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What is the list of North America’s 50 Best Restaurants, and which unique places to eat are you adding to your culinary travel itinerary? This is an exhaustive, ranked guide detailing the absolute best restaurants in North America.
The 2026 edition of the North America’s 50 Best Restaurants list was officially revealed on May 28, 2026, at an exciting awards ceremony held at the Sheraton New Orleans, where the best chefs from across the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean gathered to celebrate.
This year, the final list includes 14 restaurants from Canada and 36 from the United States, meaning you have plenty of incredible destinations to choose from. Though two Caribbean restaurants made last year’s list, none ranked this year, and you should note that Mexico is not included in this ranking because they are featured in the separate Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants list.
Finding out where to eat and discovering phenomenal global cuisines are my biggest passions, and I cannot wait to share these award-winning dining destinations with you. A lot of these restaurants are featured in the Michelin Guide, Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants, or the broader World’s 50 Best Restaurants.
The food scene across the United States and Canada is booming, and this guide provides the exact details on the chefs, neighborhoods, and histories behind each winning venue.
Ranked List: Top Ten Best Restaurants in North America
To give you a quick glance at the absolute pinnacle of this year’s ranking, here is a structured breakdown of the top ten dining destinations.
| Rank | Restaurant Name | City Location | Country |
| 1 | Smyth | Chicago | United States |
| 2 | Eight | Calgary | Canada |
| 3 | Restaurant Pearl Morissette | Lincoln | Canada |
| 4 | Dakar NOLA | New Orleans | United States |
| 5 | Mon Lapin | Montreal | Canada |
| 6 | Albi | Washington DC | United States |
| 7 | Atomix | New York | United States |
| 8 | Quetzal | Toronto | Canada |
| 9 | Tanière3 | Quebec City | Canada |
| 10 | César | New York | United States |
North America’s 50 Best Restaurants
Here is the complete, ranked list of the 50 best restaurants in North America, detailing the chefs, neighborhood locations and what to expect for each dining destination.
1. Smyth (Chicago, Illinois, United States)
Established in 2016 in Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood, Smyth, which operates alongside its lower-level sibling bar The Loyalist, is run by husband-and-wife chefs John Shields and Karen Urie Shields who deliver a progressive farm-to-table tasting menu while holding Three Michelin Stars.
2. Eight (Calgary, Alberta, Canada)
Opened in 2020 by chef Darren MacLean as an eight-seat tasting counter behind a door in the lobby of the Alt Hotel East Village in Calgary, Eight explores the country’s diverse multicultural mosaic through a multi-course tasting journey.
- Also in Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants 2026
3. Restaurant Pearl Morissette (Lincoln, Ontario, Canada)
I’ve already dined three times at Restaurant Pearl Morissette, also known as RPM, which was opened in November 2017 by chefs Daniel Hadida and Eric Robertson on a 42-acre estate to serve seasonal, French-inspired farmhouse tasting menus sourced directly from their own soil, holding Two Michelin Stars and a Michelin Green Star.
- Also in Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants 2026
4. Dakar NOLA (New Orleans, Louisiana, United States)
Opened in November 2022 in an Uptown cottage, Dakar NOLA is a modern Senegalese tasting menu restaurant run by chef Serigne Mbaye and business partner Effie Richardson that highlights local Gulf seafood and holds a recommended status in the Michelin Guide.
5. Mon Lapin (Montreal, Quebec, Canada)
Mon Lapin, which expanded in late 2020 to double its capacity in Montreal‘s Little Italy neighborhood, is operated by co-head chef Jessica Noel to serve French-inspired cuisine alongside natural wines, holding a recommended status in the Michelin Guide.
- Also in Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants 2026
6. Albi (Washington, District of Columbia, United States)
Established in February 2020 in Washington DC’s Navy Yard neighborhood, Albi is owned by chef Michael Rafidi and holds One Michelin Star for its hearth-focused, coal-fired approach to Levantine and Palestinian cuisine.
7. Atomix (New York, New York, United States)
Operating a 14-seat counter in New York City‘s NoMad neighborhood, Atomix was opened by husband-and-wife team Junghyun Park and Ellia Park to offer a 12-course Korean tasting menu rooted in cultural storytelling, holding Two Michelin Stars.
8. Quetzal (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
I saw chef Steven Molnar win One Knife at the Best Chef Awards in Milan, and his restaurant Quetzal, which opened in August 2018 in Toronto‘s Little Italy neighborhood, cooks regional Mexican cuisine over a 28-foot wood-burning hearth and holds One Michelin Star.
