NEW ORLEANS – In a night defined by gastronomic spectacle and regional pride, the second edition of North America’s 50 Best Restaurants awards ceremony reached its crescendo at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel on May 28, 2026. The event, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna, saw Smyth, the acclaimed Chicago destination led by chefs John Shields and Karen Urie Shields, crowned as the No. 1 restaurant in North America.

Rising from its fourth-place position in the inaugural 2025 rankings, Smyth’s ascent to the summit reflects a broader shift in the culinary landscape toward deeply personal, ingredient-driven storytelling. The ceremony brought together hundreds of the continent’s most influential chefs, restaurateurs, and media figures to celebrate a list that now encompasses 50 premier establishments across the United States and Canada.

The Main Facts: A New Hierarchy in North American Dining

The 2026 rankings signal a period of maturation for the North American branch of the "50 Best" brand. While the 2025 list established a baseline, the 2026 edition highlights the volatility and excellence of the region’s elite dining rooms. Smyth’s victory is a testament to the Shields’ "dual-concept" mastery in Chicago’s West Loop, where their commitment to a hyper-local supply chain and minimalist aesthetic has redefined modern American fine dining.

The top 10 is a diverse tapestry of geography and style:

1. Smyth (Chicago, USA) – Best Restaurant in North America
2. Eight (Calgary, Canada) – Best Restaurant in West Canada
3. Restaurant Pearl Morissette (Lincoln, Canada) – Best Restaurant in Central Canada
4. Dakar NOLA (New Orleans, USA) – Best Restaurant in South USA
5. Mon Lapin (Montreal, Canada) – Best Restaurant in East Canada
6. Albi (Washington DC, USA) – Best Restaurant in Northeast USA
7. Atomix (New York City, USA)
8. Quetzal (Toronto, Canada)
9. Tanière3 (Quebec City, Canada)
10. César (New York City, USA)

The 2026 list is notably balanced, featuring 36 establishments from the United States and 14 from Canada. This year also marked the debut of six new culinary hubs: Atlanta, Calgary, Collingwood, Minneapolis, San Diego, and Whistler, illustrating the decentralization of fine dining away from traditional pillars like New York and San Francisco.

Chronology: The Journey to New Orleans

The road to the May 28 ceremony was paved with a series of pre-announced accolades designed to build momentum for the live reveal.

In the weeks leading up to the gala, the organization recognized Wildweed in Cincinnati with the "One To Watch" award, signaling its status as a rising star in the Midwest. This was followed by the announcement of the "Art of Hospitality" award, given to Restaurant Pearl Morissette in Lincoln, Ontario, and the "Champions of Change" award, bestowed upon John ‘The Bajan Farmer’ Jones for his revolutionary agricultural work in Barbados.

The event itself was hosted in New Orleans, a city that served as more than just a backdrop. By bringing the ceremony to the "Big Easy," the organization paid homage to one of the continent’s most historic food cultures. The evening began with a red-carpet reception where industry titans mingled, followed by the high-stakes countdown from No. 50 to No. 1.

The transition from the inaugural 2025 list—which saw New York’s Atomix take the top spot—to the 2026 edition shows a dynamic evolution. While Atomix remains a powerhouse at No. 7, the rise of Smyth and the meteoric debut of Calgary’s Eight at No. 2 suggest that the Academy voters are increasingly looking for intimacy and regional specificity.

Supporting Data: Regional Breakdowns and Standout Performances

The 2026 list is characterized by significant movement and the arrival of 18 new entries.

The Canadian Surge

Canada’s presence on the list has solidified, with Eight (No. 2) securing the Highest New Entry Award. The country’s dominance in the top 10—occupying four spots—highlights the sophistication of the dining scenes in Calgary, Montreal, Toronto, and Quebec City. Mon Lapin (No. 5) continues to lead the charge for Quebec, while Quetzal (No. 8) represents the fire-based culinary artistry of Toronto.

The New York Powerhouse

Despite the rise of other cities, New York City remains the most represented metropolis on the list. New entries from the "Big Apple" include Kabawa (No. 14), Torrisi (No. 38), and Tatiana by Kwame Onwuachi (No. 39). The city also swept several individual awards, including Best Pastry Chef (Eunji Lee of Lysée) and Best Sommelier (Aldo Sohm of Le Bernardin).

