Each year, a group of anonymous experts pull together their list of the best 50 restaurants in Latin America. We took a look at the results to bring you the Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants 2022 and give you our scoop on which ones to try while in South America, and which are the restaurants in South America with the best wine lists.
No. 1 – CENTRAL, Lima, Peru
Led by married chefs, Pia León and Virgilio Martínez, Central is a true Peruvian experience. The team at Central in collaboration with Mater Iniciativa, their R&D center, are constantly searching for new and unique produce from their home country. Central was named no. 1 in the Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants list for three consecutive years, from 2014 to 2016.
Amanda’s Side Note: As well as the search for the ultimate native cuisine, Central’s sommelier team is always on a mission to bring the best wines from Peru and South America to the table. Head Sommelier Diego Vásquez Luque works closely with many wineries in Peru to create special wines and fortified wines for the list, which makes this an especially great experience in terms of wine pairing too.
No. 2 – DON JULIO, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Traditional parrilla serving grass-fed beef raised in the countryside in Buenos Aires and a wide range of top-quality Argentine wines. Some of its typical dishes include cuts such as bife de cuadril and entraña, cheese empanadas, and its artisanal charcuterie. Don Julio was awarded the Best Restaurant in Latin America in December 2020.
Amanda’s Side Note: Don Julio has always been a real classic in Buenos Aires. No frills, but done to perfection. The owner Pablo Rivero is also a sommelier, so the wine list has always been top notch (with a steak wine focus!) Special bottles consumed previously and signed by the imbibers line the walls to show what’s been drunk before, and lure you into opening one that will grace the wall of fame.
No. 3 – MAIDO, Lima, Peru
Fusion of two well-known cuisines, Japanese and Peruvian, and led by Chef Mitsuharu Tsumura. Customers can select between any of these three experiences: Nikkei, Nikkei with pairing, and Veggie. Maido was named The Best Restaurant in Latin America for three consecutive years, from 2017 to 2019.
No. 4 – A CASA DO PORCO, São Paulo, Brazil
A Casa do Porco is chefs’ Jefferson and Janaína Rueda idea to offer customers a culinary tour throughout Brazil by showcasing pork (and all things pork) and fire. Customers can pick between à la carte options or the ‘Da Roça para o Centro’ tasting menu. The restaurant also has an extensive drinks menu.
Amanda’s Side Note: Brazilian wine writer Jorge Lucki invited me to dinner here a few years ago and when I translated the name ‘pork house’ in my head, I wasn’t too excited as I didn’t think I was a fan of pork. Boy, I was wrong! This has been one of the most memorable dining experiences in my life. Every single course was using pork… rare pork in pork sushi and pork tartare, through to pork crackling, pork loin, pork head… every single course celebrated this underrated animal, and every single course was delicious. There was a nice line up of Brazilian wines on the list too, including some of Jefferson’s picks from his home region – Serra da Mantiqueira.
No. 5 – EL CHATO, Bogota, Colombia
Chef Álvaro Clavijo was born and raised in Colombia and decided to open El Chato in 2017 to highlight Colombian cuisine, his city and its produce. There is a single tasting menu that changes quite frequently to include the best and fresh ingredients. The chef’s philosophy is to use techniques he learned while working internationally with locally produced ingredients.
No. 6 – MAITO, Panama City, Panama
Maito is led by Chef Mario Castrellón and highlights the Panamanian culture, flavours and ingredients. The food is inspired by traditions from other cuisines in the world such as the Cantoneses and Afro and the restaurant’s vibe has a Caribbean influence. Customers can pick between à la carte options or a tasting menu that can include nine to 11 courses.
No. 7 – PUJOL, Mexico City, Mexico
Led by chefs Enrique Olvera and Jesus Durón, Pujol has been showcasing the Mexican culinary scene and traditions since the restaurant opened in 2000. Pujol has been included in both The World’s 50 Best Restaurants and Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants lists. Customers can select between the Omakase experience or the tasting menu.
No. 8 – KJOLLE, Lima, Peru
Chef Pía León proposes a multifaceted culinary experience with Kjolle (pronounced KOY-ay) where she showcases indigenous ingredients from Peru’s diverse regions: the Pacific Ocean, the Amazonian forests, and the Andes. The chef is also part of the team at Central restaurant, named Latin America’s number one restaurant in 2022. Customers can select between à la carte options or a nine-course tasting menu.
