North America’s culinary scene is set to receive a prestigious new ranking with the debut of North America’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2025. Organised by the team behind The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, this new awards programme will highlight the finest dining destinations across the United States, Canada, and parts of the Caribbean. Sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna, the list aims to celebrate exceptional restaurants and talented chefs, providing food lovers with an authoritative guide to the region’s top dining experiences.
A New Benchmark for Culinary Excellence
As the first dedicated ranking for North America, this initiative builds on the success of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, which has been a global reference for fine dining since its inception. William Drew, Director of Content for North America’s 50 Best Restaurants, emphasised the significance of the project:
“North America boasts a thriving and diverse restaurant scene. We want to honour the incredible talent across the region and inspire food lovers to discover new dining experiences. This ranking will shine a spotlight on extraordinary restaurants and their teams while providing a trusted guide for diners.”
By launching North America’s 50 Best Restaurants, the organisation hopes to encourage exploration of lesser-known but outstanding dining establishments, ensuring that talented chefs and innovative restaurants across the continent receive the recognition they deserve.
How the Ranking Works
The list will be determined by 300 expert voters, including chefs, restaurateurs, journalists, educators, and seasoned gourmets. These voters, carefully selected by regional Academy Chairs, will remain anonymous to ensure impartiality. The voting process will cover eight sub-regions, each representing a unique part of North America’s culinary landscape:
- Caribbean (excluding Cuba and the Dominican Republic)
- USA Northeast
- USA South
- USA Midwest
- USA West
- Canada East
- Canada Mid-East
- Canada West
A Transparent and Inclusive Selection Process
Unlike some awards, there is no cost for entry, and all restaurant styles are eligible. Each voter will select their eight best restaurant experiences from the past two years. Academy Chairs oversee the process but do not have any special voting privileges. Additionally, all votes are confidential and submitted via a secure online platform to prevent any influence or lobbying.
Mexico, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic will remain part of the Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants list and will not be included in the new North American ranking.
Anticipation Builds for the First Awards Ceremony
The first-ever North America’s 50 Best Restaurants list will be revealed at an exclusive awards ceremony later this year, with the location and date to be announced soon. The event will feature a live countdown, culminating in the announcement of The Best Restaurant in North America 2025.
Beyond recognising excellence, this ranking will provide a valuable platform for restaurants to gain international exposure and attract new guests. As excitement builds, food enthusiasts, industry professionals, and top chefs eagerly await this landmark celebration of North America’s diverse and world-class culinary scene.