The prestigious organization 50 Best, responsible for the renowned ranking The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, has announced the launch of a new exclusive list: North America’s 50 Best Restaurants. This unprecedented selection will highlight the best restaurants in the United States, Canada, and parts of the Caribbean, reflecting the richness and diversity of the region’s culinary scene.

The first edition of North America’s 50 Best Restaurants will be revealed at a live ceremony scheduled for the end of the year. So far, the organization has not disclosed specific details about the date and location of the event, but it is expected to take place in one of the region’s major culinary hubs, such as New York, Toronto, or Miami. The event will feature renowned chefs, food critics, industry experts, and exclusive guests, providing a celebration of North American gastronomy.

“North America has a thriving and diverse restaurant scene, constantly changing and evolving—its wealth of culinary traditions and influence cannot be underestimated,” said William Drew, Director of Content for North America’s 50 Best Restaurants, in an official statement.

The announcement of the new list has generated significant buzz in the culinary industry, especially among chefs and restaurant owners who see the award as an opportunity for international recognition. Establishments of all categories are eagerly awaiting the unveiling of the criteria and the voters who will define the best addresses in the region.

The list will be compiled from the choices of a panel of 300 industry experts, including renowned chefs, restaurant owners, specialized journalists, and food critics. These voters are part of the North America’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy, selected by a group of Academy Presidents, who ensure geographic and expertise diversity in the selection of jurors.

Each voter will be responsible for indicating the eight best dining experiences they have had in recent months. A distinctive feature of 50 Best is that any type of restaurant can be considered for the list, without needing to meet specific requirements or pay fees for registration. This approach allows establishments of different profiles—ranging from Michelin-starred luxury restaurants to small bistros and traditional houses—to have the chance to be among the best in North America.

The selection process is conducted confidentially to ensure impartiality. Jurors cannot vote for restaurants in which they have direct financial or professional interests, avoiding any potential conflicts of interest. Additionally, the votes are audited to guarantee that the list reflects the genuine opinions of the participating experts.

Although Mexico, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic are geographically located in North America, their restaurants will not be included in this selection. This is because these countries are already covered by the Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants, the regional list that recognizes the best dining establishments in Latin America. Therefore, the new selection will focus exclusively on the United States, Canada, and some Caribbean islands.

Moreover, the decision to separate the lists reflects the complexity and culinary diversity of each region. While Mexican gastronomy has a strong identity based on indigenous ingredients and ancestral techniques, restaurants in the United States and Canada feature a fusion of global influences, ranging from French and Italian cuisines to contemporary Asian cooking.

The creation of the North America’s 50 Best Restaurants list reflects the growing recognition of the region’s culinary relevance on the global stage. In recent years, North American and Canadian chefs have been gaining prominence with innovative proposals, blending traditional techniques with contemporary and sustainable influences. Additionally, the focus on local cuisine and the use of seasonal ingredients have become significant trends at the continent’s top restaurants.

Inclusion in the 50 Best list can have a significant impact for the selected restaurants, boosting their global visibility and driving reservations and gastronomic tourism. Restaurants that appear on the ranking often experience substantial growth in demand, attracting customers from all over the world seeking exclusive experiences.

In the global 2024 list, which ranks the 50 best restaurants in the world, North America—excluding Mexico—had two representatives:

• Atomix (New York, USA) – Ranked 6th, this contemporary Korean restaurant has been widely praised for its minimalist approach and refined technique by chefs Junghyun and Ellia Park.
• SingleThread (Healdsburg, California, USA) – Ranked 46th, the restaurant combines Japanese-inspired cuisine with local ingredients from California’s wine country.

The new list joins other regional selections from the organization, which already recognizes the best restaurants from different parts of the world. Currently, 50 Best maintains the following gastronomic lists:

• The World’s 50 Best Restaurants – The global selection of the best restaurants in the world.
• Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants – For Latin America.
• Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants – For Asia.
• Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants – For the Middle East and North Africa.

In addition to the gastronomic segment, the organization has expanded its scope to other hospitality sectors, creating annual rankings such as:

• The World’s 50 Best Bars.
• North America’s 50 Best Bars.
• Asia’s 50 Best Bars.
• The World’s 50 Best Hotels.

The organization also maintains the 50 Best Discovery platform, which serves as a curated guide for travelers seeking unique dining and hotel experiences.

The creation of North America’s 50 Best Restaurants is expected to generate great anticipation among chefs, restaurant owners, and food enthusiasts. The new list will offer greater visibility to innovative establishments and provide broader recognition of culinary talent in the region. With the awards ceremony scheduled for the end of the year, the industry eagerly awaits to discover which will be the first 50 best restaurants in North America.

In the coming months, more details about the selection, specific criteria, and nominees are expected to be announced, fueling the growing curiosity about this new milestone in the culinary world. The expectation is that the list will bring surprises, highlighting both established classics and new talents that are revolutionizing North American gastronomy.