Legendary Lima restaurant Maido has reclaimed the number one position on the list of Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants 2023, sponsored by S.Pellegrino and Acqua Panna at an award ceremony held at the Copacabana Palace in Rio de Janeiro.
Previously crowned the best restaurant in Latin America three times between 2017 and 2019, chef Mitsuharu 'Micha' Tsumura's legendary Maido returned to the top of the list for its exceptional fusion of Japanese and Peruvian culinary traditions.
Another of Lima’s world renowned restaurants, Central, number one in Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants 2022, was ineligible for voting, as the restaurant is currently number one on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list and therefore will be accepted into the Best of the Best hall of fame, taking it out of the process for voting at global and regional levels.
This year’s version of the awards included restaurants from 23 destinations across the continent, an increase of two from last year. A Casa do Porco, at number four, is The Best Restaurant in Brazil 2023, while Fauna, in Valle de Guadalupe, at number five was named The Best Restaurant in Mexico 2023. At number two, El Chato, in Bogotá attained the highest-ever ranking for a Colombian restaurant.
In addition to the individual awards handed out in the run-up to the ceremony, other prizes were meted out on the night including Latin America's Best Pastry Chef, won by Maribel Aldaco of Fauna. Latin America's Best Sommelier 2023 award was presented to Florencia Rey of Maido, while Mario Castrellón of Maito, in Panama City won the Estrella Damm Chefs' Choice Award. Chef Manoella 'Manu' Buffara's eponymous restaurant in Curitiba, Brazil was awarded the Flor de Caña Sustainable Restaurant title.
See the full list of Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants below.
Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants 2023: the full list
1. Maido, Lima (Peru)
2. El Chato, Bogotá (Colombia)
3. Don Julio, Buenos Aires (Argentina)
4. A Casa do Porco, São Paulo (Brazil)
5. Fauna, Valle de Guadalupe (Mexico)
6. Maito, Panama City (Panama)
7. Kjolle, Lima (Peru)
8. Leo, Bogotá (Colombia)
9. Boragó, Santiago (Chile)
10. Mayta, Lima (Peru)
11. Nuema, Quito (Ecuador)
12. Quintonil, Mexico City (Mexico)
13. Mérito, Lima (Peru)
14. Lasai, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)
15. Pujol, Mexico City (Mexico)
16. Celele, Cartagena (Colombia)
17. El Preferido de Palermo, Buenos Aires (Argentina)
18. Metzi, São Paulo (Brazil)
19. Villa Torél, Ensenada (Mexico)
20. Oteque, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)
21. Nelita, São Paulo (Brazil)
22 Evvai, São Paulo (Brazil)
23. Gustu, La Paz (Bolivia)
24. Sublime, Guatemala City (Guatemala)
25. Cantina del Tigre, Panama City (Panama)
26. Gran Dabbang, Buenos Aires (Argentina)
27. X.O., Medellín (Colombia)
28. Arca, Tulum (Mexico)
29. Pangea, Monterrey (Mexico)
30. Julia, Buenos Aires (Argentina)
31. Sud 777, Mexico City (Mexico)
32. Mishiguene, Buenos Aires (Argentina)
33. Osso, Lima (Peru)
34. Maní, São Paulo (Brazil)
35. Manu, Curitiba (Brazil)
36. Rosetta, Mexico City (Mexico)
37. Alcalde, Guadalajara (Mexico)
38. Alo's, Buenos Aires (Argentina)
39. Mil, Moray (Peru)
40. Le Chique, Cancún (Mexico)
41. Crizia, Buenos Aires (Argentina)
42. La Mar, Lima (Peru)
43. Niño Gordo, Buenos Aires (Argentina)
44. Humo Negro, Bogotá (Colombia)
45. Parador La Huella, José Ignacio (Uruguay)
46. Rafael, Lima (Peru)
47. Sikwa, San José (Costa Rica)
48. La Docena (Polanco), Mexico City (Mexico)
49. Mercado 24, Guatemala City (Guatemala)
50. Cosme, Lima (Peru)
