The North America’s 50 Best Restaurants Gala Takes Over Vegas — Atomix Puts the City on the Culinary Map (Again)
The Night Las Vegas Claimed Its Place Among the World’s Dining Capitals
When the North America’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025 Gala took over Wynn Las Vegas this year, it wasn’t just an awards show — it was a statement.
For the first time, the prestigious ceremony left New York and Mexico City behind to celebrate excellence in the heart of the Strip.
Inside Wynn’s Ballroom, chefs, restaurateurs, and food journalists from across the continent gathered for an evening that blended precision, pride, and celebration. From the floral installations to the Champagne toasts, the event reflected a truth long recognized by locals but now confirmed on a global stage: Las Vegas has become one of North America’s great dining cities.
Atomix Takes #1 — and the Spotlight
The night’s most significant moment came when Atomix, the Korean tasting-menu restaurant from husband-and-wife team Junghyun and Ellia Park, was announced as North America’s No. 1 restaurant for 2025.
The recognition wasn’t a surprise to anyone who has followed Atomix’s meticulous rise in New York’s fine dining world. Its focus on craftsmanship, cultural storytelling, and quiet innovation has earned critical acclaim, and now, continental dominance.
Other top spots went to Pujol (Mexico City), Quintonil (Mexico City), SingleThread (Healdsburg, CA), and Le Bernardin (New York City). The presence of both American and Mexican restaurants in the top five reflected a shift toward culinary diversity — and the growing influence of regional creativity across borders.
Vegas Restaurants Shine at the Wynn
Hosting the gala gave Vegas a moment to celebrate its own. Wynn’s Wing Lei, the first Chinese restaurant in North America to receive a Michelin star, and Delilah, its modern supper club, earned nods for their contributions to the city’s dining scene.
Beyond Wynn, É by José Andrés at The Cosmopolitan also drew attention as one of the most technically advanced tasting menus in the United States. During the evening, several presenters highlighted the evolution of Las Vegas from a stage for celebrity chefs into a genuine incubator for culinary innovation.
As one Vegas executive said during the ceremony,
“Las Vegas isn’t chasing the food capitals anymore
it’s joining them.”
Inside the Event at Wynn Las Vegas
Wynn delivered the gala with its signature precision. The evening began with a red-carpet arrival and welcome reception before guests were seated for the countdown reveal. The ceremony was hosted by William Drew, Director of Content for 50 Best, and featured appearances from several leading chefs, including Daniel Humm, Dominique Crenn, and Enrique Olvera.
Following the formal presentation, guests moved to a reception where multiple chefs — including honorees from the list — presented small plates highlighting regional North American flavors. Dishes ranged from coastal shellfish to seasonal produce-driven canapés, reflecting the diversity and creativity that define the continent’s current food scene.
By night’s end, the energy in the room was electric. What began as a celebration of individual achievement had evolved into something broader — a recognition that North American dining, in all its forms, is entering a new era.
Why the 50 Best Gala Matters for Las Vegas
Hosting the North America’s 50 Best Restaurants Gala was more than symbolic. For Las Vegas, it was proof that its transformation from casino buffets to Michelin-level sophistication is complete.
Over the past decade, the city’s food identity has evolved rapidly.
Flagship restaurants like Carbone, Cote Las Vegas, and Wakuda have shifted the Strip’s focus toward longevity, craftsmanship, and destination-level design. At the same time, locally driven concepts off-Strip — from Chinatown to Summerlin — have diversified what “Vegas dining” means.
The gala recognized this progress by placing the city on the same platform as New York, Mexico City, and Toronto — not as an outlier, but as an equal.
A Night That Reframed the Conversation
For decades, Las Vegas has been defined by spectacle. But this night — this gathering of chefs, ideas, and artistry — showed that the city’s truest magic now lies in its kitchens.
For the complete 2025 rankings and official photos, visit the World’s 50 Best Restaurants.
FAQ: North America’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025 Gala
Q: Where was the 2025 gala held?
A: The event took place at Wynn Las Vegas, marking the first time the awards were hosted in Nevada.
Q: Who was named North America’s #1 restaurant?
A: Atomix in New York City, led by chefs Junghyun and Ellia Park.
Q: What does hosting this event mean for Las Vegas?
A: It solidifies the city’s place among the world’s top dining destinations, confirming its evolution into a hub for fine dining and culinary innovation.
The Final Bite
The 2025 North America’s 50 Best Restaurants Gala wasn’t just a night of accolades — it was a milestone. It captured the spirit of a continent redefining its food identity and a city redefining its own legacy.
In the global conversation about where great dining happens next, Las Vegas is no longer a surprise entry. It’s the stage itself.
