Hit the Spot: Get a table at the world’s best restaurants

What: El Bulli chef Ferran Adrià’s new tapas bars opened this year.

Bookings open: Daily – a new day will be available in three months.

Increase your chances: Stay up late as the online-only reservations refresh at 00.01. Check the football listings too, as the restaurant gets the most cancellations on a Barça-Madrid match day, or just take a seat at the bar and take your chances.

Best table: At or near the tapas bar, to see the chefs at work.

2. THE FAT DUCK

Bray, Berkshire SL6, 01628-580 333. thefatduck.co.uk

What: Heston Blumenthal’s three- Michelin star flagship restaurant.

Bookings open: Three months in advance to the day, so bookings open on 7 December for 7 March.

Increase your chances: Be flexible – 80% of guests book here for special occasions on a fixed date so weekday bookings are easiest. Tables of two are gold dust so go in groups of four or six.

Best table: All of the 14 tables are identical so your focus is on the food.

3. NOMA

Copenhagen, Denmark, 00 45-3296 3297, noma.dk

What: The two Michelin-starred restaurant, run by chef René Redzepi, has now secured the top spot on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list two years in a row (when the restaurant first won the title in 2010, they received 100,000 new booking requests overnight).

Bookings open: Three months ahead of the date you want to go, with lines opening at 10am Danish time (9am GMT).

Increase your chances: Book en masse. The Staff Room (private dining space) seats up to 15 people (but can be booked for as many or few as you like), and has reservations only a week in advance.

Best table: If in the main dining room, ask for a table with a view of Nyhavn (the waterfront social hub of Copenhagen).

4. THE FRENCH LAUNDRY

Yountville, California, 001-707 944 2380, frenchlaundry.com

What: Three-Michelin-star molecular gastronomy from Thomas Keller – America’s answer to Heston.

Bookings open: It takes a minimum of two months to bag a table, but you can book up to a year in advance.

Increase your chances: Eating Friday lunch or plan your trip for late January and early February when there is less tourist traffic.

Best table: Alcove or window-view.

5. HIBISCUS

London W1, 020-7629 2999, hibiscusrestaurant.co.uk

What: Claude Bosi’s Mayfair address is one of four UK restaurants in San Pellegrino World’s 50 Best for 2011.

Bookings open: A month in advance; telephone (from 10am) or book online.

Increase your chances: Calling 6pm the night you want to go. This is prime cancellation time. Go for the 9.15pm second sitting after the businessmen have finished their early dinners.

Best table: Snug corner table number five for two or four people.