The culinary landscape of the Caribbean and Latin America is as diverse as its geography. Shaped by Indigenous, European, and African traditions, food here is not just sustenance — it’s culture on a plate.
From Mexico City, with its street stall hawking elotes and tacos, to Lima, where chefs transform Andean ingredients into lauded tasting menus, the best food cities in Latin America and the Caribbean take travelers on a journey through multilayered flavors and deep-rooted traditions. Whether it’s savoring farm-to-table dishes in Los Cabos, enjoying a steak in Buenos Aires, or dining by the sea in Aruba, each destination shows that culinary travel in the Caribbean and Latin America is best paired with a Marriott Bonvoy stay that’s every bit as memorable.
As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.
Mexico City
Explore the culture and cuisine of Mexico City. (Photos: Getty Images)
The Mexican capital continues to rise in popularity among international travelers, and a large part of its appeal is indisputably its robust dining scene. While some of the best places to eat in Mexico City are of the hole-in-the-wall and street food variety, the city also has an endless supply of acclaimed fine-dining restaurants serving up creative takes on Mexican cuisine.
The swanky Polanco neighborhood is home to the city’s MICHELIN two-star recipients, Pujol and Quintonil –– helmed by chefs Enrique Olvera and Jorge Vallejo, respectively –– whose tasting menus have seemingly claimed permanent spots in international rankings.
Voraz, a Bib Gourmand recipient and part of trendy Roma’s thriving dining scene, epitomizes the neighborhood’s spirit with its industrial-chic setting in a former mechanic’s workshop. If sophisticated surroundings are more your thing, head to Samos Sabores Míos at The Ritz-Carlton, Mexico City, where contemporary fine dining comes with a side of great city views.
Los Cabos
Consisting of Cabo San Lucas, San José del Cabo, and the corridor between them, Los Cabos at the tip of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula has a booming fine-dining scene with seafood and farm-to-table restaurants at its core.
Flora’s Field Kitchen, which was awarded a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand, has been growing its own produce and raising livestock on a 25-acre farm since the ’90s. At Cocina de Campo by Agricole, located on the road connecting Los Cabos with Todos Santos, you can try a delectable version of the region’s famous Baja-style fish tacos.
For fine dining, head to Al Pairo, inside Solaz, a Luxury Collection Resort, Los Cabos, where ancient Mexican cuisine is reimagined using fresh, sustainable regional ingredients. At Café des Artistes Los Cabos, created by acclaimed chef Thierry Blouet and located within the beachfront JW Marriott Los Cabos Beach Resort and Spa, expect artfully plated Mexican dishes prepared with French-inspired techniques.
Lima
Sample the Nikkei cuisine at Maras, located inside The Westin Lima Hotel & Convention Center. (Photos: Marriott International)
Peruvian cuisine has earned international acclaim, with Lima, the capital, widely regarded as one of the best food cities in Latin America. There’s no doubt that ceviche is the country’s most emblematic dish — and for good reason. Those in the know are well aware that Nikkei cuisine, a fusion of Japanese and Peruvian food, is well worth sampling at its birthplace. You can try them both at Maras, located within The Westin Lima Hotel & Convention Center.
Led by Chef Mitsuharu Tsumura, Maido’s Nikkei tasting menu often earned it a spot among The World’s 50 Best Restaurants. At Central, another winner of the coveted title, Chef Virgilio Martínez takes diners on a culinary journey through Peru’s diverse ecosystems.
Bogotá
Bogotá is known for its vibrant culture, its museums, historic La Candelaria district, and now its burgeoning food scene. Fine-dining establishments are found in the gourmet pocket of the city known as Zona G. Sancocho (a hearty stew), arepas (griddled corn cakes), and bandeja paisa (a generous platter of beans, rice and meat) are some of the iconic Colombian dishes you’ll get to try on a trip to Bogotá.
Check out the renowned three-decade-old Harry Sasson and stylish newcomer Debora, which proudly features the humble arepa on the menu. At El Chato, chef Álvaro Clavijo, who’s done stints at international fine-dining heavy-hitters including Noma, spotlights local fruits such as guava, granadilla, and lulo, a tart citrus with notes of lime and pineapple. Located inside the W Bogotá, Jairo pays homage to Colombian farmers through its offering of artisanal cuisine. Expect simple, yet flawlessly executed dishes.
