Smyth in Chicago was just named the best restaurant in North America

The second edition of the North America’s 50 Best Restaurants list was revealed at a ceremony in New Orleans last night and Chicago's own Smyth was crowned number one. The prestigious awards, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna, celebrate the diverse dining landscape of the region ahead of the World's 50 Best Restaurants list reveal in November.

Ascending from the number four spot on the inaugural 2025 list, Smyth’s rise to the pinnacle of North American gastronomy is a testament to its deeply personal and precise approach to dining. Led by husband-and-wife duo Chefs John and Karen Urie Shields, the restaurant operates as a masterclass in partnership—John helms the savory side while Karen masterminds the pastry program. Together, they have transformed their calm, minimalist Chicago space into an inventive take on farm-to-table dining.

Holding three Michelin stars since 2023, the Shields’ philosophy centers on an evolving, hyper-seasonal tasting menu rooted in the flavors of the Midwest. By partnering with a tight network of premier U.S. farms, their dishes are both consistent and boldly creative. Diners are treated to unexpected, boundary-pushing pairings like a trout belly doughnut with kumquat, caviar with green walnut and a bittersweet chocolate and maitake mushroom tart.

Smyth leads a powerhouse top 10 that showcases the immense breadth of the continent's talent, followed closely by two Canadian standouts: Eight in Calgary and Restaurant Pearl Morissette in Lincoln. The 2026 list features 36 establishments from the United States and 14 from Canada. But it's Smyth that tops them all as the finest dining experience in North America.

The list is determined by a 300-member Academy of anonymous regional industry experts including chefs, journalists and restaurateurs. 50 Best also names Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants and Middle East North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants, and will reveal its World's 50 Best Restaurants list this coming November in Abu Dhabi.

North America's 50 Best Restaurants

1. Smyth Chicago
2. Eight Calgary
3. Restaurant Pearl Morissette Lincoln
4. Dakar NOLA New Orleans
5. Mon Lapin Montreal
6. Albi Washington DC
7. Atomix New York
8. Quetzal Toronto
9. Tanière3 Quebec City
10. César New York
11. Kalaya Philadelphia
12. Le Veau d'Or New York
13. Le Bernardin New York
14. Kabawa New York
15. Le Violon Montreal
16. SingleThread Healdsburg
17. Published on Main Vancouver
18. Jungsik New York
19. Penny New York
20. Emeril's New Orleans
21. Chubby Fish Charleston
22. Saison San Francisco
23. Aska New York
24. Moon Rabbit Washington DC
25. Edulis Toronto
26. Holbox Los Angeles
27. Beba Montreal
28. Mhel Toronto
29. Avize Atlanta
30. Acamaya New Orleans
31. Addison by William Bradley San Diego
32. Providence Los Angeles
33. Benu San Francisco
34. Sabayon Montreal
35. AnnaLena Vancouver
36. Corima New York
37. Dōgon by Kwame Onwuachi Washington DC
38. Torrisi New York
39. Tatiana by Kwame Onwuachi New York
40. Friday Saturday Sunday Philadelphia
41. Semma New York
42. Pascual Washington DC
43. Gramercy Tavern New York
44. Atelier Crenn San Francisco
45. Sons & Daughters San Francisco
46. Somni Los Angeles
47. Wild Blue Whistler
48. The Pine Collingwood
49. Kato Los Angeles
50. Diane's Place Minneapolis