Chubby Fish in Charleston, South Carolina Named #19 in North America’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025
The highly anticipated inaugural list celebrates restaurants across the region
September 25 2025 – Chubby Fish has been named No. 19 in the regional ranking of North America’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025. The list has been announced at a captivating awards ceremony in Las Vegas and is the firstregional restaurants ranking in North America from the 50 Best organization.
This evening, the culinary world gathered from all corners of North America to celebrate each other’s achievementsat the announcement of North America’s 50 Best Restaurants. Hosted at Wynn Las Vegas, the unveiling highlightsoutstanding restaurant experiences across the region that will shape the aspirations of consumers, gastronomes and restaurateurs.
Chubby Fish is Charleston’s beloved neighborhood seafood restaurant, dedicated to showcasing the best of the Lowcountry’s waters and farms. With a menu that changes daily, the restaurant highlights responsibly sourced, seasonal seafood and produce, prepared with creativity and care.
Intimate in size but bold in flavor, Chubby Fish has become a gathering place for locals and travelers alike-celebrated for its vibrant hospitality, commitment to sustainability, and a dining experience that feels both refined and approachable.
William Drew, Director of Content for North America’s 50 Best Restaurants, says: “We are thrilled to unveil the inaugural list of North America’s 50 Best Restaurants, celebrating the extraordinary diversity, creativity and excellence that definethe region’s dining scene. From pioneering fine-dining institutions to bold new voices, this list reflects the rich culinary landscape of the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean. We’re proud to honor these exceptional restaurants and the individuals who bring them to life.”
“We’re deeply humbled to be included on North America’s 50 Best Restaurants List. Chubby Fish has always been a small, community-focused restaurant built on the hard work of our team and the support of Charleston’s fishermen,farmers, and neighbors. To be recognized on this stage is beyond what we ever imagined, and we’re grateful to share this honor with everyone who has helped us along the way. This is a big day for little Chubby Fish.” – James London
North America’s 50 Best Restaurants was revealed as part of a live countdown from No.50 to No.1. The ranking is complemented by a host of special awards and reflects the very best restaurant experiences around the region, collated from the votes of 300 anonymous experts. This voting panel – North America’s 50 Best RestaurantsAcademy – comprises a balanced mix of chefs, restaurateurs, food/restaurant journalists and gourmets, led by a group of industry- leading Academy Chairs.
For additional information on North America’s 50 Best Restaurants, visit https://www.theworlds50best.com/northamerica and follow along at @theworlds50best.
Chubby Fish has become one of the country’s most celebrated restaurants-named a Bon Appétit Best New Restaurant, ranking #7 in Food & Wine Magazine‘s Best Restaurants in the U.S., included on Eater’s list of the 38 Most Influential Restaurants of the Last 20 Years, recognized as #19 on North America’s 50 Best Restaurants list, and featured on the New York Times 50 Best Restaurants in America. James London was a 2024 James Beard Award Finalist for Best Chef: Southeast, and in 2025, Chubby Fish received a James Beard nomination for Outstanding Restaurant.
About North America’s 50 Best Restaurants
Following the success of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, The World’s 50 Best Bars and The World’s 50 Best Hotels, 50 Bestannounced the launch of North America’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2025. The North America’s 50 Best Restaurants list is created by the North America’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy, an influential group of more than 300 independent leaders from across the region, each selected for their expert opinion of the regional restaurant scene. North America’s 50 Best Restaurants event program — including the awards ceremony and unveiling of the list — provides a unique opportunity to unite restaurateurs, media, and experienced travelers and food connoisseurs at a captivating celebration of hospitality, passion, and talent.
The resulting list will be the first ranking of its kind to encompass the United States, Canada and parts of the Caribbean.
About 50 Best
50 Best is the leading authority in global hospitality, showcasing worldwide trends and highlighting great restaurants, bars, hotels and vineyards from all corners of the Earth. Over the last 20 years, 50 Best has provided unrivalled guidance through its lists andevents to gourmets, cocktail lovers and discerning travellers, inspiring consumers to discover diverse establishments, cultures and destinations. The organization remains steadfast in its commitment to unveiling up-and-coming chefs, bartenders and hoteliers,exploring trends, and highlighting the subtlety and complexity of various cuisines and drinks cultures from around the world.
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Photo Credit: Chubby Fish
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