- Also in Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants 2026
1) PORK SECRETO AL PASTOR ($46) – charred pineapple, caramelized onion salsa
2) BONE MARROW & WILD ARGENTINIAN SHRIMP ($52) – pasilla & Ontario wild flower honey glaze, tortillas
3) NEWFOUNDLAND SCALLOPS ($39) – in the shell with green garlic butter, sea asparagus, morita chili
9. Tanière3 (Quebec City, Quebec, Canada)
During my Quebec City food tour, I experienced Tanière3, the historic venue run by chef François-Emmanuel Nicol in an unmarked circa-1600s building that focuses on blind tasting menus highlighting the local boreal terroir, holding Quebec’s first Two Michelin Stars.
- Also in Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants 2026
10. César (New York, New York, United States)
Opened on July 15, 2024, in NYC‘s Hudson Square neighborhood, César is run by chef César Ramirez following his tenure at Chef’s Table at Brooklyn Fare, offering a globally inspired seafood-focused tasting menu utilizing French and Japanese techniques while holding Two Michelin Stars.
11. Kalaya (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States)
Kalaya is located in Philadelphia’s Fishtown neighborhood under chef Chutatip Nok Suntaranon, focusing on authentic and spicy Southern Thai cuisine.
12. Le Veau d’Or (New York, New York, United States)
Originally established in 1937 and revived in July 2024 by Frenchette chefs Lee Hanson and Riad Nasr, Le Veau d’Or is located on the New York‘s Upper East Side and holds a recommended status in the Michelin Guide for its prix-fixe menu of classic French bistro fare like pâté en croûte.
13. Le Bernardin (New York, New York, United States)
Operating in Midtown Manhattan since 1986 under chef Eric Ripert, Le Bernardin holds Three Michelin Stars for its execution of French seafood tasting menus.
14. Kabawa (New York, New York, United States)
Kabawa opened in 2024 under chef Paul Carmichael in the former Momofuku Ko space in the NYC‘s East Village neighborhood, holding a recommended status in the Michelin Guide for its prix-fixe takes on Pan-Caribbean cuisine.
15. Le Violon (Montreal, Quebec, Canada)
Opened in June 2024 in Montreal‘s Plateau Mont-Royal neighborhood, Le Violon is run by chefs Danny Smiles and Mitch Laughren, serving contemporary international fine dining with Italian and French influences and holding a recommended status in the Michelin Guide.
- Also in Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants 2026
16. SingleThread (Healdsburg, California, United States)
SingleThread was established by Kyle and Katina Connaughton to offer a seasonal, Japanese-influenced tasting menu sourced from their own regenerative farm, holding Three Michelin Stars and a Michelin Green Star.
17. Published on Main (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)
Published on Main is located in Vancouver’s Mount Pleasant neighborhood under chef Gus Stieffenhofer-Brandson, holding One Michelin Star for an expansive tasting menu highlighting West Coast foraging and local terroir.
- Also in Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants 2026
18. Jungsik (New York, New York, United States)
Jungsik is located in New York City‘s Tribeca neighborhood under chef Jungsik Yim, holding Two Michelin Stars for its presentation of contemporary Korean cuisine.
19. Penny (New York, New York, United States)
Opened in 2024 above the wine bar Claud in NYC‘s East Village neighborhood, Penny is a raw bar and seafood counter operated by chef Joshua Pinsky that holds a recommended status in the Michelin Guide.
20. Emeril’s (New Orleans, Louisiana, United States)
Originally established in 1990 by chef Emeril Lagasse and now helmed by his son E.J. Lagasse, Emeril’s is located in New Orleans’ Warehouse District and holds Two Michelin Stars for its tasting menu of American Creole cuisine.
21. Chubby Fish (Charleston, South Carolina, United States)
Chubby Fish is located in Charleston’s downtown area under chef James London, holding a recommended status in the Michelin Guide for its daily-changing menu of locally caught Southern seafood and raw bar specialties.
22. Saison (San Francisco, California, United States)
Established in 2009 in San Francisco’s SoMa neighborhood, Saison is led by chef Richard Lee, holding Two Michelin Stars for its upscale open-hearth cooking that blends regional ingredients with East-meets-West flavor profiles.
