Frequently Asked Questions

Why launch North America’s 50 Best Restaurants?
Following the success of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants over the last 20-plus years and the establishment of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants and the Middle East & North Africa's 50 Best Restaurants, 50 Best is launching in North America to highlight the entire region as a premier culinary destination. North America 50 Best Restaurants awards aims to bring global recognition to well-deserving restaurants and their teams across the USA, Canada and the Caribbean. The inaugural North America 50 Best Restaurants event programme provides a unique opportunity to unite chefs, gourmets and journalists in celebration of the cuisine, hospitality and talent of the region’s restaurant sector.

Why is 50 Best launching North America’s 50 Best Restaurants now?
After launching dedicated regional restaurant awards in Latin America, Asia and the Middle East & North Africa, we believe the time is ripe to honour restaurants across the North American region, including Canada and parts of the Caribbean in addition to the US, to inspire food-lovers to discover seek out new restaurants and culinary experiences. The creation of this new awards and list represents another step in 50 Best’s journey towards becoming the ultimate global reference point for the very best hospitality experiences across the globe, including North America.

Which countries are included in North America’s 50 Best Restaurants' voting?
The countries included are the USA, Canada and countries within the Caribbean (excluding Cuba and Dominican Republic).

Why do the awards not encompass Mexico?
As Mexico is already included in the ranking of Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants, and has been since the list’s inception in 2013, it will remain in that ranking and not be eligible in North America’s 50 Best Restaurants. Likewise, Cuba and Dominican Republic will remain part of the Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants ranking.

Why are only certain Caribbean countries/territories encompassed?
For voting purposes, the Caribbean has been divided into two groups. Cuba and the Dominican Republic, where Spanish is the official language and the culture is distinctly Latin, will remain part of Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants. Restaurants from the rest of the Caribbean are eligible to be voted for in North America’s 50 Best Restaurants. Similarly, as Puerto Rico remains a US territory, restaurants in Puerto Rico are eligible to be voted for in North America’s 50 Best Restaurants.

Can a restaurant be taken off the list?
Not until the following year – and even then it will only be the results of the voting that determines this, or if we are advised that it will be closed within three months of the list being published.

Can consumers attend the awards ceremony?
The awards are invitation-only, but food-lovers across North America and the world can follow the awards ceremony live on the 50 Best Restaurants TV YouTube channel.

What does it mean to be included in North America’s 50 Best Restaurants ranking?
It provides recognition of the dedication, passion and skill of the teams behind those restaurants. It also helps promote those establishments regionally and internationally to well-travelled, discerning gourmets, boosting the restaurants’ profiles and business.

How will publishing the 50 Best list help restaurants in North America?
50 Best believes the publication of the list is part of an overall drive to support the regional restaurant scene. Moreover, the global gastronomic community sees the announcement of this list as a way to generate awareness around restaurants while also promoting the hospitality sector as a whole. Ultimately, the list also serves as an economic stimulus for those restaurants featured by helping drive business into their establishments.