Foodies, hold onto your forks—Maido in Lima has just been crowned the World’s Best Restaurant of 2025 at the glittering World’s 50 Best Restaurants awards ceremony in Turin, Italy. Picture it: a who’s-who of the culinary universe, from global megastar chefs to restless gastro-journalists like yours truly, all gathered in the birthplace of vermouth to celebrate one thing—the restaurants that make us fall in love with food over and over again.
Nikkei Excellence, Peru’s Crown
So, why Maido? Chef Mitsuharu ‘Micha’ Tsumura, the culinary mind behind Maido, has mastered the art and science of storytelling on a plate. Maido isn’t just a place to dine; it’s a cultural harmony where Peru meets Japan in the most subtle fusion imaginable, blending centuries-old Nikkei traditions with the gentle boldness of Latin American flavours.
Think umami paired with hot tangos of citrus, all plated up with surgical precision. This accolade might feel inevitable given Maido’s previous rankings, it was number 5 in 2024, but climbing to the top is never easy. In a room full of titans, Maido sliced through the global competition with all the finesse of a master sushi chef.
Other highlights from the evening?
Spain’s flame-licked Asador Etxebarri sizzled into second place, while Bangkok’s rule-bending Gaggan kept Asia burning bright at number 6. Mexico City’s Quintonil reached the podium at number 3, proving North America has its culinary swagger.
For Maido, it isn’t just a win; it’s a love letter to Peru’s rich, multi-layered culture, served course by memorable course. Micha’s restaurant reminds us why dining out is more than just dinner. It’s theatre, art, and soul all wrapped in one. Bravo, Maido. The crown fits perfectly.
Indian Cuisine’s Global Ascent
It’s been a rollercoaster year for Indian restaurants on the global stage, with triumphs and tumbles that left me cheering and furrowing my brow. Let’s start with the stunner: Dubai’s Trèsind Studio, helmed by the ever-inventive Himanshu Saini.
Earlier this year, it became the first Indian restaurant to snag a coveted three Michelin stars (cue the fireworks!), yet bizarrely dropped from number 13 to 27 on the World’s 50 Best list. A mystery, really, but the silver lining? It still nabbed the title of the Middle East’s Best Restaurant. It is a small consolation, perhaps, but deserved nonetheless for its unforgettable 20-seater experience that feels like stepping into the heart of Saini’s imagination.
Meanwhile, over in Bangkok, ‘Gaggan’ continued its rebellious streak. Chef Gaggan Anand (culinary bad boy, plate-licking advocate, and a hero for many) vaulted his restaurant from number 9 to 6 on the list. It also claimed the crown as ‘Asia’s Best Restaurant,’ proving once again that playing with your food can be cheeky and profound. Progressive Indian cuisine colliding with French, Thai, and Japanese influences? It’s not a restaurant; it’s performance art with a masala twist.
Back home in India, Mumbai’s ‘Masque’ also got its share of the spotlight, sneaking onto the extended Top 100 at number 68. Aditi Dugar and chef Varun Totlani continue their ascent, with Masque resting comfortably at number 19 on Asia’s 50 Best. Indian cuisine is still roaring globally, mixing tradition with ambition—just how we like it.
Celebrating Culinary Trailblazers 2025
The World’s 50 Best Restaurants never just stops at ranking—it dishes out individual awards to celebrate the visionaries shaping hospitality’s future. This year, the spotlight sparkled on Bangkok’s ‘Potong’, with chef Pichaya ‘Pam’ Soontornyanakij earning the ‘Best Female Chef’ title while the restaurant snagged the ‘Highest New Entry Award’.
Not to be outdone, chef Mindy Woods from Byron Bay stole hearts and headlines with the 2025 ‘Champions of Change’ award, thanks to her community-driven initiatives. Across the pond, London’s ‘Ikoyi’ defied gravity to snatch the ‘Highest Climber Award’, scaling the ranks like a rocket fuelled by bold African-inspired flavours.
Cartagena’s ‘Celele’ scooped the ‘Sustainable Restaurant Award’ to prove that eco-consciousness and culinary brilliance coexist. At the same time, Paris’s Maxime Frederic won ‘Best Pastry Chef’ for edible couture desserts. As for the buzz? All eyes are now on Cairo’s ‘Khufu’s’, this year’s ‘Resy One To Watch’—an Egyptian gem poised to dazzle in 2026.
At A Glance
- Maido, Lima: Crowned The World’s Best Restaurant 2025, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna.
- Global Spread: The 2025 list spans 22 territories and five continents, featuring 10 new entries.
- Asia Shines: 14 restaurants from Bangkok, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Seoul make the top 50.
- Asian Excellence: Gaggan named Asia’s Best Restaurant 2025.
- Potong, Bangkok: Earns Highest New Entry Award.
- Wing, Hong Kong: Wins Gin Mare Art of Hospitality Award.
