The 5 star restaurants of today take a courageous plunge into the realm of edible art. They present guests with ingredients and dishes that sometimes border on the bizarre. Far from stuffy, these take a leap from the traditional eateries that present the same tired take on food with a European influence. They seek to create not just a flavorful experience, but a narrative. The food is only one aspect of the overall performance. Here are seven restaurants chosen in particular for their culinary genius, consistency, and innovation.
1. El Cellar de Can Roca, Girona
Awarded three Michelin stars for its creative cuisine, this restaurant spearheaded by three brothers led the now-popular trend of molecular gastronomy. It creates dishes with the use of liquid nitrogen and other spectacular methods. In turn, they promoe food presentation in startling new ways. Dinner dishes often use traditional Catalan ingredients. Meanwhile, desserts can mimic popular perfume fragrances or utilize other unique forms of inspiration.
Address: Carrer de Can Sunyer, 48, 17007 Girona, Spain
Hours: Tues. 8:30-10 p.m., Wed. – Sat.: 1–2:30 p.m., 8:30–10 p.m., closed Sun. and Mon.
Theme: an innovative take on traditional Catalan cuisine
Ideal for: couples, families, business meetings, events
Customer rating: 5
2. Narisawa, Tokyo
With two Michelin stars, this French restaurant uses traditional European methods and presentation with creative flair thanks to the addition of Japanese flavors and aesthetic. That includes macaroons made with green tea. Ingredients are organic. Additionally, the presentation creates a nature-based narrative with the use of flowers, wood, pine cones and other natural embellishments. Diners see creative cooking methods, such as the chef’s famous lime bread dough baked at the table.
Address: Japan, 〒107-0062 Tokyo, 港区Minamiaoyama, 2−6−15
Hours: Tues. – Sat.: 12–3 p.m., 6:30–11 p.m., closed Sun. and Mon.
Theme: Japanese-inspired French cuisine
Ideal for: business meetings, couples
Customer rating: 4.5
3. Osteria Francescana, Modena
Holding three Michelin stars, this restaurant‘s meals are a visual tableau of harmonious colors. Meanwhile, the flavor palate combines delicious ingredients in unusual ways. The foundation of the restaurant’s cuisine is Italian, but the execution of the dishes is imaginative. It pairs Foie gras with Modena balsamic vinegar and hazelnuts from the Piedmont region or ravioli made with truffles and leeks. The tasting menu allows guests the most comprehensive exploration of the restaurant’s offerings.
Address: Via Stella, 22، 41121 Modena, Province of Modena, Italy
Hours: Tues. – Sat.: 12:30–1:30 p.m., 8–9:30 p.m., closed Sun. and Mon.
Theme: modern Italian
Ideal for: couples, business meetings
Customer rating: 4.5
4. Noma, Copenhagen
This restaurant holds two Michelin stars and presents a modern take on traditional Nordic cuisine. Roasted bone marrow, moss, rye porridge and fermented bread are just some of the historic food elements gracing the menu. Therefore, it stands out even among creative 5 star restaurants. Desserts include an ice cream flavor of blackcurrant wood and plums mixed with potatoes. The unique genius comes in pairing these unusual ingredients in delicious flavor profiles. Thus, this garnered the restaurant a string of accolades that has kept it at the top of the list of fine restaurants since its inception.
Address: Strandgade 93, 1401 København K, Denmark
Hours: Tues – Sat.: 12–4 p.m., 7 p.m.–12:30 a.m., closed Sun. and Mon.
Theme: Nordic
Ideal for: couples, business meetings, events
Customer rating: 4.5
5. Eleven Madison Park, New York City
Guests can choose between a tasting menu or indulge in the full eight-course spread offered by this three-Michelin-star restaurant. Best described as a modern take on American cuisine, entrees use seasonal ingredients native to New England. That includes Maine lobster, Georges Bank scallops and produce from upstate New York. Diners can expect classics like Baked Alaska or Eggs Benedict served with a modern twist. If you’re done visiting the ultimate dining experiences in the city, this should be your next stop.
Address: Metropolitan Life North Building, 11 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10010
Hours: Mon. – Thurs.: 5:30–10:30 p.m., Fri.- Sun.: 12–1 p.m., 5:30–10:30 p.m.
Theme: American
Ideal for: couples, families, business meetings, events
Customer rating: 4.5
6. Central, Lima
A kaleidoscope of colors, flavors, and scents greets diners at this fascinating restaurant. The country of Peru can be split into three sections: the Amazon Basin, the Andean Highlands, and the Pacific coast. Central seeks to echo these distinct regions in its menu offerings. Therefore, it uses native ingredients like chaco clay, pampa petals, tree tomatoes, and carob tree leaves. These successfully accent traditional Peruvian dishes. Among 5 star restaurants, Central provides an innovative and delicious introduction to esoteric flavors unusual to most diners. Each dish beautifully presents a treat for the eyes as well as the tongue.
Address: Santa Isabel 376 Miraflores Lima, Peru
Hours: Mon. – Sat.: 7:45–11:15 p.m., closed Sun.
Theme: Modern Peruvian
Ideal for: couples, families, business meetings, events
Customer rating: 4.5
7. Alinea, Chicago
Carrying the full three stars from the Michelin Guide, this innovative restaurant dazzles guests with science. That ranges from turning liquids to solids and solids into liquids, playing on all the senses in an elaborate display of culinary genius. Three separate menus, including a tasting menu, offer a range of options for sampling the cuisine. Courses may be served straight on the table top itself, creating a dramatic display of food as performance art. Memorable courses might include an edible helium balloon made from banana taffy or an exploding chocolate dessert. Therefore, this is one of the most enjoyable 5 star restaurants for its entertainment value alone.
Address: 1723 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614
Hours: Wed. – Sat.: 5–9:30 p.m., closed Mon. and Tues.
Theme: Molecular gastronomy
Ideal for: couples, families, events, business meetings
Customer rating: 4.5
Final Words
Food can be about so much more than just eating. It provides a window into a country’s culture and an entirely new way to experience the world through unfamiliar ingredients and cooking methods. However, today’s 5 star restaurants can be memorable enough to be considered a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Have you enjoyed experimental or unusual cuisine at a restaurant like these? Let us know about your experience in the comments below.