It's that time of year again where the stars of the culinary world converge for the ‘Oscars of food’, which named Mauro Colagreco’s Mirazur as the top eatery on the planet. The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2019 awards, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna, was held at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore and saw restaurants from 26 countries honoured with a place on the coveted list. Chef Colagreco took to the stage to collect the double honours for his restaurant, Mirazur, in Menton, France, as The World’s Best Restaurant 2019 and The Best Restaurant in Europe 2019.
Taking over the No.1 position from Osteria Francescana, which has been elevated to the Best of the Best hall of fame, Mirazur climbed to the top from the No.3 spot in 2018. In 2017, the restaurant ranked No.4 on the list. Colagreco’s Mirazur is joined in the top three positions by Noma (No.2) in Copenhagen, Denmark, and Asador Etxebarri (No.3), in Atxondo, Spain. Mirazur’s accolade is a testament to Chef Colagreco’s love of local produce, most of which is grown in the restaurant’s three-tiered garden just metres from the dining room, complemented by a stunning French Riviera backdrop.
Spain leads the way with seven of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, including three in the top 10: Asador Etxebarri (No.3); Mugaritz (No.7); and Disfrutar (No.9). Just outside the top 10, Azurmendi in Larrabetzu, leaps 29 places to No.14 to win the Westholme Highest Climber Award 2019. France is also well represented with five restaurants in the top 50, including Arpège (No.8), Septime (No.15), Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée (No.16), Alléno Paris au Pavillon Ledoyen (No.25), as well as Mirazur.
The USA claims six restaurants in the list, including Cosme (No.23), which is helmed by The World’s Best Female Chef 2019, Daniela Soto-Innes, and two new entries: Atelier Crenn (No.35), and Benu (No.47), both in San Francisco, California. The Art of Hospitality Award, sponsored by Legle, goes to Tokyo’s Den (No.11). The restaurant is highly regarded for its holistic approach to service from the moment guests make their reservation to the minute they leave the premises.