Lima, Peru-based Maido has earned the No. 1 spot atop the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025 list. The illustrious fine-dining restaurant, which serves up Nikkei cuisine — a fusion of Japanese precision with vibrant Peruvian ingredients — was given the award at a ceremony in Turin, Italy, on Thursday night.
Peruvian Gastronomy
It is the luxury of luxuries. Peruvian cuisine has experienced a great boom in recent years, being recognized as one of the most varied and richest in the world. Its fusion of pre-Hispanic, European, African and Asian flavors has been the result of a culinary crossbreeding developed over centuries.
This cuisine has won mentions and awards around the world as the best culinary destination and numerous international awards to different restaurants in the area. The latest to be mentioned has been Central named The World’s Best Restaurant 2023, number one on the list of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2023. And this year, none other than Maido
Maido becomes World’s Best Restaurant 2025
Chef-owner Mitsuharu “Micha” Tsumura’s famed restaurant serves an evolving tasting menu of more than 10 courses. The establishment rose from fifth place on last year’s to claim the top spot at Thursday’s ceremony.
The Lima eatery, which takes its name from a Japanese phrase used to greet people, according to a press release, was followed in this year’s ranking by No. 2 Asador Etxebarri in Atxondo, Spain, and No. 3 Quintonil in Mexico City as mentioned ABC News
Maido took up the reins this year from 2024 winner Disfrutar in Barcelona, which now enjoys an elevated position in the Best of the Best Hall of fame.
Having the best restaurant in the world is a boost to our promotion.
As mentions T-News: In a context marked by challenges to its international image, Peru has received a positive image boost thanks to the recognition of Maído, the Lima restaurant led by chef Mitsuharu “Micha” Tsumura, as the best in the world according to the prestigious list The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025. This achievement not only celebrates the excellence of Nikkei cuisine – a fusion of Japanese and Peruvian traditions – but also positions the country as a global benchmark for culinary creativity and sophistication. Maido’s proposal, which combines Japanese techniques with native Peruvian ingredients, has won over critics and diners around the world. Each dish is a sensory narrative that reflects identity, history and evolution. This international recognition comes at a key moment, offering a powerful cultural and tourism promotion tool for the country, in the midst of political tensions and challenges due to other events and concerns that should not be mentioned at this time.
History of Maido Restaurant
Maido, a Nikkei restaurant in Lima, Peru, has a history rooted in the fusion of Japanese and Peruvian culinary traditions. Opened in 2009 by Mitsuharu “Micha” Tsumura, whose family emigrated from Japan to Peru, the restaurant has evolved from a relatively unknown establishment to a globally recognized gastronomic destination. Tsumura’s journey involved formal culinary training in the US and extensive experience in Japan, specifically Osaka, before returning to Lima to pursue his vision.
More from Maido Restaurant
Maido, the Lima restaurant led by chef Mitsuharu “Micha” Tsumura, has been crowned the best restaurant in the world in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025, whose ceremony has just concluded in Turin, Italy. This recognition marks a milestone for Peruvian and Latin American cuisine. Maido, known for its Nikkei cuisine -a fusion of Japanese techniques with Peruvian ingredients- has climbed year after year to reach the top. Its tasting menu, which includes dishes such as snails in sillao sauce and squid ramen with Amazonian chorizo with Peruvian identity, has conquered palates around the world. The top 10 also includes other references such as Etxebarri (Spain), Table by Bruno Verjus (France), DiverXO (Spain), Alchemist (Denmark), Gaggan (Thailand), Sezanne (Japan), Kjolle (Peru) and Don Julio (Argentina). This is the first time Maido has reached the No. 1 spot in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants. However, its rise has been steady in recent years: in 2023 it was the best restaurant in Latin America and ranked sixth worldwide, and in 2024 it climbed to fifth place. In the same award, Kjolle appeared in 9th place, Mérito in 26th place and Mayta in 39th place.
This time the award was a final between the best restaurant in South America: Maido, and the best restaurant in Europe, Asador Etxebarri. After that award it was said that one of the two would be the best in the world, and it turned out to be the Peruvian Maido. Congratulations to the whole family of this iconic restaurant, and to each and every one of them.
It is important to mention that many tourists choose to travel to Peru just to taste its wonderful food.
