Last week, Las Vegas shimmered brighter than ever as the culinary world gathered at the Wynn for the long-awaited unveiling of North America’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025. Chefs, restaurateurs, media, and devoted food lovers converged for a black-tie evening that managed to feel both glamorous and heartfelt, a reflection of the very industry it celebrates.

Following an interactive day of chef interactions, press conferences, and the famed #50BestTalks, it was finally SHOWTIME! 

5:00–7:30 PM | Red Carpet & Reception at Latour

The evening opened with a lively red carpet at the Latour Ballroom. Guests trickled in early,  pranced on the red carpet, posed for photographers, and greeted one another with hugs that blurred the lines between colleagues, old friends, and food enthusiasts. Beer? Espresso Martinis? Bourbon? Selfies? Check. Check. Check. Check. Assorted passed bites circled the room, and specialty food stations offered attendees pre-award eats. Standout looks ranged from classic tuxedos to daring gowns, each one catching the spotlight as anticipation built. But none as eye-catching as the historic red scarf worn by those with an invitation signaling a nod as being on the highly coveted 50 Best list. The reception buzzed with speculation over who would clinch the top spots. Was that Chef Emeril Lagasse and Alain Ducasse casually strolling around? Oh my! 

7:45–9:30 PM | Awards Ceremony at the Encore Theater

By the time the house lights dimmed inside the Encore Theater, the excitement was palpable. 

The countdown from No. 50 brought cheers and gasps, but the theater reached peak electricity as the Top 10 unfolded. Each reveal was met with thunderous applause from teams who had traveled to be recognized. The coveted No. 1 position was announced: Atomix NYC. The heartfelt acceptance speech anchored the night with a reminder of why these awards matter: passion, resilience, and innovation.

Other special awards highlighted the breadth of North America’s dining scene: 

• Icon Award: Normand Laprise of Toqué! (Montreal)
• Best Pastry Chef: Susan Bae, Moon Rabbit (Washington, D.C.)
• Chefs’ Choice Award: Michael Cimarusti, Providence (Los Angeles)
• Best Female Chef: Chutatip “Nok” Suntaranon, Kalaya (Philadelphia)
• Sustainable Restaurant Award: SingleThread (Healdsburg, CA)

Each winner added texture to a ceremony that celebrated both excellence and diversity across the continent.

The Top 10 included:

• No.2 Mon Lapin (Montreal) – where sommelier Vanya Filipovic also took home Best Sommelier.
• No.3 Restaurant Pearl Morissette (Lincoln, Canada) – crowned Best in Central Canada.
• No.4 Smyth (Chicago) – Best in Midwest USA.
• No.5 Tanière3 (Quebec City) – recipient of the Art of Hospitality Award.
• No.6 Dakar NOLA (New Orleans) – Best in South USA.
• No.7 Kalaya (Philadelphia) – where Chutatip “Nok” Suntaranon also earned Best Female Chef.
• No.8 SingleThread (Healdsburg, CA) – honored with the Sustainable Restaurant Award.
• No.9 Le Bernardin (NYC) – Eric Ripert’s seafood temple.
• No.10 Le Veau d’Or (NYC) – a revived classic claiming its place among the continent’s best.

Caribbean pride was also in the spotlight: Buzo Osteria Italiana (No.41, Barbados) and Stush in the Bush (No.49, Jamaica) joined the list, bringing island flavors into the North American spotlight.

Canada vs. USA Accolades

The inaugural list drew a clear comparison between North America’s dining scenes: while the U.S. claimed the largest share of restaurants, Canada distinguished itself with a strong presence and notable accolades.

• Canada secured 11 restaurants on the list—including two in the top five, Mon Lapin and Restaurant Pearl Morissette—and was recognized with major awards: Best Sommelier (Vanya Filipovic, Mon Lapin), Art of Hospitality (Tanière3), and the Icon Award (Normand Laprise, Toqué!).
• The United States earned 37 spots with Atomix at No.1, and received special awards for Best Pastry Chef (Susan Bae, Moon Rabbit), Chefs’ Choice (Michael Cimarusti, Providence), Best Female Chef (Chutatip “Nok” Suntaranon, Kalaya), and Sustainable Restaurant (SingleThread).

In short, the U.S. took the quantity crown, but Canada’s 11 spots carried disproportionate influence in the top tier and individual categories. Booking a trip to visit our northern siblings ASAP. 

10:00 PM–1:00 AM | After Party at XS

Of course, no 50 Best night would be complete without a lavish after-party. Taking over the entire nightclub and spacious pool area, once again, drinks and food flowed. Would it be a 50 Best event without it? Shockingly, no one ended up in the pool. A DJ mixed the night away while screens overhead replayed the restaurant countdown. A collective exhale by event guests filled the space. On cue, animated conversations and in-depth analysis of the rankings proceeded simultaneously. As expected, not everyone was in agreement with the final results. Business as usual.

As the final songs faded at XS and the last guests spilled into the Las Vegas night, one truth was clear: ATOMIX’s victory marks a new chapter for North America, and for all of us who follow where the 50 Best map leads next. What are your thoughts on the inaugural list?