New York Restaurant Earns U.S. Spot on World’s 50 Best List

WHO:

Time Out Worldwide - Atomix is run by husband-and-wife team Junghyun (JP) Park and Ellia Park.

Time Out Worldwide - JP Park won the Estrella Damm Chefs’ Choice Award 2026, described as the list’s only peer-voted award.

CNN - The 50 named Chef Junghyun Park the Chef’s Choice Award winner and praised him for providing a “window into a culture.”

CNN - The 50’s voting academy comprises more than 1,100 international restaurant-industry experts representing 28 regions, including food writers and chefs.

CNN - Rikki Tidball, who heads The 50’s awards program, said: “For the past 25 years, we’ve celebrated the people and places shaping hospitality.”

NY Post - A prospective diner described Atomix’s menu as a “Literally dream menu.”

WHAT:

Time Out Worldwide - Atomix placed No. 11 on The 50’s global restaurant list, up from No. 12 in its previous appearance.

CNN - Atomix was the highest-ranked American restaurant, was named Best Restaurant in North America, and placed 11th.

Time Out Worldwide - The 50 praised Atomix’s progressive Korean tasting menu and described it as “one of New York’s hottest tables.” Its upstairs bar serves craft cocktails and snacks including JP’s sticky rice-stuffed fried chicken wings.

Time Out Worldwide - Atomix previously ranked No. 1 on the inaugural North America 50 Best Restaurants list.

Time Out Worldwide - Atomix received the James Beard Foundation’s Outstanding Hospitality award in 2025 and Best Chef: New York State in 2023, and holds two Michelin stars.

CNN - The 50’s 2026 global top five were Asador Etxebarri (No. 1), Gaggan (No. 2), Alchemist (No. 3), Quintonil (No. 4), and Wing (No. 5). Quintonil was also named Best Restaurant in Latin America.

CNN - Restaurants can receive The 50’s top prize only once; winners then enter its separate “Best of the Best” program.

WHERE:

Time Out Worldwide - Atomix is in New York City, on East 30th Street.

CNN - The 2026 awards ceremony was held in Lima, Peru. Asador Etxebarri is in Atxondo, Spain’s Basque region; Gaggan is in Bangkok; Alchemist is in Copenhagen; Quintonil is in Mexico City; and Wing is in Hong Kong.

WHEN:

Time Out Worldwide - Atomix opened in May 2018.

CNN - The 50 announced its 2026 list at a Wednesday-night ceremony.

Time Out Worldwide - Atomix received the James Beard Foundation awards in 2023 and 2025.

WHY:

CNN - The 50’s academy says the rankings aim to spotlight innovative cuisine as well as fine dining.

Time Out Worldwide - JP Park’s award recognized his philosophical approach to Korean cooking, also reflected in his concepts Naro, Seoul Salon, and Somssi.

HOW:

CNN - The 50’s restaurant rankings are compiled through votes from its international academy of restaurant-industry experts.

(UPDATED November 6, 2026 04:59 UTC)

New York’s Atomix ranked eleventh globally, earning Best Restaurant in North America honors. The Korean restaurant, run by chefs Junghyun and Ellia Park, rose one place. Junghyun Park also received the peer-voted Chef’s Choice award from international industry experts.