The World’s 50 Best Restaurants is setting its sights on North America with the launch of North America’s 50 Best Restaurants—a new regional ranking that will spotlight the best dining destinations across the United States, Canada, and select parts of the Caribbean.
Announced today, the inaugural edition of North America’s 50 Best Restaurants will be revealed later this year in a live countdown ceremony, celebrating the chefs, restaurants, and culinary teams shaping the region’s gastronomic landscape.
A First-of-Its-Kind Ranking for North America
While the 50 Best brand has long provided a global benchmark for fine dining, this marks the first time the organization has created a ranking specifically for North America. The list will be compiled based on the votes of 300 experts, including chefs, restaurateurs, food journalists, and industry leaders.
According to William Drew, Director of Content for North America’s 50 Best Restaurants,
“North America has a thriving and diverse restaurant scene, which is constantly changing and evolving – its wealth of culinary traditions and influence cannot be understated. We believe that there is an opportunity to honor restaurants across the region, which includes Canada and parts of the Caribbean in addition to the U.S., and inspire food-lovers to seek out new experiences.”
Drew went on to remark that, “over the past 20-plus years, 50 Best has become the international market leader in providing the most reliable lists of expert-curated restaurants, bars, and recently hotels. It feels like a natural fit to launch North America’s 50 Best Restaurants, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna, giving the restaurants and their teams in the region the dedicated attention they wholeheartedly deserve. The result will be a list of the most memorable restaurant experiences across the region, celebrating immense talent and hard work, and providing a credible guide for discerning diners.”
How the Voting Works
The North America’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy, the voting body behind the list, consists of 300 regional experts, selected to ensure a fair representation of the continent’s dining landscape. The region is divided into eight sub-regions, each led by an Academy Chair:
- United States: Northeast, South, Midwest, and West
- Canada: East, Mid-East, and West
- Caribbean (excluding Cuba and the Dominican Republic)
Since Mexico is already included in Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants, it will remain in that ranking and will not be part of the North American list.
Unlike some awards, there is no cost for entry, shortlisting, or attendance. Any restaurant in the region is eligible, and voters are simply asked to name their eight best restaurant experiences from the past two years. Each voter must select at least three restaurants outside their home region to ensure geographic diversity.
All votes remain strictly confidential, and Academy Chairs—though publicly named—do not have access to individual votes. The 50 Best organization and sponsors have no influence over the results.
A Partnership with S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna
The inaugural North America’s 50 Best Restaurants list is presented in partnership with S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna, long-time supporters of the 50 Best rankings.
According to Michel Beneventi, Global Head of International Premium Brands,
"At S.Pellegrino and Acqua Panna, we have always been committed to supporting the global culinary community and celebrating the talent, creativity, and passion that drive gastronomy forward. We are proud to extend this commitment as the main sponsor of the inaugural North America’s 50 Best Restaurants, a new milestone that recognizes the richness and diversity of the region’s dining scene. This exciting new chapter strengthens our long-standing partnership with 50 Best, reinforcing our shared mission to promote excellence and innovation in gastronomy. We look forward to discovering and celebrating the exceptional chefs and restaurants shaping the future of North American cuisine.”
When Will the First List Be Revealed?
The first North America’s 50 Best Restaurants list will be unveiled later this year at a live awards ceremony. The date and location of the event will be announced in the coming months.
With its debut, the new ranking is set to become a definitive guide to the most exciting restaurants across North America, celebrating the chefs and teams that define the region’s culinary identity.
