Only 2 China Eateries Make World's 50 Best Restaurants List

By Cristina Ng, June 26, 2019

Yesterday the 2019 edition of the World's 50 Best Restaurants list was announced at Singapore's iconic Marina Bay Sands. This marks the first time that the ceremony has been held in Asia.

Mirazur took home the World's Best Restaurant Distinction. Mauro Colagreco's Mediterranean restaurant spent over a decade on the list before making it to the top. If Colagreco sounds familiar, that's because the Argentinian chef once had a namesake restaurant within Unico in Shanghai.

Mauro Colagreco accepting his award in Singapore. Image via jocelyn_tastytrip/Instagram

Closer to home, we are happy to report that the best restaurant in Greater China serves Chinese food (finally), specifically Cantonese food.

The Chairman's steamed flower crab. Image by a_quick_fix/Instagram

Previous lists have been criticized for snubbing the country's cuisine, so the inclusion of Danny Yip's The Chairman is welcome. Located in a Hong Kong townhouse, the venue incorporates seasonal produce into traditional Cantonese fare. This new entry comes in at No. 41.

Image by Scott Wright/courtesy of Ultraviolet

Perennial awards circuit favorite, Ultraviolet, also earned an accolade, although Paul Pairet's multi-sensory dining concept has dropped to No. 48 compared to last year's No. 24 ranking.

Chef Pairet in attendence at the ceremony. Image courtesy of The World's 50 Best Restaurants

No other restaurants represent China this year although we do have five entries on the extended No. 51-120 list that was announced on June 18. The five are Hong Kong's Lung King Heen (No. 88), Belon (No. 96), Amber (No. 102), Vea (No. 113) and Macao's Jade Dragon (No. 103).

Around the continent, Bangkok's Gagan (No. 4) and Suhring (No.45), Tokyo's Den (No. 11) and Narisawa (No. 22) and Singapore's Odette (No. 18) represent Asia.

Addressing female parity, half the voters this year are female. Another significant change is previous holders of the No. 1 spot are no longer eligible to compete. They are instead part of "The Best of the Best" collection.

Here's the full list:

1. Mirazur, Menton, France
2. Noma, Copenhagen, Denmark
3. Asador Etxebarri, Axpe, Spain
4. Gaggan, Bangkok,Thailand
5. Geranium, Copenhagen, Denmark
6. Central, Lima, Peru
7. Mugaritz, San Sebastian, Spain
8. Arpège, Paris, France
9. Disfrutar, Barcelona, Spain
10. Maido, Lima, Peru
11. Den, Tokyo, Japan
12. Pujol, Mexico City, Mexico
13. White Rabbit, Moscow, Russia
14. Azurmendi, Larrabetzu, Spain
15. Septime, Paris, France
16. Alain Ducasse Au Plaza Athénée, Paris, France
17. Steirereck, Vienna, Austria
18. Odette, Singapore
19. Twins Garden, Moscow, Russia
20. Tickets, Barcelona, Spain
21. Frantzén, Stockholm, Sweden
22.. Narisawa, Tokyo, Japan
23. Cosme, New York, USA
24. Quintonil, Mexico City, Mexico
25. Alléno Paris Au Pavillon Ledoyen, Paris, France
26. Boragó, Santiago, Chile
27. The Clove Club, London, UK
28. Blue Hill At Stone Barns, Pocantico Hills, USA
29. Piazza Duomo, Alba, Italy
30. Elkano, Getaria, Spain
31. Le Calandre, Rubano, Italy
32. Nerua, Bilbao, Spain
33. Lyle’s London, UK
34. Don Julio, Buenos Aires, Argentina
35. Atelier Crenn, San Francisco, USA
36. Le Bernardin, New York, USA
37. Alinea, Chicago, USA
38. Hiša Franko, Kobarid, Slovenia
39. A Casa Do Porco, São Paulo, Brazil
40. Tim Raue, Berlin, Germany
41. The Chairman, Hong Kong, China
42. Belcanto, Lisbon, Portugal
43. Hof Van Cleve, Kruishoutem, Belgium
44. The Test Kitchen, Cape Town, South Africa
45. Sühring, Bangkok, Thailand
46. De Librije, Zwolle, Netherlands
47. Benu San Francisco, USA
48. Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet, Shanghai, China
49. Leo, Bogotá, Colombia
50. Schloss Schauenstein, Fürstenau, Switzerland