The Best Resorts in the World: Escapes of Elegance, Beauty, and Impeccable Service

Pujol — Mexico City, Mexico

At Pujol, chef Enrique Olvera crafts dishes that celebrate Mexico’s culinary heritage while pushing it into the future. His famous mole madre, aged over 1,000 days, is served alongside a fresh mole nuevo in a symbolic circle of tradition and innovation. Tasting menus take you through the flavors of the Mexican landscape — from street food-inspired smoked baby corn to delicate seafood ceviches. The setting is contemporary and serene, letting the flavors speak loudest.

Asador Etxebarri — Axpe, Spain

Nestled in the Basque mountains, Victor Arguinzoniz has transformed humble wood-fired cooking into fine art. Every dish at Asador Etxebarri — from smoked butter to grilled prawns to tender beef — is touched by his custom-built grills and an intimate knowledge of fire. The ingredients are impeccable, the technique deeply primal yet sophisticated. The setting in a rustic stone building in the tiny village of Axpe adds to the magic.

Gaggan — Bangkok, Thailand

A riot of color, playfulness, and bold flavors, Gaggan Anand’s eponymous restaurant brings progressive Indian cuisine to Bangkok. Diners are presented with a series of emoji-only menus, where each course surprises and delights — think yogurt explosions, edible “lipsticks,” and reinvented street snacks. Gaggan’s philosophy is irreverent yet deeply rooted in Indian tradition, delivered with infectious energy and theatrical service.

Noma — Copenhagen, Denmark

Often cited as the most influential restaurant of the 21st century, René Redzepi’s Noma reinvented what Nordic cuisine could be. Seasonal menus based on foraging, fermentation, and wild ingredients — moss, sea buckthorn, reindeer, ants — reflect the landscape outside its minimalist dining room. Beyond the extraordinary food, what stands out at Noma is the meticulous yet warm hospitality, where even the smallest detail feels considered.

Mirazur — Menton, France

Set on a hillside in the French Riviera with sweeping views of the Mediterranean, Mauro Colagreco’s Mirazur feels like dining in a dream. The cuisine is inspired by the restaurant’s own biodynamic gardens and the rhythms of nature — a poetic expression of sea, sky, and soil. Dishes like oyster with pear and shallot cream or garden vegetables in earth emulsion are as beautiful as they are flavorful. Service is polished yet relaxed, echoing the gentle pace of the setting.

Central — Lima, Peru

At Central, Virgilio Martínez and Pía León take diners on a journey through Peru’s diverse ecosystems — from the depths of the Pacific to the heights of the Andes. Each course corresponds to a specific altitude, showcasing ingredients few have ever encountered: deep-sea algae, Amazonian fruits, ancient tubers. The dining room is sleek and understated, putting the focus firmly on the complexity and richness of Peru’s terroir.

Eleven Madison Park — New York City, USA

In the heart of Manhattan, Daniel Humm’s temple of haute cuisine combines elegance with creativity. Since its transformation into a fully plant-based restaurant, Eleven Madison Park has reimagined luxury dining for a new era — think caviar-style tonburi, exquisite beet “Wellington,” and desserts as intricate as jewelry. The grand art deco dining room and flawless, friendly service elevate every moment into a memorable experience.

El Celler de Can Roca — Girona, Spain

Run by the three Roca brothers — Joan, Josep, and Jordi — this Catalan institution is a symphony of culinary artistry. Joan orchestrates inventive, technically brilliant cuisine; Josep curates one of the world’s most revered wine programs; Jordi surprises with whimsical desserts. The tasting menu is a narrative of memory, place, and emotion, delivered with grace and warmth in a modern, light-filled space.

Osteria Francescana — Modena, Italy

With wit, humility, and genius, Massimo Bottura turns Italian classics on their head at Osteria Francescana. His dishes — like the famous “Oops! I dropped the lemon tart” or “Five ages of Parmigiano Reggiano” — are deeply rooted in Emilia-Romagna’s culinary traditions yet full of playful, philosophical twists. The dining experience is intimate, with Bottura’s personality shining through in the vibrant, joyful service.

Mugaritz — San Sebastián, Spain

Mugaritz is perhaps the most avant-garde restaurant on this list, led by Andoni Luis Aduriz, who blurs the line between food, art, and thought. The multi-course experience challenges diners with textures, flavors, and presentations designed to provoke conversation and reflection. You might encounter edible stones, flowers, or dishes you’re asked to assemble yourself — all in a serene countryside setting. Service here is personal and highly attuned to the spirit of exploration.

Beyond the Plate

What unites these restaurants is not only their technical brilliance or creative vision but also their ability to connect diners to something bigger — a sense of place, a cultural narrative, a memory in the making. Each chef has built a world around their food, and each team delivers service that is as thoughtful and inspiring as the dishes themselves.

For those who see dining as a journey, these restaurants are destinations where artistry, hospitality, and passion come together to create some of the most memorable meals on earth.