Cuisine

Maido Restaurant: Where Nikkei Cuisine Reigns as the World’s Best in 2025

Eating at Maido restaurant means embarking on a sensory journey: the tasting menu is a meticulous harmony between Japanese discipline and Peruvian spontaneity.

Por: Rubén Carrillo
Maido restaurant
Beyond the tasting menu, Maido also offers an à la carte selection featuring fresh seasonal produce,/ Photo @theworlds50best

In 2025, Maido Restaurant in Lima claimed the coveted title of The World’s Best Restaurant, ascending to the top of the prestigious World’s 50 Best Restaurants list. 

 

This accolade, awarded during a grand ceremony in Turin, Italy, affirms Maido’s position as a culinary powerhouse and showcases the global allure of Nikkei cuisine — a fusion of Japanese techniques with rich Peruvian flavors.

In 2025, Maido Restaurant in Lima claimed the coveted title of The World’s Best Restaurant, ascending to the top of the prestigious World's 50 Best Restaurants list. / Photo Maido
In 2025, Maido Restaurant in Lima claimed the coveted title of The World’s Best Restaurant, ascending to the top of the prestigious World's 50 Best Restaurants list. / Photo Maido

The Creative Force Behind Maido

Chef-owner Mitsuharu “Micha” Tsumura leads Maido Restaurant with an innovative vision rooted in both tradition and experimentation.

 

Born in Lima to Japanese-Peruvian heritage, Tsumura trained in the United States and Osaka before opening Maido in 2009. 

 

His culinary journey is a tale of cultural convergence, seamlessly blending ancestral knowledge with contemporary expression.

 

Tsumura’s reputation is not built on flair alone.  His culinary philosophy is precise: use local, seasonal ingredients and treat them with deep respect. 

 

It’s this guiding principle that has shaped Maido Restaurant into a global icon.

This accolade, awarded during a grand ceremony in Turin, Italy, affirms Maido’s position as a culinary powerhouse and showcases the global allure of Nikkei cuisine / Photo Maido
This accolade, awarded during a grand ceremony in Turin, Italy, affirms Maido’s position as a culinary powerhouse and showcases the global allure of Nikkei cuisine / Photo Maido

Inside the Maido Experience

Dining at Maido Restaurant means embarking on a sensory journey. 

 

The tasting menu includes over 10 courses, each representing a meticulous harmony between Japanese discipline and Peruvian spontaneity.

 

Dishes such as The Triple—a playful combination of avocado, tomato, eggs, and chashu pork belly—showcase the layered complexity of flavors. 

 

A plate of sea snails with yellow chili foam merges ocean and spice, while squid ramen served with Amazonian chorizo hints at Maido’s expanding reach into the Peruvian jungle.

 

Beyond the tasting menu, Maido also offers an à la carte selection featuring fresh seasonal produce, Amazonian influences, and the daily catch, giving every guest the chance to personalize their experience.

The tasting menu includes over 10 courses, each representing a meticulous harmony between Japanese discipline and Peruvian spontaneity. / Phto Maido
The tasting menu includes over 10 courses, each representing a meticulous harmony between Japanese discipline and Peruvian spontaneity. / Phto Maido

Celebrating the Past, Honoring the Future

In 2024, Maido celebrated 15 years of culinary innovation with a special Maido Experience menu that paid tribute to its evolution. 

 

From humble beginnings to world recognition, the restaurant’s journey has been marked by authenticity, discipline, and fearless creativity.

 

The restaurant increasingly incorporates ingredients from the Amazon, such as paiche fish “ham,” yucca, and palm heart, strengthening its ties to native Peruvian biodiversity and offering guests a taste of the rainforest.

Recognized by the Culinary Elite

Maido Restaurant didn’t rise to global prominence overnight. It has consistently appeared on the Latin America’s 50 Best list since 2013 and was crowned Best Restaurant in South America in 2024.

 

Chef Tsumura also earned the Estrella Damm Chefs’ Choice Award 2024, a distinction voted on by fellow chefs. 

 

This year’s recognition as the World’s Best Restaurant, sponsored by S.Pellegrino and Acqua Panna, solidifies its place in culinary history.

Chef Tsumura also earned the Estrella Damm Chefs’ Choice Award 2024, a distinction voted on by fellow chefs. / Photo Maido
Chef Tsumura also earned the Estrella Damm Chefs’ Choice Award 2024, a distinction voted on by fellow chefs. / Photo Maido

Who Decides the World’s Best?

The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list is compiled from the votes of 1,120 culinary experts from around the globe. 

 

These include chefs, food critics, writers, and gastronomes, ensuring a diverse and informed selection process.

 

Maido Restaurant’s triumph reflects more than its impeccable execution; it celebrates its ability to bridge worlds—tradition and innovation, Japan and Peru, nature and craft.

The World's 50 Best Restaurants list is compiled from the votes of 1,120 culinary experts from around the globe. / Photo Maido
The World's 50 Best Restaurants list is compiled from the votes of 1,120 culinary experts from around the globe. / Photo Maido

FAQ – Fast Facts About Maido Restaurant

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