Central

Lima, Peru

• Voted The World's Best Restaurant in 2023

In 2008, Virgilio Martínez opened Central in Lima with a vision to create a fine dining experience rooted in Peruvian ingredients and cooking techniques. Intrigued by what was then an extravagant idea, Pía León joined in 2009 – then went on to become Martínez’s head chef and wife, laying the foundations of what would become the Central experience.

The duo shares a deep passion for the Peruvian pantry, so contagious that even Martínez’s sister Malena was brought into the fold to head up Mater Iniciativa, the restaurant’s research arm. The trio and their team frequently travel across the length and width of Peru, meeting producers, tasting unusual ingredients and conjuring up new ways to serve them on the plate.

As Central’s concept developed over the years, a menu took form that guides diners through myriad different Peruvian ecosystems, categorised by altitude – from below sea level in the Pacific Ocean to the high peaks of the Andes. Each dish reflects the origin of its ingredients, from Dry Valley (shrimp, loche squash, avocado) to Amazonian Water (pacu fish, watermelon and coca leaf).

In 2018, Martínez and León moved Central to a spacious building in Lima’s Barranco neighbourhood: Casa Tupac. Featuring a large garden, an investigation centre, as well as León’s solo restaurant, Kjolle (No.16 in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2024) and the couple’s family home, it is a haven of delicious flavours and thoughtful hospitality.

In recent years, Martínez and León have become global ambassadors of Peruvian flavours with a string of openings. First was Mil (No.63 in the extended list of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2024) high up in the mountains near Cusco; then Maz in Tokyo; and the couple is always looking further afield. Each venue combines Peruvian and local produce into unique culinary experiences.

Central first appeared on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list in 2013 at No.50, just as its influence across Latin America was rising steadily. Ten years later, it becomes the first ever South American eatery to earn the title of The World’s Best Restaurant, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna. Now it ascends into the Best of the Best hall of fame, having redrawn the global gastronomic map.

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