Peru’s growing pizza scene received international recognition this week as two local pizzerias secured places in The Best Pizza Awards 2026 ranking, announced during a ceremony in Milan, Italy.
Lima-based Indio was ranked No. 95, marking the second consecutive time the restaurant has appeared on the prestigious list. Joining it this year is Masa Sobre Mesa, which debuted at No. 100, giving Peru two representatives among the world’s top pizza destinations.
The rankings were revealed during a record-breaking edition of The Best Pizza Awards, which brought together more than 500 guests, including 300 pizza chefs and 200 international journalists from around the world. The awards are organized by The Best Chef Awards and are judged through a chef-led voting process designed to recognize excellence, innovation, and consistency in pizza making.
The top honor of The Best Pizza Chef 2026 went to Italian pizzaiolo Francesco Martucci of I Masanielli in Caserta, Italy, who retained the title for a second consecutive year. Other leading positions included Roberto Davanzo of Bob Alchimia a Spicchi in Montepaone, Italy, and Francesco Capece of Confine in Milan.
One of the evening’s most emotional moments came when legendary Italian pizzaiolo Franco Pepe received the inaugural Pizza Legend Award. Created specifically to honor his lifetime contribution to the craft, the distinction recognizes Pepe’s influence in elevating pizza from a regional tradition into a globally respected culinary art form.
“Every generation has its masters. But only a few become legends,” organizers said during the ceremony, praising Pepe’s role as a mentor, innovator, and ambassador for pizza culture worldwide.
Alongside the award, Pepe was also named Honorary President and Academic Ambassador of The Best Pizza, a new role through which he will help guide educational initiatives for the next generation of pizza makers. The organization announced plans to launch a global educational platform aimed at providing young pizzaioli with training, mentorship, and professional opportunities.
For Peru, however, the biggest takeaway was the continued international recognition of its emerging pizza movement. With Indio maintaining its place among the world’s best, creating twists on classic and Masa Sobre Mesa making its debut, with disruptive flavors on top of a great dish, exploring over 75 different recipes from Huancaína to shrimp or scallops during the Summer, Peruvian pizza continues to gain visibility on one of the industry’s most respected global stages.
The 2026 edition of The Best Pizza Awards recognized 100 pizza chefs from 39 countries across five continents, highlighting both established masters and the new generation shaping the future of pizza worldwide.
