Shewry philosophical as Attica slips out of the World's 50 Best Restaurants list
Ben Shewry’s Attica has slipped out of the World's 50 Best Restaurants list, falling from 20th spot last year to 84th on the list in 2019.
The news came as the World’s 50 Best Restaurants awards announced the 2019 long list, which has been expanded from 100 to 120 entries, ahead of the top 50 which will be revealed next Tuesday.
"I've known about it for months," Shewry told Good Food. "I am totally fine, totally tranquil about it.
"While I have always been grateful to be a part of it, it has never been what's defined our business or what we do here.”
Shewry said there would be no changes to the restaurant following the announcement.
"The main reason for any drop, and I understand it as well because I have been both a recipient and a voter, is how many [voters and judges] travel to Australia. Have there been a lot of voters travelling to Australia or have there not been?” he said.
"We have never marketed or played any games trying to improve our position on the list. Wherever it falls we will accept.
"Life is much more than accolades or fame … I have always been grateful to be included but it doesn't give any meaning to our lives."
Victorian restaurant Brae has also had a significant drop in rankings, coming in at 101st.
Of this year’s runner-ups to the Best 50, 21 of the restaurants have made it on the list for the first time, including Neolokal in Istanbul, Vea in Hong Kong, and 2018’s Best Female Chef winner Clare Smyth’s restaurant Core in London.
Despite declaring a “strong female presence” on this year's list, just six of the 70 restaurants on the 2019 list are run by women.
The full list of the 51 to 120 restaurants below.
- 51. Reale, Italy
- 52. Mikla, Turkey
- 53. Arzak, Spain
- 54. DOM, Brazil
- 55. Maeemo, Norway
- 56. Relae, Denmark
- 57. Nobelhart & Schmutzig, Germany
- 58. Sud 777, Mexico
- 59. Burnt Ends, Singapore
- 60. Indian Accent, India
- 61. Uliassi, Italy
- 62. Nihonryori Ryugin, Japan
- 63. Florilège, Japan
- 64. The Ledbury, UK
- 65. Selfie, Russia
- 66. Core by Clare Smyth, UK
- 67. Astrid Y Gastón, Peru
- 68. Fävikin, Sweden
- 69. Nahm, Thailand
- 70. Saison, US
- 71. Singlethread, US
- 72. Aqua, Germany
- 73. Maní, Brazil
- 74. Lasai, Brazil
- 75. Diverxo, Spain
- 76. Momofuku Ko, US
- 77. Chef’s Table at Brooklyn Fare, US
- 78. Lido 84, Italy
- 79. Mingles, South Korea
- 80. Estela, US
- 81. Quique Dacosta, Spain
- 82. Enigma, Spain
- 83. Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, UK
- 84. Attica, Australia
- 85. Amass, Denmark
- 86. Tegui, Argentina
- 87. Martin Berasategui, Spain
- 88. Lung King Heen, China
- 89. 108, Denmark
- 90. Alo, Canada
- 91. Sushi Saito, Japan
- 92. Harvest, Russia
- 93. La Cime, Japan
- 94. Aponiente, Spain
- 95. Gaa, Thailand
- 96. Belon, China
- 97. Vendôme, Germany
- 98. Anne-Sophie Pic, France
- 99. The Jane, Belgium
- 100. Oteque, Brazile
- 101. Brae, Australia
- 102. Amber, China
- 103. Jade Dragon, China
- 104. Cococo, Russia
- 105. Kadeau, Denmark
- 106. Restaurant David Toutain, France
- 107. Il Ristorante Luca Fantin, Japan
- 108. L’Astrance, France
- 109. Alcalde, Mexico
- 110. Neolokal, Turkey
- 111. Chambre Séparée, Belgium
- 112. St John, UK
- 113. Vea, China
- 114. La Colombe, South Africa
- 115. Per Se, UK
Sheridan Randall, 19th June 2019
