The World’s 50 Best Restaurants Announces Its 2026 North America List
The New York Times • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Smyth in Chicago was named the No. 1 restaurant in North America by the 50 Best organization, with Eight in Calgary debuting at No. 2 for its unique 20-course menu celebrating Canadian history and culture.
- The North America list includes restaurants from the US, Canada, and the Caribbean, with Mexico featured separately in the Latin America list; Canada had a strong showing with 14 spots, including five in the top 10.
- The list increasingly favors small, tasting-menu-only restaurants, where meals can cost around $500 per person, reflecting a trend toward exclusive dining experiences.
- New York City added five new restaurants to the list, and awards for best pastry chef and sommelier went to Eunji Lee of Lysée and Aldo Sohm of Le Bernardin, respectively.
- Last year’s No. 1, Atomix, dropped to No. 7, while other popular restaurants like Via Carota and the Four Horsemen were no longer on the list, signaling shifts in the dining scene.