Hold onto your crawfish boils, because North America’s tastiest party on the planet is about to hit the Big Easy! After a debut that lit up the glitter of Las Vegas like a neon jambalaya bowl, North America’s 50 Best Restaurants is back for round two. This time, they’re bringing the heat Southern-style.

Last year’s inaugural ceremony at the Wynn Las Vegas was a star-studded roll call of kitchens that put North America on a whole new gastronomic map, #50BestStyle. From Atomix taking the number one crown to Dakar NOLA region’s culinary talent elbowed its way into the international conversation with flair. Chefs, restaurateurs, and media descended on the desert to take part in a truly unforgettable evening of counting down the 50 best tables across the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean.

But before THAT, there was Turin, the opulent host city for The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025 awards in June, where gastronomes from across the globe gathered amongst Piedmontese wine and centuries-old stone to crown the very best in the world. While that event was all European elegance, Vegas was where North America’s story kicked off: loud, proud, and a little glittery on the fringes. 

And now? It’s New Orleans’ turn to shine. What do you get when you mix sizzling flavors with cutting-edge culinary craft? The vibe of a city that knows how to party and eat damn well.

What’s New in 2026:

• The date & second annual home of North America’s 50 Best Restaurants is officially set. 
• This year’s celebration promises even broader representation and deeper dives into regional identity.
• Expect more storytelling, taste, swagger, and that uniquely North American mix of tradition + innovation.

This is the culinary circuit party where history meets haute cuisine, where New Orleans’ soulful spice meets Montreal cool, and (hopefully) Miami heat meets Vancouver chill.

Stay tuned for full details: date, venue, voting fun facts, and chef line-ups.

Because when the continent’s “Best” gather, you better believe the food will be as bold as the city that hosts it.