World's Top 50 Restaurants

Despite the fact that half the 651 voting panel members were new this year, and that twice as many came from Asian voting regions, consensus of opinion as to the world's best restaurants has changed little since 2006.

With double the voting regions in Asia and thus two times as many eligible voters compared to last year (rules allow for only two of the five votes to be within a home region), it is more than surprising that only one restaurant from that seemingly culinary-wealthy area made it into the top 50. The Best Restaurant in Asia (a new category this year) went to Bukhara, in New Delhi, India.

Each year since its inception, the gathering of votes and compilation of the list has become more measured. With a stable of well-traveled opinion-forming critics and chefs, restaurants that break through to the top 50 best restaurants in the world are impressing the very harshest and well-educated palates across the globe.

Claiming the Best Restaurant in the World number one spot is El Bulli in Montjoi, Spain. This is the second year they have been voted Best Restaurant in the World, and it is not surprising given their gorgeous location and incredible menu. El Bulli was also voted Best Restaurant in Europe.

And there is no tiring of Heston Blumethal's The Fat Duck. Retaining his position at number two, he also picked up the Chef's Choice Award, voted for solely by the chef's who appeared on the 2006 list. The Fat Duck is situated at Bray, about 30 miles west of London, England. A much deserved number three spot went to Pierre Gagnaire, in Paris, for the second year.

France still stands as the godfather of the culinary world with 12 restaurants in the top 50. The United States enjoyed eight, the U.K. seven, followed by Spain and Italy with six apiece. Australia had two, with old favorites Tetsuya's and Rockpool.

Thomas Keller, who not only had the top-rated restaurant in the United States with The French Laundry in Yountville, California (#4), but also was able to again claim the second highest American spot with Per Se in New York City (#9).

Not a single London restaurant made the top 10. The top restaurants in the British capital were Nobu in 17th place, Hakkasan (19th) and Gordon Ramsay Royal Hospital Road (24th).

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