So, You Want To Dine At The Number 1 Restaurant In The World?

Originally posted on Men's Journal | Last updated 10/5/24

Back in July the World's 50 Best held their awards ceremony to announce the top 50 restaurants in the world. The week-long celebration was held in Las Vegas, the perfect host city to highlight cuisine of the world. In 2024 Disfrutar in Barcelona, Spain was named the #1 Restaurant in the World! In recent years a new rule was enacted that once a restaurant is named #1, they can only hold that title for one year. In the past El Bulli and Noma held the distinction for many years in a row, but now after the 365 days of shine and elation, they go into a special category of prior number ones. What a prestigious group.

So you want to dine at the #1 restaurant in the world, do you? Well, I just did, and let me tell you it's a worthwhile journey. First off, the reservation list is booked up about six to nine months in advance. So if you have an open travel schedule, it's time to get looking on the booking site for soonest availability. Another avenue to scoring a reservation would be to sign up for the waiting list, which is an option on the booking site. This is how I was able to score a table-for-one on a Friday evening in September. I felt blessed to be offered the table, but I waited 8 weeks on the edge of my seat, and I only got confirmation 48 hours before the date I was waiting to hear about.

the kitchen at Disfrutar (0:09)

The menu: You pick between the Classic or the Festival menu. Both run the price of 295€. A wine pairing can be added for 165€, and I must say their wine list was beautifully crafted. A close friend of mine sent a bottle of wine to my table, so I was thankful to enjoy the wine throughout my meal. Otherwise I would have put myself in the capable hands of Head Sommelier, Rodrigo Briseño.

Dig in, because you're about to enjoy 28 courses of gastronomic delight. The menu is playful, intriguing, mysterious, adventurous, wondrous, and delicious all in one. Catalonian cuisine has been on the world's stage for many years and it does justice of being true to local ingredients, respectful of the diner, and also boundary-pushing in the right moments. This was an unforgettable meal for so many reasons. I truly hope you all have the opportunity to dine there during it's reign as #1 in the world, and beyond!

watching yourself eat at Disfrutar (0:07)

So, what else will you do during your time in Barcelona & Catalonia?

Where To Stay

Majestic Hotel & Spa

The 5 Star Grand Luxury Hotel in Barcelona is stationed amongst one of the main veins in the city, in the heart of the Paseo de Gracia. With breathtaking views of Familia Sagrada from the rooftop, and having a mere 3 minute walk to Casa Batlló, the legendary works of Gaudi cannot help but inspire you on your stay. Since 1918, Majestic Hotel & Spa has been a beacon for visitors looking for an upscale visit to Barcelona. Make a reservation at Restaurant SOLC where a four-course tasting menu is offered for 64€. An optional wine pairing can be added for an additional 34€.

W Barcelona

No matter where you are in BCN, odds are you can see the shark-fin shape of W Barcelona protruding out to the sky. The architecture is next level, and the location in unbeatable. Designed by world-renowned architect Ricardo Bofill, and offering 473 guestrooms and suites. The 5 star hotel is located on the beachfront along the Barceloneta Boardwalk, allowing you access to the beach and all the people watching you could ask for. The epic views from rooms and the rooftop make this the place to see and be seen.

Vilarnau Cava

Sparkling wine from Catalonia has made massive strides in the last 20 years, invading the market at next to unbeatable prices. Historically, caves under the ground were created back to the 16th Century in the area just north of Barcelona about an hour's drive, making for the perfect environment to elaborate sparkling wines, known today as Cava, from three local varieties: Macabeu, Xarel-lo, and Parellada. Vilarnau's hospitality center offers wine tasting on their patio with stunning views of the mountains. Make sure to try their famous Brut Reserva & Brut Rosé Reserva donning the special-edition Gaudi sleeves.

CocoVail Beer Hall Barcelona

I stumbled into the unexpected. An American styled beer hall in the heart of Barcelona. With many local and American beers on top, they were proudly showing F1 on a Saturday afternoon with every patron sipping a delicious beer and excitedly watching the race. This was exactly the energy I didn't know I needed from Barcelona. I opted to taste a local IPA made in the West Coast Style, and for a second I felt like I was back in California with the right balance of malt and hops. A truly special discovery. Their chicken wings looked insanely good, will look forward to trying them on my next visit.

Bar Brutal

If you're looking for the it place to drink natural wine in BCN, look no further. Featuring top Spanish producers, as well as many from Germany, France, and Italy. This wine program here is fun, evocative, and pairs perfectly with the wine bar cuisine. The patrons were as sexy as the wines. Dress to impress and get ready to drink a little more than you were expecting. This environment lends itself to saying yes to one too many glasses.

This article first appeared on Men's Journal and was syndicated with permission.

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