New York City’s restaurant scene has added another major accolade to its growing list of achievements. Kabawa, a Caribbean restaurant in the East Village, has been named the best restaurant in the United States in Food & Wine’s 2026 Global Tastemakers Awards.
The recognition places Kabawa at the top of a national ranking featuring restaurants from across the country. The East Village establishment, which opened in 2025, has quickly gained attention for its energetic atmosphere, distinctive Caribbean cuisine and personal approach to hospitality.
A Caribbean Restaurant with a Distinctive Identity
Kabawa is part of the Momofuku group, but the restaurant has developed an identity of its own. It occupies the former Momofuku Ko space on Extra Place, transforming the location from a high-concept tasting-menu restaurant into a lively destination centered around Caribbean cooking.
Barbados-born chef Paul Carmichael leads the kitchen, bringing influences from the Caribbean diaspora into a menu designed around bold flavors and shared dining. The restaurant offers a three-course prix fixe format, although the experience is intentionally more relaxed and social than the traditional fine-dining model.
Carmichael has described the role as being closer to a “master of ceremonies” than simply a chef, reflecting the importance of hospitality and interaction in the restaurant’s approach.
Bold Flavors Take Center Stage
Kabawa’s menu highlights a range of Caribbean-inspired dishes. Diners may encounter red pepper shrimp, breadfruit tostones, jerk duck sausage and slow-roasted goat shoulder served with a spicy Creole sauce.
Rather than presenting each course as an isolated fine-dining creation, the restaurant emphasizes a communal experience. The food is designed to encourage sharing and conversation, giving the prix fixe format a more flexible and celebratory character.
The drinks program follows the same philosophy. Coconut-focused cocktails, sorrel-infused daiquiris and a strong selection of rum-based drinks contribute to the restaurant’s Caribbean-inspired atmosphere.
The Experience Extends Beyond Dinner
Kabawa’s appeal does not end when dinner is over. Bar Kabawa, located next door, provides another setting for drinks, snacks and late-night entertainment.
The bar serves items such as patties alongside cocktails and rum, while music helps maintain the energetic character established inside the restaurant. This combination allows the Kabawa experience to continue beyond the main dining room.
Why Kabawa Stood Out
The Food & Wine recognition was based on more than culinary technique. The Global Tastemakers Awards also highlight restaurants capable of communicating a strong sense of place and personal identity through food and hospitality.
Kabawa fits that description by connecting Caribbean culinary traditions with a modern New York restaurant setting. Carmichael’s background and perspective are central to the experience, while the restaurant’s music, drinks, design and communal atmosphere reinforce its Caribbean identity.
The result is a restaurant that feels distinctly different from conventional fine dining. Its combination of bold food, lively hospitality and cultural storytelling has helped it become one of New York’s most closely watched new restaurants.
What the Recognition Means for NYC Dining
Kabawa’s national recognition reflects the continued influence of New York City on the American restaurant industry. The city is home to an enormous range of culinary traditions, and restaurants such as Kabawa demonstrate how cultural heritage can be presented through contemporary dining.
For visitors and New Yorkers searching for standout Caribbean food, the award also puts the East Village restaurant firmly on the national dining map. Its combination of food, atmosphere and hospitality offers an experience that extends well beyond a conventional meal.
Conclusion
Kabawa’s selection as the best restaurant in the United States by Food & Wine’s 2026 Global Tastemakers Awards marks a significant achievement for the East Village restaurant. Under chef Paul Carmichael’s direction, the establishment has created a vibrant interpretation of Caribbean cuisine that combines personal storytelling, bold flavors, music and welcoming hospitality.
As Kabawa continues to attract national attention, its latest award further establishes the restaurant as one of the most notable new dining destinations in New York City and the wider U.S. culinary scene.
FAQs
Kabawa in New York City’s East Village was named the best restaurant in the United States in Food & Wine’s 2026 Global Tastemakers Awards.
Kabawa focuses on Caribbean cuisine under the direction of Barbados-born chef Paul Carmichael. The menu features dishes influenced by Caribbean culinary traditions and the wider Caribbean diaspora.
Kabawa is located on Extra Place in Manhattan’s East Village, in the former location of Momofuku Ko. Bar Kabawa operates next door, offering drinks, snacks and late-night entertainment.
