The 2025 edition of the awards was doubly extraordinary: it marked the 10th anniversary of this gala that recognizes the best in gastronomy and travel, and for the first time, it moved from Mexico City to enjoy the sun, sea, and warmth of Puerto Vallarta. Against this backdrop, the awards ceremony was a true celebration, which we’ll recap here with all the key moments and the final list of winners. Let’s meet them! Photos: Charly Ramos, Gabriel Nuñez, and Arturo Mateos.
The Puerto Vallarta International Convention Center opened its doors to announce the winners of the 2025 Food and Travel Reader Awards. There were more than 180 nominees in 33 categories, in addition to four special recognitions and the inclusion of new awards that, this time, focused on the wine industry and content creators.
But before the ceremony began, and with the Puerto Vallarta sunset as their backdrop, the guests enjoyed a sophisticated reception featuring wines from Ribera del Duero. At this welcome event, there were more than 20 wines to sample, as well as Malossol caviar from Gourmanité. CUPRA also surprised everyone with its vehicle display, showcasing its trendsetting vehicles and reflecting why the brand is an invitation to take the next step in style.
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Welcome to the tenth anniversary of the Food and Travel Reader Awards
The opening of the Food and Travel Reader Awards 2025 gala was hosted by comedian and actor Jesús Guzmán, who provided the perfect touch to lift spirits and prepare the nominees for the awards ceremony. He then introduced the hosts: Claudia Lizaldi, actress and businesswoman, and Arturo Torres Landa, editorial director of Food and Travel Mexico. The opening remarks were completed by Raúl Sayrols, CEO of Lyrsa Comunicaciones, who spoke about the essence of these awards: “We want to build the industry. Our mission is to inspire people to travel, to discover everything the country has to offer.”
For her part, Michelle Fridman, Secretary of Tourism for Jalisco, highlighted Jalisco’s iconic figures, the rich culture of the region, and the importance of the state’s flavors—attributes that have put it on the world map.
Before revealing the winners, it’s important to note that the nominees were chosen entirely by the readers of Food and Travel Mexico. Voting lasted almost four months and garnered more than 59,000 votes. All the winners took home a plaque featuring Huichol art motifs, as well as a bottle of Taittinger Prélude Grands Crus champagne.
And the winners are…
The list of winners began with the Best Promoter of Sustainable Products, a category presented by Tork, a leading company in professional and sustainable hygiene. The award went to Mestiza de Indias, from Yucatán. Next came the awards for Best Travel Agency, Best Gourmet Space, Best Flight Experience, Best New Restaurant in Mexico, Best Cruise, and the Boutique Cruise category. These awards led to one of the evening’s special recognitions: the Culinary Career Achievement Award, which was presented to chef Mónica Patiño.
This first segment also included dinner, prepared by renowned local chefs who drew inspiration from Puerto Vallarta for their dishes. The first course was a tostada with fish tartare, basil oil, and jocoque (a type of Mexican sour cream), created by chef Mauricio Leal of ICÚ restaurant.
Later, the evening in Puerto Vallarta shifted its focus to hospitality, recognizing the country’s outstanding hotels in boutique, resort, and city hotel categories. The award for Best Wine Region in Mexico was given to San Miguel de Allende, and the Community Tourism award went to the state of Puebla.
This segment concluded with the second course of the dinner, also created by Chef Mauricio Leal, featuring squash blossoms stuffed with ranchero cheese, parsnip purée, and tomato broth.
Ribera del Duero was responsible for raising the spirits of the evening in Puerto Vallarta by recognizing the excellence of its restaurants and wine cellars. First, Enrique Pascual García, president of the Ribera del Duero Designation of Origin Regulatory Board, presented the award for Best Established Restaurant, which went to Alcalde, helmed by Chef Francisco Ruano, and the award for Best Wine List, which went to K’u’uk in Mérida.
As the night progressed, the third course of the gala arrived: wood-fired bluefin tuna with a pumpkin aligot and bone marrow butter and jus, prepared by Chef Jesús Vázquez of La Cenaduría. Jesús Guzmán also returned to the stage for the mid-evening show, before the most anticipated moments arrived.
At the climax of this awards ceremony in Puerto Vallarta, the awards that set the standard began. CUPRA presented the Best Speakeasy award, which was won by Bar Shhh in Mexico City.
