The James Beard Award Winners’ Must-Visit Foodie Destinations

If you’re anything like me, you might spend way too much time planning out your next trip based on food. The James Beard Awards, known as the “Oscars of the food world,” recently honored outstanding chefs and restaurants from around the US, and I’m using it to plan my next culinary adventure. 

The awards highlighted the diversity and innovation present in the American culinary scene. Chefs and restaurateurs from Philadelphia were honored with the most prestigious prizes, while standouts in the Pacific Northwest and Washington, DC also came out on top. 

Winner for Outstanding Restaurant 

One must-visit destination for food enthusiasts is Philadelphia restaurant Friday Saturday Sunday. Taking home the title of Outstanding Restaurant, the establishment has been delighting diners since 1973, with a menu featuring a fusion of contemporary American and global flavors, and a focus on sourcing local ingredients for its innovative and flavorful dishes. 

Winner for Outstanding Restaurateur

Ellen Yin, a prominent figure in the local restaurant scene was recognized as the top outstanding restaurateur, having been named so for her High Street Hospitality Group, which encompasses Fork, a.kitchen + bar, and High Street, also all in Philadelphia.

America’s best new restaurant 

Another noteworthy winner at the James Beard Awards was Haitian restaurant Kann—located in Portland, Oregon. Chef Gregory Gourdet’s award-winning live-fire restaurant, Haitian cuisine merges with the bountiful offerings of the Pacific Northwest. The menu celebrates traditional Haitian flavors and incorporates dishes influenced by African and Caribbean cuisines.

Sustainable delights in Washington, DC

In the nation’s capital, Chef Rob Rubba, a chef with a passion for sustainability and innovation, took home a James Beard Award for his restaurant Oyster Oyster. The menu features native and wild ingredients, showcasing the flavors of the Mid-Atlantic region. They also contribute to oyster reef rebuilding and offer a wide selection of local, biodynamic, organic, and natural wines.