The 2023 edition of the highly anticipated World’s 50 Best Restaurants list, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna, brought thrilling news for the dynamic food city of Tokyo. The vibrant culinary capital marked a significant triumph, with three Michelin-starred restaurants securing notable spots in the esteemed list, highlighting its eminent culinary prowess on the global platform.
Adding an interesting twist to this year’s results was the correlation between Tokyo and the restaurant awarded the top spot – Central, based in Lima, Peru. In an endeavor to extend Central’s global influence beyond Peru, Chef Virgilio Martínez inaugurated its sister establishment, Maz, in Tokyo. The new establishment marries the traditional culinary arts of Peru and Japan, marking a seamless integration of different food cultures.
Tokyo’s Den, celebrated for its modern interpretation of the kaiseki cuisine, secured a commendable position at No. 21. This modern Japanese eatery in Jingumae has consistently featured in the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list, further amplifying its reputation as a major player in the international culinary scene.
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Meanwhile, the French-Japanese fusion restaurant, Florilège, climbed up the ladder to No. 27, improving from its 30th position last year. The restaurant, located in Jingumae, plans a temporary halt in operations to facilitate relocation and renewal. The last service is scheduled for next month on July 20. This strategic pause is expected to create a wave of anticipation among global gourmets, eager to see the innovative offerings that chef-owner Hiroyasu Kawate will present post-renovation.
The third representative from Tokyo, Sézanne, proudly claimed the No. 37 spot, reaffirming Tokyo’s significant culinary influence. The supplementary list, featuring 50 additional remarkable restaurants beyond the top 50, included three Japanese establishments. Tokyo’s Narisawa and Sazenka stood at No. 51 and 73, respectively, while Osaka’s La Cime claimed the 60th spot.
These laudable rankings are the culmination of a robust voting process involving more than a thousand judges, reflecting on votes cast the previous year alongside a fresh round of evaluations conducted this year. This year, judges were tasked with assessing restaurants within their respective regions only, adding a layer of regional expertise to the selection process.
The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list provides an annual snapshot of the best culinary destinations across the globe. The inclusion of three Tokyo-based establishments underscores the city’s growing reputation as a global food capital. For more details on the complete 2023 list, refer to the official website.
Please note that the information in this article is based on the report from the Timeout website.
