &100 best restaurants, all worthy winners, they are some of the most progressive in the world. For me though 2/50 for the UK in the top 50 under represents the culinary excellence in this country, not just in London but across the UK.
"I would agree that those from the UK that are in the top 100, whom we've had the great honour of welcoming as speakers to our previous trend summits – Tomos Parry, Isaac McHale & Jeremy Chan, represent how British fine dining has moved from being about pure luxury and tradition to be rooted in seasonality, supplier-led produce, craft and modern interpretation. But there are so many examples of brilliantly talented and progressive chefs across the kitchens of the UK carrying a similar mantel that would have been worthy new entries to list for 2022."
Read the full list here.