The 6 Best Restaurants in America

Spain's El Celler de Can Roca has been named the top eatery in the world, knocking former heavyweight Noma in Copenhagen to the third spot on the World's 50 Best Restaurants list, the New York Times reports. Though 15 US restaurants were named among the top 100, just six managed to make the top 50.

• No. 5. Eleven Madison Park, NYC: The restaurant's dishes are described as "playful and often interactive" with a distinct New York style.
• No. 18. Le Bernardin, NYC: "Its fish cookery is the stuff of renown, combining the technical brilliance of Japanese handling and butchery with classical French flair on the stoves," judges say.
• No. 26. Alinea, Chicago: You can dine on an edible helium balloon at this "slick, moody" place from Grant Achatz.
• No. 40. Per Se, NYC: On the top 50 list since it opened in 2004, Per Se offers nine-course tasting menus and floor-to-ceiling views of Central Park.
• No. 49. Blue Hill at Stone Barns, Pocantico Hills, NY: Chef Dan Barber uses bounty from the surrounding farm and even experiments with cross-pollinated plants.
• No. 50. The French Laundry, Yountville, Calif.: Vegetables come from the kitchen's own garden, and no ingredient is ever repeated on the menu.

The list's unveiling ceremony will move from London to New York City next year. Click for the full list. (More restaurants stories.)