20 places to eat before you die

From steak in Argentina to sushi in Tokyo, Tina Nielsen reveals some of the most heavenly dining experiences this side of the pearly gates

Al Moro, Rome, Italy
It is said that you are not a proper Roman until you have been thrown out of Al Moro by owner Franco. It may only be a short hop from the Trevi Fountain, but this is far from a tourist trap. It serves authentic Italian fare—the spaghetti vongole is the best in Rome—and it's as popular with locals as it is with foodies. It's worth putting up with the unfriendly welcome.
Call +39 06 67 83495 for reservations.

Arzak, San Sebastián, Spain
Arzak is one of the reasons San Sebastián is the culinary capital of Spain. The three Michelin-starred restaurant is a family affair, with chef proprietor Juan Mari Arzak—credited with inventing Spain's New Cuisine—working alongside daughter Elena in the kitchen. The locally based tasting menu offers traditional Basque cuisine with a twist. Recent additions include hake with white clay, and pigeon with potato parchment.
www.arzak.info

Casa Botín, Madrid, Spain
This was Ernest Hemingway's favourite restaurant in Madrid. It opened in 1725 and is also the world's oldest, according to the Guinness Book of Records. The only thing to order here is the suckling pig, the dish that made this place, nestled by the side of Plaza Mayor. A midnight dinner is not unheard of at Casa Botín—late even by Spanish standards.
www.casabotin.com

Château Restaurant de Joël Robuchon, Tokyo, Japan
Everyone should visit at least one Robuchon restaurant once—so why not Tokyo? The city has more Michelin stars than Paris and London and Robuchon has more Michelin stars than any other chef (17). In Tokyo, his Château, decorated in 18th century style, has three. The six-course set lunch provides a perfect introduction to Robuchon's arty cuisine, but in the evening the only option is a 17-course tasting menu. It may be heavy on the wallet but it covers every foodie's dream, with lobster, caviar, scallops, foie gras and truffles all featuring on this extravagant menu.
www.joel-robuchon.com

Djemaa el Fna, Marrakesh, Morocco
In Marrakesh, the snake charmers, dried-fruit stalls and a random variety of salespeople fill the main square by day. But at dusk, the square is transformed into one, giant open-air restaurant. With the air thick with smoke from the grills, and stallholders grabbing you as you walk past, you can create your own tasting menu by hopping from stall to stall, taking in the multitude of smells, colours and flavours. Who needs a menu?

El Bulli, Roses, Spain
Ferran Adrià has inspired a whole generation of chefs with his so-called molecular gastronomy. Reservations are hard to come by: each year, over two million people apply for one of the 8,000 available covers. El Bulli, in Girona, is only open for six months of the year. The rest of the time Adrià spends in his lab. Pine-cone mousse, freeze-dried foie gras and Parmesan snow are three creations from the tasting menu, consisting of around 30 mind-blowing dishes.
www.elbulli.com

The Fat Duck, Bray, England
More than simply an eating experience, a visit to Heston Blumenthal's three-Michelin-star restaurant, in the "gastro-hub" of Bray, is a
full-on assault on the senses. The 15-course-or more-tasting menu even involves diners listening to the sound of crashing waves on an iPod to enhance the taste of the seafood. Blumenthal is one of the disciples of the Ferran Adrià school of gastronomy and his laboratory kitchen is famous for turning out all kinds of unusual treats from bacon and egg ice-cream to snail porridge. An unmissable experience for the true foodie.
www.fatduck.co.uk

Francis Mallman 1884, Mendoza, Argentina
You can eat and drink wonderfully well all over Argentina, but for a little bit of extra restaurant magic, head to Francis Mallman's 1884. You'll find it, eventually, hidden down an anonymous side street in Mendoza, capital of Argentina's principal wine region. Mallman's restaurant is also a winery, but there is more to 1884 than its Malbec. The ojo de bife (rib-eye) is a signature dish, as is the lechon (grilled suckling pig). And don't even think about leaving without sampling at least one empanada.
www.escorihuela.com.ar

The French Laundry, Yountville, California, US
Owner Thomas Keller is the only American chef to hold three Michelin stars in two restaurants (the other, Per Se, is in New York). Inspired by classic French countryside restaurants, Keller bought the French Laundry in Napa Valley in 1994 and diners are still flocking here to experience the daily changing, nine-course tasting menu. According to Keller, a great meal is not just about the food or the drink, it's an "emotional" experience.
www.frenchlaundry.com

Gambero Rosso, San Vincenzo, Italy
Regarded as the best restaurant in Italy by many foodies, Tuscan favourite Gambero Rosso requires diners to go a little off the beaten track. Self-taught celebrity chef Fulvio Pierangelini took over in 1980 and has since established himself as one of the top chefs in the country. Along the way, he's gained two Michelin stars and plenty of admirers, both within Italy and internationally. Visitors can expect plenty of seafood cooked to perfection. Pierangelini's signature dish, much imitated, is the chickpea purée with prawns.
Call +39 05 65 701 021 for reservations.

