Atomix in NYC secured a spot on the ‘World’s 50 Best Restaurants’ list. With this feat, the Korean fine dining spot also became the highest-ranking U.S. restaurant on the list. Founded in 2018, Atomix has become known for its sophisticated, flavor‑packed cuisine.
Highlights
- Atomix earns 12th place in the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025 List.
- The upscale Korean dining venue became the only recipient from the U.S. on the list.
- Atomix won the James Beard Award for outstanding hospitality on June 16.
Atomix Secures a Place on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025 List
Atomix reached No. 12 in ‘The World’s 50 Best Restaurants‘. The high-end Korean cuisine establishment serves dishes that are grounded in heritage yet are distinct and innovative.
This is not the first time Atomix has earned a high ranking on the World’s Best List. The restaurant was at No. 6 in 2024 and No. 8 in 2023.
Nestled in Manhattan’s NoMad neighborhood near Koreatown, Atomix has a modest exterior, but inside it impresses with a beautifully minimalist design. The restaurant is spread across two floors: the “Chef’s Counter” in the basement and the bar upstairs, which serve exceptional cocktails, with both being reservation-only.
Culinary Philosophy Behind Atomix
Based on the Atomix website, the word ‘Ato’ stems from the ancient Korean word for ‘gift.’ Chef Junghyun and manager Ellia Park, the team behind Atomix, followed up the name after their firstborn, Atoboy.
Guests visiting the sophisticated Korean culinary house get to enjoy Park’s cuisine through a well-paced 12-course tasting menu influenced by Korean traditions and techniques.
Diners can expect every dish served in beautiful bespoke ceramics alongside an explanatory card relaying information on the ingredients, origin, and inspiration.
Dishes range from cherry blossom trout with Korean mustard and rhubarb to lamb with deodeok [a Korean root vegetable]; just-grilled wagyu is contrasted with cold noodles, while sea cucumber might be served with shrimp and egg over rice.
Atomix in the Spotlight
Atomix has garnered acclaim in the U.S. and across the globe. On Monday, the restaurant won the James Beard Award for outstanding hospitality. The Korean fine dining restaurant was awarded two Michelin stars for excellent cooking in 2019 and has retained them to date.
The establishment was also recognized with the Outstanding Design Award presented by the James Beard Foundation. It was also honored with the Gin Mare Art of Hospitality Award in 2022.
Additionally, Atomix was the best restaurant in North America in 2023 and 2024. It received 3 stars from The New York Times.
Global ambassadors for contemporary Korean cooking, Chef Junghyun Park and his wife, Ellia, are offering a fresh and international perspective on Korean cuisine through Atomix. The duo is expanding horizons outside the boundaries of traditional Korean food. While the menu is ever-evolving, the team is committed to preparing Korean traditions with finesse and flair.
