The World's 50 Best Restaurants List:
1. Central (Lima)
2. Disfrutar (Barcelona)
3. Diverxo (Madrid)
4. Asador Etxebarri (Atxondo)
5. Alchemist (Copenhagen)
6. Maido (Lima)
7. Lido 84 (Gardone Riviera)
8. Atomix (New York City)
9. Quintonil (Mexico City)
10. Table by Bruno Verjus (Paris)
11. Trèsind Studio (Dubai)
12. A Casa do Porco (São Paulo)
13. Pujol (Mexico City)
14. Odette (Singapore)
15. Le Calandre (Rubano)
16. Reale (Castel di Sangro)
17. Gaggan Anand (Bangkok)
18. Steirereck (Vienna)
19. Don Julio (Buenos Aires)
20. Quique Dacosta (Dénia)
21. Septime (Paris)
22. Enigma (Barcelona)
23. Klo (Copenhagen)
24. The Chairman (Hong Kong)
25. Frantzén (Stockholm)
26. Restaurant Tim Raue (Berlin)
27. Florilège (Tokyo)
28. Kjolle (Lima)
29. Boragó (Santiago)
30. Mugaritz (San Sebastián)
31. Hiša Franko (Kobarid)
32. El Choco (Córdoba)
33. The Jane (Antwerp)
34. Uliassi (Senigallia)
35. Ikoyi (London)
36. Plénitude (Paris)
37. Sézanne (Tokyo)
38. The Clove Club (London)
39. The Best Chef: Pía León, Kjolle and Central (Lima)
40. Schloss Schauenstein (Fürstenau)
41. La Grenouillère (La Madelaine-sous-Montreuil)
42. Turii Beach (São Paulo)
43. Nobelhart & Schmutzig (Berlin)
44. Le Bernardin (New York City)
45. Narisawa (Tokyo)
46. Belcanto (Lisbon)
47. Oteque (Rio de Janeiro)
48. Epilogue (Carmel-by-the-Sea)
49. Rosetta (Mexico City)
50. The Best Sommelier: Miguel Ángel Millán, Diverxo (Madrid)
* Location: Barcelona, Spain
* Chefs: Oriol Castro, Eduard Xatruch, and Mateu Casañas
A Culinary Powerhouse Born from El Bulli's Legacy
Disfrutar, which translates to "Enjoy" in Spanish, isn't just a restaurant; it's a temple to avant-garde cuisine, creativity, and pushing the boundaries of flavour and technique. The three chefs – Oriol Castro, Eduard Xatruch, and Mateu Casañas – famously met and honed their skills together in the legendary kitchen of Ferran Adrià's elBulli, which itself held the #1 spot multiple times before its closure. After elBulli, they first opened Compartir ("Share") before launching Disfrutar in Barcelona's Eixample district in late 2014.
The Experience: Playful Modernity
Securing the top spot on The World's 50 Best Restaurants list in 2024 (having ranked #2 in 2023 and #3 in 2022) cemented Disfrutar's status as a global culinary destination. The restaurant is renowned for its:
* Innovative Techniques: Expect the unexpected. Dishes often involve surprising textures, temperatures, and presentations, utilizing techniques like spherification, foams, airs, and gels pioneered or perfected during their time at elBulli, but applied with their unique vision.
* Creative Concepts: The tasting menus (there are typically two options: 'Classic' featuring signature dishes, and 'Festival' focusing on seasonal creations) are journeys filled with wit, surprise, and playfulness. Dishes might deconstruct familiar concepts or present ingredients in entirely new ways. Examples include their famous crispy egg yolk, gazpacho "sandwich," or multi-spherical pesto.
* Focus on Flavour: Despite the high technique and artistry, the core focus remains on delivering intense, clear, and delicious flavours, often rooted in Mediterranean traditions but reimagined through a modern lens.
* Ambiance: The design of the restaurant is bright, contemporary, and inspired by Mediterranean colours and materials like ceramics. It features an open passage that connects the kitchen directly to the main dining room, emphasizing the connection between creation and enjoyment. The atmosphere aims to be welcoming and conducive to the sense of discovery the food provides.
* Michelin Recognition: Beyond the World's 50 Best list, Disfrutar also holds the highest accolade of Three Michelin Stars, further solidifying its reputation for exceptional quality, creativity, and consistency.
Why It's Considered World-Class
Disfrutar represents the pinnacle of modern gastronomy. Its success lies in the perfect balance between groundbreaking techniques, imaginative concepts, exceptional ingredients, and a deep respect for flavour. The chefs' shared history and collaborative spirit shine through in the seamless execution and constant evolution of their menus. Dining at Disfrutar is not just eating; it's an interactive, often astonishing, and ultimately delicious experience crafted by masters of their art.
