The 2025 winners of the restaurant world’s most influential global awards, the World’s 50 Best list, were announced in Turin–and one of the honoured restaurants is located in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia.
Celele, a caribbean food based restaurant has made it on the list, which according to The New York Times, “Continued to recognize restaurants outside of the European fine-dining tradition, with innovative presentations, experimental flavors and hyperlocal ingredients.”
The list however, has been criticized for over two decades, as the World’s 50 Best list allows its 1100 voters to accept perks like free meals from the participating restaurants.
Celele, in Cartagena, Colombia was 48th in World’s 50 Best List
According to its website, Celele serves “Contemporary Caribbean cuisine rooted in the gastronomic culture and biodiversity of the Colombian Caribbean region.” Celele was born from the creative vision of Chef Jaime David Rodríguez Camacho as he reconnected with the edible biodiversity through his Carib Lab project–a two-year journey across the Colombian Caribbean to catalog local ingredients, recipes, and culinary techniques.
The restaurant is also committed to supporting local communities by helping them with their own businesses. Additionally, Celele’s menu, “Reflects regional seasonality and embraces fermentation processes and preparations that begin with fresh ingredients delivered to our door from various corners of the Caribbean.”
Throughout its existence, the restaurant has received the following awards:
- 2019 – “Miele One To Watch Award” from The Latin America 50 Best Restaurants.
- 2020 – Ranked No. 49 on The Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants list.
- 2021 – “Gin Mare Art Of Hospitality Award” distinction.
- 2022 – Ranked No. 19 on The Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants list.
- 2023 – Ranked No. 16 on The Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants list.
- 2024 – Ranked No. 6 on The Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants list.
- 2024 – Our chef received three Knives at The Best Chef Awards.
- 2024 – Special “The Best Chef Terroir” distinction at The Best Chef Awards.
A Peruvian restaurant topped the World’s 50 Best List
Maido, a restaurant in Lima, Peru became the second restaurant from Peru’s capital to top the list. Asador Extebarri, in the Basque Country held onto its number 2 spot. Another Latin American restaurant, Quintonil in Mexico City, DiverXO in Madrid, and Alchemist in Copenhagen complete the top 5 best restaurants in the world.
The World’s 50 Best List
- 1. Maido, Lima
- 2. Asador Etxebarri, Atxondo, Spain
- 3. Quintonil, Mexico City
- 4. DiverXO, Madrid
- 5. Alchemist, Copenhagen
- 6. Gaggan, Bangkok
- 7. Sézanne, Tokyo
- 8. Table by Bruno Verjus, Paris
- 9. Kjolle, Lima
- 10. Don Julio, Buenos Aires
- 11. Wing, Hong Kong
- 12. Atomix, New York
- 13. Potong, Bangkok
- 14. Plenitude, Paris
- 15. Ikoyi, London
- 16. Lido 84, Lake Garda, Italy
- 17. Sorn, Bangkok
- 18. Reale, Castel del Sangro, Italy
- 19. The Chairman, Hong Kong
- 20. Atelier Moessmer Norbert Niederkofler, Brunico, Italy
- 21. Narisawa, Tokyo
- 22. Sühring, Bangkok
- 23. Borago, Santiago
- 24. Elkano, Getaria
- 25. Odette, Singapore
- 26. Merito, Lima
- 27. Trèsind Studio, Dubai
- 28. Lasai, Rio de Janeiro
- 29. Mingles, Seoul
- 30. Le Du, Bangkok
- 31. Le Calandre, Padua, Italy
- 32. Piazza Duomo, Alba, Italy
- 33. Steirerecke, Vienna
- 34. Enigma, Barcelona (Adrià)
- 35. Nusara, Bangkok
- 36. Florilege, Tokyo
- 37. Orfali Bros., Dubai
- 38. Frantzén, Stockholm
- 39. Mayta, Lima
- 40. Septime, Paris
- 41. Kadeau, Copenhagen
- 42. Belcanto, Lisbon
- 43. Uliassi, Senigallia, Italy
- 44. La Cime, Osaka
- 45. L’ Arpège, Paris
- 46. Rosetta, Mexico City
- 47. Vyn, Simrishamn, Sweden
- 48. Celele, Cartagena
- 49. Kol, London
- 50. Jan, South Africa