The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2013 - the full list

No. 1: El Celler de Can Roca (up 1)

Where in the world? Girona, Spain
What's so great about it? Run by a trio of brothers, head chef Joan Roca, maitre d’ and head sommelier Josep and pastry chef Jordi, El Celler de Can Roca is a restaurant with its own lab, which has helped it come up with concepts such as perfume cooking. "The genius of Can Roca is serving food that is astonishingly inventive yet still feels Catalan," says UK food blogger Chris Pople. We now want to go but probably can't, now it's reached such dizzying heights.

For more info: El Celler de Can Roca website

No. 2: Noma (down 1)

Where in the world? Copenhagen, Denmark
What makes it the best? Chef René Redzepi's restaurant on the waterfront in Copenhagen topped the list for three years running. People love it for a whole raft of reasons, from the genuinely thrilling food of ultra seasonality and locality to the personal touches which means chefs serve the dishes they've worked on to you personally. Booking a table here has been a test of nerves and superfast clicking when new bookings come online each month since its elevation by The List.

For more info: Noma website

No. 3: Osteria Francescana (up 2)

Where in the world? Modena, Italy
What's so great about it? Chef Massimo Bottura's playful approach to food often begins with childhood memories. His family's favourite dish of eggs and prosciutto is transformed into a single faultless disc of tortelloni filled with prosciutto. Another key dish here is the five ages and textures of Parmesan and then there's his take on the Magnum - a fois gras parfait lolly on a stick covered with hazlenuts. This restaurant is never stuffy and always great fun.

For more info: Osteria Francescana website

No. 4: Mugaritz (down 1)

Where in the world? San Sebastián, Spain
What's so great about it? What's so great about it? You've got to want to try the cuisine of any chef who's so into his food he's willing to spend two years of his life studying the chemistry of coagulation in order to produce the perfect poached egg. Mugaritz was opened by chef Andoni Aduriz in 1998, and caused quite a stir when it leapt into the no 10 position in the World's 50 Best Restaurants list in 2006. We tried his food on a previous trip to the UK, including the famed edible stones.

For more info: Mugaritz website

No. 5: Eleven Madison Park (up 5)

Where in the world? Manhattan, New York, USA
What's so great about it? What's so great about it? Sold by owner Danny Meyer to its chef Daniel Humm and GM Will Guidara just as it shot from one to three Michelin stars and Eleven Madison Park continues to push boundaries, although eating there has got a lot more expensive since they dropped their lunch set menu. And in fact Hot Dinners' set lunch there a few years back was a highlight of our trip to New York.

For more info: Eleven Madison Park website

No 6. D.O.M (down 2)

Where in the world? Sao Paulo, Brazil
What's so great about it? What's so great about it? Chef Alex Atala ( who was one of the stars of the show at the recent Lab event in London has forged a huge reputation for himself by applying the techniques and skills he learned whilst training in Europe under the three-Michelin star chef Jean Pierre Bruneau to the ingredients he finds closer to home. At this minimalist temple to gastronomy, you can also find ingredients that might flummox most Brazilians, as Atala works hard trying to source his food from every part of the country.
For more info: D.O.M website

No 7. Dinner by Heston Blumenthal (up 2)

Where in the world? Mayfair, London, UK
What's so great about it? What's so great about it? Heston's first London restaurant was always going to be noteworthy and his decision to open a restaurant which celebrated Britain's historic gastronomy cleverly distinguished it from his work at the Fat Duck. Head Chef Ashley Palmer Watts' food has thrilled since day one with dishes like Meat Fruit and Tipsy Cake deservedly drawing diners from all over the world. In the run up to this year’s event it fed 45 of the World’s Top 50 chefs at a special dinner.

Read more about Dinner by Heston Blumenthal

No 8. Arzak (no change)

Where in the world? San Sebastián, Spain
What's so great about it? Four generations of chef Juan Mari Arzak's family have worked in this San Sebastián restaurant which has been in the family for 113 years. Here is where Juan Mari, now works with his daughter Elena to serve up his 'modern interpretation of classic Basque cuisine'. Londoners know the name and brand much better now that the family has launched the rather clumsily-titled Ametsa with Arzak instruction at the Halkin hotel.
For more info: Arzak website

No 9. Steirereck (up 2)

Where in the world? Vienna, Austria
What's so great about it? Last year chef chef-owner Heinz Reitbauer's championing of local food, rediscovering heritage vegetables for example, won his restaurant the inaugural Slow Food UK Award. Situated in Vienna's Stadtpark you might expect to find Turnip confited in brown butter or Mushroom plant marinated with tarragon and balsam vinegar on his menu. Open Monday to Friday the six course tasting menu is 125 euros.

For more info: Steirereck website

No 10. Restaurant Vendôme (up 13)

Where in the world? Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
What's so great about it? Joachim Wissler calls his approach to food 'New German Cuisine'. His three Michelin-starred restaurant serves a variety of tasting menus from 8 to 20 courses. You might find skate with lardo confit, gillardeau oyster and cauliflower or lobster with a Mumbai curry vinaigrette. The serving up of such modern dishes in such a fabulous old castle works marvels here.
For more info: Restaurant Vendôme website