Cape Town restaurant La Colombe has smashed its way onto the list of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, climbing an impressive 45 places from its 94th ranking in the 2023 awards to clock in at #49 in 2024.
‘We’re speechless,’ wrote Executive Chef James Gaag on Instagram, after the awards ceremony, which was held at Wynn Las Vegas in the United States on Wednesday, June 5. ‘It’s such an incredible honour for our team’s consistent work and dedication to be recognised at this level. To not only represent the La Colombe team - but, also our home city of Cape Town - on this stage is an immense privilege. We are so grateful to not only the panel of judges, but to every diner who we have welcomed through our doors - without you, this would not have been possible.’
La Colombe was the only restaurant in Africa to crack the top 50, and the ranking also means it claims the crown as the Best Restaurant in Africa for 2024. In May Cape Town restaurant FYN also made a splash, rising 15 places to bag 60th spot on the list.
Praising La Colombe’s food and views, the judges of the World’s 50 Best hailed the ‘elegant dishes grounded in French technique and accented with Asian flourishes’, describing the multi-course menu as being ‘executed with impeccable precision, yet the experience remains playful and approachable’.
‘Team La Colombe have worked incredibly hard to be on this hugely important list,’ explained Tamsin Snyman, the World’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy Chair for South and East Africa, on Instagram. ‘I am not surprised at their ranking; it is long overdue, and they now shine a spotlight not only on their genius talent but also on our far flung region. This will encourage more people to visit South Africa so we can showcase our culinary talents across the board and reassure everyone that we are a world class dining destination’.
Spanish restaurants were the biggest winners this year, as Spain bagged five spots within the top 50. Disfrutar in Barcelona was voted #1, followed by Asado Etxebarri at #2, Diverxo at #4, Quique Dacosta at #14, and Elkano at #28.
Here’s why FYN offers some of best value fine-dining on the planet!