Australia snags two spots in World’s Best Restaurants

Group of friends having drinks at sunset. They are celebrating with a wine toast. There is food on the table including fruit and cheese. They are smiling and happy. Lens flare

Melbourne was the host of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants awards held last night and Australia managed to snag two spots on the list.

Our fair country held its own up against the big boys from around the world, with Attica in Melbourne jumping one place to 32, and hanging on to its title as Best Restaurant in Australasia.

Meanwhile rural Victoria sidled into the list, with Brae ranking for the first time at number 44.

A new leader was crowned too, with Eleven Madison Park in New York taking the lead for the first time, beating last year’s winner of Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy, now in second place.

Eleven started from the bottom at number 50 in 2010, and now we’re here in top spot, after hovering in the top 10 since 2012.

The restaurant’s co-owners, Will Guidara and Swiss-born chef Daniel Humm, enhance the fine-dining experience with a sense of fun, blurring the line between the kitchen and the dining room.

It’s housed in an art deco building overlooking New York’s Madison Park (of course it is) and boasts a multi-course seasonal tasting menu that celebrates the city’s rich history and culinary traditions.

France, Spain and the USA each count six restaurants on the 2017 list, while six are newbies out of the top 50 (including Aussie Brae).

William Drew, Group Editor of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, said, “All 50 restaurants represent the very best culinary experiences and talent. We congratulate each one, as well as all the individual award winners, on their remarkable achievements, innovation and creative passion”.

Meanwhile, Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Steven Ciobo said, “Hosting this prestigious event, which has brought the world’s best chefs down under, is a coup for Australia and shines the spotlight on our food and wine industry.

“Almost 200 chefs, restaurateurs and international food and wine media are in Australia for the awards. Away from ceremony night, they will get to taste and see Australia though more than 160 familiarisation visits to all states and territories.

“Tourism Australia worked with the organisers of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants to create spectacular events best showcasing Australia’s food and wine offering in stunning locations.

“I am confident the visiting chefs, restaurateurs and media will fall in love with our country and leave here as advocates for Australia’s unique and diverse food and wine scene.”

Let’s rundown the top 50 list here:

  • Eleven Madison Park, New York, US
  • Osteria Francescana—Modena, Italy (#1, 2016)
  • El Celler de Can Roca, Girona, Spain
  • Mirazur, Menton, France
  • Central, Lima, Peru
  • Asador Etxebarri, Axpe, Spain
  • Gaggan, Bangkok, Thailand
  • Maido, Lima, Peru
  • Mugaritz Errenteria, Spain
  • Steirereck Vienna, Austria
  • Blue Hill at Stone Barns, Pocantico Hills, US
  • L’Arpege, Paris, France
  • Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athenee, Paris, France
  • Restaurant Andre, Singapore
  • Piazza Duomo, Alba, Italy
  • D.O.M., Sao Paulo, Brazil
  • Le Bernardin, New York City, US
  • Narisawa, Tokyo, Japan
  • Geranium, Copenhagen, Denmark
  • Pujol, Mexico City, Mexico
  • Alinea, Chicago, US
  • Quintonil, Mexico City, Mexico
  • White Rabbit, Moscow, Russia
  • Amber, Hong Kong
  • Tickets, Barcelona, Spain
  • The Clove Club, London, UK
  • The Ledbury, London, UK
  • Nahm, Bangkok, Thailand
  • Le Calandre, Rubano, Italy
  • Arzak, San Sebastian, Spain
  • Alleno Paris au Pavillon Ledoyen, Paris, France
  • Attica, Melbourne, Australia
  • Astrid y Gaston, Lima, Peru
  • De Librije, Zwolle, Netherlands
  • Septime, Paris, France
  • Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, London, UK
  • Saison, San Francisco, US
  • Azurmendi, Larrabetzu, Spain
  • Relae, Copenhagen, Denmark
  • Cosme, New York City, US
  • Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet, Shanghai, China
  • Borago, Santiago, Chile
  • Reale, Castel Di Sangro, Italy
  • Brae, Birregurra, Australia
  • Den, Tokyo, Japan
  • L’Astrance, Paris, France
  • Vendome, Cologne, Germany
  • Restaurant Tim Raue, Berlin, Germany
  • Tegui, Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • Hof Van Cleve, Kruishoutem, Belgium

 

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