The Best Restaurant in America Is…

Dear Pros,

Erika here. Earlier this week, a chatty seatmate on my Amtrak back to Boston asked me where she should eat during an upcoming vacation to New York City. When strangers ask me for restaurant recommendations, I usually try to narrow the scope before dropping any answers. How much money do you want to spend? What type of food do you love? This time around, I didn't hesitate.

Go to Kabawa, I said. If you don't like prix fixe menus, go to Bar Kabawa. But whatever you do, go.

This Caribbean powerhouse, helmed by chef Paul Carmichael, was just named the best in America in Food & Wine's annual Global Tastemakers awards. Our team of editors polls more than 400 chefs, travel experts, writers, and wine pros from around the world for their top culinary travel experiences. Our Global Advisory Board then ranks the top nominees. They picked Kabawa as the top restaurant in the country to visit in 2026. Carmichael also sat down with my colleague Kat Kinsman for a joyous interview on Tinfoil Swans. You get the feeling that he doesn't want to be anywhere other than where he is right now, and we're all better for it.

I met a friend for Daiquiris and patties at Bar Kabawa last Tuesday night, and we simply couldn't stop eating. We started with a basket of curry crab patties and were soon knocking back raw New Jersey oysters, chewing on pickled okra stuffed with salt cod, and dragging fat sardines through a tingly pepper sauce. If you have plans to be in New York this year, make every effort to get to this restaurant.

Last week, I asked y'all what you thought of DoorDash Reservations. No one I heard from was thrilled with the prospect of using DoorDash more frequently than they already are. "DoorDash is my least favorite delivery service," Mary, a reader in Columbus, Ohio, wrote in. "I have zero confidence they will manage reservations well when they seldom deliver a pizza and salad correctly."

This week, I'd love to know what you think of our Global Tastemakers rankings. How many of these restaurants, bars, and hotels have you been to? What did we overlook? Thanks for the responses, and keep 'em coming.

Take care,
Erika