World’s 50 Best Restaurants awards to be held in Lima for first South American ceremony in 2026

The World’s 50 Best Restaurants will hold its 2026 awards ceremony in Lima, Peru, on 4^th November, marking the first time the event has been staged in South America. The announcement confirms the city as host in partnership with the Commission for the Promotion of Peru for Exports and Tourism (PromPerú), part of the country’s Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism, cementing Peru’s status as a true gastronomic destination.

Lima previously hosted the inaugural Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants awards in 2013. Since then, a growing number of the region’s eateries have appeared on the list. At the most recent World’s 50 Best ceremony, held in Turin, Italy in 2025, Maido in Lima was named The World’s Best Restaurant. It was the second Peruvian establishment to reach the top ranking in three years. Having achieved the number one position, Maido now enters the organisation’s Best of the Best hall of fame and will not be eligible for the ranking from 2026 onwards.

An event programme supported by PromPerú will lead up to the ceremony when the 2026 ranking will be revealed. On the agenda are the #50BestTalks forum, which examines issues affecting the hospitality industry, a series of 50 Best Signature Sessions, in which chefs from ranked restaurants cook alongside local chefs at public dining events, and a Chefs’ Feast highlighting regional ingredients and techniques. Several special awards will also be announced ahead of the main event.

Rikki Tidball at The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, said: “We are thrilled to be bringing the […] ceremony to South America for the very first time this November. Peru is a destination that truly embodies the spirit of the awards and a place where centuries of rich cultural heritage have given rise to one of the most exciting dining scenes in the world. In collaboration with our host destination partner, PromPerú, we cannot wait to gather the international community and celebrate the world-class excellence that has made Peru one of the most influential and talked-about culinary destinations today.”

The list is compiled through a voting process overseen by the professional services firm Deloitte, which acts as the organisation’s independent adjudication partner. The World’s 50 Best Restaurants has published its annual ranking since 2002 and is owned and run by William Reed, which also operates a series of regional restaurant, bar, hotel and vineyard lists.

Berthin Gómez Vela, minister of foreign trade and tourism in Peru, said: “The selection of Lima as the host city for The World’s 50 Best Restaurants marks a historic milestone for Peru and reflects the sustained efforts undertaken by the Peruvian government, the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism and PromPerú to position the country among the world’s leading culinary and tourism destinations. Bringing this prestigious event to our capital is the result of a long-term vision aimed at showcasing the richness of our cuisine, the diversity of our native products, and the talent across the entire value chain that has made Peruvian gastronomy globally acclaimed today. Gastronomy has become one of the most powerful drivers of travel inspiration, attracting visitors seeking authentic experiences connected to our culture, biodiversity and tradition. Hosting this event in Lima will place Peru at the centre of the global gastronomic conversation while generating a positive impact across the entire hospitality and tourism ecosystem. Today, our cuisine is far more than a source of national pride; it is a powerful driver of development that continues to position Peru as a leading destination for international culinary tourism.”

Food Desk

For further information about the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026, visit the organisation’s website here.