226 venues · 81 cities · 2 countries · 2016–2026

James Beard Awards

America's most prestigious food honors, presented since 1991 by the foundation named for James Beard, the cookbook author who spent a lifetime arguing that American cooking deserved to be taken seriously. People call them the Oscars of American food, and in this case there really are medallions. Chefs, restaurants, and bars across the US go through several rounds of nomination and voting by a large body of independent judges. A Beard medallion by the door is one of the surest signs in America that you've picked well.

About These Categories

Outstanding Restaurant: The top honor for a single restaurant that has been excellent for years and shows no sign of stopping.
Outstanding Chef: The highest individual honor in American cooking. "Career-defining" undersells it.
Best Chef (by region): The finest chef in each US region. Very often the award that turns a local favorite into a national reservation problem.
Outstanding Bar: A bar with exceptional drinks, hospitality, and atmosphere, judged as seriously as any kitchen.
Best New Restaurant: The country's most impressive opening of the past year.
America's Classics: Beloved, often family-run institutions. The diners, barbecue joints, and neighborhood legends no amount of money could recreate.
Outstanding Hospitality: For a restaurant whose welcome and warmth are as good as its food.
Outstanding Service: For a restaurant setting the national standard in dining-room service.
Outstanding Restaurateur: For an operator running several excellent restaurants, judged on the whole body of work.
Outstanding Bakery: For the country's best bakery, judged as seriously as any restaurant.
Outstanding Pastry Chef: For the best pastry work in America.
Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker: For the best pastry or baking work in America.
Outstanding Wine Program: For the country's best restaurant wine list.
Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program: For the best all-round drinks program, wine and beyond.
Outstanding Wine & Other Beverages Program: For the best all-round drinks program, wine and beyond.
Outstanding Wine, Spirits, or Beer Professional: For an individual setting the standard in American drinks service.
Outstanding Bar Program: For the best bar program attached to a restaurant.
Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service: For an individual setting the standard in American drinks service.
Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service: For an individual setting the standard behind an American bar.
Emerging Chef: For a chef early in their career already cooking at a national level.
Emerging Chef of the Year: For a chef early in their career already cooking at a national level.
Rising Star Chef: For a young chef judged likely to shape the future of American cooking.
Rising Star Chef of the Year: For a young chef judged likely to shape the future of American cooking.
Best New Bar: The country's most impressive bar opening of the past year.
Outstanding Restaurant Design (75 Seats and Under): For the best-designed smaller dining room in the country.
Outstanding Restaurant Design (76 Seats and Over): For the best-designed larger dining room in the country.

Venues: 226
Countries: 2
Cities: 81
Years: 2016–2026

Restaurant · Manhattan

Jungsik

2025 · Outstanding Chef

Chef Jungsik Yim's Tribeca restaurant was the first Korean restaurant outside South Korea to earn three Michelin stars — it launched New York's Korean fine-dining boom.

James Beard Awards

About These Categories

Jungsik

Quince

Frasca | Food & Wine

Frasca | Food & Wine

Albi

Langbaan

Friday Saturday Sunday

Oyster Oyster

Chai Pani Asheville

Oriole

Feld

Kato Restaurant

Kato Restaurant

Semma

Meju

Causa

Peninsula

Royal Sushi & Izakaya

Belly of the Beast

Myriel

AMANO | Mexican

Gift Horse

Antica Terra

Lom Wong

Identidad Cocktail Bar

Bûcheron

Stages at One Washington

Nodoguro

SELINE

Casa Playa

LOMA

Lei

Balkan Treat Box

Yuan Wonton

Montgomery Sky Farm

Jūn

Kuya Lord

Kuya Lord

Bas Rouge

Bas Rouge

Hai Hai

Hai Hai

Rootstalk Breckenridge

Rootstalk Breckenridge

The Shipwright's Daughter

The Shipwright's Daughter

kann

kann

kann

1010 Bridge

1010 Bridge

Bacanora PHX

Bacanora PHX

Ana Liz Taqueria

Ana Liz Taqueria

Dakar NOLA

Dakar NOLA

Kasama

Kasama

Anajak Thai Cuisine

Anajak Thai Cuisine

Kalaya

Kalaya

Kalaya

Fairchild

Fairchild

KIN

KIN

The Hungry Haven

The Hungry Haven

Berlu Bakery

Berlu Bakery

Cocina al Fondo

Cocina al Fondo

The Deer and The Dove

The Deer and The Dove

Grey Sweater

Grey Sweater