Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants 2022 won by Central in Lima

Acqua Panna joined S.Pellegrino once again this year as proud water sponsors of Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants 2022, which promotes gastronomy in the region while providing an expert guide to its finest dining venues.

For the first time since 2019, the awards ceremony was celebrated in the flesh, with a glamorous event on 15 November 2022 that brought Latin America's culinary community back together in Mérida, the gastronomic capital of Mexico's Yucatan region.

The prized top spot in this year's ranking was claimed by Lima's Central restaurant, run by Chefs Virgilio Martínez and Pía León.  Having won the title and other prizes in various previous editions, this power couple and their restaurant are now a big part of the event’s history. Moreover, this year they also came second in the global list of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants.

A number of individuals and restaurants who have helped to create positive change in the region were also celebrated in a series of additional awards presented on the night.

First, Jonatan Gómez Luna of Le Chique in Cancún won the coveted Estrella Damm Chefs’ Choice Award.

Next, the Gin Mare Art of Hospitality Award was presented to the Oteque restaurant in Rio de Janeiro.

Then a brand new accolade was introduced, namely the Beronia Latin America’s Best Sommelier Award, which in its inaugural year went to Pablo Rivero of Don Julio in Buenos Aires.

Manoella ‘Manu’ Buffara of Manu in Curitiba, Brazil, picked up the Latin America's Best Female Chef Award, rewarding both her culinary talent and her commitment to supporting environmental causes in her community.

Rafael Rincón, the Chilean founder of the non-profit organization Fundación Gastronomía Social, won the Icon Award 2022 for his pioneering work in social gastronomy.

And finally, the Ancestral restaurant in La Paz, Bolivia, took the American Express One To Watch Award, marking the emergence onto the international culinary stage of this young restaurant that seeks to elevate Bolivian cuisine.

You can see the full list of Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants and find out more about the awards at Fine Dining Lovers.