What’s the best restaurant in the world? It’s a great dinner party question, and one that might provoke much discussion – everyone has an opinion on their favorite. But if you want to know what the critics think (and get a decisive answer) then look no further than the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list, which has just been released for 2024.  

Introducing the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 

Founded in 2002, the World’s 50 Best Restaurants aims to celebrated the richness and diversity of the world’s culinary landscape. Each year a snapshot of global gastronomy is curated by a panel of 1,080 culinary experts. those on the panel can’t vote for any restaurant they have an economic interest in, and they must have eaten at restaurants that won their votes in the previous 19 months. As a go-to for the best culinary destinations as well as the latest gastronomic trends across the globe, the World’s 50 Best Restauratns is one of the best. 

The highest ranking restaurants in each continent were given a special mention. The best restaurant in Africa was La Colombe. Atomix was the highest ranking restaurant in North America, and the highest ranking restaurant in Asia was Gaggan. The best restaurant in South America for 2024 is Maido. And the best restaurant in Europe, and the winner of The World’s Best Restaurant in 2024, is Disfrutar in Barcelona.  

Below, we’ve chosen five restaurants in countries you can travel to with Luxury Gold. If gastronomic experiences are at the top of your travel list, consider extending your stay in these countries on your Luxury Gold journey – though, needless to say, with an accolade like this make sure you reserve a table well in advance!  

Disfruta 

Barcelona, Spain

 

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Taking the top spot and now the best restaurant in the world is Barcelona’s Disfrutar. It seems as though its fate was always intertwined with the award, as its three owners, Oriol Castro, Eduard Xatruch and Mateu Casañas, met at the legendary El Bulli which reached No.1 in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants five times. Disfrutar opened in 2014 in the Eixample district of Barcelona, serving food in a light-drenched, white-washed dining room and sun-dappled terrace at the rear. 

Choose from two parallel menus on offer, both with around 30 courses. The Classic option is a greatest hits album featuring the chefs’ favorite dishes from the last decade, where you can catch the famously indulgent caviar-filled Panchino doughnut, or the brilliant frozen gazpacho sandwich. On the other hand, the Festival menu is the latest manifestation of the team’s unbounded creativity, always backed with meticulous culinary research. 

What did the judges say? 

“The combination of brilliantly imaginative dishes, unsurpassed technical mastery and playful presentation results in the dining experience of a lifetime, as full of surprises as it is memories. Table theatre and interaction are frequent, executed with a blend of professionalism and humour. Disfrutar remains at the forefront of gastronomic thinking, creating an experience as fun as it is inspired.” 

Our 13-day Spain & Portugal in Style journey embarks from Barcelona. Why not arrive a day early and experience one of the world’s best restaurants for yourself on a luxury Spain vacation? 

Table by Bruno Verjus 

Paris, France 

 

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Taking third place is Table (pronounced a la Française), opened by Bruno Verjus 10 years ago following a career as a journalist, food writer and blogger. The space features a wave-designed counter with private nooks and an open kitchen, allowing guests to follow every gesture and plating, including the “Colours of the Day” – a daily dish of seasonal herbs and vegetables. With an ever-changing seasonal menu, diners can watch as founder Verjus serves green asparagus poached with seaweed or prepares lobster with sugar snap peas, nettle, and caper remoulade. Friendly service and fabulous wine support the incredible food, and Table achieved the rare feat of entering the top 10 on its first appearance in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list in 2023, climbing even higher in 2024. 

Our Luxury France guided tours end in Paris, so you can catch Verjus working his magic at Table on your Luxury Gold journey. 

Maido 

Lima, Peru 

 

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Maido is an elegant restaurant found in Lima’s trendy Miraflores neighborhood. It’s been making waves since respected chef Mitsuharu ‘Micha’ Tsumura opened it in 2009, combining Japanese techniques with Peruvian ingredients into Nikkei cuisine. Guests can choose from either a tasting or à la carte menu. Make sure to look our for delicacies like The Triple, a combination of avocado, eggs, tomato and chashu (braised pork belly); and caracoles al sillao (soy sauce), sea snails, with yellow chili foam and Nikkei sauce. Not only has the restaurant scooped up 5th place, but chef Micha also took home the Estrella Damm Chefs’ Choice Award, a peer-voted accolade honoring chefs who make a positive contribution to the global culinary scene each year. 

Our Luxury Treasures of the Incas tour starts and ends in Lima, so why not visit Maido on your trip with Luxury Gold? 

Alchemist 

Copenhagen, Denmark 

 

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Taking 8th place on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants is Alchemist, a completely immersive and thoroughly unusual restaurant found in Refshaleøen, a relatively remote part of Copenhagen. Enter through two-tonne-heavy bronze doors which automatically swing open, signalling the beginning of what can only be called a show. The theatrical and immersive dining experience, led by Rasmus Munk, takes place under a domed roof with various graphics which change according to the dishes. Expect flavorful food made with exceptional produce, with a side of environmental awareness 

Our 12-day Luxury Scandinavia guided tour begins in Copenhagen, where you can experience this other-worldly restaurant for yourself. 

