Famed for its warm hospitality and vibrant cultural scene, The Big Easy will welcome the region's top chefs and restaurateurs in May.
As the birthplace of jazz, the site of the world-famous Mardi Gras festival and the home of Cajun and Creole cuisine, the city knows how to celebrate. This year, it's set to host top chefs, restaurateurs and industry leaders from across North America for the second edition of North America's 50 Best Restaurants, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna.
In partnership with New Orleans & Company, the official destination sales and marketing organisation for New Orleans' tourism industry, 50 Best will bring a series of exciting culinary events to the city in May 2026, culminating in the announcement of the highly anticipated list at the awards ceremony on 28 May. 
Influenced by Western African, French, and Indigenous American flavours and ingredients, gumbo is one of New Orleans' most iconic dishes (Image: Shutterstock)
Highlights of the event programme will include: #50BestTalks, a thought-leadership event at which leading figures in the hospitality industry will share their insights; and the ever-popular Chefs' Feast, an exclusive event for the restaurant teams on this year's list, with a culinary offering celebrating the best of local food culture.
The excitement culminates with the awards ceremony itself on 28 May. As part of the event, there will be a live reveal of the restaurants ranked 50-1 and the various special award winners, before the all-important announcement of The Best Restaurant in North America 2026. 
Chefs and restaurant teams celebrate on stage at North America's 50 Best Restaurants 2025 in Las Vegas
The special awards are designed to celebrate both exceptional individuals and establishments from the region. While the majority will be announced on the night, a number of winners will be revealed in the weeks preceding the ceremony, including the Champions of Change Award, One To Watch Award and Art of Hospitality Award.
At the successful inaugural edition of North America's 50 Best Restaurants, held in Las Vegas in 2025, contemporary Korean restaurant Atomix, in New York City, claimed the top spot.
Among the 2025 special award winners were Asmeret Berhe-Lumax, who took home the Champions of Change Award for her work with One Love Community Fridge project; Detroit's Ladder 4, winner of the One To Watch Award; and Quebec City's Tanière 3, which won the Art of Hospitality Award.
Asmeret Berhe-Lumax presents at #50BestTalks in 2025
The list of North America's 50 Best Restaurants reflects the best restaurant experiences collated from 300 expert voters – a balanced mix of chefs, restaurateurs, food and beverage journalists, educators and well-travelled gourmets. The voters, who must remain anonymous, are recruited by a group of industry-leading Academy Chairs across eight sub-regions within North America: Caribbean (excluding Cuba and Dominican Republic); USA Northeast; USA South; USA Midwest; USA West; Canada East; Canada Central and Canada West.
Unlike other awards, there is no cost for entry, shortlisting or attendance. Any style of restaurant in the region is eligible for votes and restaurants do not have to fit any criteria or tick any pre-ordained boxes to be considered. Voters are simply asked to name their eight best restaurant experiences of any kind across the voting period. More information about how voting works is available on North America's 50 Best Restaurants website.
Find out which restaurants made it onto the list of North America's 50 Best Restaurants 2025.
