The "World’s Best Restaurant" is announced: Spain beats Denmark!

▲The 2013 World’s Best Restaurant is El Celler de Can Roca, located in Girona Province north of Barcelona, Spain. (Photo / from The world's 50 Best Restaurant)

Travel Center / Taipei Report

"Restaurant" magazine, which annually ranks the world’s best restaurants, announced its 2013 list of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants. This year, the top spot went to Spain’s El Celler de Can Roca, while Denmark’s Noma, which had held the number one position for three consecutive years, slipped to second place.

Hong Kong also made the list this year, with two restaurants placing in the top 50: Amber ranked 36th and 8½ ranked 39th. Meanwhile, China’s Mr & Mrs Bund claimed the 43rd spot.

In fact, El Celler de Can Roca, which took first place, has been shortlisted for eight years. It is jointly operated by the three Roca brothers in Girona Province. For the past two years, it came in second, but this year finally claimed the top honor. Organizers stated: "The combination of Catalan cuisine and the culinary skills of the three Roca brothers makes El Celler de Can Roca the best restaurant in the world today."

The "World’s Best Restaurant" ranking is determined by votes from 936 judges, including food critics, chefs, and restaurateurs from 26 global regions. Each judge can select seven restaurants, but at least three of those must be from outside their own country or region.