Compiled annually by US based Elite Traveler Magazine and Laurent-Perrier Champagne, the list bases the rankings on actual customer experiences assessing everything from the quality of food to surroundings and service. The UK's top restaurant was Heston Blumenthal's Fat Duck at Bray which finished second overall, while The Ledbury in London's Notting Hill was ranked 10th worldwide, up six places from last year. Ledbury's head chef Brett Graham was delighted with making the top 10: "I hope it's a reflection of how we look after our customers and also the quality of our product. We have a great, energetic young team who love what they do and I think that passion comes through." Following The Ledbury was Le Manoir (24), Restaurant Gordon Ramsay (33), Alain Ducasse at the Dorchester (41), Dinner by Heston Blumenthal (44), Restaurant Andrew Fairlie at Gleneagles (62), Amaya (64), Le Gavroche (65), Marcus Wareing at the Berkley (69), Zuma (72), River Café (88), The Waterside Inn (92) and Nobu London (93). Dinner by Heston Blumenthal at the Mandarin Oriental in Hyde Park was a new British entry into the guide. The concept of reworking historical British recipes from as far back as the 14th Century helped the restaurant win worldwide acclaim after it launched in January 2011. In addition Ireland also saw its first restaurant make the list with restaurant Patrick Guilbaud in Dublin entering at number 80. Food critic Andy Hayler said it was great to see Britain getting the culinary kudos it deserves: "What I like about this list is that it is based on the opinions of paying customers, ones who eat out regularly on a global basis. The UK is now clearly one of the top global food destinations. Restaurants such as The Ledbury deserve the international recognition they are getting." Topping the list for the second year in a row was Chicago's Alinea spearheaded by chef/owner Grant Achatz. To see the top 100 list in full visit: www.elitetraveler.com/category/top-100-restaurants-in-the-world/