The South American restaurant just crowned best in the world for 2025

A couple of weeks after announcing their annual list of the world’s 51-100 best restaurants, the much-anticipated guide to the best of the best has landed.  

World’s 50 Best announced their winners at a ceremony in Turin last night, and Maido, a restaurant in Lima, Peru, was named the best restaurant on the planet. 

It’s the 23rd edition of the awards, and restaurants from 32 cities across 22 different countries made the ranking, including 10 new entries. So, what’s Maido doing that makes it better than all those brilliant spots? 

The restaurant takes its name from a Japanese phrase used by people to greet each other: ‘maido’, and is run by chef Mitsuharu ‘Micha’ Tsumura, the son of Japanese immigrants who formally trained in the US. 

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He then spent time in Osaka mastering the techniques now utilised at this place, and it’s resulted in a dazzling blend of Peruvian Amazon flavours cooked with Japanese methods. Think a miniature jaune parcel of pork jowl and palm heart, or yucca served up with Amazonian beans. 

‘I can’t describe it in words really. It’s a mix of feelings… All the hard work, all the difficult moments, making people understand what we were doing, and now seeing what we’ve done with Nikkei cuisine and Peruvian cuisine… with hospitality. Making people happy has always been what I’ve loved doing,’ said Tsumura, after the win.

‘I think the most beautiful act of love is to cook for somebody. It’s the most beautiful thing that has happened in my life. It’s been 11 years [being ranked on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants] and it’s a dream come true.’

Three other restaurants in Lima made the World’s 50 Best list – Kjolle, Mérito and Mayta. Read on for all of the outstanding inclusions for 2025. 

These are officially the world’s 50 best restaurants

1. Maido, Lima, Peru
2. Asador Etxebarri, Atxondo, Spain
3. Quintonil, Mexico City, Mexico
4. Diverxo, Madrid, Spain
5. Alchemist, Copenhagen, Denmark
6. Gaggan, Bangkok, Thailand
7. Sézanne, Tokyo, Japan
8. Table by Bruno Verjus, Paris, France
9. Kjolle, Lima, Peru
10. Don Julio, Buenos Aires, Argentina
11. Wing, Hong Kong, China
12. Atomix, New York, United States
13. Potong, Bangkok, Thailand
14. Plénitude, Paris, France
15. Ikoyi, London, United Kingdom
16. Lido 84, Gardone Riviera, Italy
17. Sorn, Bangkok, Thailand
18. Reale, Castel di Sangro, Italy
19. The Chairman, Hong Kong, China
20. Atelier Moessmer Norbert Niederkofler, Brunico, Italy
21. Narisawa, Tokyo, Japan
22. Sühring, Bangkok, Thailand
23. Boragó, Santiago, Chile
24. Elkano, Getaria, Spain
25. Odette, Singapore, Singapore
26. Mérito, Lima, Peru
27. Trèsind Studio, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
28. Lasai, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
29. Mingles, Seoul, South Korea
30. Le Du, Bangkok, Thailand
31. Le Calandre, Rubano, Italy
32. Piazza Duomo, Alba, Italy
33. Steirereck, Vienna, Austria
34. Enigma, Barcelona, Spain
35. Nusara, Bangkok, Thailand
36. Florilège, Tokyo, Japan
37. Orfali Bros, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
38. Frantzén, Stockholm, Sweden
39. Mayta, Lima, Peru
40. Septime, Paris, France
41. Kadeau, Copenhagen, Denmark
42. Belcanto, Lisbon, Portugal
43. Uliassi, Senigallia, Italy
44. La Cime, Osaka, Japan
45. Arpège, Paris, France
46. Rosetta, Mexico City, Mexico
47. Vyn, Skillinge, Sweden
48. Celele, Cartagena, Colombia
49. Kol, London, United Kingdom
50. Jan, Munich, Germany

Read more about the top 50 celebrated restaurants on the World’s 50 Best website here. 

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