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.
