THREE of Spain's restaurants have made it into TripAdvisor's top 25 in the world – and one of them is in the top five, according to the list released last night (Wednesday).
Based upon ratings, recommendations and votes from tourists and local customers, the travel information site ranks eateries across the planet every year, and Spain usually has at least two somewhere near the top.
This time, the number one spot has gone to The Black Swan in Oldstead, UK – a country which also takes number two with the French-style Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, in Great Milton.
'Real' French cuisine comes in third and fourth, with Maison Lameloise in Chagny and L'Auberge de l'Îlle respectively.
At number five, and ranked the best restaurant in Spain, is the eponymous eatery owned by Basque masterchef Martín Berasategui (first picture), based in Lasarte.
As well as being a work of delicate fine art on a plate, a meal at Berasategui's restaurant provides, according to one of the top reviews, 'the best combinations of flavours ever experienced'.
“The meal was culinary poetry,” the recommendation states.
Daniel in New York, La Colombe in Constantia in South Africa, David's Kitchen in Chiang Mai in Thailand, and Maido in the Peruvian capital of Lima follow in that order, and the next Spanish eatery is at number 10 – another restaurant which is no stranger to 'best-in-the-world' lists, El Celler de Can Roca in Girona (second picture).
“Outstanding. Brilliant. Sublime. Perfect. What more is there to say?” Says the top review quoted.
The ranking continues with restaurants in Prague, Czechia; Bray-on-Thames, UK; Cancún, México; Sant'Agata sui Due Golfi, Italy; Armamar, Portugal; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Lorgues, France; Auckland, New Zealand; Delhi, India, and Beijing, China before Spain makes its next appearance.
This is at number 21 and, again, a famous locale often featured in 'best' lists – Azurmendi restaurant (third picture) in Larrabetzu in the Basque Country, whose colourful dishes are described by the top reviewer as: “Not a meal, but a foodie dream experience! Excellent!”
The top 25 ends with restaurants in Pokolbin, Australia; Paraty, Brazil; Auckland, New Zealand, again, and Athens, Greece.
This means Spain – jointly with Britain and France – has the highest number of restaurants on the list.
Other than Auckland, with two, only one restaurant appears each for the rest of the countries, whilst Spain, France and the UK have three each.
