Rio de Janeiro was again the venue of the event “Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants”which returned for the second consecutive year to Brazil. Since its creation in 2013, this event has established itself as one of the most important events in the world gastronomy.
The awards ceremony was at National Historical Museum of Río de Janeiro. The list of “Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants”, as always, was prepared based on the votes of a select group of culinary experts from the regionbelonging to the “Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy”. Danniella Camilo presented the ranking to those present.
The Buenos Aires Don Julio grill It was highlighted, among other things, for its meats, local wines and the authentic service by chef Guido Tassi and Pablo Rivero. “We didn’t expect this. We work hard and are happy for many reasons; for the entire team and because we give everything. And for our country. I am surprised and want to congratulate colleagues. This time it was not the best restaurant that won, but rather the most beloved one,” Rivera said in the speech.
Thanks to an exclusive combined maturation process, the careful selection of Hereford and Angus breed animals, and its focus on sustainability and regenerative livestock farming, Don Julio redefines the tradition of a classic grill, and gives it a touch of innovation and sophistication culinary.
The others Award-winning Argentine restaurants are also from Buenos Aires. In 18th place he placed Grand Dabbangwhile Mishiguene It reached 29th place on the list. Palermo’s Favorite was recognized in 31st place, followed by Treschawhich ranked at number 33 and won the award for best new addition to the list. In 34th place he stood out Fat Boywhile Julia He ranked 37th. Aramburu He stayed in box 46.
- Don Julio, in Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Maido, in Lima, Peru
- El Chato, in Bogotá, Colombia
- Kjolle, and Lima, Perú
- Boragó, in Santiago, Chile
- Celele, in Cartagena, Colombia
- Lasai, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Merit, in Lima, Peru
- Quintonil, in Mexico City
- Leo, in Bogotá, Colombia
- Nuema, in Quito, Ecuador
- Mayor, in Guadalajara, Mexico
- Mayta, in Lima, Peru
- Maito, in Panama
- Casa do Porco, in São Paulo, Brazil
- Tuju, in São Paulo, Brazil. The venue also won the Gin Mare Art of Hospitality Award for its work around hospitality.
- Wildlife, Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico
- Great Dabbang, in Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Rafael, in Lima Peru. The venue also won the Highest Climber Award, for the highest climb on the list.
- Evvai, in São Paulo, Brazil
- Oteque, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Sublime, in Guatemala. The place also received the Chef’s Choice Awards.
- Villa Torél, Ensenada, Mexico
- Pujol, in Mexico City
- Siwka, San José, Costa Rica
- Nelita, in São Paulo, Brazil
- Metzi, in São Paulo, Brazil
- Cosme, in Lima, Peru
- Mishiguene, in Buenos Aires, Argentina
- La Mar, in Lima, Peru
- The Favorite of Palermo, in Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Ark, in Tulum, Mexico
- Trescha, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The venue also won the award for best new addition on the list.
- Niño Gordo, in Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Maní, in São Paulo, Brazil
- Huniik, in Merida, Mexico
- Julia, in Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Gustu, near La Paz, Bolivia
- Market 24, in Guatemala
- Cantina del Tigre, in Panama
- Lo de Tere, in Punta del Este, Uruguay
- Manuel, in Barranquilla, Colombia
- Máximo Bistrot, in Mexico City
- Lamb, in Caracas, Venezuela
- Black Smoke, in Bogotá, Colombia
- Aramburu, in Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Sud 777, in Mexico City
- Rosetta, in Mexico City
- Mil, in Moray, Peru
- Kotori, in São Paulo, Brazil
The organization has an Academy made up of 300 gastronomy experts of Latin America, divided into five regions: Mexico, Central America, South America (North), South America (South) and Brazil. Each member casts ten votes based on recent culinary experiences, at least four of which must be for restaurants outside their home country, ensuring a balanced and diverse perspective. In this case, an independent consultant supervised the voting process to guarantee the transparency and credibility of the results.
Aramburu, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, was highlighted for its exciting 18-course tasting menu where seafood features prominently. In addition, the experience is complemented with a pairing of exclusively Argentine wines. Julia, also in Buenos Aires, was praised for the work of chef Julio Martín Báez, who named it in honor of his daughter. The team is dedicated to creating a fairer culinary platform, focusing on the use of responsible ingredients and the well-being of its staff.
At Niño Gordo, located in Buenos Aires, the experience stands out according to experts from the moment visitors find a giant baby-shaped balloon, which marks the entrance. For its part, El Preferido de Palermo, also in the Argentine capital, was awarded for its focus on organic and homemade products, carefully prepared by chef Guido Tassi.
