Lima will once again make history by hosting The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2026—one of the globe's most prestigious culinary events, where the annual ranking of the planet's 50 best restaurants is unveiled.
The 2026 edition—scheduled for November 4—will mark a historic milestone as it will be the first time the event is held in Peru and South America, further strengthening the country's position as a leading global gastronomic destination, the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Mincetur) stated.
Latin America's top restaurants
Mincetur noted that Lima previously hosted Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants in 2013 and 2014—the event recognizing the 50 best restaurants in Latin America.
"Since then, Peruvian gastronomy has continued to consolidate its international prestige, with restaurants from the region enjoying an increasingly prominent presence in this renowned ranking. Now, for the first time, the country will host the global edition," the ministry said.
It also recalled that during The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2025 awards ceremony, held in Italy, Maido was named The World's Best Restaurant, becoming the second Peruvian restaurant to claim the top spot.
Central received the same distinction in 2023.
Program of activities
A broad program of activities will accompany The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2026 awards ceremony in Lima, allowing visitors to experience the city's vibrant dining scene while discovering Peru's rich culinary diversity.
Highlights include the #50BestTalks leadership forum and the 50 Best Signature Sessions, featuring collaborative dinners open to the public in which chefs from restaurants included in the ranking will cook alongside leading local culinary talents.
The program will feature the Chefs' Feast, showcasing traditional ingredients, products, and cooking techniques from different regions of the country, as well as the official awards ceremony.
The program will also include curated tours enabling international guests to experience Peru's outstanding gastronomic offerings firsthand.
A historic milestone for Peru
"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 made by the Peruvian Government, Mincetur, and PromPeru to position the country as a leading global destination for gastronomic tourism," Foreign Trade and Tourism Minister Berthin Gomez said.
In turn, PromPeru Executive President Michael Guevara Varela said that "hosting a high-impact and internationally prestigious event such as The World's 50 Best Restaurants confirms that Peruvian cuisine is a strategic asset for the country's international promotion."
Showcasing Peru's cultural diversity
The PromPeru head stated that "welcoming this event to Peru will allow us to showcase to the world our cultural diversity, native products, and the tourism and gastronomic experiences that make our country a unique destination."
The event will attract opinion leaders, chefs, specialized media outlets, and travelers from around the world, he added.
Gastronomic tourism
According to PromPeru's Tourism In Gastronomic Tourist Report, among travelers arriving in Peru by air for vacation, the third-largest group is motivated by the opportunity to experience Peruvian cuisine. Millennials and Generation X are the leading segments.
Survey respondents described Peruvian cuisine as authentic and traditional.
They also highlighted its exotic, natural, and high-quality organic ingredients, as well as its culinary fusions and combinations, which make the gastronomic experience innovative and distinctive.
Economic impact
Hosting the event generates an immediate economic impact during the week of the ceremony by boosting the local economy and increasing tourism-related revenue.
In addition, the direct impact of hosting 50 Best events in terms of gastronomic tourism is reflected in the following figures:
- 92% of guests stayed in hotels or serviced apartments, generating more than US$750,000 in revenue in Las Vegas during North America's 50 Best Restaurants 2025.
- US$40.8 million in advertising value equivalent was generated in Rio de Janeiro during Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants 2025.
- 82 million interactions and 4.1 million video views were recorded in Seoul during Asia's 50 Best Restaurants 2025.
- A total audience reach of 6 billion people was achieved in Abu Dhabi during Middle East & North Africa's 50 Best Restaurants 2024.
(END) NDP/MVB