North America's 50 Best awards May 28

50 Best said North America’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026 will be unveiled in New Orleans on May 28, bringing chefs, restaurateurs and industry figures to the city for the second edition of the regional ranking. The organization said the event program will culminate in a live awards ceremony revealing the restaurants ranked 50 through 1 and naming The Best Restaurant in North America 2026. New Orleans & Company, the city’s tourism marketing organization, is partnering on the event, while S.Pellegrino and Acqua Panna are listed as sponsors. The awards sit inside the broader 50 Best franchise run by William Reed, which also publishes global and regional rankings for restaurants, bars, hotels and vineyards. North America’s restaurants list launched in 2025, making this year’s New Orleans event the second time the ranking has been staged. The inaugural edition was held in Las Vegas, where Atomix in New York City took the top spot. ### Why is New Orleans hosting this year’s ceremony? (theworlds50best.com) February 19 marked 50 Best’s announcement that New Orleans would host the 2026 ceremony. The organization said the city would welcome “top chefs, restaurateurs and industry leaders” from across North America as part of a multi-event program in May. New Orleans & Company said the ceremony fits the city’s effort to raise its profile as a global travel and dining destination. (theworlds50best.com) Walt Leger III, the group’s president and chief executive, called the event “a milestone for New Orleans” and said the selection was “another reminder to the world of our culinary pedigree.” (theworlds50best.com) ### What exactly happens on May 28? May 28 is the date of the live countdown and the main awards ceremony. 50 Best said the event will reveal the restaurants ranked 50 to 1, along with several special award winners, before announcing The Best Restaurant in North America 2026. The New Orleans program also includes #50BestTalks, which 50 Best describes as a thought-leadership event for hospitality figures, and the Chefs’ Feast, an event for teams from restaurants on the list with food reflecting local culture. (neworleans.com) Organizers said some special awards would be announced in the weeks before the ceremony. ### How is the list actually decided? (theworlds50best.com) The ranking is compiled from the votes of 300 experts, according to 50 Best. The group said those voters include chefs, restaurateurs, food and beverage journalists, educators and “well-travelled gourmets.” The voting pool is split across eight sub-regions: the Caribbean, excluding Cuba and the Dominican Republic; USA Northeast; USA South; USA Midwest; USA West; Canada East; Canada Central; and Canada West. 50 Best said voters remain anonymous and are asked to name their eight best restaurant experiences over a two-year polling period. (theworlds50best.com) The organization also says there is no cost for entry, shortlisting or attendance. ### Who is already in the 2026 awards cycle? The 50 Best website already lists some 2026 special-award winners ahead of the main ceremony. Those include Wildweed for the One To Watch Award, Restaurant Pearl Morissette for the Art of Hospitality Award, and John Jones for the Champions of Change Award. Last year’s winners provide some context for the event’s profile. In 2025, Atomix was named North America’s Best Restaurant, while other individual honors went to figures and venues including Chutatip “Nok” Suntaranon, Michael Cimarusti, Susan Bae and Vanya Filipovic. (theworlds50best.com) ### Can the public watch or attend? The awards ceremony is invitation-only, according to the event’s FAQ page. 50 Best says consumers cannot attend, but viewers can watch the ceremony live on the organization’s YouTube channel. (theworlds50best.com) May 28 is the next fixed date in the rollout. 50 Best said the New Orleans ceremony will complete the second North America list, and the organization’s website is carrying the pre-announced awards, FAQ material and the livestream information ahead of the event. (theworlds50best.com 1) (theworlds50best.com 2)