The three Michelin-starred restaurant, led by chef Rasmus Kofoed and sommelier Søren Ledet, was also named The Best Restaurant in Europe 2022 at the ceremony last night, which marked the 20th year of the prestigious global gastronomic ranking.
Jeremy Chan and Iré Hassan-Odukale's seminal central London restaurant Ikoyi, which was named as the American Express One To Watch 2021 and featured on The World's 50 Best longlist (51-100) last year at number 87, entered the 50 Best list for the first time this year, coming in at number 49.
It was one of two UK restaurants - both hailing from London - to feature on the list, the other being 50 Best stalwart The Clove Club, which ranked at number 35.
Sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna, The World's 50 Best Restaurants Awards 2022 list has restaurants from 24 territories in five continents worldwide.
Chefs Virgilio Martínez and Pía León’s flagship Lima restaurant Central climbed two places from last year to take the number two spot, with Disfrutar in Barcelona also moving up the list from number five to number three.
"We are delighted to announce the list of The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2022 and to celebrate Geranium as the new number one," says William Drew, director of content for The World's 50 Best Restaurants.
"Rasmus Kofoed, Søren Ledet and their team have created an unforgettable dining experience, taking seasonal cooking to superlative heights and delivering precise, beautiful and elegant food that combines art and flavour alongside a ground-breaking drinks programme. Geranium has cemented its status as a global culinary destination and a much-deserved winner of the coveted title, The World's Best Restaurant 2022, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna.
"It is also very exciting to recognise this diverse list of restaurants and see this vibrant culinary community coming together to celebrate in London."
As well as revealing the new World's 50 Best Restaurants list, the evening also celebrated those honoured with pre-announced special awards.
These included the Champions of Change winners Dieuveil Malonga, Koh Seng Choon and duo Olia Hercules and Alissa Timoshkina; Leonor Espinosa, winner of The World's Best Female Chef Award, sponsored by Nude Glass; social entrepreneur Wawira Njiru, winner of the Icon Award; and Marseille restaurant AM par Alexandre Mazzia, winner of the American Express One To Watch Award.
Launched in 2002, the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list is created from the votes of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy, comprising over 1,000 international restaurant industry experts. The academy is split into 26 separate regions around the world. Each region has its own voting panel of 40 members including a chairperson to head it up.