Manhattan’s Korean Restaurant Takes Culinary Top Spot

Atomix, a renowned high-end restaurant in New York, has claimed the top position on the inaugural List of 50 Best Restaurants in North America, which was announced at a glitzy ceremony in Las Vegas earlier this week. The restaurant offers an impressive $395, 12-course tasting menu.

Alongside Atomix, 12 other New York eateries made the list. Notable mentions include the seafood-focused Le Bernardin, the fashionable French spot Le Veau d’Or, and the Brooklyn-based restaurant Four Horsemen.

“We are honored to be recognized among so many inspiring restaurants,” said chef and owner Junghyun ‘JP’ Park in a written statement. “This motivates us to keep pushing ourselves and to showcase the richness and creativity of Korean cuisine to the world.”

This recent accolade is part of a prestigious expansion of the well-known list of the world’s top restaurants, with Atomix’s reputation growing steadily. Currently, it ranks 12th on the global list and has earned two Michelin stars. Earlier this year, it also won the James Beard Award for outstanding hospitality.

Opened in 2018 by JP Park and his wife, Atomix quickly made a name for itself in New York’s vibrant dining landscape, fusing traditional Korean flavors with modern culinary artistry. Signature dishes include Tteok-Galbi (Grilled Short Rib Pâté) featuring chocolate and Korean pepper, as well as halibut served with sea urchin and rice porridge.

This success comes as the Park family gears up to celebrate the 10th anniversary of their sister restaurant, Atoboy, believed to have sparked a trend for modern Korean cuisine in the city.

Since launching Atomix, the couple has expanded their culinary ventures to include establishments in Naro and Seoul. “For us, hospitality is all about creating a warm, thoughtful atmosphere,” Area Park shared. “We are proud of our team as we reflect on the 10 years since our first restaurant and appreciate the support from our guests as we look to the future.”

Meanwhile, Canada dominated the top five on the list, with restaurants like Montreal’s Mon Lapin and Pearl Morisset near Toronto being notable mentions. The only other U.S. entry in the top rankings was the three-Michelin-starred Smith from Chicago.

NYC Restaurants Featured in the 50 Best Restaurants in North America

• Atomix
• Le Bernardin
• Le Veau d’Or
• Four Horsemen
• Via Karota
• Kono
• Asuka
• Saga
• Jungkook
• Korima
• Cesar
• Café Carmellini
• Penny