TTurin becomes the international capital of gastronomy for an entire week! As we await the announcement of the world's best restaurant in the 50 Best ranking, here is our constantly updated article with everything you need to know, including predictions, events, and special awards. Which restaurant will be ranked number 1 in 2025?
Everything is ready for one of the most eagerly awaited food events on the planet: the presentation of The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2025, which will take place this year for the first time in Italy on Thursday 19 June, broadcast live from the Lingotto Fiere in Turin.
From the rules to the predictions: who will win?
Behind the choice of the best restaurant in the world are over 1,000 food critics and journalists (initially there were just 150, confirming the evolution of the London-based network) who are members of the Best Restaurants Academy, now present in 27 countries. Each member is asked to express their preference by selecting the restaurants they have visited in the last 18 months. Last year, the winner was Disfrutar, which, we remind you, will join the Best of the Best list of former No. 1 restaurants and, as a result, will not be included in the 2025 ranking or subsequent rankings, in accordance with the 2019 regulations.
Speaking of rules, “our job is to ensure that any initiative is carried out in full compliance,” said William Drew in our interview with Paolo Vizzari. “We update them frequently to keep them in step with changes, and we try to make them less easy to circumvent with each edition.” But what has changed since last year? We told you all about it here. Now all that remains is to guess the winner in light of the annual gastronomic balance sheet. In the meantime, we can mention a few names: the highly rated Bitor Arguinzoniz of Asador Extebarri, about whom Paolo Vizzari always writes: "It is the Basque temple of fire and embers, guided by legendary hands. He has been at the top of the rankings for several years, and after coming second last year, he could come out on top this time."
However, the Alchemist in Copenhagen, Maido in Lima, and La Table, favored in France with chef Bruno Verjus, remain contenders. Some mention Dabiz Munoz's DiverXO, others the Potong in Bangkok with the best female chef of 2025, Pichaya ‘Pam’ Soontornyanakij. In Italy, Enrico Crippa seems to have made the decisive upgrade, and could climb even higher in the rankings in light of his previous achievements.
Events
Before the verdict, the highlights of the program in Turin and Piedmont include a series of events that are an integral part of 50 Best Restaurants, for a whole week of festivities from June 17 to 21: the #50BestTalks forum, ready to explore some current issues affecting the world of hospitality with great chefs such as Virgilio Martìnez, Jeremy Chan, and Bruno Verjus; the series of culinary events open to the public of 50 Best Signature Sessions, which sees chefs from the 50 Best world cooking alongside renowned local talents, with 7 unique 4-hand dinners (in this regard, on the 21st, Enrico Crippa will duet with Hiroyasu Kawate of Florilège in Tokyo at Piazza Duomo); a Chefs' Feast to celebrate the ingredients and culinary style of the region; and finally, the actual awards ceremony with the countdown.
Among the most eagerly awaited events is the one led by the young people of Il Tortellante (a project conceived by chef Massimo Bottura and his wife Lara Gilmore), who will be cooking a special lunch at MagazziniOz, in Via Giolitti 19A. The winning combination? MagazziniOz's plin al sugo d'arrosto (ravioli with roast sauce) and Il Tortellante's tortellini with Parmigiano Reggiano cream, available from June 17 to 20, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Special awards already announced
The June event program was also preceded by several announcements of special awards to honor the achievements of individual chefs and restaurants. Here are some of the most important ones of the year:
-The winner of the 2025 Champions of Change Award is Mindy Woods, head chef at Karkalla On Country. Here is her profile.
-The Resy One To Watch Award 2025 goes to Khufu's, led by the duo formed by restaurateur Giovanni Bolandrini and executive chef Mostafa Seif. We wrote about them here.
-The Best Female Chef is the aforementioned Pichaya ‘Pam’ Soontornyanakij, chef and owner of Potong in Bangkok.
The 51-100 ranking
We have already revealed the 51-100 ranking of 50 Best Restaurants 2025, in which Al Gatto Verde ranks 92nd, the only Italian restaurant in the second tranche. This year there are a total of 12 new entries in 12 different cities, including the debut of Arca in Tulum at number 67, which deserves a mention for receiving the highest score among the new entries. (We were particularly impressed by this restaurant last year).
The final verdict
To find out who will be ranked number 1 in 2025, all you have to do is follow our article, which will be constantly updated during the ceremony on June 19. Stay tuned!
The World's 50 Best Restaurants website
