Dakar NOLA, Emeril’s & Acamaya Win Big at North America’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026

NEW ORLEANS – The cream of the culinary crop descended on New Orleans this week to celebrate the best restaurants in North America. New York, Los Angeles and Canada all had major representation but it was the host city, in my opinion, that took top marks.

On May 28, the second annual award ceremony played out to a filled room and streamed live across social media platforms all over the continent. North America’s 50 Best Restaurants was created in 2025 following the success of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, The World’s 50 Best Bars and The World’s 50 Best Hotels. The list is created by the North America’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy, which organizers share is an influential group of 300 independent leaders from across the region, each selected for their expert opinion of the regional restaurant scene.

Within the rankings, sisters Ana & Lydia Castro’s Acamaya sat impressively at No. 30; Emeril Lagasse and EJ Lagasse lead their Emeril’s team to No. 20; and fan-favorite Serigne Mbaye and Dr. Afua “Effie” Richardson came in at an impressive No. 4 with Dakar NOLA.

In addition to the rankings, there were eight specialty awards given out. Among the awards, Emeril Lagasse was given the SevenRooms Icon Award, which was in recognition of his lasting influence on American cuisine and hospitality. Lagasse was the only award-winner that was able to say a few words, and hoped everyone was having a good time in the city that he loves.

If winning a spot in the top 5 wasn’t exciting enough, Mbaye and Dr. Richardson’s Dakar was also recognized as The Best Restaurant in South USA 2026.

Of all the awards tonight, one that was evident – and should have been presented – was most enthusiasm. There is no city like New Orleans, no matter what anyone would care to say (or even the rankings may show), and there is no prouder people than New Orleanians. As each award was presented to our restaurants, our chefs and culinary experts, the excitement was palpable – at least among the journalist and influencers.

While many of our restaurants arguably should have made the list, we are the lucky ones that get to experience them all day in and day out. With that said, summer is notoriously a difficult time for our restaurant and hospitality industry. Get out and continue to support the restaurants that are No. 1 on our list!

North America 50 Best Restaurants Official Release

Leading figures from across the culinary world convened in New Orleans this evening for North America’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna, where Smyth in Chicago, Illinois, was named The Best Restaurant in North America 2026. Hosted at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel, the ceremony celebrated the breadth and excellence of the region’s dining scene, with standout restaurants and industry leaders from across the region recognized both in the list’s second edition and within the special and pre-announced award categories.

Smyth, led by husband-and-wife chefs John Shields and Karen Urie Shields, has been named The Best Restaurant in North America 2026, rising from No.4 on the inaugural 2025 list. What sets Smyth apart is its deeply personal approach to cooking, rooted in a tight network of growers and purveyors. The result is an ever-evolving tasting experience that feels both intimate and precise, and one in which each dish reflects the season of the time.

Set within a calm, minimalist space in Chicago, Smyth feels quietly immersive, with the focus kept firmly on the food. An open kitchen adds a sense of openness and connection between the guest and the kitchen team, and each course is designed to let the ingredients speak for themselves, resulting in food that feels refined, expressive, and closely tied to its surroundings.

Following Smyth in the top 10 is Eight (No.2) in Calgary, named The Best Restaurant in West Canada 2026, and Restaurant Pearl Morissette (No.3) in Lincoln, awarded The Best Restaurant in Central Canada 2026. Dakar NOLA (No.4) in New Orleans is awarded The Best Restaurant in South USA 2026, Mon Lapin (No.5) from Montreal is The Best Restaurant in East Canada 2026, and Albi (No.6) from Washington DC, is also recognized as The Best Restaurant in Northeast USA 2026. Atomix (No.7) in New York City, Quetzal (No.8) in Toronto, Tanière3 (No.9) in Quebec City, and César (No.10) in New York City complete the top 10. Overall, the list includes 14 restaurants from Canada and 36 from the United States.