Don Julio 

Buenos Aires, Argentina 

 

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Taking 10th place is Pablo Rivero’s Don Julio, which he opened during his early 20s in 1999. After 25 years it’s still a family-run affair, showcasing Argentinian cuisine to the world through Rivero’s dedication to organic agriculture and local produce. As it originally opened as a neighborhood parrilla (an Argentinian steakhouse), it’s no surprise that specialty steak is highly prized here, meanwhile executive chef Guido Tassi designs the menu ‘around the seed,’ focusing on seasonal crops. Pair your meal with one of the 14,000 Argentine wine labels in the restaurant’s cellar –  Rivero also took home the Beronia World’s Best Sommelier Award 2024 at The World’s 50 Best Restaurants.  

Our 12-day luxury South America tour spends three nights in Buenos Aires – why not book ahead and secure Don Julio for one of your evenings? 

Lido 84 

Gardone Riviera, Italy 

Coming in 12th place on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants is Lido 84, serving quintessentially Italian food with a twist. Years of research into local ingredients, old recipe books, and international cooking techniques, combined with a love for art and a customer-first philosophy, have turned Riccardo and Giancarlo Camanini’s restaurant into a masterpiece. Housed in a former lido, the building was bought and transformed by the Camaninis in 2013 with unparalleled views of Lake Garda. The dining room is decorated with eclectic art pieces, and when the weather is good guests can dine out on the terrace overlooking the lake. Expect to be warmly welcomed by Giancarlo’s exceptional service, and enjoy Riccardo’s exquisite culinary creations. 

Our Luxury Italy guided tour finishes in Venice, just an hour or so from Lake Garda. Why not extend your stay and try this award-winning Italian food for yourself? 

What are the World’s 50 Best Restaurants? 

Find the full list of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants below. 

1. Disfrutar, Barcelona
2. Asador Etxebarri, Atxondo, Spain
3. Table by Bruno Verjus, Paris
4. Diverxo, Madrid
5. Maido, Lima
6. Atomix, New York
7. Quintonil, Mexico City
8. Alchemist, Copenhagen
9. Gaggan, Bangkok
10. Don Julio, Buenos Aires
11. Septime, Paris
12. Lido 84, Gardone Riviera
13. Trèsind Studio, Dubai
14. Quique Dacosta, Dénia
15. Sézanne, Tokyo
16. Kjolle, Lima
17. Kol, London
18. Plénitude, Paris
19. Reale, Castel di Sangro
20. Wing, Hong Kong
21. Florilège, Tokyo
22. Steirereck, Vienna
23. Sühring, Bangkok
24. Odette, Singapore
25. El Chato, Bogotá
26. The Chairman, Hong Kong
27. A Casa do Porco, São Paulo
28. Elkano, Getaria
29. Boragó, Santiago
30. Restaurant Tim Raue, Berlin
31. Belcanto, Lisbon
32. Den, Tokyo
33. Pujol, Mexico City
34. Rosetta, Mexico City
35. Frantzen, Stockholm
36. The Jane, Antwerp
37. Oteque, Rio
38. Sorn, Bangkok
39. Piazza Duomo, Alba
40. Le Du, Bangkok
41. Mayta, Lima
42. Ikoyi, London
43. Nobelhart & Schmutzig, Berlin
44. Mingles, Seoul
45. Arpege, Paris
46. Single Thread, Healdsburg
47. Schloss Schauenstein, Fürstenau
48. Hisa Franko, Kobarid
49. La Colombe, Cape Town
50. Uliassi, Senigallia

If planning your Japan packing list is stressing you out, then you’re in the right place. Our comprehensive list of what to pack for Japan will have you covered whatever the season, and whatever the weather decides to throw at you. Are you ready to visit Japan? With this packing list, you will be. 

What should I pack for 2 weeks in Japan? 

Shoes that are easy to slip on and off 

Many places in Japan require you to take off your shoes upon entry, from restaurants to temples, so having a pair of shoes that’s easy to get on and off will come in very handy. If you’re unsure whether you should be taking off your shoes, look out for tatami mats – if you see them, it generally means shoes off. Obviously you don’t want to then be barefoot (especially in the summer if you’ve been wearing sandals), so make sure you pack some small socks for these instances too. It’s a good idea to keep them in your bag as you sightsee around Japan. 

Related reading: A Haven of Tranquillity: Discovering the Best Luxury Spas in Japan

Comfortable walking shoes 

Tokyo was named one of the most walkable cities in the world and the number one most walkable city in Asia, so it goes without saying that a good pair of walking shoes is a Japan packing list essential. We’d recommend breaking any new pairs in before your trip.

Weather dependent clothing 

Particularly in the shoulder seasons of spring and fall, Japanese weather can be changeable with the threat of sporadic rain showers, though these won’t be a problem if you’re adequately prepared! Obviously the clothes you pack will depend on when you’re traveling to Japan – more on that later with our Japan packing list for each season below. 

Discover majestic Japan on our luxury Japan tour.

