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

There’s nothing quite like losing yourself among the halls and exhibitions in one of the world’s many art galleries. Whether you’re looking to gaze your eyes upon iconic works of art or discover something completely new, you’re sure to find something that’ll grasp your attention.  

No matter if you’re a die-hard art enthusiast or looking to dip your toe into the art world, these are our top 10 art galleries that we think you ought to visit at least once. 

The Van Gogh Museum 

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Vincent van Gogh produced nearly 900 paintings and more than 1,100 works on paper during his lifetime, and Amsterdam’s Van Gogh Museum showcases the world’s largest collection of the artist’s work. Opened in 1973 in the center of Amsterdam, it now holds over 200 paintings, 500 drawings, and 700 letters, including iconic paintings such as ‘Sunflowers’ and ‘The Bedroom’. Alongside van Gogh’s original work, the gallery also includes pieces from his contemporaries, giving viewers context of his style, as well as work from those influenced by van Gogh.  

Read more: A work of heart: meet the founder of the Rosengart collection

Whitney Museum of American Art 

New York City, USA 

You’ll find the Whitney Museum of American Art, often referred to simply as “The Whitney”, in New York City. Founded in 1930 by Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, a wealthy and influential art patron and sculptor, the museum focuses on 20th and 21st-century American art, with a particular emphasis on living artists. The Whitney’s collection includes more than 25,000 works of art, including paintings, sculptures, drawings, and photographs, created by over 3,500 artists, with notable names including Georgia O’Keeffe, Jackson Pollock, Roy Lichtenstein, and Edward Hopper. Make sure to visit one of its many terraces for unparalleled views of the city. 

The National Gallery of Art 

Washington D.C., USA 

One of the premier art museums in the United States, the National Gallery of Art was established by an act of Congress in 1937, made possible by a gift from financier and art collector Andrew W. Mellon. Explore the two main buildings: the imposing, columned West Building, where you’ll find works from the 11th through the early 20th century such as “Woman with a Parasol – Madame Monet and Her Son” by Claude Monet; and the modern East Building which houses a growing collection of contemporary art, not forgetting the Sculpture Garden. 

Read more: The Luxury Gold guide to discovering statement art pieces on your travels

Vatican Museums 

Vatican City, Italy 

Known the world over, the Vatican Museums were founded by Pope Julius II in the early 16th century, beginning with a single sculpture: ‘Laocoön and His Sons’. Spanning a collection of art galleries, chapels and museums within Rome’s historic Vatican City, the Sistine Chapel is one of the most renowned features, particularly for its ornate ceiling painted by Michelangelo. 

 See it on our Luxury Italy tour

The Metropolitan Museum of Art 

New York City, USA 

New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art (commonly known as the Met) isn’t just where the prestigious Met Gala is held each year – it holds over 2 million pieces of art work spanning 5,000 years within its walls, featuring artists such as Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Monet, Picasso, and Michelangelo. The Met first opened in April 1870 in the historic Dodworth Building, but was moved to its current location on Fifth Avenue and 82nd Street in 1880. Its purpose upon founding was to bring art and education to the American people, something that hasn’t changed. 

Read more: Why Spain Sets the Gold Standard for Art Museums

The National Gallery 

London, England 

Located in London’s iconic Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery is a treasure trove of Western European art, housing an extensive collection of Western European paintings from the 13th to the 19th centuries. It was founded in 1824, when the British government purchased 38 paintings from banker and art collector John Julius Angerstein. It wasn’t until 1838 that the current building, designed by architect William Wilkins, was opened to house the growing collection. Currently the gallery holds over 2,300 paintings, notably including masterpieces by artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, and Titian. 

See it on our Luxury England tour

The Picasso Museum 

Barcelona, Spain 

The Picasso Museum is unique in that its namesake had a hand in founding it. The museum opened its doors in 1963, a joint effort between Pablo Picasso itself (before he died in 1973) and Picasso’s close friend and secretary, Jaume Sabarté, making it one of the first museums dedicated to Picasso’s work. Picasso donated many of the pieces that are housed there today, and it now boasts a collection of over 4,000 of his works by Picasso, taking visitors along his development as an artist from the early years to his Blue Period, and beyond.  

Paul Getty Museum

Los Angeles, USA 

The Getty Museum opened its doors in 1997, making it relatively new on the scene. The art gallery is known for its unique architecture as well as its collection, sitting high on a hilltop overlooking L.A. – you can access the museum through a cable pulled hovertrain from the parking garage at the foot of the hill. The Getty Museum has a remarkable collection of artwork which includes the works of Vincent Van Gogh including the famous painting Irises, Monet and Cezanne. As well as an art gallery, the site also houses a research institute and a conservation institute. 

Uffizi Gallery 

Florence, Italy 

The origins of the Uffizi Gallery, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, were slightly less exciting than you might expect, as it was originally built in the 16th century as administrative offices (or ‘uffizi’) for the Florentine magistrates. Gradually, its upper floors were converted into a museum to display the Medici family’s extensive collection of art, who were ruling at the time. Visitors can take in an extraordinary collection of Renaissance and Baroque art, with works by some of the most celebrated artists in history – most notably, Botticelli’s ‘Birth of Venus’.  

