Smyth Named No. 1 on North America’s 50 Best 2026 List

Smyth Tops North America’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026 List

8 Minute read

29 May 2026

Paul Feinstein

Writer

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The annual ranking returns for its second edition, recognizing restaurants from across the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean.

The culinary world gathered in New Orleans on May 28 for North America’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna.

Held at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel, the ceremony celebrated restaurants and hospitality leaders from across the continent, with Smyth in Chicago earning the top spot on this year's list. Several special awards were also presented to chefs, sommeliers, pastry professionals, and industry changemakers.

Smyth, led by husband-and-wife chefs John Shields and Karen Urie Shields, climbed from No. 4 on the inaugural 2025 ranking to claim the No. 1 position this year. The Chicago restaurant is known for its tasting-menu format and close relationships with growers and producers, resulting in a menu that evolves with the seasons and reflects the ingredients available at any given moment.

Rounding out the top five were Eight in Calgary at No. 2, Restaurant Pearl Morissette in Lincoln, Ontario, at No. 3, Dakar NOLA in New Orleans at No. 4, and Mon Lapin in Montreal at No. 5.

Albi in Washington, DC, landed at No. 6, followed by Atomix in New York City, which dropped from the No. 1 position on the inaugural 2025 list to No. 7 this year. Quetzal in Toronto, Tanière3 in Quebec City, and César in New York City completed the top 10.

“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,” said Faye Huggett, Director of Community for North America's 50 Best Restaurants

Key Highlights

Top winner: Smyth in Chicago, led by chefs John Shields and Karen Urie Shields, was named The Best Restaurant in North America 2026.
Other standouts: Eight in Calgary and Restaurant Pearl Morissette in Lincoln, Ontario, rounded out the top three positions in the 2026 ranking
By the numbers: The 2026 ranking spanned 20 cities across the United States and Canada, with 36 restaurants from the U.S. and 14 from Canada.
Biggest mover: Albi in Washington, DC, climbed 28 spots from last year's ranking to land at No. 6.
Highest new entry: Eight debuted on the list at No. 2 and earned the Highest New Entry Award.

Special Awards

SevenRooms Icon Award: Emeril Lagasse of Emeril's in New Orleans was recognized for his lasting influence on American cuisine and hospitality.
North America's Best Pastry Chef Award: Eunji Lee of Lysée in New York City.
North America's Best Sommelier Award: Aldo Sohm of Le Bernardin and Aldo Sohm Wine Bar in New York City.
Estrella Damm Chefs' Choice Award: Corey Lee of Benu in San Francisco.
Sustainable Restaurant Award: Atelier Crenn in San Francisco.
North America's Best Female Chef Award: Mashama Bailey of The Grey in Savannah.
Art of Hospitality Award: Restaurant Pearl Morissette in Lincoln, Ontario.
Champions of Change Award: John "The Bajan Farmer" Jones of Thirteen Acre Farms in Barbados.
One To Watch Award: Wildweed in Cincinnati.