Japanese yen 

Our best tip is to withdraw Japanese yen once you arrive in Japan – don’t get it at home as you’ll get a terrible exchange rate. There are a number of ATMs in Japan; 7-11 convenience stores offer the easiest option as they’re open 24 hours a day, while Japanese postal ATMs also accept most foreign cards but are only open during post office opening hours. We wouldn’t wait too long to get your cash, however; Japan is a very cash-oriented society, even more so in rural areas. Though a growing number of shops and restaurants accept most credit and debit cards, you don’t want to get caught out.  

Japan rail pass 

If you’re planning on traveling around Japan, then a Japan Rail Pass will be invaluable to you. It grants unlimited travel across Japan’s JR Network, including the Shinkansen bullet trains and conventional rail lines, covering over 20,000 km of rail. Not only is it convenient (no more panicking at foreign train stations), but highly cost-effective as well – a round trip between Tokyo and Kyoto costs about the same as a 7-day Japan Rail Pass, which offers unlimited travel for the same price.  

It’s a physical ticket, so make sure you order it at least two weeks before you fly to Japan (although you can order it up to six months in advance of your trip) to allow ample shipping time. Additionally, the Japan Rail Pass includes access to local JR buses, ferries, and the Tokyo Monorail. It also offers various discounts at hotels, shops, and museums. 

All the usuals  

It goes without saying that you’ll need to sort any visas, passports, and travel insurance with plenty of time before your trip. Make sure your passport has at least six months validity from your return date, and one empty page. Travelers with U.S. passports must have visas for short-term visits (up to 90 days).

What to wear in Japan 

Prepare for Japanese weather 

The weather in Japan can vary greatly as it has distinct seasons, but the weather can vary within seasons too – particularly during the spring. Here’s your Japan packing essentials for each season. Your Japan packing list will depend greatly on what time of year you’re traveling. To get the most out of your trip to Japan, you’ll want to be appropriately dressed. 

Read more: Guardians of a National Icon: Meet Japan’s Cherry Blossom Doctors

Spring (March to May) 

With the cherry blossoms in full bloom and mild weather, spring is the perfect time for exploring – just make sure you pack a rain coat! 

• Light layers of clothing, including both T-shirts and long-sleeve shirts, and thin sweaters. 
• A thicker jacket or cardigan. 
• A raincoat and, if you have room, an umbrella. 

You might also like: Bird Costumes and Cherry Blossom: Why Spring is the Best Time to Visit Japan

Summer (June to August) 

Summer in Japan starts with the rainy season in June and July, which is when you’ll absolutely need a waterproof. The weather starts to become warmer and more humid towards August.  

• Breathable, light clothing including shorts, camisoles, t-shirts, dresses, and skirts.
• Sunscreen, sunhat and sunglasses. 
• Swimsuit if you plan on visiting the beach or onsen (hot spring).
• Comfortable sandals (with a spare pair of socks for entering traditional buildings).
• Insect repellent. 
• Breathable waterproof in case of showers.
• A handheld fan to wave away the heat. 

Fall (September to November) 

Visiting Japan in fall allows you to see the beautiful changing of the seasons as the foliage turns a stunning shade of oranges and reds. The cooler weather makes it the perfect time to explore on-foot, though around September time comes typhoon season, bringing a risk of heavy rainstorms, getting drier towards November.

• Easily-layered clothing, including long-sleeve tops, light sweaters and a jacket for the evenings.
• Scarves, gloves, and a hat for late autumn chill. 
• Waterproofs for unexpected showers. 

Winter (December to February) 

Winter in Japan varies from mild temperatures in the southern regions to cold and fairly snowy in the northern areas. Time to wrap up warm! 

• Warm clothing and layers, such as thick sweaters, thermals and a decent coat. 
• Water-resistant walking shoes.
• Thermal socks and gloves. 
• Scarves, beanies and earmuffs if you’re traveling further north. 

Dressing appropriately in Japan 

It’s not just the weather you need to think about when it comes to packing your clothes. If you’re walking around temples and shrines, it is a good idea to be respectful and have a top layer with sleeves and no tummy or cleavage showing. However, it is not a rule and you’ll sometimes see Japanese people not following these dress-code standards.  But as an outsider, I feel like being respectful ( or, at least, showing that you’re trying) is more important. 

Though tattoos have been legal in Japan since 1948, it’s worth remembering that it’s best to cover them up in temples, shrines, and ryokan (a type of traditional Japanese inn), while tattoos are banned at most onsen hot springs, swimming pools, water parks, and beaches. You can cover them up with clothes or bandages. 

What not to bring when travelling to Japan 

One thing you should add to your Japan packing list is suitcase space. Make sure you leave enough room to bring back any mementos from your trip – pack light so you can make the most of the incredible shopping districts like Tokyo’s Shibuya and Ginza.

If you’ve traveled internationally, you’ll be familiar with the rules and customs of flying. In case you’re not, items such as meat, fresh fruit and vegetables, and counterfeit items are prohibited when flying in and out of Japan.

Now you know what to bring, it’s time to see Japan for yourself on our Japan luxury tour.