The Best Michelin-Starred & World’s 50 Best Restaurants in Latin America

Latin America is a culinary paradise, boasting some of the most innovative and highly acclaimed restaurants in the world. Across the region, chefs are redefining fine dining by blending local traditions with modern techniques, creating unique gastronomic experiences. Whether you're traveling for an F1 Grand Prix or indulging in a luxury getaway, these Michelin-starred and World’s 50 Best restaurants in São Paulo, Buenos Aires, Lima, Mexico City, and Santiago offer unforgettable dining experiences.

São Paulo, Brazil

D.O.M. (🌟🌟 Michelin Stars | World’s 50 Best #11)

• Chef: Alex Atala
• Why Go: A globally recognized fine dining institution that highlights indigenous Brazilian ingredients with avant-garde techniques.
• Must-Try Dish: Tapioca with Amazonian ants and native herbs.

Evvai (🌟🌟 Michelin Stars | World’s 50 Best #16)

• Chef: Luiz Filipe Souza
• Why Go: A masterful fusion of Italian and Brazilian flavors, showcasing innovation and elegance in every dish.
• Must-Try Dish: Oriundi Menu – a refined tasting experience highlighting Brazilian ingredients with Italian influences.

A Casa do Porco (World’s 50 Best #4)

• Chef: Jefferson Rueda
• Why Go: A revolutionary pork-centric concept that elevates Brazilian cuisine with inventive, flavorful dishes.
• Must-Try Dish: Pork sushi – an unexpected yet outstanding creation.

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Don Julio (🌟 Michelin Star | World’s 50 Best #10)

• Chef: Pablo Rivero
• Why Go: An iconic Argentinian steakhouse that offers some of the best grass-fed beef in the world.
• Must-Try Dish: Bife de chorizo (sirloin steak) cooked over wood fire.

Chila (🌟 Michelin Star | World’s 50 Best #33)

• Chef: Pedro Bargero
• Why Go: A contemporary Argentine dining experience featuring seasonal, ingredient-driven tasting menus.
• Must-Try Dish: Patagonia lamb with black garlic and native herbs.

Tegui (🌟 Michelin Star)

• Chef: Germán Martitegui
• Why Go: A refined yet bold take on Argentine flavors, offering a sleek and intimate setting.
• Must-Try Dish: Patagonian lamb with Malbec reduction.

Lima, Peru

Central (🌟🌟 Michelin Stars | World’s 50 Best #1)

• Chef: Virgilio Martínez
• Why Go: The reigning #1 restaurant in the world, offering a tasting menu inspired by Peru’s diverse landscapes and ecosystems.
• Must-Try Dish: "Altitude Tasting Menu" – featuring ingredients sourced from the Amazon to the Andes.

Kjolle (🌟 Michelin Star | World’s 50 Best #8)

• Chef: Pía León
• Why Go: A fresh, ingredient-focused perspective on Peruvian cuisine from the former head chef of Central.
• Must-Try Dish: Seasonal tasting menu inspired by Peru’s diverse ecosystems.

Maido (🌟🌟 Michelin Stars | World’s 50 Best #6)

• Chef: Mitsuharu Tsumura
• Why Go: The pinnacle of Nikkei cuisine, seamlessly blending Japanese techniques with bold Peruvian flavors.
• Must-Try Dish: "Cuy San" – a creative fusion of Peruvian guinea pig with Japanese culinary artistry.

Mexico City, Mexico

Pujol (🌟🌟 Michelin Stars | World’s 50 Best #5)

• Chef: Enrique Olvera
• Why Go: A legendary restaurant that reinvents Mexican cuisine with a focus on sustainability and tradition.
• Must-Try Dish: "Mole Madre, Mole Nuevo" – a 2,000-day-aged mole sauce.

Rosetta (🌟 Michelin Star | World’s 50 Best #49)

• Chef: Elena Reygadas
• Why Go: A charming, ingredient-driven restaurant where Mexican flavors meet European refinement.
• Must-Try Dish: Hoja santa ravioli with requesón cheese.

Quintonil (🌟 Michelin Star | World’s 50 Best #9)

• Chef: Jorge Vallejo
• Why Go: A cutting-edge take on contemporary Mexican cuisine, celebrating hyper-local ingredients and sustainability.
• Must-Try Dish: Avocado tartare with escamoles (ant larvae).

Santiago, Chile

Boragó (🌟 Michelin Star | World’s 50 Best #29)

• Chef: Rodolfo Guzmán
• Why Go: Hyper-local cuisine inspired by Chile’s diverse ecosystems, using native ingredients in groundbreaking ways.
• Must-Try Dish: "Endemic menu" featuring Patagonian ingredients.

Ambrosía (🌟 Michelin Star | World’s 50 Best #38)

• Chef: Carolina Bazán
• Why Go: A French-Chilean fusion that brings a relaxed yet refined take on contemporary dining.
• Must-Try Dish: Seafood ceviche with indigenous Mapuche spices.

99 Restaurante (🌟 Michelin Star)

• Chef: Kurt Schmidt
• Why Go: A forward-thinking restaurant that blends Chilean flavors with international techniques.
• Must-Try Dish: Sea urchin tart with crispy quinoa.

Final Thoughts

In May, I will be in Lima, Peru, and I am excited to experience these world-class dining establishments firsthand. Latin America’s fine dining scene is unlike any other, offering bold flavors, innovative techniques, and immersive culinary storytelling. Whether you're craving a Michelin-starred steakhouse in Buenos Aires, a Nikkei masterpiece in Lima, or an avant-garde dining adventure in Mexico City, these restaurants define what it means to dine in luxury.