Philadelphia’s food scene earned top honors at the 2026 James Beard Awards. Kalaya, the popular Southern Thai restaurant located in Fishtown, won the James Beard Foundation’s Outstanding Restaurant award. The foundation recognized the restaurant for its consistent excellence in both food and hospitality. The honor adds to Kalaya’s previous James Beard success. The restaurant won the foundation’s Best New Restaurant award in 2020. Also recognized during the awards ceremony was Jesse Ito of Royal Sushi Izakaya. Ito won Best Chef Award for the Mid-Atlantic region. Royal Sushi Izakaya, located in the city’s Queen Village neighborhood, was also in the running for a Michelin star last year. The restaurant and bar is considered one of the most difficult reservations to secure in Philadelphia. ...read more read less