‘World’s 50 Best’ Reveals The Top Restaurants In North America

Check out every top-rated restaurant in America, Mexico, and Canada that made the hallowed list.

Jun 1, 2026
(World's 50 Best)
(World’s 50 Best)

A sparsely decorated Chicago eatery with a focus on farm-fresh ingredients and flavors from the Midwest has been dubbed the best restaurant in North America. One of several regional efforts curated by the “World’s 50 Best” brand by culinary media company William Reed, the second-ever North America’s 50 Best Restaurants list is led by Smyth, located in Chicago’s epicurean-centric West Loop neighborhood and the only reastaurant in the city that currently holds three Michelin stars.

(World’s 50 Best)

Smyth was founded by culinary power couple John and Karen Uri Shields, who originally met while working in the kitchen at the now-defunct Charlie Trotter’s, a trailblazing venue in Chicago’s fine dining scene. The pair later moved to rural Smyth County, Virginia where they honed the use of locally grown and foraged produce at their Town House restaurant, before they returned in 2016 to open Smyth.

(Galdones Photography)

Following Smyth in the top 10 is Eight (No.2) in Calgary, named The Best Restaurant in West Canada 2026, and Restaurant Pearl Morissette (No.3) in Lincoln, awarded The Best Restaurant in Central Canada 2026. Dakar NOLA (No.4) in New Orleans is awarded The Best Restaurant in South USA 2026, Mon Lapin (No.5) from Montreal is The Best Restaurant in East Canada 2026, and Albi (No.6) from Washington DC, is also recognized as The Best Restaurant in Northeast USA 2026. Atomix (No.7) in New York City, Quetzal (No.8) in Toronto, Tanière3 (No.9) in Quebec City, and César (No.10) in New York City complete the top 10. Overall, the list includes 14 restaurants from Canada and 36 from the United States.

Faye Huggett, Director of Community for North America’s 50 Best Restaurants, says: “The second edition of North America’s 50 Best Restaurants celebrates the extraordinary diversity, creativity, and excellence that define the region’s dining scene. 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.” See the full list of the North America’s 50 Best Restaurants below.

North America’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026

  1. Smyth – Chicago (The Best Restaurant in North America; The Best Restaurant in Midwest USA)
  2. Eight – Calgary (The Best Restaurant in West Canada; Highest New Entry Award)
  3. Restaurant Pearl Morissette – Lincoln (The Best Restaurant in Central Canada; Art of Hospitality Award)
  4. Dakar NOLA – New Orleans (The Best Restaurant in South USA)
  5. Mon Lapin – Montreal (The Best Restaurant in East Canada)
  6. Albi – Washington DC (The Best Restaurant in Northeast USA; Highest Climber Award)
  7. Atomix – New York
  8. Quetzal – Toronto
  9. Tanière3 – Quebec City
  10. César – New York
  11. Kalaya – Philadelphia
  12. Le Veau d’Or – New York
  13. Le Bernardin – New York
  14. Kabawa – New York (New Entry)
  15. Le Violon – Montreal
  16. SingleThread – Healdsburg (The Best Restaurant in West USA)
  17. Published on Main – Vancouver
  18. Jungsik – New York
  19. Penny – New York
  20. Emeril’s – New Orleans
  21. Chubby Fish – Charleston
  22. Saison – San Francisco
  23. Aska – New York
  24. Moon Rabbit – Washington DC
  25. Edulis – Toronto (New Entry)
  26. Holbox – Los Angeles
  27. Beba – Montreal
  28. Mhel – Toronto
  29. Avize – Atlanta (New Entry)
  30. Acamaya – New Orleans (New Entry)
  31. Addison by William Bradley – San Diego (New Entry)
  32. Providence – Los Angeles
  33. Benu – San Francisco
  34. Sabayon – Montreal (New Entry)
  35. AnnaLena – Vancouver (New Entry)
  36. Corima – New York
  37. Dōgon by Kwame Onwuachi – Washington DC
  38. Torrisi – New York (New Entry)
  39. Tatiana by Kwame Onwuachi – New York (New Entry)
  40. Friday Saturday Sunday – Philadelphia
  41. Semma – New York (New Entry)
  42. Pascual – Washington DC (New Entry)
  43. Gramercy Tavern – New York (New Entry)
  44. Atelier Crenn – San Francisco (Sustainable Restaurant Award)
  45. Sons & Daughters – San Francisco (New Entry)
  46. Somni – Los Angeles (New Entry)
  47. Wild Blue – Whistler (New Entry)
  48. The Pine – Collingwood (New Entry)
  49. Kato – Los Angeles
  50. Diane’s Place – Minneapolis (New Entry)
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