The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list is filled with places few can access. These aren’t just eateries; they’re endurance tests, theatrical displays, and immersive experiences. The list, once a haven for unique dining, now appears overtaken by these extravagant spectacles.

Defining ‘Best’ in Dining

The criteria for making it to the top remain vague. The voting body of 1,080 independent experts offers this insight: “What constitutes ‘best’ is up to each voter to decide.” Factors include food quality, service style, atmosphere, and price, each varying in importance per individual. Clear as mud.

A Shift from Humble Beginnings

Initially, the list aimed to celebrate hidden gems ignored by Michelin. Early entries included Nairobi’s Carnivore and Spain’s El Bulli. However, as El Bulli’s fame grew, so did the list’s focus on experimental, marathon tasting menus.

The Tasting-Menu Takeover

Today’s list favors elaborate tasting menus. One diner described a four-hour meal at Disfrutar, the current No. 1, as “an assault, not fun.” The excessive courses and wine pairings often overwhelm rather than delight.

Conformity in High Dining

Despite claims of innovation, the structure of these meals is depressingly uniform. The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, once a rebellion against dining norms, now seems to reward a new kind of conformity. The chefs believe they’re creating intellectual and emotional experiences, but they’re essentially competing for listicle rankings, reduced to clichés on the websit