No.41 – Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athenee

Opulence? Alain Ducasse might have invented the word. His restaurant at the swish Paris hotel Plaza Athenée is pretty much the last word in luxury. Some 10,000 illuminated pendants hang from the ceiling, the staff wear uniforms designed by Georges Feghaly, and a plate of langoustines and beluga caviar will set you back €175, which is the most expensive dish we’ve come across among this year’s World’s 50 Best restaurants. But then you get what you pay for, as they say. And if you want a top-notch dining experience in a rarefied atmosphere, Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athenée takes some beating.

As with Robuchon, Ramsay and others with restaurant empires across the world, you’re unlikely to find Ducasse in the kitchen here. But no matter because Ducasse has surrounded himself with an extremely talented team and he has proved himself over the years both a brilliant tutor and an astute judge of talent – hence the reason he has more Michelin stars in the world than anyone bar Robuchon. Here, head chef Christophe Moret continues Ducasse’s approach, with meticulous attention to detail, and an emphasis on local, sustainable produce and the finest ingredients. Ducasse’s legendary Rum Baba dessert should not be missed.