The culinary scene in Latin America celebrates a significant milestone as El Chato, located in Bogotá, Colombia, has been named the best restaurant in the region for 2025. The announcement took place on December 3, 2025, during an event held in the historic city of Antigua, Guatemala, which hosted the 13th edition of Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna.
Led by acclaimed chef Álvaro Clavijo, El Chato has gained international acclaim not only for its innovative dishes but also for its dedication to sourcing local ingredients and supporting Colombian producers. The restaurant’s recognition is seen as a pivotal moment for Colombian cuisine, highlighting its growing influence on the global culinary landscape.
The comprehensive list features restaurants from 21 cities, with Buenos Aires emerging as a culinary hotspot, boasting eight establishments in the top 50. Following closely is Lima, with seven entries, and Santiago, which has five restaurants recognized. Notably, Kjolle in Lima secured the second position and earned the title of The Best Restaurant in Peru, while Don Julio in Buenos Aires claimed the third spot as The Best Restaurant in Argentina.
Several new faces made their debut on this year’s list, with Casa Las Cujas from Santiago making the highest entry at number 14, earning the award for Highest New Entry. Other notable newcomers include Yum Cha (No. 28), Demo Magnolia (No. 31), and Karai by Mitsuharu (No. 45) from Santiago, alongside entries from La Paz and Buenos Aires.
Special awards were also presented, with Cosme from New York receiving the Highest Climber Award after rising 19 spots to No. 9. Chef Rodolfo Guzmán of Boragó (No. 6) received the prestigious Icon Award. Additional accolades went to Bianca Mirabili of Evvai (No. 20), named Latin America’s Best Pastry Chef, and Alejandro Chamorro of Nuema (No. 10), who won the Estrella Damm Chefs’ Choice Award. Tássia Magalhães was honored as Latin America’s Best Female Chef, and Maximiliano Pérez was named Latin America’s Best Sommelier.
Craig Hawtin-Butcher, Managing Director for 50 Best, expressed his enthusiasm for the event, stating, “We are truly delighted to celebrate El Chato as The Best Restaurant in Latin America 2025. Our sincerest congratulations to Álvaro Clavijo and his entire team for creating such a special space that has brought Colombian cuisine to the forefront of the international stage.”
This year’s awards were conducted with the help of Deloitte, the official independent adjudication partner, ensuring the integrity of the voting process through a panel of 300 regional experts. The full list of winners and additional details can be found on the 50 Best website.