The Chairman Puts Hong Kong on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants
Chef-Owner Danny Yip of The Chairman
On June 20, the who’s who of the culinary world descended on Valencia, Spain, for The World’s 50 Best Restaurants awards ceremony. Held at Valencia’s City of Arts and Sciences, an architectural sensation by famed Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, the Oscars of the restaurant industry celebrated the world’s most incredible dining experiences.
Hong Kong’s very own fine-dining destination, The Chairman, kicked off the celebrations with aplomb, taking the number 50 position and putting Asia firmly in the sights of the world’s foodies.
Chef Thitid “Ton” Tassanakajohn of Le Du. has recently opened Niras in Hong Kong
With two new entries on the list, Bangkok is coming into its own as a gastronomic hub—the new iteration of Gaggan Anand was a new entry, as was Le Du. Masterminded by Chef Thitid “Ton” Tassanakajohn, Le Du was also named the Asia’s top restaurant at the regional awards in March, and Chef Ton has recently expanded his empire into Hong Kong with the opening of Niras at K11 MUSEA.
Chef Daniel Calvert’s Tokyo-based restaurant Sèzane debuted at No 37
Tokyo retains its status as a culinary destination, with stalwarts Den and Floriège making the cut again this year and Sézane (by former Belon chef Daniel Calvert) debuting at 37. Singapore also made an appearance with Odette coming in at number 14 and Chef Julien Royer taking the Chef’s Choice award.
Taking the top spot this year was Central, helmed by husband-wife team Virgilio Martinez and Pía Léon. Situated in the Peruvian capital of Lima, Central delivers gastronomic experiences driven by traditional Peruvian ingredients handled with modern techniques and becomes the first South American restaurant to earn the coveted number one title.
It was a big night for Peru with four restaurants in Lima making the 50 Best list in total, earning more spots than any other city. Léon’s individual endeavour, Kjolle, debuted on the list at number 28, while Maido took the sixth spot and Mayta came in at 47. Latin America generally made a splash with restaurants from Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and Colombia all ranking this year.
Central, helmed by husband-wife team Virgilio Martinez and Pía Léon was awarded World’s Best Restaurant
Host country Spain was certainly flashing its culinary cred with no less than six entries in the top 50. Taking out the second, third, and fourth positions respectively were Barcelona’s Disfrutar, Madrid’s Diverxo, and Asador Etxebarri in the Basque region. Spanish chef Quique Dacosta has built a culinary empire in Valencia and its surrounds and appropriately picked up the number 20 slot for his eponymous restaurant in Dénia.
From New York, Atomix’s Ellia Park made an emotional appearance as she took the stage with husband Junghyun Park to accept the eight spot and the Highest Climber Award—Eric Ripert’s Le Bernadin also ranked—while London, Copenhagen, Spain, and Italy all made good showings on the list.
During the evening’s proceedings, last year’s number one—Cophenhagen’s Geranium—was inducted into the “Best of the Best” program, joining the elite club of former winners that include Osteria Francescana in Italy, Mirazur in France, and Eleven Madison Park in New York.
Virgilio Martinez and Pía Léon of Central
The winners represented 24 territories across five continents, with 12 restaurants making the list for the first time.
The World’s 50 Best Restaurants – The Full List
- Central (Lima, Peru) – Best Restaurant in South America
- Disfrutar (Barcelona, Spain) – Best Restaurant in Europe
- Diverxo (Madrid, Spain)
- Asador Etxebarri (Atxondo, Spain)
- Alchemist (Copenhagen, Denmark)
- Maido (Lima, Peru)
- Lido 84 (Gardone Riviera, Italy)
- Atomix (New York City, USA) – Highest Climber, Best Restaurant in North America
- Quintonil (Mexico City, Mexico)
- Table by Bruno Verjus (Paris, France)* – Highest New Entry
- Trèsind Studio (Dubai, UAE)* – Best Restaurant in the Middle East and Africa
- A Casa do Porco (São Paolo, Brazil)
- Pujol (Mexico City, Mexico)
- Odette (Singapore) – Best Restaurant in Asia, Chef’s Choice (Julien Royer)
- Le Du (Bangkok, Thailand)*
- Reale (Castel di Sangro, Italy)
- Gaggan Anand (Bangkok, Thailand)*
- Steirereck (Vienna, Austria)
- Don Julio (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
- Quique Dacosta (Denia, Spain)
- Den (Tokyo Japan)
- Elkano (Getaria, Spain)
- Kol (London, UK)*
- Septime (Paris, France)
- Belcanto (Lisbon, Portugal)
- Schloss Shauenstein (Füstenau, Switzerland)
- Floriège (Tokyo, Japan)
- Kjolle (Lima, Peru)*
- Boragó (Santiago, Chile)
- Frantzén (Stockholm, Sweden)
- Mugaritz (San Sebastian, Spain)
- Hiša Franko (Kobarid, Slovenia)
- El Chato (Bogotá, Colombia)*
- Uliassi (Senigallia, Italy)
- Ikoyi (London, UK)
- Plénitude (Paris, France)*
- Sézane (Tokyo, Japan)*
- The Clove Club (London, UK)
- The Jane (Antwerp, Belgium)
- Tim Raue (Berlin, Germany)
- La Calandre (Rubano, Italy)
- Piazza Duomo (Alba, Italy)
- Leo (Bogotá, Colombia)
- Le Bernadin (New York City, USA)
- Nobelhart & Schmutzig (Berlin, Germany)
- Orfali Bros Bistro (Dubai, UAE)*
- Mayta (Lima, Peru)*
- La Grenouillère (La Madeleine-sous-Montreuil, France)*
- Rosetta (Mexico City, Mexico)*
- The Chairman (Hong Kong)
Individual Awards
Icon Award 2023 – Adoni Luis Aduriz, Mugaritz (San Sebastian, Spain)
Estrella Damm Chefs’ Choice Award 2023 – Julien Royer, Odette (Singapore)
Flor de Caña Sustainable Restaurant Award 2023– Fyn (Cape Town, South Africa)
Resy One to Watch Award 2023 – Tatiana (New York City, USA)
The World’s Best Pastry Chef Award 2023 sponsored by Sosa – Pia Salazar, Nuema (Quito, Ecuador)
Beronia World’s Best Sommerlier Award – Miguel Ángel Millán, Diverxo (Madrid, Spain)
The World’s Best Female Chef 2023 – Elena Reygados, Rosetta (Mexico City, Mexico)
Champions of Change 2023 – Nora Fitzgerald Belahcen (Alma, Marrakech, Morocco), Damián Diaz and Othón Nolasco (No Us Without You LA, USA)
Gin Mare Art of Hospitality Award 2023 – Alchemist (Copenhagen, Denmark)
Highest New Entry Award 2023 sponsored by Aspire Lifestyles – Table by Bruno Verjus (Paris, France)
Villa Massa Highest Climber Award 2023 – Atomix (New York City, USA)
