In just a few weeks, all eyes will turn to the neon-lit desert, where Las Vegas is set to host one of the most anticipated culinary unveilings of the year: the first-ever North America’s 50 Best Restaurants awards. As the industry gathers at the Wynn for a glittering celebration of gastronomic excellence, one question looms—who will make the list? From the fine-dining temples of New York and Chicago to California’s boundary-pushing kitchens, the contenders are fierce. Florida’s culinary capital—Miami—sits in the wings, hopeful but uncertain. With Michelin stars in its pocket, back-to-back James Beard wins, and a growing reputation for innovation and flair, can Miami crack the top 50 (or even the 51–100), or will it be overlooked in favor of more established power players?

And while much of the culinary world has been buzzing about the upcoming debut, certain corners (ahem, 305 media) seem oddly… quiet. You’d think an international ranking with the power to change a restaurant’s destiny overnight might spark some headlines—but nope. Crickets.

So, if you’re new to the game—or just catching up—here’s your cheat sheet to what the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list is, how it works, and why the stakes are sky-high.

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Top 15 Things to Know: North America’s 50 Best Restaurants

1 A Brand-New Continental Ranking
Launching on September 25, 2025, this is the first-ever awards list dedicated to spotlighting the top restaurants across the U.S., Canada, and select Caribbean territories. (Mexico, Cuba & the Dominican Republic are excluded; they remain part of Latin America’s 50 Best.)

2 Geography Divided Into 8 Subregions
The continent is divided into eight voting regions: USA (Northeast, South, Midwest, West); Canada (East, Central, West); and the Caribbean.

3 Best of the Best Hall of Famers Are Out
Former global winners, such as The French Laundry (2003–04) and Eleven Madison Park (2017), now reside in the “Best of the Best” hall of fame. Translation: they’re no longer eligible here.

4 300 Anonymous Expert Voters
The Academy comprises 300 industry experts—chefs, journalists, and well-traveled gourmands—appointed by regional Chairs.

5 Each Voter Picks 8 Restaurants
Members must vote for eight. Up to five can be local, but at least three must be outside their home turf.

6 No Entry Fees or Applications
Restaurants cannot pay, apply, or campaign their way onto the list. This is about actual dining experiences.

7 “Best” Is Subjective by Design
Style, service, vibe, value—it’s all fair game. Voters use their own judgment.

8 Any Style Can Rank
From a taco stand to a temple of haute cuisine—if it’s permanent and open, it’s eligible.

9 Pre-Live Ceremony Awards Are Already Out

• Champions of Change: Asmeret Berhe-Lumax
• Art of Hospitality: Tanière3 (Quebec)
• One to Watch: Ladder 4 (Detroit)

10 The Ceremony Includes Multiple Honors
Beyond the ranking, expect: Icon Award, Best Pastry Chef, Best Sommelier, Chef’s Choice, Sustainable Restaurant Award, Best in Destination (each subregion), and of course, the big one: Best Restaurant in North America.

11 Live Countdown in Vegas
The inaugural list will be revealed during a red-carpet countdown gala at Wynn Las Vegas. Let’s just say I’ve already blocked off that evening.

12 Regional Chairs Lead the Process
Each subregion has an Academy Chair—a respected local food authority—guiding the voting body.

13 Fairness Ensured
Voting is confidential, independently audited, and protected from bias. Even Chairs don’t know who voted for whom.

14 Culinary Diversity Front and Center
Expect everything from Creole kitchens and Caribbean cafés to Quebecois tasting menus and West Coast farm cuisine.

15 How It Differs from the MICHELIN Guide or James Beard Awards

• 50 Best: Voted by industry peers, global in scope, celebrates experience and trendsetting.
• MICHELIN Guide: Anonymous inspectors, operating within a geographically limited scope, award 1–3 stars.
• James Beard Awards: U.S.-only, broader categories (chefs, restaurants, media).

Perspective and Predictions

I’ll be honest: this one is tough to call. Normally, I lean on patterns to make predictions, but with this being an inaugural list, it’s truly anyone’s game.

The “safe bets” are restaurants that have already been recognized globally: Atomix (currently the highest ranked), SingleThread, Le Bernardin, Atelier Crenn, Alinea, and César. But here’s where I put my cards on the table: I’ve sat at most of these, I’ve tasted those menus, and if it were up to me, I’d add the electric Jônt in D.C., and include the forward-thinking Blue Hill Farm at Stone Barns. Other names worth watching: California’s Harbor House, Somni, Addison, and Providence.

And then there’s the question everyone asks me: what about us? Will Miami or Florida, more broadly, land in the top 50 (or even the 51–100)? That depends entirely on how far south the voters have traveled and their subjective palates. Our fine dining scene is still young compared to Europe’s established institutions and those in the U.S. like them. As much as it stings to admit, we may not yet be ready to go toe-to-toe at that level. But we do have plenty of strengths, I’d argue, elsewhere.

Looking at Latin America’s 50 Best offers a clue. That list thrives on casual fine dining concepts rooted in local flavors. Peru’s Mérito and Mayta, both personal favorites, remind me of Miami’s Recoveco, Stubborn Seed, Kojin, Zitz Sum, and Ariete in leadership, scale and spirit. All sourcing as locally as possible, infusing the city’s influence into their menus, and making us proud. 

Had it still been open, Peru’s original La Mar would have mirrored Brickell’s outpost nicely, especially now with Diego Oka’s tasting menu. Maybe that’s a conversation for the 2026/27 awards. Buenos Aires’ Niño Gordo was placed on the 2024 LATAM list. Could Miami’s equivalent sneak onto this one? I’m not convinced. Or will our debut be less about innovation and more about an icon—say, Joe’s Stone Crab? Stranger things have happened. And would it be an awards ceremony if there wasn’t a bit of controversy? What about honoring Thomas Keller’s one Michelin-Starred The Surf Club? That would combine a seasoned chef/owner and a respected South Florida restaurant.

Which restaurants do you think deserve a place on this inaugural list?

What’s certain is the anticipation. This first-of-its-kind ranking is set to capture North America’s dining landscape in a way we’ve never seen before. Vegas may hold the cards, but I’ll be there watching to see whether Miami gets dealt into the game.

The countdown is on.