This Is the Best North American Restaurant of 2025 — and Yes, It Is in New York

Photo Credit: 50 Best

Last night, the culinary spotlight shifted to Las Vegas as the industry gathered at Wynn for the highly anticipated debut of North America’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025. In a glittering ceremony that brought together chefs, restaurateurs, and tastemakers from across the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean, the awards celebrated the breadth and brilliance of the region’s dining scene — with Atomix in New York City making history as the very first restaurant to take the No.1 spot.

Photo Credit: Emeril’s

Hosted by Wynn Las Vegas, the evening marked the beginning of a new chapter for the World’s 50 Best family of awards. For the first time, the spotlight shone exclusively on North America, producing a ranking that recognized 37 restaurants in the U.S., 11 in Canada, and 2 in the Caribbean, alongside a constellation of special awards that honored individual excellence and innovation across disciplines.

Atomix at the Summit

Photo Credit: Diane Kang

The crowning of Atomix — the elegant, design-forward, and storytelling-rich Korean fine-dining restaurant from husband-and-wife duo Junghyun “JP” and Ellia Park — was both fitting and symbolic. Atomix is already regarded globally, having been ranked No.12 on the World’s 50 Best list earlier this year, but here it took the top honor for its region.

The restaurant’s 12-course tasting menu is a masterclass in narrative and refinement, each dish presented on bespoke ceramics accompanied by a detailed card explaining its inspiration, origin, and ingredients. It is dining as art and education — immersive, deeply personal, and rooted in Korean culinary traditions reimagined with dazzling precision. Together with their other New York projects — Atoboy, Naro, and Seoul Salon — the Parks have created one of the most exciting and progressive dining groups in America.

A Continental Celebration

Photo Credit: Daniel Krieger

Atomix leads a diverse Top 10 that reflects the sheer scope of North America’s dining landscape:

• No.2: Mon Lapin (Montreal) — Also named The Best Restaurant in East Canada 2025, a deeply personal, neighborhood-driven gem.

• No.3: Restaurant Pearl Morissette (Lincoln, Ontario) — Awarded The Best Restaurant in Central Canada 2025.

• No.4: Smyth (Chicago) — Crowned The Best Restaurant in Midwest USA 2025.

• No.5: Tanière3 (Quebec City) — Winner of the Art of Hospitality Award 2025, sponsored by Lee Kum Kee.

• No.6: Dakar NOLA (New Orleans) — Named The Best Restaurant in South USA 2025.

• No.7: Kalaya (Philadelphia) — The soulful Thai destination from chef-owner Chutatip “Nok” Suntaranon.

• No.8: SingleThread (Healdsburg, California) — Honored as The Best Restaurant in West USA 2025 and recipient of the Sustainable Restaurant Award.

• No.9: Le Bernardin (New York City) — A legendary fine-dining institution.

• No.10: Le Veau d’Or (New York City) — A historic restaurant reborn as a modern essential.

This spread — from Montreal to Philadelphia to Sonoma wine country — speaks to the vibrancy and range of North American dining, showcasing restaurants that define their regions while pushing the boundaries of culinary creativity.

Caribbean Excellence

Photo Credit: Stush in the Bush

The inaugural list also spotlighted two distinctive Caribbean entries, underscoring the region’s growing influence on global gastronomy. Buzo Osteria Italiana (No.41) in Barbados, led by chef Nakita Goddard, earned its place for refined Italian flavors in the heart of the island, while Stush in the Bush (No.49) in Jamaica, from Lisa and Christopher Binns, was celebrated for its bold, farm-to-table approach and deep connection to local land and culture.

Special Award Highlights

Photo Credit: Providence

Beyond the ranking itself, the awards celebrated individual brilliance across categories:

• Icon Award 2025: Montreal’s Normand Laprise, of Toqué!, for decades of visionary leadership and commitment to seasonal, local cuisine.

• North America’s Best Pastry Chef 2025: Susan Bae, executive pastry chef and partner at Moon Rabbit in Washington, D.C., whose boundary-pushing desserts redefine modern patisserie.

• North America’s Best Sommelier 2025: Vanya Filipovic of Mon Lapin in Montreal, recognized for her deep knowledge, intuitive pairings, and advocacy for low-intervention wines.

• Estrella Damm Chefs’ Choice Award 2025: Michael Cimarusti of Providence, Los Angeles, honored by his peers for his impact on modern gastronomy and his commitment to sustainability.

• Sustainable Restaurant Award 2025: SingleThread (No.8), lauded for its regenerative agriculture, zero-waste ethos, and closed-loop connection between farm, kitchen, and table.

• North America’s Best Female Chef 2025: Chutatip “Nok” Suntaranon of Kalaya in Philadelphia, recognized for her bold expression of southern Thai flavors and her leadership on the Northeast dining scene.

Additional accolades announced prior to the ceremony included the Champions of Change Award (Asmeret Berhe-Lumax, founder of One Love Community Fridge), the Art of Hospitality Award (Tanière3), and the Resy One To Watch Award (Ladder 4 in Detroit).

Photo Credit: Naho Kubota