Asador Etxebarri in Atxondo, Spain, has claimed the top spot on The World's 50 Best Restaurants, which unveiled its latest rankings in Lima, Peru. But the results come amid rising industry scrutiny over the rankings.
The Asador Etxebarri in Atxondo, Spain, has been crowned the top spot by The World’s 50 Best Restaurants in Lima, Peru, amid rising industry scrutiny over the rankings.
Run by chef Bittor Arguinzoniz, the Asador is famous for its charred beef chop, house-made chorizo, and fresh mozzarella from the chef’s buffalo.
Bangkok’s Gaggan took second place, and Copenhagen’s Alchemist secured third.
Despite the prestige and revenue boost it brings in, The 50 rankings face criticism.
High-profile figures like chef Ana Ros of Hisa Franko in Slovenia posted that she didn’t attend the ceremony this year and preferred investing more in her restaurant. In a post garnered over 10,400 likes, she said, “The ranking has come to depend increasingly on visibility within the system itself.”
Singapore’s Burnt Ends chef Dave Pynt also skipped the Lima ceremony, arguing that promotional efforts and travel detract from daily restaurant operations.
Other chefs, including Ivan Brehm, noted that while guides shape dining trends and investments, they also incentivize intense self-promotion.
The organization defended its ranking process, stating it merely provides an expert snapshot of global hospitality.