The “Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants” awards ceremony not only included the announcement of the 50 best restaurants, but also the presentation of several special awards. Mexican restaurant Lunario won the Sustainable Restaurant Award for its commitment and holistic approach to sustainability. In the pastry category, the Latin America’s Best Pastry Chef Award went to Camila Fiol, from Chile. The Latin America’s Best Sommelier award went to Laura Hernández Espinosa, from Colombia. The Latin America’s Best Female Chef Award went to Marsia Taha Mohamed, from Bolivia. The Woodford Reserve Icon Award went to Harry Sasson, from Bogotá, Colombia.
This year’s program also featured culinary talks called “50BestTalks,” which took place on November 25 and were dedicated to promoting discussion on key topics in gastronomy. In the “50 Best Signature Sessions”, prominent chefs from previous editions collaborated with restaurants in Rio de Janeiro, providing an opportunity for knowledge exchange and collaboration between different generations of chefs.
Daniel Grave, director regional de 50 Best Restaurants y 50 Best Latam, explained to Infobae that the relevance of this list is not only for Latin America, but also globally. “It is the most important reference list in the world,” he noted, and specified that it includes both the 50 best restaurants of the region as a secondary list covering the position 51 al 100.
“Literally, we have 100 restaurants that somehow become visible, they put themselves on the radar,” he pointed out. The 50 Best list not only stands out for its prestige, but also for its integrity. Grave emphasized that restaurants do not apply to be part of the ranking, since the selection process is completely transparent and audited. “It is very transparent and very clear,” he assured. In addition, the jury is renewed annually by 25%, which guarantees the inclusion of new perspectives and opinions.
William Drewcontent director of “Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants,” commented on Rio’s energy and passion for gastronomy: “Rio truly embodies the Latin American spirit,” he highlighted.
Argentina’s participation in this event has been outstanding in recent years. The “Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants” list was born in 2013 with the aim of celebrating Latin American gastronomy and offering culinary recommendations on a global level.
Since then, it has established itself as one of the most prestigious in the gastronomic field. It is worth remembering that in the 2023 edition the restaurant Maido, from Lima, Peru, ranked first.
Starting in 2022, “Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants” expanded the main ranking with an extended list from positions 51 to 100, recognizing an even broader range of culinary talents. In the 2024 edition, the 51-100 list included restaurants from 23 cities in 11 countries, showing the diversity and breadth of the Latin American gastronomic sector.
In this edition, Santiago de Chile led the representation with seven restaurants on the list, followed by Buenos Aires, which had four. This reinforced the role of both cities as key centers of gastronomy in Latin America. Among the new entries, Afluente stood out, a Colombian restaurant located in Bogotá, which ranked 61. Afluente focused on local cuisine, using traditional ingredients with a modern touch.
Conservatorium, in San José, Costa Rica, also debuted at number 70. This restaurant marked Costa Rica’s first appearance in the extended ranking, which highlighted the growth of Costa Rican gastronomy. In addition, emerging cities such as Mendoza joined, with Azafrán in position 84, a restaurant that celebrated the region’s wine tradition. In Montevideo, 1921 Restaurant ranked 96th, marking the presence of Uruguay on the list.
51. La Docena (Polanco) – Mexico City
52. Diacá – Guatemala City
53. Crizia – Buenos Aires
54. Yum Cha – Santiago
55. Parador La Huella – José Ignacio
56. El Xolo – San Salvador
57. Santa Elvira Grocery – Santiago
58. Lunario – Valle de Guadalupe
59. Pangea – Monterrey
60. Manu – Curitiba
61. Tributary – Bogotá
62. La Calma by Fredes – Santiago
63. Ancestral – La Paz
64. Le Chique – Cancún
65. Fonda Lo Que Hay – Panama City
66. Dementia – Santiago
67. DOM – São Paulo
68. Origin – Salvador
69. Phayawi – Peace
70. Conservatorium – San Jose
71. Bone – Lime
72. Las Cujas House – Santiago
73. Anchoite – Buenos Aires
74. La Tapa Del Coco – Panama City
75. Cow Face – Monterrey
76. Astrid and Gastón – Lima
77. Ristorante Hotel Cipriani – Rio de Janeiro
78. Olam – Santiago
79. Manzanar – Montevideo
80. Ode – Bogotá
81. Alo’s – Buenos Aires
82. Mengano – Buenos Aires
83. Intimate – Panama City
84. Saffron – Mendoza
85. Notiê – São Paulo
86. Local Sambombi Bistro – Medellin
87. Mocotó – São Paulo
88. Clara – Quito
89. XO – Medellin
90. Manga Restaurant – Salvador
91. Gold – Rio de Janeiro
92. Tribute – Quito
93. The Market – Lima
94. Nicos – Mexico City
95. La Docena (La Roma) – Mexico City
96. 1921 Restaurant – Montevideo
97. Quitu – Quito
98. Karai by Mitsuharu – Santiago
99. Pot Yeast – Oaxaca
100. Debora – Bogotá
