The best restaurants in Latin America

We all have our favorite restaurants, but experts have determined which are the best in our part of the continent. Here are some of the winners. For the past ten years, the English magazine Restaurant has compiled a list of the 50 best restaurants in the world, where experts from around the globe choose the best of the best to include in the World’s 50 Best Awards. This year, the category for the best in Latin America was introduced, representing Mexico, Peru, Argentina, and Brazil on this prestigious list. It is worth mentioning that several Latin American representatives also rank in various positions on the overall global list. Starting with Mexico, we find the restaurant Pujol by chef Enrique Olvera, which is currently ranked 17th in the world and third in all of Latin America. Here, one finds Mexican food inspired by pre-Hispanic products and techniques presented in a modern way. Only local ingredients are used, elevating the name of traditional Mexican cuisine through innovative flavors and forms. Another Mexican on the list is Biko, a Spanish-origin site that has evolved to draw inspiration from Mexican products. It ranks sixth and also holds a place on the international general list. Chefs Mikel Alonso and Bruno Oteiza believe in gastronomic minimalism and present multi-course tasting menus; however, if you prefer a more filling dinner, you can also order the chupetón with potatoes to share. Moving on to the winner of the contest, let's talk about Astrid y Gastón. This Peruvian franchise from renowned chef Gastón Acurio has restaurants in Mexico and Madrid, but it is its Lima branch, the original, that took first place. Its inventive cuisine uses Peruvian traditions like ceviche and Creole food to create new dishes that evoke those flavors but with different presentations and textures. Moreover, this restaurant and its chef advocate for cuisine as a social tool to improve the lives of those less fortunate. In fourth place is Central by chef Virgilio Martínez, also from Peru. This young chef is considered the new face of Latin American cuisine and, to top it off, he comes from Gastón Acurio's school. His cuisine is Peruvian, but the inspiration for his dishes comes directly from Asian influences, such as Vietnamese, Japanese, and Thai. Now, the highest-ranked Latin American restaurant on the global list is D.O.M by chef Alex Atala. This restaurant is located in São Paulo, Brazil. Here, this chef, once a rebellious youth from the streets and favelas, presents a diverse, colorful, and imaginative menu inspired by Amazonian ingredients. It ranks second on the Latin American list. If you want to learn more about the winners and even get the details of each to take advantage of dining at one of your upcoming getaways, click here to find the complete list.   If you prefer to eat at home and replicate some of the dishes, click here to find recipes for dishes ranging from the simplest to the most elaborate and famous.   Do you prefer dining at these restaurants or preparing your own version of their dishes?