2008 World’s Best Restaurants

Foodaphiles want to know: What are the best restaurants in the world? San Pellegrino satisfies our hunger for knowledge with its 2008 list of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants. El Bulli, on Spain’s Costa Brava, is at the head table for the third year in a row. Chef Ferran Adrià (pictured) is renowned for his pioneering techniques. The restaurant’s profile says, “It’s a cuisine that differs from others, according to Adrià, in that ‘it demands psychological reflection.’ In other words, you don’t come to El Bulli for a feed, you come for an experience.”

Two American establishments made the top six — The French Laundry in Yountville, Calif., and Per Se in New York City — but they both have the same genius chef at the stove: Thomas Keller.

The list is compiled by the Nespresso World’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy, a group of 23 chairs appointed for their knowledge of restaurants and their esteemed palates. Each member of the academy votes for his or her choice of five restaurants. And if you just can’t get enough, here are the details on the selection process includinng the list of chairs and regions,

GetListy will whet your appetite with this baker’s dozen of the leaders, with any additional accolades included:

1. El Bulli, Spain (World’s Best Restaurant and Best in Europe)
2. The Fat Duck, United Kingdom
3. Pierre Gagnaire, France
4. Mugaritz, Spain (Chef’s Choice)
5. The French Laundry, United States (Best Restaurant in the Americas)
6. Per Se, United States
7. Bras, France
8. Arzak, Spain
9. Tetsuya’s, Australia (Best Restaurant in Australasia)
10. Noma, Denmark
11. L’Astrance, France
12. Gambero Rosso, Italy
13. Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, United Kingdom

From the full list, you can see the rest of the best; be sure to click on each restaurant to see the profile. Bon appétit!