The accolade came as a big surprise to Jonny Roberts and his staff at Bolero Brasserie.

They had no idea a list of the best restaurants in Latin America and the Caribbean was being compiled — and they were thrilled to learn they were on it.

The Front Street bistro was ranked number 18 of 101 top restaurants in the region by The Daily Meal.

It was part of an annual list compiled by the online expert on dining news and trends.

“The first I heard of it was when I got an e-mail from the website saying, ‘can we use a photo from your website to promote your restaurant?’,” said Mr Roberts.

The 46-year-old, who owns the restaurant and is also its chef, had not heard of The Daily Meal. He assumed the e-mail was spam.

“I kind of left it,” he said. “Then I got a link saying we’d been voted number 18 out of 101. I said, ‘wow’, but still did nothing with it.”

A third e-mail convinced him the request was genuine.

“All the staff are very proud and pleased,” he said. “It was nothing we expected, so it was a nice surprise for all of us. I have no idea how the vote was put in. I am assuming travellers did a vote.”

Mr Roberts opened Bolero on Front Street in 2007. The restaurant’s menus change weekly, although long-time favourites such as snail and garlic beignets and steak and chips can regularly be found.

“We get great feedback from customers,” Mr Roberts said. “We’ve got a large local clientele following. They’re very truthful sometimes, too, so we have to listen.”

The bistro has received several Best of Bermuda Awards and been recognised by Trip Advisor with certificates of excellence.

Food stalls and street stands were not eligible for inclusion on The Daily Meal list. Everything else was fair game.

The site selected restaurants based on advice from industry experts, local food guides and reviews.

A shortlist of 261 restaurants from 28 countries was put before food critics, bloggers and writers. They condensed that to 101 eateries based on region, cuisine and the style of restaurant. As part of the criteria, they were only allowed to vote for places where they had eaten in the last year.

Bolero was selected for its “esteemed reputation among locals and visitors alike”. According to The Daily Meal: “The vision behind it remains consistent: brasserie fare with twist from Roberts’ own culinary training.

“On the menu, guests will find starters like snail and garlic beignets with roast garlic hummus, and mains including lamb chops with Moroccan beans and tomato and chile jam or rib-eye with escargot forestière.

“While most local restaurants seem to play it safe with fish chowder and grilled fish, here you’ll find dishes involving duck confit, pig’s feet, pork cheeks and lamb’s liver.”

Visit www.thedailymeal.com; www.bolerobrasserie.com