Maido's recent triumph as the best restaurant in the world in The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2025
Jorge E. Bravo – Domestic and international Project Management, Jun 25, 2025
Not only does it mark a milestone for Peruvian cuisine, but it has also triggered a domino effect in tourism, the economy, technology, and international positioning.
The restaurant led by chef Mitsuharu “Micha” Tsumura has elevated Nikkei cuisine to the global summit, consolidating Lima as the culinary epicenter of Latin America.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Mincetur), this recognition "reaffirms the country's leadership in the global culinary scene" and projects Peru "with identity, flavor, diversity and culture" [2]. Minister Desilú León Chempén emphasized that "our country is today the epicenter of global cuisine" [2]. This is no exaggeration: 81% of foreign tourists They arrive and look for places in Lima, and on 15 % they arrive in Peru motivated to try its gastronomy, generating more than US$ 300 million in annual income [1][3].
The impact isn't limited to national pride. Platforms like PromPerú have expanded their multilingual digital campaigns, while outlets like CNN Travel and The Guardian have positioned Lima as a world-class culinary destination. Global visibility has been amplified with live streams, 4K content, and SEO and social media strategies that have made the Maido experience go viral.
Technology has also been a key ally. Reservation apps like TheForky and OpenTable report an increase in searches related to Maido and several other Peruvian restaurants. Travel agencies have launched premium culinary packages, and mobility apps have strengthened their coverage in areas like Miraflores to meet growing demand. Simultaneous translation tools have even been developed for tourists, improving the real-time experience.
In terms of employment, gastronomy represents 29.6 % of tourism employment in the country, with more than 388,000 direct and indirect jobs [1][3]. In 2024 alone, gastronomic tourism generated more than S/ 6,832 million, equivalent to 21.9 % of the national tourism GDP [2].
This phenomenon is not isolated. Other Peruvian restaurants such as Kjolle, Mérito, Mayta, and MIL also appear in the ranking, consolidating a robust and competitive gastronomic ecosystem. As PromPerú points out, “92% of Peruvians are proud of their cuisine” [1], and that pride now translates into strategy, investment, and global outreach. Welcome to Peru.
Sources:
Sources: [1] RPP: Maido and the economic impact of gastronomic tourism [2] Mincetur: Recognition of Maido and gastronomic leadership of Peru [3] La República: Maido and the rise of gastronomic tourism
https://www.panasm.com/maido-nikkei/
https://larutagastro.com/maido-comida-nikkei-su-maximo-esplendor/
https://www.forbesargentina.com/lifestyle/cuales-son-11-restaurantes-sudamericanos-elegidos-50-mejores-mundo-n54114
https://peru21.pe/gastronomia/que-se-encuentra-en-la-carta-de-maido-y-como-es-la-experiencia/
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