Advertisement
Proudly Canadian, obsessively Toronto. Subscribe to Toronto Life!
Food & Drink

Once again, no Canadian restos make the S. Pellegrino World’s 50 Best Restaurants

By Gizelle Lau
Copy link
Once again, no Canadian restos make the S. Pellegrino World’s 50 Best Restaurants
The 50 best chefs in the world. No really (Image: The S.Pellegrino World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2011)

With dramatic action-movie music and a little smug British humour, the much-anticipated S. Pellegrino World’s 50 Best Restaurants were announced at an awards ceremony at the Guildhall in London, U.K. last night. Just like last year, no Canadian restaurants made the Top 50, but unlike last year, Canada was also a no-show in the second-tier 51-100 list (Cambridge’s Langdon Hall and Calgary’s Rouge made it onto 2010’s list at 77 and 60, respectively, but didn’t place this year.)

Rene Redzepi’s Noma from Copenhagen took first place again this time around. Redzepi and the team accepted the prize with plenty of man-love (a theme in this year’s ceremony) and Viking hats, followed by an emotional speech from the Danish chef.

With more room at the top after the withdrawal of Ferran Adria’s El Bulli from the list (it’s closing in 2012), Spanish restaurants El Celler de Can Roca and Mugaritz secured the second and third spot. Other awards included: Best Female Chef to Anne Sophie Pic of France’s Maison Pic; the One To Watch award to Stockholm’s Frantzén/Lindeberg; and the Lifetime Achievement award to Juan Mari Arzak, the pioneer of new Basque cuisine who was Spain’s first chef to win three Michelin stars. The competition is organized by Restaurant magazine, and voted on by 800 restaurant industry insiders.

Despite Canada’s poor showing, Toronto diners can still get excited that American David Chang, who will be opening a pair of restaurants in Toronto next year, snagged the 40th spot for his Momofuku Ssäm Bar and 65th for his tiny Momofuku Ko.

The entire Top 50 List:

  1. Noma (Denmark)
  2. El Celler de Can Roca (Spain)
  3. Mugaritz (Spain)
  4. Osteria Francescana (Italy) – Chef’s Choice
  5. The Fat Duck (U.K.)
  6. Alinea (U.S.) – Best restaurant in North America
  7. D.O.M. (Brazil) – Best restaurant in South America
  8. Arzak (Spain)
  9. Le Chateaubriand (France)
  10. Per Se (U.S.)
  11. Daniel (U.S.)
  12. Les Creations de Narisawa (Japan) – Best restaurant in Asia
  13. L’Astrance (France)
  14. Atelier de Joel Robuchon (France)
  15. Hof van Cleve (Belgium)
  16. Pierre Gagnaire (France)
  17. Oud Sluis (Netherlands)
  18. Le Bernadin (U.S.)
  19. L’Arpege (France)
  20. Nihonryori Ryugin (Japan)
  21. Vendome (Germany)
  22. Steirereck (Austria)
  23. Schloss Schauenstein (Switzerland)
  24. Eleven Madison Park (U.S.)
  25. Aqua (Germany)
  26. Quay (Australia) – Best restaurant in Australasia
  27. Iggys (Singapore)
  28. Combal Zero (Italy)
  29. Martin Berasategui (Spain)
  30. Bras (France)
  31. Biko (Mexico)
  32. Le Calandre (Italy)
  33. Ristorante Cracco (Italy)
  34. The Ledbury (U.K.) - Highest new entry
  35. Chez Dominique (Finland)
  36. Quartier Francis (South Africa) – Best restaurant in Africa + Middle East
  37. Amber (Hong Kong)
  38. Dal Pescatore (Italy)
  39. Il Canto (Italy)
  40. Momofuku Ssam Bar (U.S.)
  41. St. John (U.K.)
  42. Astrid Y Gaston (Peru)
  43. Hibiscus (U.K.)
  44. Maison Trois Gros (France)
  45. Alain Ducasse, Plaza Athenee (France)
  46. De Librije (Netherlands)
  47. Restaurant Hotel de Vie (Switzerland)
  48. Varvary (Russia)
  49. Pujol (Mexico)
  50. Asador Extebarri (Spain)

NEVER MISS A TORONTO LIFE STORY

Sign up for Table Talk, our free newsletter with essential food and drink stories.

By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.
You may unsubscribe at any time.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Advertisement
Advertisement

The Latest

"Trans people are terrified": This LGBTQ immigration lawyer has been inundated with inquiries from the US since Donald Trump's election
City

“Trans people are terrified”: This LGBTQ immigration lawyer has been inundated with inquiries from the US since Donald Trump’s election

Inside the Latest Issue

The February issue of Toronto Life features Scottie Barnes, the new face of the Raptors—and the team’s best chance of salvation. Plus, our obsessive coverage of everything that matters now in the city.