Colombia Is Home to the Best Restaurant in Latin America in 2025

Rosetta in Mexico City ranked 39 on the list of Best Restaurants in Latin America 2025.

Araceli Paz

Colombia has proven its current culinary status on the world stage. El Chato was just named the best restaurant in Latin America 2025 by The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, in a ceremony on December 2 held at Santo Domingo del Cerro, in Antigua, Guatemala. Until now, El Chato, the Bogotá-based establishment led by chef Álvaro Clavijo, has inched toward the top spot ranking third in 2024 and second in 2023. But it has been 13 years since a restaurant outside of Peru or Argentina has claimed first place, making this an exciting signal that the country's food scene is rising in the ranks.

El Chato wasn't the only win for Colombia. Cartagena's Celele ranked fifth, and was supported by legendary Leo (23), new entry Afluente (34), Humo Negro (41), and Oda (76)—all from the capital—plus Barranquilla’s Manuel (46), and Sambombí Bistró Local of Medellín (98).

Lima’s Kjolle (from chef Pia Léon) ranked in second place, marking the first time an establishment led by a female chef has been that close to the top prize. Two other Peruvian spots, Mérito (4) and Cosme (10), also made the top 10.

Demo Magnolia in Santiago, Chile, ranked 31 on the list.

Courtesy Demo Magnolia

Diacá (37) was among four restaurants in Guatemala to appear on the top 50 list.

Courtesy Diacá

In addition to restaurant wins, three of the six individual chef prizes were bestowed on women this year. The Dominican Republic’s Inés Páez Nin took home the Champions of Change prize, marking the first time it has been awarded in Latin America. Better known as Chef Tita, her Fundación IMA NGO empowers rural families and preserves culinary techniques; the foundation of her restaurant is about so much more than the food on the plate alone.

Bluefin Tuna Crudo from Arca in Tulum, Mexico (22)

Courtesy Arca

Tássia Magalhães of Nelita in São Paulo was anointed Best Female Chef for championing talent in her women-only kitchens at Lita wine bar and Mag Market bakery, while her Brazilian colleague Bianca Mirilia of Evvai was named Best Pastry Chef. Kjolle, meanwhile, picked up the Art of Hospitality prize while Bogotá’s Oda, led by Natalia Cocomá Hernández, picked up the Sustainable Restaurant Award for safeguarding regional biodiversity by partnering with the Botanical Garden of Bogotá.

The night also proved bountiful for the Central American nation making its hosting debut: all eyes will now be focused on Guatemala City’s Ana (94), led by Colombian chef Nicolás Solanilla, which was named One To Watch for how Solanilla celebrates his adopted home’s ingredients. Also from Guatemala City: Sublime ranked at 19, while new entry Diacá came in at 37, and Mercado 24 ranked 42.

The lengua de cordero dish at El Chato, which was just named the Best Restaurant in Latin America.

Courtesy El Chato

The best restaurant in Latin America 2025: El Chato

How did El Chato become the best restaurant in the region? Chef Álvaro Clavijo's story began when he left his home city of Bogotá at age 17 for ‘Old World’ culinary training at the Escuela de Hostelería Hofmann in Barcelona. He started his career at Le Bristol Paris and then, following his six-year stint in France, moved to Per Se in New York City, before returning to Europe where he gained valuable experience at Noma. He returned home to apply for a visa to Russia, but was rejected three times and unable to travel; he then opened El Chato in Bogotá’s Chapinero Alto, in 2017.

The contemporary bistro takes the edge off fine dining with family style meals that draw from the pantry of the world’s second-most biodiverse country. Colombian ingredients like tucupí (wild manic root extract), jicama (yam bean), and insects such as mojojoy (palm weevil larva) and hormigas culonas (big-ass ants, literally) play their part on the nine-course tasting menu, which is served beside the open kitchen on the first floor. Greatest hits include heart of palm with rambutan, coconut, and seaweed, and San Pedreño pork with watercress, cabbage, and peas. Also of note are the alcohol-free pairings: gulupa and ginger soda is harmonized with cubio tuber, corn. and hay by bartender Andy Blanco Villamil.

A few tips from experiencing Clavijo's magic, even if you don't have time for the full experience: Pop in to El Chato lunch and order à la carte, or drop by Clavijo’s casual dining spot Selma (96), open daily for walk-ins and located across the street, or his Bar Ruda which just opened this year.

El Mercado in Buenos Aires, Argentina, came in at 27.

Courtesy El Mercado

Octopus is served at Sikwa in San José, Costa Rica.

Courtesy Sikwa

The top 10 restaurants in Latin America 2025

While El Chato and Kjolle battled for first place, third place went to Buenos Aires steakhouse Parrilla Don Julio. Fourth place went to Mérito, known for culinary artistry uniting the flavors of Peru and Venezuela, while Celele and its singular Caribbean menu was fifth. Boragó ranked six, with chef Rodolfo Guzmán receiving the Icon Award for pioneering Chile’s contemporary gastronomy scene, Mexico City’s Quintonil was seven, eighth place went to Tuju in São Paulo, while ninth was highest climber Cosme of Lima, which scaled 19 places. The top 10 was anchored by Quito’s Nuema, whose leader Alejandro Chamorro was chosen by colleagues for the Chef’s Choice Award.

This year’s seven new entries included 2025 openings Arami in La Paz (48) and Demo Magnolia in Santiago (31), and Crizia in Buenos Aires (40). The top 100 included Asian-inspired new kids Shizen in Lima (62) for Nikkei cuisine, izakaya Umi in Panama City (72), and Japanese restaurant Fukasawa in Santiago (100). Overall, 22 cities across the continent made the list, giving travelers plenty of travel inspiration.

The full list of Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025