Maido, also in Lima, Peru, was voted the highest honor as the World’s Best Restaurant for 2025. It has pushed down to second the titleholder of 2024, Disfrutar in Barcelona. The winners’ announcement came during a glitzy international ceremony, dubbed the Nobel Prize for transportation, in Turin, Italy, on Thursday evening. Maido is famous for its innovative approach to incorporating Nikkei cuisine. This unique combination of Japanese technique and lively Peruvian ingredients has impressed food luminaries around the globe.
The list is a snapshot of our ever-changing culinary scene. It is the result of the votes of 1,120 culinary professionals, including chefs, food journalists and gastronomy enthusiasts from all over the world. Trailing Maido on the list was Asador Etxebarri in Atxondo, Spain, which once again took second place. At the same time, Le Bernardin, the famed New York seafood restaurant, ranked third.
The biggest jump this year’s rankings was for Atomix, a two-Michelin-starred Korean restaurant. The restaurant is artfully run by the dynamic husband-and-wife team, JungHyun Park and Ellia Park. While it was an improvement on fifth place to take a leading role, it did not make it all the way to first place. Atomix, which had placed No. 12 last year.
Other high-profile returns include Atelier Crenn in San Francisco, which we were glad to see back on the list at No. 80. And Quintonil in Mexico City hit the top-10 too, coming in at No. 3 with Le Bernardin. Pujol, arguably the most famous restaurant in Mexico City, ranked 41st. SingleThread in Healdsburg, California, which notably took home the No. 20 position on the World’s 50 Best list. Meantime, César in New York had an impressive first appearance at No. 98.
Along with these High 50 rankings, Potong in Bangkok won the award for Highest New Entry at No. 96. Ikoyi in London received the Highest Climber Award after climbing an astounding 27 spots from last year’s ranking to its current position.
The intimate ceremony also celebrated chef Massimo Bottura and his partner Lara Gilmore, recipients of the Woodford Reserve Icon Award. It’s their visionary work and social impact through Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy, that truly distinguishes them.
“Nikkei cuisine — a fusion of Japanese precision with vibrant Peruvian ingredients.” – Good Morning America