The Musée du Louvre 

Paris, France 

Holding the title as the most visited museum in the world with over 7 million visitors each year (based off numbers from 2022), the Musée du Louvre is world-famous for housing Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. But the Louvre also takes the title of ‘biggest’ museum, clocking up 400 rooms across 650,000 square feet – even if you spent just 30 seconds in each room of the Louvre, it would take 100 days to visit the museum in its entirety. It began as a fortress in the late 12th century to protect Paris from potential invasions, and the Louvre’s association with art and culture only began in the 16th century thanks to François I, an art collector who brought the ‘Mona Lisa’ to the museum. It wasn’t until the “Grand Louvre” projec in the 1980s and 1990s that te iconic glass pyramid entrance was constructed, completed in 1989. The Louvre now houses nearly 380,000 works of art.  

 See it on our Luxury France tour

Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) 

New York City, USA 

Last but certainly not least we have the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), one of the most influential and renowned art galleries in the world. It was founded in 1929 by three patrons of the arts: Lillie P. Bliss, Mary Quinn Sullivan, and Abby Aldrich Rockefeller. The goal was to establish an institution devoted exclusively to modern art, and MoMA has played (and continues to play) a major role in developing and collecting modern art, often considered one of the largest and most comprehensive collections of modern art in the world. Catch some of the most iconic pieces in the world at MoMA, such as Vincent van Gough’s ‘The Starry Night’, Andy Warhol’s ‘Campbell’s Soup Cans’, and Salvador Dalí’s ‘The Persistence of Memory’. 

Discover an incredible array of art and culture on a Luxury Gold tour. Explore our trips here.

If you’re looking at flying First Class for the first time, then congratulations. Flying First Class is certainly the best way to begin your trip, bookending your journey with the ultimate luxury travel experience. Read on to discover whether First Class travel is for you, all you need to know before boarding, and the various First Class offerings from different airlines. 

Flying First Class will transform your travel experience, no matter how many times you’ve flown before. Prepare to relax in a whole new level of comfort and convenience, though to really make the most of this luxury mode of travel, it can help to understand the nuances of First Class. From booking to landing, every step of the journey is designed to enhance your experience.  

Read more: 10 Best Airlines For Business Class

Flying First Class vs Business Class 

When it comes to luxury air travel, flying First Class is as good as it gets – on most airlines, First Class is the step above Business Class. Whereas in Business Class passengers can enjoy pre-flight lounges as well as lie-flat beds, spacious legroom, and multi-course meals in-flight, each aspect of flying is even more opulent in First Class (but more on that later).

Whether you’re flying Business or First Class, know that both are a significant step up from economy class – both offer superior comfort and service, though First Class offers more luxuries and privacy, whereas Business Class balances between indulgence and practicality.  

Benefits of Flying First Class 

There are a whole range of benefits to First Class travel, and they begin long before you board the plane. As a First Class traveler, you’ll have access to priority check-in, security screening, boarding, and baggage handling, as well as free checked baggage and increased baggage allowances. Once you arrive at the airport, queuing will become a distant memory – minimize your wait time with expedited check-in, security, and boarding, along with exclusive airline lounge access. 

You might also like: Take a Glimpse Into Luxury Air Travel of the Future With These Stunning Designs

On-board, relax into plush seats (with some airlines offering private suites), recline to a lie flat bed, and, with some airlines, tuck into gourmet food from renowned chefs. Throughout your flight you’ll be able make the most of the amenity kit provided, containing comforts from noise-canceling headphones to designer toiletry kits. Wherever you’re flying to, you can rest easy knowing that the flight attendants will be giving you their full attention for the full First Class experience. 

What to Wear When Flying First Class 

While most airlines don’t have a dress code for First Class cabins, many passengers opt to wear business-casual attire rather than the usual sweats and flip-flops – if you are looking to dress on the more formal side then slacks, skirts, or chinos will suffice, paired with shirts or blouses. However, what you choose to wear completely depends on the length of your flight and, at the end of the day, your comfort is what matters. Many airlines give First Class passengers pajamas to wear during long-haul flights, so if you’ll be changing into those then don’t worry too much about what you’re already wearing. 

First Class on International Flights 

To get the most out of flying First Class, it’s best to book your First Class ticket on a long haul international flight. These longer journeys offer a heightened level of comfort compared to a domestic First Class ticket, the latter of which is less likely to have all the luxury amenities mentioned above. If lie-flat beds, luxury food and drinks, and top-tier amenities are important to you, then choose First Class on an international flight. Not only that, but you’ll also be able to enjoy all those luxuries for longer! 

Read more: The airlines with the most luxurious First Class bathrooms have been revealed

Flying First Class on American Airlines 

If you’re flying within the U.S. with American Airlines, First Class marks the highest flight level. However, on some long-distance flights (both domestic and international), you have the option to book seats in Flagship First or Flagship Business classes, which are the most luxurious options on offer from American Airlines – passengers will enjoy lie-flat seats, access to the Flagship Lounge, luxury bedding, and exclusive toiletry kits.  

Flying First Class on Delta Air Lines 

If you’re traveling First Class with Delta Air Lines, you can choose from either Delta One, availably predominantly on long haul and international routes, and Delta First, available domestically. Delta One is the airline’s most premium cabin, offering lie flat beds, premium meal service, access to Delta Sky Clubs, and more – if you’re lucky enough to fly on Airbus A330-900neo or A350 aircraft, you’ll get to experience the new Delta One suite with full-height doors that slide closed for maximum privacy and 18-inch entertainment screens. For domestic flights, Delta First offers accelerated check-in, security, boarding, and baggage handling, with slightly larger seats and more legroom than economy.  

Is First Class Worth It?  

Flying First Class is the epitome of luxury air travel, with every step of your journey made to make your travel experience as seamless and enjoyable as possible. Of course, only you can decide if flying First Class is worth it for you, but if supreme comfort and arriving at your destination well-rested and looked after are a priority for you, then flying First Class is the only way to go.