Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants for 2013 Revealed

Last night in Lima, the World's 50 Best organization announced Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants. Coming in at #1 was Lima's own Astrid y Gastón, helmed by chef Gastón Acurio. #2 was Alex Atala's D.O.M. is São Paulo (check out Eater's preview of his new cookbook here) and #3 was Enrique Olvera's Mexico City restaurant, Pujol. Interestingly, D.O.M. is the highest-ranked Latin American restaurant on the current World's 50 Best list, coming in 6th, while Astrid y Gastón ranks 14th and Pujol is 17th.

Restaurants from Peru, Mexico, Argentina, and Brazil dominated the list, which you can find in full below. Here's Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants:

Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants

1. Astrid y Gastón, Lima, Perú
2. D.O.M., São Paulo, Brasil
3. Pujol, México City, México
4. Central, Lima, Perú
5. Mani, São Paulo, Brasil
6. Biko, México City, México
7. Malabar, Lima, Perú
8. Boragó, Santiago, Chile
9. Tegui, Buenos Aires, Argentina
10. Roberta Sudbrack, Rio De Janeiro, Brasil
11. Maido, Lima, Perú
12. Pangea, Monterrey, México
13.Rafael, Lima, Perú
14. Fiesta, Lima, Perú
15. La Mar, Lima, Perú
16. Mocotó, São Paulo, Brasil
17. La Cabrera, Buenos Aires, Argentina
18. Tomo 1, Buenos Aires, Argentina
19. Criterión Bogotá, Colombia
20. Parador La Huella, José Ignacio, Uruguay
21. Quintonil, México City, México
22. Harry Sasson, Bogotá, Colombia
23. Fasano, São Paulo, Brasil
24. Andrés Carne de Res, Chia, Colombia
25. Alto Caracas, Venezuela
26. Merotoro, México City, México
27. Oviedo, Buenos Aires, Argentina
28. Chila, Buenos Aires, Argentina
29. Sucre, Buenos Aires, Argentina
30. Corazón de Tierra, Valle de Guadalupe, México
31. Aramburu, Buenos Aires, Argentina
32. Attimo, São Paulo, Brasil
33. Pura Tierra Buenos Aires, Argentina
34. Casa Oaxaca Hotel, Oaxaca, México
35. Olympe, Rio De Janeiro, Brasil
36. Sud 777, México City, México
37. Francis Mallmann 1884, Mendoza, Argentina
38. Remanso do Bosque, Belém, Brasil
39. El Baqueano, Buenos Aires, Argentina
40. Unik, Buenos Aires, Argentina
41. Epice, São Paulo, Brasil
42. La Bourgogne, Punta del Este, Uruguay
43. Pitiona, Oaxaca, México
44. Paraje Arévalo, Buenos Aires, Argentina
45. Casa Umare, Buenos Aires, Argentina
46. Laja Ensenada, México
47. El Cielo Bogotá, Colombia
48. Osaka, Santiago, Chile
49. Hernán Gipponi Restaurante, Buenos Aires, Argentina
50. Elena, Buenos Aires, Argentina

ASTRID Y GASTÓN CROWNED THE FIRST CUSQUEÑA LATIN AMERICA'S BEST RESTAURANT

Nearly two decades after the restaurant doors first opened, Astrid y Gastón has claimed the coveted number one spot on the inaugural Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants list, sponsored by Cusqueña.

Lima's Astrid y Gastón, The Cusqueña Latin America's Best Restaurant and The Cusqueña Best Restaurant in Peru, has long been acclaimed as one of Peru's most exciting places to eat, where simple Peruvian cooking is combined with chef-owner Gaston Acurio's own character and style. Acurio and Head Chef Diego Muñoz continue to experiment with Peruvian ingredients, often referencing Andean and Amazonian culinary traditions.

This is a third significant award for Acurio and his restaurant this year in the World's 50 Best Restaurants programme. He is also the recipient of The Diners Club® Lifetime Achievement Award in Latin America, recognising the fundamental contribution he has made to Peru's culinary industry and national identity across the region. Earlier this year in London, was and ranked No.14 in the world on The World's 50 Best Restaurants list, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna, and picked up the Highest Climber Award, sponsored by Gaggenau. Astrid y Gastón made its debut on The World's 50 Best Restaurants List in 2011.

