Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025

Colombia made a strong showing in Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025. Five Colombian restaurants entered the ranking, led by El Chato in Bogotá at No. 1. Manuel in Barranquilla stood out as the Caribbean city’s big culinary name and ranked No. 46.

Colombia’s Restaurants On The List

Colombia placed four restaurants in the 2025 ranking. El Chato in Bogotá earned the top spot in all of Latin America. Leo in Bogotá ranked No. 23, Afluente in Bogotá ranked No. 34, and Humo Negro in Bogotá ranked No. 41. Celele in Cartagena also remained among the region’s most important dining destinations, landing at No. 5.

Manuel In Barranquilla

Manuel brought Barranquilla into the main ranking at No. 46. The restaurant offers a refined but relaxed dining room with a focus on Colombian produce and classic European technique. Its menu highlights Caribbean flavors through dishes built around fresh fish, charcoal cooking, crab, and steak. Manuel Mendoza, who is from Barranquilla, uses the restaurant to celebrate the food traditions of Colombia’s Caribbean coast. Manuel also made it onto the 2023 and 2024 50 Best Restaurants list.

Manuel Restaurante, Barranquilla

Why Manuel Delivers a Great Fine Dining Experience

Manuel offers a polished, ingredient‑driven experience that feels both refined and deeply Colombian. The restaurant blends European technique with Caribbean flavors, using fresh fish, charcoal‑grilled meats, and local seafood in elegant, approachable dishes. Its relaxed yet sophisticated dining room invites guests to savor each course without formality. For fine‑dining lovers, Manuel stands out as a place where technique, terroir, and hospitality come together in one memorable meal.

Full Top 50 Snapshot

The 2025 list crowned El Chato in Bogotá at No. 1, followed by Kjolle in Lima and Don Julio in Buenos Aires. Other standout names included Mérito, Boragó, Quintonil, and Nuema. The ranking also featured Manuel at No. 46, alongside many of Latin America’s most talked-about restaurants. This mix shows how widely the region’s culinary leadership is spread across major cities.

Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025 confirms Colombia’s growing influence in fine dining. El Chato leads the country, but Manuel in Barranquilla gives the Caribbean coast a new spotlight. The message is simple: Colombian gastronomy is stronger, broader, and more visible than ever.

National Geographic

National Geographic named Cartagena and Barranquilla among the Best Food Destinations 2026 for their exceptional Caribbean Colombian cuisine. These two vibrant cities showcase award-winning restaurants and innovative chefs blending indigenous, African, Spanish, and Arabic culinary traditions.