Ikoyi awarded 'Highest Climber' at World's 50 Best Restaurants

The global gastronomic elite gathered in the city of Turin to honour the very best in fine dining at the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025 awards.

The World’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy comprises 1,120 industry experts - chefs, restaurateurs, food writers and well-travelled gourmets - from 28 global regions, each overseen by a chairperson.

The prestigious list reflects not only global culinary brilliance but also growing recognition for sustainability, creativity, and social impact - cementing the event’s role as the most prestigious celebration in the gastronomic world.

The list saw Maido in Lima, Peru, crowned as the World’s Best Restaurant, rising from its previous No.5 position in 2024.

Led by chef-owner Mitsuharu 'Micha' Tsumura, Maido is a masterclass in Nikkei cuisine, blending precision Japanese techniques with bold, vibrant Peruvian ingredients.

Since its inception over 15 years ago, the restaurant has remained deeply rooted in its founding philosophy - celebrating local ingredients through a seasonally adapted tasting menu that continues to captivate diners from around the world.

The name “Maido” is a Japanese expression of welcome and delight, reflecting the warmth of Chef Micha’s hospitality.

A Record Year for Global Dining

The 2025 list features restaurants from 22 territories across five continents, with 10 new entries making their debut in the coveted 1–50 ranking. Maido is followed closely by:

Asador Etxebarri (No.2) in Atxondo, Spain

Quintonil (No.3) in Mexico City

Awards

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and Honours

Ikoyi in London rises an impressive 27 spots to No.15, winning the Highest Climber Award, sponsored by Lee Kum Kee.

Founded by Jeremy Chan and Iré Hassan-Odukale, Ikoyi originally drew inspiration from West African ingredients and cuisine, but has since evolved into a broader expression of creative modern cooking.

Lee Kum Kee is a globally renowned Chinese condiment and sauce brand, best known for creating oyster sauce - a product it invented in 1888.

Best Pastry Chef

Maxime Frédéric, pastry chef at Cheval Blanc Paris and Plénitude (No.14), is named World’s Best Pastry Chef 2025, sponsored by Sosa, for his dedication to craftsmanship and luxury pâtisserie.

World’s Best Sommelier

Mohamed Benabdallah of Asador Etxebarri was awarded World’s Best Sommelier 2025 for his exceptional pairing skills and refined understanding of wine and food harmony.

Sustainable Restaurant Award

Celele (No.48) in Cartagena wins the Sustainable Restaurant Award for its commitment to Colombia’s Caribbean culinary heritage, sourcing 90% of ingredients locally and partnering with communities to preserve biodiversity.

50 Best Scholarship Winner

Angélica Ortiz, a Colombian chef working at Oxomoco in New York, won the 50 Best Restaurants Scholarship, in partnership with Parmigiano Reggiano. She will undertake internships at El Celler de Can Roca (Spain) and SingleThread (California), receiving a comprehensive education in hyper-seasonal cooking and sustainability.

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