Frequently Asked Questions

How does a restaurant make it onto the list?

The list is the result of a poll of 936 experts, each who cast 7 votes for their favourite restaurants that they have dined in during the last 18 months.

Who organises The World’s 50 Best Restaurants sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna?

The results and the awards are staged and published by Restaurant magazine in the UK. S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna are the main sponsors, but do not have any involvement with the results or awards and their compilation. Neither do any of our other commercial partners.

Does a restaurant have to fit a certain criteria?

No. They do not have to sell a certain product, they do not have to have been open a certain number of years and they do not have to have won any other culinary accolades. Any restaurant in the world is eligible to be voted for by our Academy so long as it has been open during the voting period, and so long as it is not planning on closing shortly after we publish the results (although we cannot always know this of course).

What are the voting criteria for the Academy?

They cannot vote for any restaurant they have a stake or interest in. Panellists must have dined there in the previous 18 months prior to the voting period (so for the 2013 list this period was between 31st May 2011- 31st October 2012). Panellists are asked to submit a choice of their top 7 restaurants they have dined in during the voting period in order of preference. At least three of their choices must be outside of their geographical region.

How are the Academy regional panels assembled?

The Diners Club® World’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy contains 26 regions around the world. Each region has a chairperson, and that chairperson assembles 36 people (including themselves) to vote. This panel is a equal mix of the top chefs in that region, leading food journalists, restaurateurs and gourmands. At least 10 panellists from each region change each year.

Who are the Chairs?

The Chairs are selected for their prominent position within restaurant journalism in their region. They are in a position to best select an appropriate panel and their expertise is valued in developing the future strategy for the Awards and activities surrounding them.

Can a restaurant be taken off the list?

Not until the following year – and even then it will only be the results of the voting that determines this, or if we are advised that it will be closed in the year between April 2012 and April 2013.

Why do Restaurants drop on the list or fall of it?

If a restaurant falls from the top 50 or the top 100 – it does not necessarily represent a decline in the standards of that restaurant. It could be an indication of shifting culinary tastes, or it could also represent that a geographical area is becoming more important. Many restaurants come back onto the list after initial success.

How did the list start?

The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list first appeared in Restaurant magazine in 2002, as a feature. Soon after an awards night was established to celebrate the results and so was born one of the most extraordinary gatherings of chefs on the planet. The results are now eagerly awaited and appear in the May issue of Restaurant magazine each year and a guide to be published on the awards night (29th April in 2013).