Chicago's Smyth Tops North America's 50 Best Restaurants 2026
Chicago's Smyth Tops North America's 50 Best Restaurants

Leading chefs and culinary figures from across the United States and Canada gathered in New Orleans on Thursday for the unveiling of North America's 50 Best Restaurants 2026. The influential annual ranking, part of the expanded 50 Best ecosystem that now includes continental lists alongside its flagship global awards, is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious honors in the restaurant world, alongside the Michelin Guide.

Top Honors

Three-Michelin-starred Smyth in Chicago, led by husband-and-wife chefs John Shields and Karen Urie Shields, was named the top restaurant on the continent. Rising from the number four spot in the inaugural 2025 rankings, the minimalist, open-kitchen restaurant was celebrated for its hyper-seasonal, deeply personal approach to fine dining, which relies on a tight-knit network of local growers and purveyors.

Calgary's Eight made an unprecedented debut at No. 2, comfortably securing the Highest New Entry Award and the title of Best Restaurant in West Canada. Lincoln's Restaurant Pearl Morissette closely followed at No. 3, which also picked up the Art of Hospitality Award.

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List Highlights

This year's list spans 20 cities, including 14 restaurants from Canada and 36 from the United States, with 18 new entries. In individual categories, New York City proved to be a powerhouse for specialized talent. Eunji Lee of Lysée was named Best Pastry Chef for her French-Korean fusion creations, while industry veteran Aldo Sohm (of Le Bernardin and Aldo Sohm Wine Bar) took home Best Sommelier.

Full List of North America's 50 Best Restaurants 2026

Asterisks denote restaurants new to the list this year.

  1. Smyth, Chicago
  2. *Eight, Calgary, Alberta
  3. Restaurant Pearl Morissette, Lincoln, Ontario
  4. Dakar NOLA, New Orleans
  5. Mon Lapin, Montreal
  6. Albi, Washington, D.C.
  7. Atomix, New York City
  8. Quetzal, Toronto
  9. La Tanière3, Quebec City
  10. César, New York City
  11. Kalaya, Philadelphia
  12. Le Veau d'Or, New York City
  13. Le Bernardin, New York City
  14. *Kabawa, New York City
  15. Le Violon, Montreal
  16. SingleThread, Healdsburg, Calif. (Best in West)
  17. Published on Main, Vancouver, British Columbia
  18. Jungsik, New York City
  19. Penny, New York City
  20. Emeril's, New Orleans
  21. Chubby Fish, Charleston, S.C.
  22. Saison, San Francisco
  23. Aska, New York City
  24. Moon Rabbit, Washington, D.C.
  25. *Edulis, Toronto
  26. Holbox, Los Angeles
  27. Beba, Montreal
  28. Mhel, Toronto
  29. *Avize, Atlanta
  30. *Acamaya, New Orleans
  31. *Addison, San Diego
  32. Providence, Los Angeles
  33. Benu, San Francisco
  34. *Sabayon, Montreal
  35. *AnnaLena, Vancouver, British Columbia
  36. Corima, New York City
  37. Dōgon, Washington, D.C.
  38. *Torrisi, New York City
  39. *Tatiana, New York City
  40. *Friday Saturday Sunday, Philadelphia
  41. *Semma, New York City
  42. *Pascual, Washington, D.C.
  43. *Gramercy Tavern, New York City
  44. Atelier Crenn, San Francisco
  45. *Sons & Daughters, San Francisco
  46. *Somni, Los Angeles
  47. *Wild Blue, Whistler, British Columbia
  48. *The Pine, Collingwood, Ontario
  49. Kato, Los Angeles
  50. *Diane's Place, Minneapolis

The North America's 50 Best Restaurants list is compiled from the votes of a 300-member Academy of regional restaurant industry experts, divided into eight sub-regions, each led by an independent Academy Chair. Voters remain anonymous (except for Chairs), vote confidentially, and must include at least three restaurants outside their home region. To ensure integrity, no one may vote for restaurants in which they have financial or family ties, and neither 50 Best staff nor sponsors influence the results.

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