Central in Lima named the best restaurant in the world by The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2023

Central in Lima announced best restaurant in the world according to The World's 50 Best Restaurants awards 2023, with London restaurants Kol, Ikoyi, and The Clove Club also making the list.

Lima's Central restaurant has been named the number one best restaurant in the world following the release of The World's 50 Best Restaurants awards 2023, with London's Kol ranked 23rd, Ikoyi ranked 35th, and The Clove Club ranked 38th in this year's list. 

The world of gastronomy came together in Valencia, Spain, to celebrate The World’s 50 Best Restaurants awards 2023, with Lima’s Central named The World’s Best Restaurant 2023, as well as The Best Restaurant in South America 2023.

Central, the flagship Lima restaurant of chefs Virgilio Martinez and Pía León, was crowned No.1 position taking over from the 2022 winner, Geranium, Copenhagen, which is now elevated to the Best of the Best hall of fame.

Placed at No.2 in the 2022 list, Central is an ode to Peru, with a menu that celebrates the unique biodiversity of the country’s indigenous ingredients – guided by its research arm, Mater Iniciativa – along with its traditions and history, whilst championing sustainability.

Lima's Central is followed by Disfrutar (No.2) in Barcelona and Diverxo (No.3) in Madrid.

Commenting on this year's awards William Drew, Director of Content for The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, said: “It gives me great pleasure to share the list of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2023 and celebrate the fantastic achievement of Central as the new No.1. Virgilio Martinez, Pía León and the whole Central team have truly paved the way in celebrating indigenous ingredients through their innovative dishes and warm hospitality."

William added: "Their commitment to research, respect for their country’s heritage and promotion of Peru’s unique biodiversity is unmatched, and we’re honoured to name Central as The World’s Best Restaurant, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna. This year’s list continues to show the breadth of culinary talent across the globe, and we look forward to seeing how it evolves even further in 2024 and beyond.”

The awards ceremony, held at the city’s Les Arts Opera House, honours the pinnacle of gastronomic talent from 24 territories across five continents.

World's 50 Best Restaurants 2023

1 Central, Lima

2 Disfrutar, Barcelona

3 Diverxo, Madrid

4 Asador, Etxebarri Atxondo

5 Alchemist, Copenhagen

6 Maido, Lima

7 Lido 84, Gardone Riviera

8 Atomix, New York

9 Quintonil, Mexico City

10 Table by Bruno Verjus, Paris

11 Trèsind Studio, Dubai

12 A Casa do Porco, São Paulo

13 Pujol, Mexico City

14 Odette, Singapore

15 Le Du, Bangkok

16 Reale, Castel di Sangro

17 Gaggan Anand, Bangkok

18 Steirereck, Vienna

19 Don Julio, Buenos Aires

20 Quique Dacosta, Denia

21 Den, Tokyo

22 Elkano, Getaria

23 Kol, London

24 Septime, Paris

25 Belcanto, Lisbon

26 Schloss Schauenstein, Fürstenau

27 Florilège, Tokyo

28 Kjolle, Lima

29 Boragó, Santiago

30 Frantzén, Stockholm

31 Mugaritz, San Sebastian

32 Hiša Franko, Kobarid

33 El Chato, Bogotá

34 Uliassi, Senigallia

35 Ikoyi, London

36 Plénitude, Paris

37 Sézanne, Tokyo

38 The Clove Club, London

39 The Jane, Antwerp

40 Restaurant Tim Raue, Berlin

41 Le Calandre, Rubano

42 Piazza Duomo, Alba

43 Leo, Bogotá

44 Le Bernardin, New York

45 Nobelhart & Schmutzig, Berlin

46 Orfali Bros Bistro, Dubai

47 Mayta, Lima

48 La Grenouillère, La Madeleine-sous-Montreuil

49 Rosetta, Mexico City

50 The Chairman, Hong Kong