Don Julio claims top honors as best restaurant in Latin America 2024

On November 26, 2024, the prestigious event for Latin America's gastronomic scene was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, marking the second consecutive year for this impressive unveiling. The event, sponsored by S.Pellegrino and Acqua Panna, featured the results from votes cast by 300 industry experts, highlighting a diverse range of culinary talents from 22 cities across the continent. The list showcased six new entries, demonstrating an evolving and dynamic restaurant landscape in Latin America. Notably, Don Julio has been recognized not only as the best restaurant in Argentina but also as the overall best restaurant in Latin America for the year 2024. Buenos Aires showcased its gastronomic prowess with eight restaurants making it to the esteemed 1-50 list, followed closely by Lima and São Paulo, each boasting seven representatives. This annual event serves to elevate Latin American cuisine on the global stage, accentuating the commitment of its chefs to continue enhancing the dining experience through creativity and innovation. In addition to the highlight of Don Julio's triumph, Maido in Lima earned accolades as the best restaurant in Peru, while El Chato in Bogotá was named the best restaurant in Colombia. Significant mentions also included Boragó in Santiago, earning the title of best restaurant in Chile, and Lasai in Rio de Janeiro, celebrated as the best in Brazil. There were also awards for new entries and exceptional performances, such as the Highest New Entry Award going to Trescha in Buenos Aires, debuting at No.33, and the Highest Climber Award received by Rafael in Lima for its remarkable rise of 27 spots to No.19. These achievements illustrate the resilience and competitive spirit within the culinary landscape of the region. Furthermore, individual awards were presented, including the Woodford Reserve Icon Award to Colombian chef-restaurateur Harry Sasson, recognizing his continuous contributions to the industry. Additionally, Camila Fiol was honored as Latin America's Best Pastry Chef for her work at Fiol Dulcería in Santiago, and Sergio Díaz from Guatemala City’s Sublime won the Estrella Damm Chefs' Choice Award. The event reflects not only the success of individual restaurants but also the collective aspiration of Latin American chefs to gain further recognition in the global gastronomy sphere. William Drew, Director of Content for Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants, emphasized the importance of this event in highlighting the unique qualities of the region's culinary art and its growth in international reputation.