The Climbers and Debuts

Albi in Washington DC earned the Highest Climber Award, jumping 28 places to No. 6. This surge reflects Chef Michael Rafidi’s mastery of Levantine cuisine and its resonance with modern diners. Other notable debuts include Avize in Atlanta (No. 29), Acamaya in New Orleans (No. 30), and Diane’s Place in Minneapolis (No. 50), which brought Minnesota onto the list for the first time.

Official Responses: Industry Leaders Speak

Faye Huggett, Director of Community for North America’s 50 Best Restaurants, emphasized the cultural weight of the 2026 rankings.

"The second edition of North America’s 50 Best Restaurants celebrates the extraordinary diversity, creativity, and excellence that define the region’s dining scene," Huggett stated. "From pioneering dining institutions to bold new voices, the list reflects the depth and dynamism of North America’s rich culinary landscape. Congratulations to Smyth, crowned The Best Restaurant in North America 2026, and to all the chefs and teams whose passion and creativity continue to push the industry forward."

The Shields, upon accepting the No. 1 trophy, spoke to the collaborative nature of their kitchen. Their approach, which relies on a tight-knit network of farm partners, was cited by the Academy as a primary reason for their success. The Shields’ philosophy focuses on "letting the ingredients speak for themselves," a sentiment echoed by many of the night’s winners.

Emeril Lagasse, who received the SevenRooms Icon Award, provided a poignant moment during the ceremony. As he began to pass the leadership of his flagship Emeril’s (No. 20) to his son, E.J. Lagasse, he remarked on the importance of legacy. "Our job is to preserve the flavors of our home while constantly looking for the next horizon," Lagasse noted, acknowledging his role in bringing Creole flavors to the global stage.

Implications: What the 2026 List Means for the Future

The 2026 rankings carry several significant implications for the hospitality industry and the broader economy of North American tourism.

1. The "Chicago Effect"

With Smyth taking the top spot, Chicago cements its reputation as a global culinary destination. This victory is expected to drive a surge in "food tourism" to the city, benefiting not just the Shields’ establishments but the entire local ecosystem of suppliers and secondary hospitality businesses.

2. Sustainability as a Requirement

The Sustainable Restaurant Award given to Atelier Crenn (No. 44) underscores that environmental ethics are no longer optional in fine dining. Dominique Crenn’s plastic-free operations and regenerative agriculture practices at Bleu Belle Farm set a new benchmark for the industry.

3. Diversity and Representation

The recognition of Mashama Bailey (No. 1 in the Best Female Chef category) and the success of narrative-driven restaurants like Dakar NOLA (No. 4) and Dogon by Kwame Onwuachi (No. 37) reflect a shift toward honoring culinary traditions that were historically marginalized. The list is increasingly becoming a platform for storytelling through the lens of heritage and history.

4. The Calgary Emergence

The debut of Eight at No. 2 is a watershed moment for Western Canada. It suggests that the "center of gravity" for Canadian dining is shifting, proving that world-class excellence can flourish outside of the traditional Toronto-Montreal-Vancouver triangle.

The Voting Process: Ensuring Integrity

To maintain the list’s prestige, the North America’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy utilizes a rigorous voting system. The 300-member Academy is divided into eight sub-regions, each led by an independent Chair. The panel consists of chefs, restaurateurs, food writers, and "well-traveled gourmets."

To ensure the results remain current and unbiased:

• At least 25% of the voting panel is refreshed annually.
• Voters must remain anonymous and are prohibited from voting for any restaurant in which they have a financial interest.
• Each voter casts 10 votes, with at least three required to be for restaurants outside their home region.
• The process is independently adjudicated to prevent influence from sponsors or the 50 Best staff.

Conclusion

The 2026 edition of North America’s 50 Best Restaurants has successfully moved beyond the "newcomer" phase to become a definitive authority on the region’s culinary health. By crowning Smyth and elevating a diverse array of Canadian and American voices, the list reflects a continent that is confident in its own identity—one that prizes sustainability, heritage, and technical precision in equal measure. As the industry looks toward 2027, the standard has been set: the best dining experiences are those that are deeply rooted in their environment while reaching for universal excellence.

Media Contact:
Bella Scott, Becca PR
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