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2019 James Beard Award Winning Restaurants and Chefs

A photo of Red logo
by The OpenTable team
Updated May 04, 2020

At OpenTable, we’ve got the right restaurant for anything – including an award-winning meal. The James Beard Foundation announced the honorees of its annual awards on May 6th, and we’re thrilled to celebrate their accomplishments. Join us in raising a glass to – and snagging a reservation at – the 2019 James Beard Award winners.

A photo of Boka restaurant
4.8
4.8 (7258)
$31 to $50
Contemporary American
Lincoln Park
About the restaurant
Partners Rob Katz and Kevin Boehm took home the Outstanding Restaurateur award for their collection of acclaimed eateries including BOKA, Girl & the Goat, Momotaro, and more. Two of Chicago’s most respected operators and visionaries, their forward-thinking restaurants continue to stand out in the city’s stellar dining scene, thanks to their dedication to detail and distinction.
Top review
Sarah
Dined 5 days ago
Went for Restaurant Week. The food was incredible and an exceptional value for $60.
A photo of Parachute restaurant
4.6
4.6 (1716)
$31 to $50
Korean
Avondale
About the restaurant
Beverly Kim and Johnny Clark serve fare from the heart, or rather, hearts. The married couple has melded Korean and American cuisines together to the delight of diners and critics, one of whom called it the most exciting restaurant to open in Chicago in 2014. The menu changes daily (save for the delightful baked potato bing bread) but expect excellence in every bite from the two new Best Chef: Great Lakes winners as these two cultures mix and mingle in creative, flavorful dishes.
Top review
Anne
Dined on Mar 22, 2024
We LOVED everything we ate at Parachute. We shared the Korean fried chicken, haemul pajeon, 30 day dry aged bulgogi, yukgaejang, and s'mores patbingsu. The vibe ws really fun and our service was great. When they open again, I'm certain they will bring the same care and expertise to another excellent experience.
A photo of Young Joni restaurant
4.8
4.8 (855)
$31 to $50
Pizzeria
Northeast Minneapolis
About the restaurant
Look out, New York. The Twin Cities are coming for you and your pizza. Best Chef: Midwest winner Ann Kim developed her palate for East Coast pies as a college student and brought that passion for them (along with some Korean flair) to Minneapolis, opening two pizza-focused eateries and, more recently, Young Joni. The almost-instant hotspot features pizza, but also Asian flavors in the way of Thai sausage skewers and pork belly ssäm.
Top review
Jane
Dined 7 days ago
It is difficult to get a reservation at this popular restaurant. We finally made it there with a 5:15 reservation. It was a Monday and plenty of available tables at 5:15. It also appeared that if someone walked in around six they would be able to get a table Even though the online reservations indicated none were available. We will definitely come back. Good pizza and we also enjoyed the chicken wings. We had a brandy Manhattan, which was very good.
A photo of Uni restaurant
4.6
4.6 (2273)
$50 and over
Contemporary Asian
Back Bay
About the restaurant
File this under “Local Boy Makes Good.” East Boston native Tony Messina completed his culinary education and training in and around Boston at some of the area’s finest restaurants, including AKA Sushi, Clio, and Menton. As his star rose and opportunity knocked, he partnered with Ken Oringer at UNI and has continued to shine in his own backyard, where he regularly earns accolades, including UNI being named the best restaurant in the city. Order the lubina (and thank us later).
Top review
Brittany
Dined 7 days ago
Great experience and great food. I would recommend!
A photo of Snackbar restaurant
4.6
4.6 (427)
$31 to $50
Southern
Oxford
About the restaurant
It took multiple nominations and a decade of dazzling diners at this Oxford destination beloved by foodies, but Viswesh Bhatt captured the award for Best Chef: South for his cooking at Snackbar. His menu is French bistro fare with a north Mississippi point of view (you’ll find French onion soup alongside rabbit and andouille gumbo and housemade charcuterie served with southern flourishes, like spicy BBQ sauce). The experience is definitely more than a snack.
Top review
Mike
Dined 2 days ago
Don’t be mislead by the outside appearance of this restaurant being in a strip mall. As soon as you enter the door, the true ambience of a fine dining experience awaits. Our server was polite and well versed in describing the menu options and go to dishes. My wife chose the halibut and I went with the Osso Buco beef. Both were displayed creatively and unique. The halibut was baked perfectly, and the Osso was steamy hot and pure comfort food. We highly recommend Snackbar for a date or celebration dinner.
A photo of Frenchette restaurant
0 (0)
$31 to $50
French
TriBeCa
About the restaurant
Everything old is new again at buzz-y Tribeca newcomer Frenchette, which was named Best New Restaurant. Helmed by Balthazar alums Riad Nasr and Lee Hanson, the kitchen turns out carefully honed classics, such as veal sweetbreads, duck frites, and a stunning roast chicken for two. The lively dining room is appointed with clubby banquettes, but if you’re lucky you could score one of Manhattan’s most coveted bar stools, where you can also enjoy a full menu. Natural, organic, and biodynamic wines plus a roster of craft cocktails and out-of-the-ordinary beers, all make for fine accompaniments to this welcome addition to Manhattan’s coterie of brasseries.
A photo of Providence restaurant
4.9
4.9 (4402)
$50 and over
Seafood
Hollywood
About the restaurant
This sustainability-first seafood temple has long been ahead of the curve when they started serving nearly 14 years ago, and, after years of tireless pursuit, chef Michael Cimarusti earned the Best Chef: West award. He grew up fishing and then developed his culinary skills alongside legendary chefs, such as Larry Forgione and Paul Bocuse, ultimately wedding his hobby and his profession at Providence. His win comes after multiple nominations and decades in pursuit of perfection. Don’t miss the iconic uni egg.
Top review
Winston
Dined on Jan 25, 2025
It’s truly an amazing experience! The food, decor and service are flawless.
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