Supported by Astrid y Gastón's achievement in reaching the summit of the Latin America list, Peru dominates the top 10 with Virgilio Martinez's Central at no. 4 and Malabar at no.7. The country has a total of seven restaurants on Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants list sponsored by Cusqueña. Lima's Maido (no.11), Rafael (no.13), Fiesta (no.14) and Acurio's La Mar (no.15) all feature and demonstrate the diversity and repute of Peruvian cuisine.

Brazil, another regional and international leader, boasts nine restaurants on the Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants list sponsored by Cusqueña, with SaoPaulo's D.O.M shooting straight in at no.2 to take the S.Pellegrino Best Restaurant in Brazil. Atala is widely considered 'the face of Brazilian cuisine' and one of the world's most influential chefs, renowned for combining the most authentic Brazilian flavours with a contemporary approach.

Helena Rizzo, executive chef of fellow São Paulo restaurant Mani, which is ranked at no.5, takes home the Veuve Clicquot Latin America's Best Female Chef Award. Another victory is won for Brazil as Restaurant Remanso do Bosque in Belém receives The Latin America's One to Watch Award, sponsored by BBVA. Chefs Thiago and Felipe Castanho's inspiration comes from the proximity of the nearby forest combining regional dishes with Amazonian flavours.

Mexico also has plenty to celebrate with 10 restaurants on the list. Enrique Olvera's Pujol is in at no.3, with Olvera also scooping the individual Chefs' Choice Award, sponsored by Telefonica and voted for by the chefs on the Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants list sponsored by Cusqueña. The restaurant is also named The S.Pellegrino Best Restaurant in Mexico. Olvera creates his personal style of Mexican cuisine by using local products, as well as modern and ancient techniques.

Argentina secures its position on the gastronomic map with 14 restaurants on the list. Tegui, at no.9, is celebrated as the Best Restaurant in Argentina, sponsored by Argentina Gourmet. Chef German Martitegui's eatery is one of Buenos Aires' cult restaurants with a minimalist menu that changes every week. Tegui stands out because of the clever combination of flavours with modern techniques which ensure the cooking is as fresh and inventive as the day the restaurant opened its doors.

With four restaurants on the list, Colombia stakes its claim in the continent's culinary landscape. Taking the no.19 spot, Criterión is crowned the Best Restaurant in Colombia, sponsored by Zacapa. The Rausch Brothers' restaurant has long been acclaimed as one of the top restaurants in the Colombian gourmet district. Executive chef and owner Jorge Rausch takes the reins of this French style kitchen, creating an unforgettable dining experience.

Uruguay's Parador La Huella is named The Best Restaurant in Uruguay, sponsored by LesConcierges. Located in Playa Brava, it is considered one of the finest beachside restaurants in Latin America and a leader in the fine art of South American grill. The restaurant partners with organic farms and maintains its own bread programme.

Restaurant Alto in Caracas is awarded with The Best Restaurant in Venezuela, sponsored by LesConcierges. Chef Carlos Garcia combines Mediterranean cuisine based around local ingredients with an intimate experience.

The Best Restaurant in Chile, sponsored by Fundación Imagen de Chile, goes to Rodolfo Guzmán's Boragó at no.8. This young and innovative chef brings the regional flavours of Chile to life in Santiago's most creative tradition-oriented kitchen. The country has two restaurants on the list.

Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants sponsored by Cusqueña provides a credible and trusted list that is dedicated to the restaurant industry in Latin America and voted for by peers and luminaries in the culinary profession. The awards were presented in the company of the region's most influential restaurateurs, finest chefs and international media at the Country Club Lima Hotel in Peru. The results of the awards and Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants list is available at http://www.theworlds50best.com/latinamerica/en/

· All Gaston Acurio Coverage on Eater [-E-]
· All World's 50 Best Coverage on Eater [-E-]