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Chicago's Smyth Crowned No. 1 in North America
29 May
Summary
- Smyth in Chicago ranked the top restaurant in North America.
- Eight, a Calgary speakeasy, surprised at second place.
- Canada secured 14 spots on the list, including five in the top 10.
Smyth, a fine-dining establishment from Chicago, has been celebrated as the foremost restaurant in North America for 2026. The announcement came during a ceremony in New Orleans.
Calgary's speakeasy, Eight, made a remarkable entry at second place, offering an immersive eight-seat, 20-course experience. This year's rankings saw a significant presence from Canada, with 14 restaurants featured, including five within the top 10.
The North American list, curated by the 50 Best organization, encompasses restaurants across the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean. This iteration of the list increasingly features exclusive, tasting-menu-focused venues, often with high price points.
New York City had a strong showing with several new entries, alongside individual awards for best pastry chef and best sommelier. However, last year's top-ranked Atomix dropped to seventh place, and some popular venues were not included.
The selection process involves 300 independent culinary experts who submit their top eight dining experiences from the past year, without a formal evaluation system.
Looking ahead, the 2025 World's 50 Best Restaurants ceremony is scheduled for November in Abu Dhabi, a location that has drawn criticism regarding human rights concerns.
