How does this list work exactly? From looking at their website and Wikipedia, here is what I understand:
--> The list is compiled from the votes of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy;
-->The world is divided into regions, with a chairperson in each region appointed for their knowledge of their part of the restaurant world;
-->The world is divided into regions, with a chairperson in each region appointed for their knowledge of their part of the restaurant world;
-->These chairs each selected a voting panel, who cast a total of 4,030 votes;
-->There is no list of nominees; each member of the international voting panel votes for their personal choice of five restaurants;
--> They may vote for up to two restaurants in their own region, the remaining votes must be cast outside their home region;
--> Nobody is allowed to vote for their own restaurant and voters must have eaten in the restaurants they nominate within the past 18 months; and
--> Contrary to popular belief, the restaurants selected do not have to meet any criteria like Michelin or other guides.
As their website claims, their 50 Best Restaurant list is "recognized around the world as a credible indicator of the best places to eat on earth". Wow. "On Earth". Sounds so crazy.
Here are the Top 50 restaurants:
Eight from the USA and one from Mexico, and that's all from North America folks! Canada makes two appearances, first one at #60 for Rouge (in Calgary), then Langdon Hall for #77 (in Cambridge, Ontario).
Can you imagine dining one day at a restaurant that is, or has been, ranked # 1 on earth? I can't at this moment. Maybe one day...one day. Actually, I shouldn't be so greedy - I would be thrilled to have the opportunity to dine at any of the restaurants in the top 100 list =D
Here are the official list