23. Aska (New York, New York, United States)
Aska is located in New York‘s Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn under chef Fredrik Berselius, holding Two Michelin Stars for a New Nordic tasting menu focused on regional preservation and seasonality.
24. Moon Rabbit (Washington, District of Columbia, United States)
Moon Rabbit is located in Washington DC’s downtown area under chef Kevin Tien, holding a recommended status in the Michelin Guide for its modern integration of Vietnamese cuisine and Cajun influences.
25. Edulis (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
During my visit in 2016, I dined at Edulis on Niagara Street, which was established in 2012 by Michael Caballo and Tobey Nemeth, holding One Michelin Star for its scratch-made, Mediterranean and seafood-forward tasting menus.
- Also in Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants 2026
26. Holbox (Los Angeles, California, United States)
Holbox is located inside the Mercado La Paloma in South Central Los Angeles under chef Gilberto Cetina, holding One Michelin Star for its counter-service coastal Mexican seafood.
27. Beba (Montreal, Quebec, Canada)
Opened in 2019 on Ethel Street in Montreal‘s Verdun neighborhood, Beba is run by brothers Ari and Pablo Schor, holding a recommended status in the Michelin Guide for a menu featuring Argentine, Jewish, and Mediterranean influences.
- Also in Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants 2026
28. Mhel (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
During my visit to Mhel, I experienced the venue run by husband-and-wife chefs Young Hoon Ji and Seung-min Yi, which holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand for its Japanese-Korean izakaya small plates.
- Also in Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants 2026
29. Avize (Atlanta, Georgia, United States)
Opened in Atlanta’s West Midtown by chef Karl Gorline and sommelier Taurean Philpott, Avize holds a recommended status in the Michelin Guide for its modern Alpine kitchen concept that utilizes the flavors of France, Italy, Germany, and Switzerland.
30. Acamaya (New Orleans, Louisiana, United States)
Opened in the spring of 2024 in New Orleans’ Bywater neighborhood, Acamaya is co-owned by sisters Ana Castro and Lydia Castro, holding a Michelin Bib Gourmand for its coastal Mexican seafood dishes.
31. Addison by William Bradley (San Diego, California, United States)
Established in 2006 in San Diego’s Carmel Valley, Addison by William Bradley is overseen by chef William Bradley, holding Three Michelin Stars for a tasting menu built entirely around his philosophy of California gastronomy.
32. Providence (Los Angeles, California, United States)
Opened in 2005 in LA’s Hollywood, Providence is run by chef Michael Cimarusti, holding Three Michelin Stars and a Michelin Green Star for its sustainable approach to fine-dining seafood.
33. Benu (San Francisco, California, United States)
Established in 2010 in San Francisco’s SoMa neighborhood, Benu is led by chef Corey Lee, holding Three Michelin Stars for a tasting menu that integrates Asian flavor profiles with classical fine-dining techniques.
34. Sabayon (Montreal, Quebec, Canada)
Established in August 2023 in Montreal‘s Pointe-Saint-Charles, Sabayon is operated by chef Patrice Demers and Marie-Josée Beaudoin, holding One Michelin Star for a contemporary, vegetable-forward menu with pastry elements.
- Also in Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants 2026
35. AnnaLena (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)
AnnaLena is located in Vancouver’s Kitsilano neighborhood under chef Michael Robbins, holding One Michelin Star for its modern Pacific Northwest tasting menu.
- Also in Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants 2026
36. Corima (New York, New York, United States)
Corima was opened in New York‘s Lower East Side by chef Fidel Caballero, holding One Michelin Star for its progressive take on Northern Mexican cuisine.
37. Dōgon by Kwame Onwuachi (Washington, District of Columbia, United States)
Dōgon by Kwame Onwuachi is led by chef Kwame Onwuachi, offering an exploration of Afro-Caribbean and American cultural food narratives.
38. Torrisi (New York, New York, United States)
Torrisi is located in New York‘s Nolita under chef Rich Torrisi, holding One Michelin Star for its preparation of Italian-American classics.
39. Tatiana by Kwame Onwuachi (New York, New York, United States)
Tatiana by Kwame Onwuachi is located in NYC‘s Upper West Side under chef Kwame Onwuachi, serving a menu that reflects Afro-Caribbean and Bronx culinary heritage.
40. Friday Saturday Sunday (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States)
Friday Saturday Sunday is located in Philadelphia’s Rittenhouse Square neighborhood under chef Chad Williams, offering an eight-course tasting menu that recontextualizes classic French technique with ingredients from the African diaspora.
