Have You Been to the World's Best Restaurant? Hint: It’s in BJ

原创 Robynne Tindall theBeijinger

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It's not often that Beijing restaurants get celebrated on the global stage, so imagine our delight and surprise when we heard that our very own TRB Hutong had placed first in the world in TripAdvisor's 2019 Travelers' Choice Restaurant Awards.

TRB Hutong now reigns at the very top of TripAdvisor's fine dining category, not only ranking first in Greater China and Asia – an accolade that they secured for the first time last year – but, even more remarkably, becoming number one worldwide (up from #7 in 2018).

The restaurant beat out some pretty heavy hitters to top the global list, including three Michelin-starred El Celler de Can Roca in Spain, Daniel Boulud's eponymous Daniel in New York, and Astrid & Gaston in Peru, which appeared on last year's S.Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurant's list.

Since opening in 2012, TRB Hutong has prided itself on having some of the best service in the city

Nestled within the walls of a historic temple in a traditional Beijing alleyway just a stone's throw north of the Forbidden City, visiting TRB Hutong has always felt like an occasion, but with this new ranking the restaurant set to become a landmark in its own right.

Founded in 2012 as Temple Restaurant Beijing, the restaurant has always been praised for its elegant ambiance, gourmet food, outstanding wine list, and, above all, its attentive service. In the seven years since 2012, the TRB brand has grown with the opening of sister restaurant TRB Forbidden City (formerly TRB Bites), casual Sanlitun eatery Hulu, French bistro Merci in Chaoyang Joy City, event space TRB Copper, and TRB Catering.

TRB Hutong is tucked away in a historic Qing dynasty temple courtyard

"I’m incredibly proud of the team for rising to the challenge and earning the honor of this number one ranking," owner and founder Ignace Lecleir said in a press release sent out shortly after the announcement. "This award goes to my talented and dedicated team who have done everything in their power to leave a powerful lasting impression with every guest that walks through our door," adding, "we really have to keep our internal motivation to provide the best possible service strong and memorable."

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For anyone who has been lucky enough to visit TRB Hutong in the past or dines there in the future, that apparent dedication is likely to stick with you for years to come.