By Marie-Antoinette Issa.
Inca trails, alpacas and the overwhelmingly colourful chaos of its local market have long been Lima’s legacy. While this South American stunner continues to dazzle travellers with its cultural treasures, foodies have just received another reason to book their ticket to the Land of the Andes - and this one’s served on a plate.
Maido, a Lima-based dining destination that’s been quietly yet consciously making waves for more than 15 years, was recently crowned The World’s Best Restaurant 2025 by the prestigious World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards - which means that Peru is now officially home to the best dining experience on the planet.
So, what makes Maido so worthy of this global gastronomic glory?
Run by Chef-owner Mitsuharu ‘Micha’ Tsumura, Maido is a masterclass in Nikkei cuisine - an inventive blend of Japanese precision and Peruvian produce. From the moment you’re greeted with a cheerful ‘Maido!’ (a Japanese welcome), you know you’re in for something special.
The restaurant’s 10+ course tasting menu is a cultural conversation on a plate - think miso-marinated Amazonian fish, Wagyu with Peruvian corn, or sea urchin tamago with aji amarillo. It's culinary fusion done right - with heart, heritage and headline-making flavour.
This year’s awards were held in Turin, Italy, with Chefs, Sommeliers and food-world heavyweights from across five continents in attendance. The 2025 list saw restaurants from 22 territories earn a spot in the coveted top 50, with 10 exciting new entries joining the global food elite.
Following Maido in the top three were: Asador Etxebarri (Atxondo, Spain) at No.2 and Quintonil (Mexico City) at No.3 - both renowned for their fire-kissed and flavour-packed menus.
Other major wins of the night included Potong in Bangkok - which nabbed the Highest New Entry Award at No.13, while Ikoyi in London earned the Highest Climber Award, rising 27 places to No.15.
From Paris, Maxime Frederic was crowned The World’s Best Pastry Chef, bringing haute couture finesse to dessert plates at Cheval Blanc Paris. Meanwhile, Spain’s Mohamed Benabdallah of Asador Etxebarri was named The World’s Best Sommelier, praised for pairing wines with simple perfection.
It wasn’t all fine dining and foie gras - sustainability had its moment too. Celele in Cartagena, ranked No.48, won the Sustainable Restaurant Award thanks to its commitment to local, seasonal and wild ingredients sourced from Colombia’s Caribbean coast.
While, closer to home, Australia’s own Mindy Woods was recognised as a Champion of Change for her incredible work with Karkalla On Country - an immersive dining experience that connects guests with Bundjalung culture and Indigenous ingredients. A proud moment for Aussie food lovers.
As for Maido, it wasn’t just the flavours that impressed. It’s the way Chef Micha has stayed true to his culinary roots while evolving the Nikkei tradition in exciting new ways. More than a meal, a visit to Maido is a masterclass in cross-cultural creativity - and now, officially, the best restaurant experience on Earth.
So, if you’re hungry for adventure (and ceviche), it might be time to add Lima to your foodie bucket list. Maidon has put Peru on the menu once again!
For the full list of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025 visit www.theworlds50best.com.