A few minutes later, the evening’s dessert, created by Chefs Thierry and Vanessa Blouet, signaled that we were nearing the end of the 2025 Food and Travel Reader Awards. A truffle ice cream with enoki mushroom, gold chocolate ganache, cocoa crumble, and hazelnut sponge was the perfect sweet ending.
Shortly after, we met the winner of the Best New Chef award, Fabiola Escobosa, from Cana. Finally, it was time to announce the Best Chef of the 2025 Food and Travel Reader Awards, presented by Taittinger. This year, the winner was Rodrigo Rivera Río, from KOLI Cocina de Origen.
This grand gala didn’t end with the awards ceremony. As soon as the last award was presented, the guests moved to the esplanade of the Puerto Vallarta International Convention Center to continue toasting and celebrating amidst fireworks, Taittinger bubbles, and refreshing cocktails made with El Tesoro del Oeste artisanal raicilla.
Thus, we enjoyed a ceremony that will be remembered as a highlight of the Food and Travel Reader Awards. Puerto Vallarta vibrated with the spirits of those who currently inspire with their creativity, sense of hospitality, and vision through flavors. Want to see the complete list of winners? Take note!
Winners of the 2025 Food and Travel Reader Awards
Food Categories
Travel Categories
Special Awards
Food Categories
BEST CHEF
- Rodrigo Rivera Río, KOLI Cocina de Origen
BEST UP-AND-COMING CHEF
- Fabiola Escobosa, CANA
BEST RESTAURANT IN MEXICO CITY AND METROPOLITAN AREA
- Expendio de Maíz
BEST RESTAURANT IN THE INTERIOR OF MEXICO
- Hueso, Guadalajara
BEST NEW RESTAURANT IN MEXICO
- Fierro, Mexico City
BEST ESTABLISHED RESTAURANT IN MEXICO
- Alcalde, Guadalajara
BEST SUSTAINABLE RESTAURANT IN MEXICO
- Lunario, Ensenada
BEST GOURMET SPACE IN MEXICO
- Plonk, Mexico City
BEST BAR IN MEXICO
- El Gallo Altanero, Guadalajara
BEST SPEAKEASY IN MEXICO
- Shhh, Mexico City
BEST PRODUCER OR PROMOTER OF SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS
- Mestiza de Indias, Yucatán
BEST WINE REGION IN MEXICO
- San Miguel de Allende
BEST HOTEL RESTAURANT IN MEXICO
- Cocina de Autor, Grand Velas Riviera Maya
BEST WINE LIST
- K’u’uk, Mérida
BEST FOOD CONTENT CREATOR
- Ainhoa García, @prueboyapruebo
Travel Categories
BEST DESTINATION IN MEXICO
- Baja California Sur
BEST FOOD DESTINATION IN MEXICO
- Baja California
BEST INTERNATIONAL DESTINATION
- Cartagena
BEST INTERNATIONAL CUISINE DESTINATION
- Madrid
BEST FLIGHT EXPERIENCE
- Aeromexico
BEST CITY HOTEL IN MEXICO
- Four Seasons Hotel Mexico City
BEST SUSTAINABLE HOTEL
- Maroma, A Belmond Hotel, Riviera Maya
BEST BEACH RESORT
- Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo, Jalisco
BEST BOUTIQUE BEACH HOTEL
- Casa Maat at the JW Marriott Los Cabos Beach Resort & Spa
BEST BOUTIQUE HOTEL IN A MAGIC TOWN OR COLONIAL CITY
- Hotel Casa Huamantla, Tlaxcala
BEST WELLNESS EXPERIENCE
- Palmaïa, The House of AïA, Riviera Maya
BEST SPA
- SE Spa, Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit
BEST ALL-INCLUSIVE EXPERIENCE
- Grand Velas Riviera Maya
BEST SUSTAINABLE TOURISM PROPOSAL
- Canopy River Park, Puerto Vallarta
BEST CRUISE SHIP
- Crystal Cruises
BEST BOUTIQUE CRUISE SHIP
- Aqua Expeditions
BEST TRAVEL AGENCY
- Viajes Palacio
BEST TOURISM CONTENT CREATOR
- Alan por el Mundo, @alanxelmundo
Special Awards
AWARD FOR GASTRONOMIC CAREER
Chef Mónica Patiño
COMMUNITY-BASED TOURISM
Puebla
NATIONAL HOT SPOT
Mexican Caribbean
INTERNATIONAL HOT SPOT
Alberta
Source: foodandtravel
