Spain dominates world’s best restaurants list

SPAIN is once again leading the world in the food stakes.

Not only does the country currently boast the best restaurant on the globe, but it has three eateries in the top 10.

Family-run El Celler de Can Roca toppled Denmark’s Noma from the top spot of the 2013 World’s 50 Best Restaurants list, having spent two years as runner-up.

Although slipping down a spot to fourth, Mugaritz in San Sebastian once again secured a top ten spot, while fellow Basque eatery Arzat stayed firmly rooted in eighth.

A total of five Spanish restaurants made it into the top 50, with the avant-garde Quique Dacosta in Dénia coming in at 26 and Atxondo’s charming Asador Etxebarri taking the 44th spot.

Girona’s three Michelin-starred El Celler de Can Roca is run by the three Roca brothers, known for their innovative yet traditional take on typical Catalan cuisine.

Popular dishes include caramelised olives served on a bonsai tree, Iberian suckling pig with pepper sauce and garlic and quince terrine.

Head chef Joan Roca said the secret of his success is hard work and the ‘luck’ of having two incredible brothers – head pastry Jordi chef and head sommelier Josep.

“We don’t know if we are the best restaurant but you can be sure that we will continue to work with authenticity, generosity, hospitality and of course creativity,” he added.

The United States and France also did well – both with six restaurants in the top 50 – but Britain only managed three. These included two of Heston Blumenthal’s eateries – Dinner, which climbed up to seventh place, and The Fat Duck, which tumbled from number 13 down to a rather disappointing 33rd.