Maido from Lima named the best restaurant in the world in 2025

Breaking foodie news! The latest edition of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants has been announced and, yes indeed: Maido in Lima, Peru, has been named the best restaurant in the world. Chef Mitsuharu ‘Micha’ Tsumura is not only putting Nikkei cuisine on the world map, but also showing that Latin America is at the absolute culinary top.

About 50 Best

For those unfamiliar with it: The World’s 50 Best Restaurants is the ultimate international benchmark for fine dining. Every year, a jury of top chefs, critics and culinary insiders selects the crème de la crème of the world. Besides restaurants, they also publish lists for the best bars, hotels and emerging talent. Think: the Oscars of gastronomy.

Nikkei cuisine at world-class level

Maido means something like ‘Welcome!’ in Japanese – and you immediately feel that welcoming vibe when you step into the restaurant. But make no mistake: this is no feel-good café, but next-level fine dining where Japanese techniques and Peruvian ingredients merge into an explosion of flavours; Nikkei cuisine at its best!

Chef Tsumura – born in Lima and trained in Osaka – mixes everything from squid ramen with Amazonian chorizo to caracoles al sillao (sea snails in soy sauce) in his tasting menus. Sounds exciting? It is. And we haven’t even mentioned their iconic dish The Triple (avocado, egg, tomato, roasted pork belly = yes please!).

15 years of Maido = 15 years of innovation

What began in 2009 as a culinary fusion between two worlds has grown into a world-class restaurant over 15 years. Maido has already been named Latin America’s Best Restaurant four times since being listed in 2013, and in 2024 it received the title of Best Restaurant in South America. Micha Tsumura himself was honoured by his peers with the Estrella Damm Chefs’ Choice Award 2024. And now, in 2025, Maido has reached the absolute pinnacle: it has been named The World’s Best Restaurant, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna.

The secret? The Amazon

Maido doesn’t just surprise with sushi and ceviche; the restaurant is increasingly inspired by ingredients and traditions from the vast Peruvian Amazon region. Think snacks made with sustainable paiche (a kind of giant river fish), cassava with Amazonian beans and a mini parcel with pork cheek and palm heart. Yes, you read that right. And yes, it tastes absolutely fantastic. That’s what I’ve heard, but ideally I’d catch the next plane to Peru right now to experience it for myself.

Even more restaurants from Lima on the list

Then I’ll immediately visit another top establishment from Lima: Kjolle. It ranks 9th on the list this year. Restaurant Mérito, yes: also in Lima, is in 26th place. And in 39th place is Mayta from Lima. And of course I’d also go (just imagining that money is no object) to the winner of 2023, restaurant Central in Lima, Peru.

Dutch representation in the 50 Best?

Unfortunately, no Dutch restaurant made the top 100. De Librije was still in 46th place in 2019, but it is not on the list now. The Jane (Antwerp), where Dutch chef Nick Bril ran the kitchen, has also disappeared from the list after the restaurant recently closed.

The new top 5 of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025

1. Maido, Lima
2. Asador Etxebarri, Atxondo (Basque Country)
3. Quintonil, Mexico City
4. DiverXO, Madrid
5. Alchemist, Copenhagen

Below you’ll find a complete overview of the top 100 best restaurants in the world. Perfect for planning your next holiday around.

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