From Atomix being crowned No.1 to Alain Ducasse posing with panache on the red carpet, these are the best moments from the first ever North America's 50 Best Restaurant awards.
Last week, North America's most talented chefs, restaurateurs, media and gastronomic enthusiasts gathered in Las Vegas for North America's 50 Best Restaurants, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna.
The inaugural ceremony was held at Wynn Las Vegas on the famous Las Vegas Boulevard, with the city's signature party vibes infusing the celebrations with glitz and glamour. The ceremony marked the debut release of the North America's 50 Best Restaurants list, gathering chefs from across the US, Canada and the Caribbean to reveal which restaurants had been ranked 1-50 in the region, as well as destination and special awards.
While the highly anticipated awards ceremony was the pinnacle of the event programme, there were ample opportunities for connection across the week. #50BestTalks: North American Dream, 50 Best's thought-leadership forum, saw speakers including Gregory Gourdet from Kann in Portland and Lisa Binns from Jamaica's Stush in the Bush take the stage to explore how immigration has shaped food culture across North America.
From Asmeret Berhe-Lumax, winner of the Champions of Change Award 2025, attendees gained insight into how her initiative, One Love Community Fridge, is helping to tackle food insecurity in the US, while Chad and Hanna Williams of Friday Saturday Sunday in Philadelphia shared advice on how to create healthy hospitality culture and Canadian chef Normand Laprise, winner of the Icon Award 2025, sponsored by Lavazza, charted the journey of the terroir-driven Quebecois cuisine he's pioneered over his career.
At 50 Best Connects, women in the hospitality sphere shared knowledge, stories and heard from chef Chutatip 'Nok' Suntaranon, winner of North America's Best Female Chef Award and co-owner of Kalaya, about the challenges faced by women in the kitchen and in business.
Following a cocktail and canape-fuelled reception, the awards ceremony – the apex of the week – saw Atomix in New York awarded The Best Restaurant in North America 2025, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna. Mon Lapin in Montreal was ranked No.2 in the list, making it the highest-placed restaurant in Canada, with Restaurant Pearl Morissette from Lincoln, Ontario rounding out the top three.
In true Las Vegas style, the party didn't stop there and carried through to Wynn's XS Nightclub, where music and margaritas accompanied the celebrations, which continued into the early hours.
Keep scrolling below to see more visual highlights from North America's 50 Best Restaurants 2025.
The inaugural celebrations were held at bright and brilliant Wynn Las Vegas
The event programme kicked off with #50BestTalks, featuring chef Gregory Gourdet speaking on how the immigrant experience has shaped North American cuisine
During a Q&A with Chad and Hanna Williams from Philadelphia's Friday Saturday Sunday, a signature drink from the restaurant, Fibonacci in Autumn, was served
The stellar #50BestTalks lineup also included legendary Canadian chef Normand Laprise, Lisa and Christopher Binns from Stush in the Bush in Jamaica and Asmeret Berhe-Lumax, founder of One Love Community Fridge
Guests feasted on creative bites after the session, including a sushi handroll station complete with wasabi, pickled ginger and soy sauce provided by Lee Kum Kee
Chef Nok delighted and inspired with her 50 Best Connects discussion, covering her unique culinary backstory and challenges faced by women in hospitality
At cocktail hour, welcome drinks in Wynn's Fairway Villa featured Obsidian, a margarita made with Tequila Ocho Reposado, poblano chile liqueur, cucumber, fresno chile, agave nectar and black salt
Nibbles were plentiful, with guests including North America's 50 Best Restaurants Academy Chairs enjoying crispy potato mille-feuille with creme fraiche, chives and Kristal Caviar provided by Maison Kaviari
As the evening propelled into full swing, guests arrived at the Chefs' Feast, held at Encore Beach Club
Quetzal's Steven Molnar grabs a Mírate margarita from the Resy bar to toast the evening's celebrations
The Chefs' Feast canape lineup didn't snub dessert, with Lavazza coffee caviar served atop mini chocolate macarons
As the sun set on Las Vegas, chefs including Eric Ripert arrived at the awards reception and were adorned with 50 Best's iconic red scarves by the Aspire Lifestyles team
Pre-awards ceremony bites kept chefs and guests fuelled, including cauliflower panna cotta with salmon provided by Ora King Salmon
Gus Stieffenhofer-Brandson from Vancouver's Published on Main got stuck into a spot of whiskey tasting from Craft Irish Whiskey
Suave style was a theme on the red carpet, with Tim Flores and Genie Kwon from Chicago's Kasama donning signature shades for the evening
Top sips included the Midnight Cumbia from Blackwood Distilling Co, made with Blackwood Toasted 105 Rye, mole ganache, coffee, rosewater and honey cream
Alain Ducasse arrived to much commotion on the red carpet, pulling off some signature crowd-pleasing poses
In lieu of their chef-owner being unable to attend the awards ceremony, the team from Nashville's Locust ensured Trevor Moran never missed a photo opportunity with an oversized cutout in his likeness
After guests took their seats in Encore Theatre, Emmy Award-winning host Lauren Scala took to the stage to unveil the much-anticipated 1-50 list
Ranked at No.49 on North America's 50 Best Restaurants list, Lisa and Christopher Binns from Stush in the Bush took in the ample applause
Susan Bae of Washington DC's Moon Rabbit was in awe of her achievement as she received North America's Best Pastry Chef Award 2025, sponsored by Valrhona
Ever the entertainer, Dominique Crenn, whose restaurant Atelier Crenn was ranked No.46, arrived on stage with a bang to present the North America's Best Female Chef Award 2025
The Quebec City-based Tanière3 team was elated to receive the Art of Hospitality Award, sponsored by Lee Kum Kee
Cheers rang out across the theatre as California's SingleThread, led by husband-and-wife team Kyle and Katina Connaughton, received the Sustainable Restaurant Award and The Best Restaurant in West USA 2025 accolade
LA-based Providence's executive chef Tristan Aitchison stepped in to recieve the Estrella Damm Chefs' Choice Award on behalf of Michael Cimarusti
Nick Curtola and New York's The Four Horsemen team stroke a pose after being ranked No.15
Detroit's Ladder 4 was awarded the Resy One To Watch Award with plenty of support from chefs in the room for the up-and-coming team
The awards ceremony concluded with the crowning of Atomix as North America's Best Restaurant 2025, with JP and Ellia Park and team celebrating on stage among confetti cannons and whoops from the crowd
Now – to the after party. Held at XS Nightclub, revellers wasted no time in getting the party started
Dancefloor fillers pounded from the DJ booth, bringing chefs from across the region together in pursuit of a great night out