41. Semma (New York, New York, United States)
Semma is located in New York City‘s Greenwich Village under chef Vijay Kumar, holding One Michelin Star for its traditional South Indian cuisine.
42. Pascual (Washington, District of Columbia, United States)
Opened in February 2024 on Capitol Hill, Pascual is a wood-fired Mexican bistro operated by chefs Isabel Coss and Matt Conroy, holding a recommended status in the Michelin Guide for its wood-fired Mexican dishes.
43. Gramercy Tavern (New York, New York, United States)
Established in 1994 in NYC‘s Flatiron district, Gramercy Tavern is run by chef Michael Anthony, holding One Michelin Star for its seasonal, farm-to-table New American cuisine.
44. Atelier Crenn (San Francisco, California, United States)
Atelier Crenn is led by chef Dominique Crenn, holding Three Michelin Stars and a Michelin Green Star for a French tasting menu heavily focused on sustainability.
45. Sons & Daughters (San Francisco, California, United States)
Established in 2010 in San Francisco’s Nob Hill neighborhood, Sons & Daughters is overseen by chef Harrison Cheney, holding Two Michelin Stars and a Michelin Green Star for applying strict New Nordic ideals to local agricultural abundance.
46. Somni (Los Angeles, California, United States)
Somni is located in LA’s West Hollywood under chef Aitor Zabala, holding Three Michelin Stars for its modernist tasting experience.
47. Wild Blue (Whistler, British Columbia, Canada)
Opened in 2022, Wild Blue is run by co-owners Alex Chen and Neil Henderson, offering a menu centered entirely on Pacific Northwest seafood and steaks.
- Also in Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants 2026
48. The Pine (Collingwood, Ontario, Canada)
Located in a converted gas station in rural Ontario, The Pine is operated by chef Jeremy Austin, holding One Michelin Star for tasting menus that blend local Canadian farm ingredients with contemporary Chinese influences.
- Also in Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants 2026
49. Kato (Los Angeles, California, United States)
Kato is located in the Los Angeles Arts District under chef Jon Yao, holding One Michelin Star for an omakase-style tasting menu that highlights Taiwanese heritage and Chinese cuisine.
50. Diane’s Place (Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States)
Diane’s Place is located in the Food Building under owner and pastry chef Diane Moua, offering a menu where traditional Hmong flavors are prepared using contemporary techniques.
Culinary Awards: Special Gastronomic Recognitions
Beyond the numerical rankings, the 2026 ceremony in New Orleans honored specific individuals and establishments driving the industry forward through incredible innovation and hospitality.
The Best Female Chef Award in North America for 2026 was presented to Mashama Bailey of The Grey in Savannah, recognizing her profound impact on Southern culinary traditions. Eunji Lee of Lysée in New York City secured the title of Best Pastry Chef, highlighting her exceptional technical precision. The highly coveted Best Sommelier Award went to Aldo Sohm of Le Bernardin in New York, a testament to his enduring mastery of wine curation.
Several establishments also received remarkable operational accolades. The Highest Climber Award was awarded to Albi in Washington DC, reflecting its rapid ascent in the rankings. Eight in Calgary secured the Highest New Entry Award, debuting impressively at the second overall position.
The Art of Hospitality Award was bestowed upon Restaurant Pearl Morissette, confirming their deeply personal and attentive service model. San Francisco’s Atelier Crenn was honored with the Sustainable Restaurant Award, proving that high-end gastronomy can successfully operate within rigorous ecological parameters.
Industry veterans and emerging voices were celebrated as well. The Icon Award was presented to New Orleans legend Emeril Lagasse, acknowledging his decades of influence. Corey Lee of Benu received the Chefs’ Choice Award, a peer-voted honor indicating immense respect from fellow culinary professionals. The Champions of Change Award went to John Jones, and the One To Watch Award was given to Wildweed, signaling promising future trajectories.
Time for a North America’s 50 Best Restaurants Food Trip
I hope this exhaustive guide has given you plenty of inspiration for your next culinary adventure. Exploring the Best Restaurants in North America is an incredible journey through diverse cultures, passionate storytelling, and pristine agricultural sourcing.
Whether you are craving the wood-fired Mexican cuisine of Toronto, the deep heritage cooking of New Orleans, or the globally acclaimed tasting menus of Chicago and New York, the 2026 ranking of North America’s 50 Best Restaurants proves that our food scene has never been more vibrant.
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