Santiago
Chile’s capital pairs Andean mountain views with a dynamic dining scene that celebrates both traditional flavors and modern innovation. Empanadas de pino (savory pastries with ground beef) and pastel de choclo (corn pie layered with chicken or meat) are Chilean classics, while fresh seafood from the Pacific Coast takes center stage at restaurants throughout the city.
The affluent neighborhood of Vitacura is home to Boragó, where chef Rodolfo Guzmán showcases endemic ingredients sourced from the country’s diverse landscapes. At Karai by Mitsuharu, inside the W Santiago, chef Mitsuharu Tsumura of Lima’s Maido brings his celebrated Nikkei cuisine to Santiago, using fresh Chilean seafood and produce.
Buenos Aires
Savor the flavors of asado meats and wander through the vibrant foodie haven of La Boca.(Photos: Getty Images)
In Argentina, the asado, a traditional barbecue featuring various cuts of meat, reigns supreme. More than a meal, it’s considered a social ritual. Parrillas (steakhouses) are found throughout every neighborhood of Buenos Aires, but few tables are as coveted as those of MICHELIN-starred Don Julio in Palermo Viejo, where the likes of soccer legend Lionel Messi are known to dine.
Beyond steak, Buenos Aires is known for its Italian offerings — some claim it has more pizzerias than Rome. At Buono, Italian Kitchen, inside Sheraton Buenos Aires Hotel & Convention Center, a la carte Italian cuisine is served with Argentine flair.
São Paulo
Enjoy Brazilian cuisine in a verdant setting at Renaissance São Paulo Hotel. (Photos: Marriott International)
Brazil’s largest metropolis’s food scene has been shaped by waves of immigration from Italy, Japan, Lebanon, and beyond. Feijoada, the country’s national dish, is a hearty black bean stew with pork and beef that reflects both Portuguese and African influences.
São Paulo’s dining scene spans from street food stalls selling pão de queijo (baked cheese balls) to high-end restaurants reimagining Brazilian cuisine. At Baio Cozinha Sulista, inside W São Paulo, Southern Brazilian flavors take center stage with dishes that celebrate Brazil’s regional diversity. Terraço Jardins at Renaissance São Paulo Hotel features garden-inspired architecture and a menu rooted in Paulista culture, highlighting Caipira (countryside) and Caiçara (coastal) cuisines with ingredients native to the Atlantic Forest.
Aruba
Fresh seafood dominates menus in this Caribbean island, where mahi-mahi, red snapper, and locally caught lobster are prepared in unique ways. Influenced by some 90 different nationalities, the “Happy Island” offers an abundance of native flavors. Keshi yena, a traditional Aruban dish of spiced meat stuffed inside a hollowed-out Edam cheese shell, is a testament to the island’s Dutch heritage, while pastechi, flaky pastries filled with cheese or meat, are served at nearly every corner snack shop.
At Atardi, located at Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino, fresh seafood is served beachside, where diners can sink their toes in the sand while watching the sun set over Eagle Beach. At The St. Regis Aruba Resort, restaurant Akira Back brings Japanese-Korean fusion cuisine to the Caribbean.
San Juan
Inspired by local ingredients, COA impresses with grilled fare at the Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve.
Puerto Rican cuisine, known as cocina criolla, is a flavorful fusion of Taíno, Spanish, and African cuisines. Mofongo (mashed fried plantains with garlic and pork cracklings) is the island’s most iconic dish, while arroz con gandules (rice with pigeon peas) and pernil (roasted pork shoulder) are holiday staples.
San Juan’s dining scene ranges from casual lechoneras (roast pork joints) to innovative restaurants reimagining Puerto Rican classics. At COA in Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, the focus is on open-flame cooking that celebrates Puerto Rico’s agricultural bounty.
Punta Cana
The Dominican Republic’s premier beach destination offers a taste of authentic Caribbean flavors alongside international dining options. La Bandera Dominicana (the Dominican flag) consists of rice, beans, and stewed meat, and is the country’s go-to everyday meal, while mangú (mashed plantains) is a breakfast favorite. Fresh seafood, from lobster to conch, features prominently on coastal menus.
The St. Regis Cap Cana Resort’s signature restaurant, Nina, explores the bounty of the Americas from the Caribbean to Patagonia with beautifully flavorful dishes in a sleek, intimate dining room that glows with soft light and sea views.
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