Eighteen new restaurants join the 1-50 list this year, including Eight (No.2) in Calgary, Edulis (No.25) in Toronto, Avize (No.29) in Atlanta, Acamaya (No.30) in New Orleans, Addison by William Bradley (No.31) in San Diego, Sabayon (No.34) in Montreal, and AnnaLena (No.35) in Vancouver. From New York City, new entries include Kabawa (No.14), Torrisi (No.38), Tatiana by Kwame Onwuachi (No.39), Semma (No.41), and Gramercy Tavern (No.43). Lastly, Pascual (No.42) in Washington DC, Sons & Daughters (No.45) in San Francisco, Somni (No.46) in Los Angeles, Wild Blue (No.47) in Whistler, The Pine (No.48) in Collingwood, and Diane’s Place (No.50) in Minneapolis all make their debut on this year’s list. This year also sees six new cities represented on the list: Atlanta, Calgary, Collingwood, Minneapolis, San Diego, and Whistler.

Faye Huggett, Director of Community for North America’s 50 Best Restaurants, says: “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.”

In his hometown of New Orleans, Emeril Lagasse of Emeril’s (No.20) has been awarded the SevenRooms Icon Award — one of eight special honors presented on the night — recognizing his lasting influence on American cuisine and hospitality, as he begins to pass the torch to his son, E.J. Lagasse, who is helping carry the restaurant’s legacy forward. Emeril has played a defining role in bringing Creole and Cajun flavors to a global audience and shaping New Orleans’ culinary identity.

Eunji Lee of Lysée in New York City has been named the winner of the North America’s Best Pastry Chef Award 2026, sponsored by Valrhona. Known for her refined, contemporary style, she blends classical French technique with subtle Korean influences to create desserts that are both precise and visually striking. At Lysée, her work emphasizes balance, seasonality, and innovation, often through creative collaborations that push modern pastry forward.

North America’s Best Sommelier Award 2026, sponsored by Vik, is presented to Aldo Sohm of Le Bernardin (No.13), and Aldo Sohm Wine Bar in New York City. Widely regarded as one of the world’s leading sommeliers, Sohm is recognized for his exceptional expertise, precision, and ability to make wine both approachable and engaging for a broad audience.

Corey Lee of Benu (No.33) in San Francisco was announced as the winner of the Estrella Damm Chefs’ Choice Award 2026, the only accolade voted for exclusively by fellow chefs. Widely respected within the global culinary community, Lee is recognized for his thoughtful, highly refined approach that blends Korean, Cantonese, and European technique, culture, and storytelling into a singular dining experience.

Atelier Crenn (No.44) has been named the winner of the Sustainable Restaurant Award 2026, recognizing its leadership in advancing environmentally responsible practices within fine dining. Under the direction of Dominique Crenn, the restaurant has embraced a holistic approach to sustainability — including prioritizing ethical sourcing and waste reduction, operating as a plastic-free establishment, and sourcing from Crenn’s own Bleu Belle Farm, which follows regenerative agriculture practices.

Mashama Bailey of The Grey has been named the winner of the North America’s Best Female Chef Award 2026. A defining voice in contemporary American cuisine, she is recognized for a narrative-driven approach that has helped make The Grey one of the country’s most acclaimed restaurants, rooted in a nuanced exploration of Savannah’s history. The award recognizes Bailey’s enduring influence on the culinary landscape, as well as her ongoing role in broadening the cultural and historical dimensions of modern American dining.

Albi (No.6) is named the winner of the Highest Climber Award 2026, sponsored by Lee Kum Kee, after rising 28 places since the inaugural list — an achievement that reflects its growing influence on both the regional and national dining scene. Eight (No.2) in Calgary is awarded Highest New Entry Award 2026, marking a standout debut that underscores its immediate impact within North America’s culinary landscape and its emergence as one of the most compelling new voices in contemporary dining.

John ‘The Bajan Farmer’ Jones, Director of Thirteen Acre Farms, has been named the Champions of Change Award winner for 2026, sponsored by illycaffè, for his work reducing Barbados’ reliance on imported food by expanding local crop production and strengthening national food security. This award includes a financial donation to support and expand Jones’s ongoing work. Additionally, Restaurant Pearl Morissette in Lincoln has been awarded the Art of Hospitality Award 2026, while Wildweed in Cincinnati is the recipient of the One To Watch Award for 2026, rounding out the three pre-announced awards in the lead-up to this year’s ceremony.

The Voting Process

The 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. These Chairs—selected for their expertise—curate a balanced panel of chefs, restaurateurs, journalists, educators, and experienced diners, with at least 25% of members refreshed annually. 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.

For additional information on North America’s 50 Best Restaurants, visit https://www.theworlds50best.com/northamerica and follow along at @theworlds50best.

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1-50 List: