2025 world’s best restaurant revealed — and it’s in Lima

International

LIMA has captured the culinary world’s attention as Maido has been named the best restaurant in the world for 2025.

The announcement came during a ceremony held Thursday night (local time) in Turin, Italy, where the latest edition of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants was revealed, a report by CNN stated.

Maido, helmed by chef Mitsuharu “Micha” Tsumura, rose from fifth place in 2024 to claim the top position. The restaurant is known for its mastery of Nikkei cuisine, a culinary style that fuses Japanese techniques with native Peruvian ingredients.

The World’s 50 Best described Maido’s approach as one that blends precision and tradition with innovation, offering a seasonal menu that reflects both cultural depth and modern creativity.

During the ceremony, Tsumura reflected on the restaurant’s evolution, noting that Maido will soon mark 16 years and emphasized his belief in gastronomy’s power to transform lives.

Kjolle, another restaurant in Lima, ranked ninth this year, joining Maido in highlighting the city’s growing international culinary influence. Two more Lima-based establishments also made the top 50: Mérito at number 26 and Mayta at number 39.

Taking second place on the list was Asador Etxebarri in Atxondo, Spain, a restaurant known for its wood-fired techniques and ingredient-driven philosophy. Third place went to Quintonil in Mexico City, while Diverxo in Madrid and Alchemist in Copenhagen rounded out the top five.

Asia also made a strong showing. Bangkok led the region with six entries in the top 50. Gaggan ranked highest among them at number six. Potong, a Bangkok newcomer, made its debut at number 13.

Opened in 2021 by chef Pichaya “Pam” Soontornyanakij, Potong is located in a restored five-story building in Chinatown that once served as her family’s herbal medicine shop. The restaurant’s Thai-Chinese tasting menu has quickly earned it both a Michelin star and a global following.

Tokyo’s Sézanne was ranked seventh, followed by Table by Bruno Verjus in Paris at number eight. Don Julio in Buenos Aires maintained its number ten spot for another year, reinforcing its steady excellence in South America’s dining scene.

New York’s Atomix was the only restaurant in the United States to make the list, coming in at number 12. It was also recently recognized with the Outstanding Hospitality award at the James Beard Awards, a reflection of its consistent service standards alongside its modern Korean tasting menu.

London’s Ikoyi was this year’s highest climber, jumping 27 places to land at number 15. Known for its bold, category-defying cuisine inspired by West African ingredients, the restaurant has expanded its profile since winning the One to Watch award in 2021. Now located on

The Strand continues to push boundaries with dishes like smoked jollof rice that blend cultural influences and inventive techniques.

The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list is compiled annually by the World’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy, a panel of more than 1,100 chefs, restaurateurs, and food writers from 28 regions around the world. A restaurant can only win the top ranking once. Afterward, it joins the Best of the Best category, a hall of fame that includes former winners such as Noma and Geranium in Copenhagen, Eleven Madison Park in New York, The Fat Duck in England, Osteria Francescana in Modena, Mirazur in France, and Central in Lima. Disfrutar in Barcelona, which topped the list in 2024, has now joined that group.

Here are the top 15 restaurants on the 2025 list:

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)