In November 2026, the world’s greatest chefs will meet in Lima: the prestigious ranking The World’s 50 Best Restaurants is organizing its annual ceremony there. For the Peruvian capital, already accustomed to the culinary spotlight, this choice marks a turning point that we are only beginning to appreciate.
Central, crowned best restaurant in the world in 2023, then Maido, crowned in Turin in 2025, have already propelled Lima to the top of the international charts. When it is named the best city in the world for eating in 2026, seeing the big 50 Best evening taking place there seems almost logical, but the stakes go further.
Why The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026 in Lima is a historic first
According to the announcement from the Peruvian authorities, the 2026 ceremony will take place in Lima on November 4, 2026, the first global edition organized in Peru and South America. Until now, the big evenings had been held in Valencia, Las Vegas or Turin, in a mainly European and North American circuit.
This choice comes after an initial communication from the organization locating The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026 in Abu Dhabi, a decision criticized by several chefs in the professional press. By switching to Lima, the ranking gets closer to a scene that already largely dominates its own lists.
Lima, the new world capital of gastronomy
Two Limenian restaurants have already reached first place: Central in 2023, then Maido in 2025, both now included in the Best of the Best category which brings together the former number ones. Around them, Kjolle, Mérito and Mayta rose to 9th, 26th and 39th ranks respectively in 2025.
This density of exceptional restaurants nourishes the image of Lima as the gastronomic capital of America. The Best Cities for Food 2026 ranking places it at the top, praising its Nikkei and Chifa scene, the excitement of neighborhoods like Miraflores or Barranco and a quality-price ratio considered gentler than in cities like Paris or Rome.
What the 2026 edition changes for Peru and gourmet travelers
For the Peruvian state, the event is part of an assumed strategy of culinary soft power. According to the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Mincetur), gastronomic tourism generated nearly S/6,832 million in 2024, or 21.9% of the national tourism GDP, and previous editions of the 50 Best have shown their impact on the hotel industry and the notoriety of host cities.
In Lima, the 50 Best week will include #50BestTalks, the 50 Best Signature Sessions, a grand Chefs’ Feast dedicated to Peruvian products and gastronomic tours for international guests.
When will The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026 take place in Lima?
The ceremony is announced for November 4, 2026 in Lima, at the end of a week of gastronomic events.
Why is the choice of Lima for the 50 Best 2026 considered historic?
Because it is the first time that the global edition is held in Peru and South America.
Which Lima restaurants are featured in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants?
Recent lists mention Maido and Central, as well as Kjolle, Mérito and Mayta, all ranked in the top 50.
