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.The ceremony at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel honored the second edition of the North America list, along with several special award winners.This year, 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 in at No. 3, which also picked up the Art of Hospitality Award.North America’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026 were announced in New Orleans on Thursday (50 Best)Tuna Tartare at Wildweed in Cincinnati — recipient of the One To Watch Award for 2026 (50 Best)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.Here is the 2026 list of North America’s 50 Best Restaurants in full (asterisks denote restaurants new to the list this year):50. *Diane’s Place, Minneapolis49. Kato, Los Angeles48. *The Pine, Collingwood, Ontario47. *Wild Blue, Whistler, British Columbia46. *Somni, Los Angeles45. *Sons & Daughters, San Francisco44. Atelier Crenn, San Francisco43. *Gramercy Tavern, New York City42. *Pascual, Washington, the district41. *Semma, New York City40. *Friday Saturday Sunday, Philadelphia39. *Tatiana, New York City38. *Torrisi, New York City37. Dōgon, Washington, D.C.36. Corima, New York City35. *AnnaLena, Vancouver, British Columbia34. *Sabayon, Montreal33. Benu, San Francisco32. Providence, Los Angeles31. *Addison, San Diego30. *Acamaya, New Orleans29. *Avize, Atlanta28. Mhel, Toronto27. Beba, Montreal26. Holbox, Los Angeles25. *Edulis, TorontoRestaurant Pearl Morissette in Lincoln, Ontario, has been awarded the Art of Hospitality Award 2026 (50 Best)24. Moon Rabbit, Washington, D.C.23. Aska, New York City22. Saison, San Francisco21. Chubby Fish, Charleston, S.C.20. Emeril’s, New Orleans19. Penny, New York City18. Jungsik, New York City17. Published on Main, Vancouver, British Columbia16. SingleThread, Healdsburg, Calif. (Best in West)15. Le Violon, Montreal14. *Kabawa, New York City13. Le Bernardin, New York City12. Le Veau d’Or, New York City11. Kalaya, Philadelphia10. César, New York City9. La Tanière3, Quebec City8. Quetzal, Toronto7. Atomix, New York City6. Albi, Washington, D.C.5. Mon Lapin, Montreal4. Dakar NOLA, New Orleans3. Restaurant Pearl Morissette, Lincoln, Ontario2. *Eight, Calgary, Alberta1. Smyth, ChicagoThe 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.