Greens Restaurant, San Francisco, US
Greens has become one of the restaurants of choice for vegetarians since opening at Fort Mason back in 1979. The seasonally changing menu is a mix of Mexican, Mediterranean and American. All produce is locally sourced and organic. Its setting, in a converted warehouse with floor-to-ceiling views of the bay and the Golden Gate Bridge, makes it truly special.
www.greensrestaurant.com

Ithaa Underwater Restaurant, Maldives
Located in the luxurious Conrad Hilton Hotel in the Maldives, Ithaa is the world's first underwater restaurant. The tasting menu offers 24 courses and the house wine is champagne. The decor may be dull, but who needs flash interiors when you can dine surrounded by coral reef, while manta rays cruise above you? The restaurant, sitting 15 feet under the sea surface, has "gimmick" written all over it, but it's an experience you won't forget.
www.hiltonworldresorts.com

La Tour d'Argent, Paris, France
This is one of the most famous landmark restaurants in France. La Tour d'Argent might have lost two of its three Michelin stars, but it remains the only place to visit for a proper blow-out. The 400-year-old restaurant has always been a hit with Hollywood stars and the stunning views over the Seine and Notre Dame keep them coming for the pressed duck signature dish. Allegedly there are more than half a million bottles of wine in the cellar.
www.latourdargent.com

Le Louis XV, Monaco, France
No restaurant listing is complete without the 15-Michelin-starred Alain Ducasse. Described as "essential" by Ducasse himself, the three-starred Le Louis XV, in Monte Carlo's Hotel de Paris, is an extraordinarily opulent place, but then Monaco doesn't do understatement. The decor is styled on 17th century Versailles—gold leaf, cornices, chandeliers and shiny lights—while the menu is packed with tempting delicacies such as Pyrenean baby lamb and truffles.
www.alain-ducasse.com

Le Quartier Français, Franschhoek, South Africa
French influence is splashed all over Franschhoek, a small, achingly pretty town in South Africa's Western Cape Province. Huguenot refugees first settled here in the 17th century, bringing viticultural and culinary techniques that have evolved into one of the country's most important gastronomic centres. Le Quartier Français is the centrepiece, offering diners a combination of French, Malay and South African cooking. Margot Jansen's ever-changing eight-course tasting menu is the one to go for—sugar-cured wildebeest being one of the highlights. Wash it all down with a good Chenin Blanc from the surrounding vineyards.
www.lequartier.co.za

Peter Luger Steakhouse, Brooklyn, US
Only true meat lovers will understand the necessity to trek across the Williamsburg Bridge to Brooklyn to sample the legendary Peter Luger Steakhouse, which hasn't changed a great deal for decades. It lacks the airs and graces of Michelin-friendly restaurants and serves up huge caveman-like slabs of prime USDA beef, but this is nonetheless excellent cooking. Don't miss the massive Porterhouse steak for two. And don't forget to bring cash, and plenty of it—Luger still doesn't accept credit cards.
www.peterluger.com

Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, London
Ramsay's signature restaurant in Chelsea continues to be a firm hit with diners, although in recent times, as he has expanded his empire in the US and Europe, Ramsay has been criticised for not devoting enough attention to this original three-Michelin-star restaurant, which has also been accused of becoming formulaic. But beyond the sniping his classic French-Anglo menu is still up there with the best and the service is impeccable.
www.gordonramsay.com

Sirocco, Bangkok, Thailand
The perfect place to catch an evening breeze, Sirocco is located on the 63rd floor of the State Tower Building in Bangkok and is completely open air, one end jutting out over the side of the building. The spectacular views across the city are just one reason people come here to dine al fresco. The Mediterranean cuisine is excellent and there is live music every night. Due to the popularity, door policy has been tightened, so you are well advised to ignore the heat and dress up for your visit.
www.thedomebkk.com

Tetsuya's, Sydney, Australia
Tetsuya's is built on Japanese principles of fresh and seasonal produce, but uses classic French techniques. Owner Tetsuya Wakuda started out as a sushi chef and it shows in the degustation menu, which includes tartare of tuna with fresh wasabi, fillet of beef and the signature dish: confit of ocean trout with roe. Wine is served by the glass to match the individual dishes.
www.tetsuyas.com

Tsukiji Fish Market, Tokyo, Japan
If it is in the sea, you'll also find it in the world's largest wholesale fish market, also known as Tokyo's kitchen. Tsukiji handles more than 450 kinds of seafood, ranging from tiny sardines to tuna weighing hundreds of kilos. Every year 700,000 tonnes of fish are traded here. Turn up at daybreak and watch the traders setting up from one of the many sushi bars. Get yourself a block of fresh tuna and a bowl of wasabi accompanied by a bottle of Asahi beer. Breakfast doesn't get much better than that.
www.tsukiji-market.or.jp