Maido in Lima | The Best Restaurant in the World

Maido, located in the heart of Miraflores in Lima, is not only one of Peru's most prestigious restaurants: it has been crowned the best restaurant in the world on The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2024 list. Under the direction of the talented chef Mitsuharu "Micha" Tsumura, Maido embodies the sophistication of Nikkei cuisine, an extraordinary fusion of Japanese tradition and Peruvian Creole passion.

A history of culinary excellence

Since it opened in 2009, Maido has revolutionized the Latin American food scene. Its name, which means "welcome" in Japanese, sums up the place's hospitable, refined spirit. Chef Tsumura, of Japanese descent but trained in the United States and Japan, has created a unique offering deeply rooted in Peruvian diversity but seen through the prism of Japanese minimalism and precision.

Every visit to Maido is a journey. It isn't just about tasting, but about understanding, feeling and connecting with stories told from the first dish to dessert.

Nikkei cuisine at its finest

Nikkei cuisine is not just a trend: it is a food culture that has evolved over generations in Peru, the result of the meeting between Japanese immigrants and local flavors. At Maido, this meeting reaches its most refined form:

Tuna nigiri with sushi rice infused with leche de tigre.
Amazonian fish with miso and native leaves.
Lomo saltado reinterpreted with umami sauces.
Chawanmushi (savory Japanese custard) with sea urchin and Andean corn.

Every dish reflects in-depth research into the ingredients, their history, their seasonality and their sensory impact. Besides its à la carte menu, Maido offers a spectacular 12-course tasting menu that lets you live the restaurant's full experience.

A space that blends art, elegance and culture

Maido's dining room is an extension of its culinary concept: sober and minimalist, with details in wood, washi paper and visual elements that evoke both Japanese aesthetics and Peruvian landscapes.

The atmosphere is calm, the service impeccable, and every diner is treated with almost ceremonial attention. The sushi bar lets you watch the chefs' technique up close, while the tables offer a more introspective experience.

Mitsuharu Tsumura: the visionary of Nikkei cuisine

The son of Japanese immigrants, Mitsuharu Tsumura studied culinary arts in the United States and perfected his craft in Osaka. From a young age he knew he wanted to devote his life to cooking, but also to building bridges between cultures.

With Maido, he not only raised Nikkei cuisine to the level of fine dining, he also put Peru at the epicenter of world gastronomy. He has received honors such as No. 1 in Latin America (Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants) and the current title of best restaurant in the world in 2024.

Tsumura has also become a mentor to young cooks and an advocate for local producers and food sustainability.

A transformative dining experience at Maido in Lima

Visiting Maido isn't just going out to eat. It is immersing yourself in a philosophy of respect, harmony and excellence. It is letting yourself be surprised by unexpected textures, deep flavors and plating that verges on theater.

Some memorable moments on the menu include:

The use of little-known Amazonian products in Japanese preparations.
The balance between spicy, sweet and salty in delicate formats.
The presence of ferments, cooking stocks and artisanal processes.

All accompanied by a precisely curated selection of wines and sakes.

Useful information

📍 Address: Calle San Martín 399, Miraflores 15074, Lima, Peru
🕒 Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 13:00 to 22:00
🌐 Website: https://www.maido.pe
📍 Reservations: highly recommended, weeks in advance

Why Maido is the best restaurant in the world

Because it redefines what fusion means: it doesn't mix for the sake of mixing, it creates new culinary languages.
Because it respects the origin of each ingredient, enhancing its flavor with impeccable technique.
Because every dish tells a story that connects Peru with Japan and with the world.
Because it is led by a chef who represents not only culinary excellence but also human values.

Perú Comidas recommends

At Perú Comidas we celebrate Maido's triumph not only for its worldwide recognition but because it represents the natural evolution of Peruvian cuisine: an open, mixed cuisine deeply connected to its land, but with an international outlook.

Maido is not only the best restaurant in the world according to the rankings: it is also a place where the souls of two cultures merge in a delicious embrace.

If you visit Lima, Maido is a must.

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