Amanda’s Side Note: This is the sister restaurant to Central, and within the same building. So you get the same access to some excellent Peruvian wine and South American wine as in Central with a more casual setting and menu. The cocktails are also a show stopper.
No. 9 – MAYTA, Lima, Peru
Mayta is led by chef Jaime Pesaque and highlights Peru’s contemporary cuisine with fresh and colorful dishes. Customers can select between wide range of à la carte options featuring fresh and local ingredients. Mayta has been included in the Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants list in 2019 and is also part of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list in 2022.
No. 10 – BORAGÓ, Santiago, Chile
Led by chef Rodolfo Guzmán, Boragó offers customers an experience with native Chilean ingredients. The team works in collaboration with more than 200 collectors and small producers throughout the country. Boragó’s tasting menu offers fresh produce from Chile’s diverse regions and dishes can even vary during the course of a single service. Boragó was also ranked no. 43 in the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list in 2022.
Amanda’s Side Note: The only Chilean restaurant to regularly appear on this list, Boragó has done a lot to try to put forage Chilean cuisine and ingredients on the map. There’s a nice wine selection for the tasting menu, but they also have a non-alcoholic pairing too with homemade juices and preparations.
No. 11 – MÉRITO, Lima, Peru
No. 12 – OTEQUE, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
No. 13 – LEO, Bogota, Colombia
No. 14 – EVVAI, Sao Paulo, Brazil
No. 15 – MISHIGUENE, Buenos Aires, Argentina
No. 16 – FAUNA, Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico
No. 17 – LE CHIQUE, Cancun, Mexico
No. 18 – VILLA TORÉL, Ensenada, Mexico
No. 19 – CELELE, Cartagena, Colombia
No. 20 – LASAI, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
No. 21 – MANÍ, Sao Paulo, Brazil
No. 22 – EL PREFERIDO DE PALERMO, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Amanda’s Side Note: This is also owned by Don Julio’s Pablo Rivero, and is just around the corner. You can expect just as many great Argentine wines and the food is a bit more ‘gourmet’ and atmosphere a bit more intimate.
No. 23 – SUD 777, Mexico City, Mexico
No. 24 – NUEMA, Quito, Peru
No. 25 – PARADOR LA HUELLA, José Ignacio, Uruguay
Amanda’s Side Note: Right on the beach in José Ignacio, this is an institution today and is crammed in the summertime with the glitterati of Punta del Este. Service can be a bit so-so, and I’m not a fan of the incense wafting throughout the meal (don’t they want people to taste the food?), but the location is hard to beat.
No. 26 – CHILA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
No. 27 – METZI, Sao Paulo, Brazil
No. 28 – MÁXIMO BISTROT, Mexico City, Mexico
No. 29 – ARCA, Tulum, Mexico
No. 30 – ASTRID Y GASTÓN, Lima, Peru
Amanda’s Side Note: The sommelier team here also do a fantastic job with recruiting interesting South American wines for their list. The restaurant itself is also in a beautiful colonial house in the heart of Lima.
No. 31 – SUBLIME, Guatemala City, Guatemala
No. 32 – RAFAEL, Lima, Peru
No. 33 – D.O.M., Sao Paulo, Brazil
No. 34 – PANGEA, Monterrey, Mexico
No. 35 – CHARCO, Sao Paulo, Brazil
No. 36 – ARAMBURU, Buenos Aires, Argentina
No. 37 – ROSETTA, Mexico City, Mexico
No. 38 – OSSO, Lima, Peru
No. 39 – NELITA, Sao Paulo, Brazil
No. 40 – ELENA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
No. 41 – ALCALDE, Guadalajara, Mexico
No. 42 – LA DOCENA, Guadalajara, Mexico
No. 43 – QUINTONIL, Mexico City, Mexico
No. 44 – MIL, Moray
No. 45 – GUSTU, La Paz, Bolivia
Amanda’s Side Note: Gustu is an incredible restaurant which has achieved so much at the heights of the remote capital of La Paz. With a big focus on social impact, and a culinary focus on uplifting the native, this is a restaurant you can feel really good about eating at. The wine list is also the best in Bolivia, and celebrates Bolivia’s diversity of wines, working hard with growers and producers to make an exciting list.
No. 46 – MANU, Curitiba, Brazil
No. 47 – DIACÁ, Guatemala City, Guatemala
No. 48 – GRAN DABBANG, Buenos Aires, Argentina
No. 49 – MESA FRANCA, Bogota, Colombia
No. 50 – JULIA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
What are your favourite restaurants in South America? Let us know in your comments!
