Osteria Francescana crowned the World’s Best Restaurant 2016 in New York

Chef Massimo Bottura almost cried tonight when his restaurant Osteria Francescana was elected the best in the world in New York City. Cipriani Wall Street hosted this year’s much-awaited 50 Best Restaurants awards ceremony, the celebration of international gastronomy and the announcement of the list that has chefs and foodies on the edge of their seat.

Unpredictable as always, the rumours that spread prior to the event were animated and hopeful, but 2016 is to be the year of Bottura, who won first place, surpassing El Celler de Can Roca and Eleven Madison Park, respectively second and third. The top ten included Central at number four, Noma at number five and Mirazur at number six.

In the top 20 positions this year there was a strong representation of South American countries.

While Dinner by Heston dropped from number seven to number 45, Brett Graham’s The Ledbury regained sixth position and it’s now the top-ranking UK restaurant at number 14. The Clove Club debuted at number 26, the highest new entry of the year.

With four restaurants making the top 50, 2016 is proving to be a great year for Italian cuisine: Le Calandre in Rubano sits at number 39, Piazzo Duomo in Alba climbs ten places to the number 17 spot and Combal Zero in Rivoli also makes a re-entry to the list at number 46.

Special awards were handed out to Pierre Hermé, as World’s Best Pastry Chef, and the team of Eleven Madison Park for the Art of Hospitality Award.

As this year’s event draws to a close, the gastronomical world invites you to the 50 Best Restaurants 2017, which will take place in Melbourne, Australia.

Meanwhile, here is where you should be eating in 2016!

1. Osteria Francescana
Modena, Italy watch our interview here

2. El Celler de Can Roca
Girona, Spain

3. Eleven Madison Park
New York, USA watch our interview here

4. Central
Lima, Peru watch our interview here

5. Noma
Copenhagen, Denmark

6. Mirazur
Menton, France read our interview here

7. Mugaritz
San Sebastian, Spain

8. Narisawa
Tokyo, Japan

9. Steirereck
Vienna, Austria

10. Asador Etxebarri
Axpe, Spain

11. D.O.M.
São Paulo, Brazil

12. Quintonil
Mexico City, Mexico

13. Maido
Lima, Peru

14. The Ledbury
London, UK

15. Alinea
Chicago, USA watch our interview here

16. Azurmendi
Larrabetzu, Spain

17. Piazza Duomo
Alba, Italy read our interview here

18. White Rabbit
Moscow, Russia

19. Arpège
Paris, France

20. Amber
Hong Kong, China

21. Arzak
San Sebastian, Spain

22. The Test Kitchen
Cape Town, South Africa

23. Gaggan
Bangkok, Thailand

24. Le Bernardin
New York, USA

25. Pujol
Mexico City, Mexico

26. The Clove Club
London, UK watch our interview here

27. Saison
San Francisco, USA

28. Geranium
Copenhagen, Denmark

29. Tickets
Barcelona, Spain

30. Astrid y Gastón
Lima, Peru

31. Nihonryori RyuGin
Tokyo, Japan

32. Restaurant André
Singapore

33. Attica
Melbourne, Australia

34. Restaurant Tim Raue
Berlin, Germany

35. Vendôme
Bergisch Gladbach, Germany

36. Boragó
Santiago, Chile

37. Nahm
Bangkok, Thailand

38. De Librije
Zwolle, Netherlands

39. Le Calandre
Rubano, Italy

40. Relae
Copenhagen, Denmark

41. Fäviken
Järpen, Sweden

42. Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet
Shanghai, China

43. Biko
Mexico City, Mexico

44. Estela
New York, USA

45. Dinner by Heston Blumenthal
London, UK watch our interview here

46. Combal Zero
Rivoli, Italy

47. Schloss Schauenstein
Fürstenau, Switzerland

48. Blue Hill at Stone Barns
Pocantico Hills, USA watch our interview here

49. Quique Dacosta
Denia, Spain

50. Septime
Paris, France