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The James Beard Awards are often called the Oscars of the food world and this year's ceremony brought some particularly good news for New York diners. When the dust settled Monday night in Chicago, three New York restaurants and hospitality pros walked away with some of the industry's biggest honors, adding fresh bragging rights to an already stacked dining scene.
The headline-grabber was Chinatown's tiny wine bar and restaurant Lei, which won Best New Restaurant, one of the evening's most coveted awards. Tucked away on Doyers Street, the 24-seat spot from Annie Shi and Patty Lee has become one of the city's hardest reservations to snag thanks to its Chinese-inspired menu paired with a famously encyclopedic wine list. The restaurant beat out finalists from across the country to claim the title.
Another win went to Meju chef Hooni Kim, who took home Best Chef: New York State. Kim's intimate Long Island City tasting counter has earned national acclaim for its deep exploration of Korean fermentation traditions, including house-made sauces and ingredients aged for years. (Earlier this spring, the New York Times ranked Meju No. 4 on its list of the city's 100 best restaurants.)
The final local winner was beverage director Lee Campbell of Borgo, who received the award for Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service. The honor recognizes excellence in wine, spirits and hospitality, and adds another accolade to Andrew Tarlow's buzzy NoMad trattoria. Since opening in late 2024, Borgo has built a loyal following for its Italian menu, natural-leaning wine list and old-world dining room.
Not every New York finalist took home a medal, but landing three major wins across restaurant, chef and beverage categories is a strong showing for the city. If anything, the results serve as a reminder that many of the country's most exciting dining experiences are hiding in plain sight, whether that's a nine-seat fermentation counter in Queens, a cozy Chinatown wine bar or a bustling Manhattan trattoria pouring some of the nation's best glasses of wine.