A prominent chef couple in Cincinnati just won one of fine dining’s most notable awards.
Wildweed, the pasta-centric restaurant in Over-the-Rhine created by David and Lydia Jackman, was named the winner of the ‘One To Watch’ award by North America’s 50 Best Restaurants.
The accolade is the organization’s largest individual award, honoring a rising-star restaurant whose distinctive vision and culinary excellence mark it as a future leader on the North American stage. As the name North America’s 50 Best Restaurants implies, the list covers the entire continent—meaning Canada and the Caribbean are included, not just the United States.
“I think Cincinnati has incredible restaurants, and I’m glad this is going to put a huge spotlight on our city. It’s special that restaurants outside of major cities are finally getting attention that’s long overdue,” David Jackman told CityBeat on Monday. “Personally, I have a lot of friends that are already on the list. And it’s obviously a huge boon for any restaurant to be recognized. So I’m pretty honored to be chosen as the ‘One To Watch.'”
For those who have never set foot in Wildweed, it really consists of two restaurants. One side is a 12-seat tasting-menu experience filled with personal stories from Jackman and crew as they serve some of the most ambitious and unusual cuisine in the region; the other, a more standard a la carte menu that offers new twists on familiar staples like pasta, fish and steak.
Beginning life as a pasta pop-up in 2018 that toured the city for years before the Jackmans opened a full-service joint in 2024, it’s already one of the most acclaimed restaurants in the state, as David Jackman was named a James Beard finalist in 2025 and has won awards from Bon Appétit, The New York Times, the Wall Street Journal and more. In a recent CityBeat article, our writers placed it at the top of their list of must-try restaurants.
“We like to describe the place as ‘fun-dining.’ It’s fine-dining, sure, but with all the unnecessary frills stripped away,” David Jackman said. “Whether you’re coming in for a major celebration or you just want to come and have a simple bite at the bar, we try to fit all of these ideas inside and be that place where you can come and have an exceptional experience.”
While Jackman is enthused to receive the award, he says recognition is not what keeps him going. He wants to continue “holding true to our ethos” by giving back to the community and maintaining his goal of supporting local farmers and purveyors.
“Making the full list next year would be pretty special, of course, but I want to keep continuing to push our standards, you know? Awards put a little more gas in the tank, but the engine still goes regardless,” he said. “The community is our driving force. Without our community, there’s no reason to keep pushing. And we want to make sure that we’re supporting the people within our community, helping people grow within our community and helping put a spotlight on our community, because it’s really special.”
As part of the official North America’s 50 Best Restaurants event, Jackman will accept the award on stage in New Orleans during the awards ceremony on May 28.
“Wildweed … brings together refined technique with an expressive, personal approach to cooking, underpinned by hand-crafted pastas and storytelling rooted in the Midwest,” said Rachael Hogg, Senior Content Editor for North America’s 50 Best Restaurants, in a statement. “[It] embodies the originality and creative vision shaping the future of dining in North America.”
For more information on Wildweed, check out their official website, or visit the restaurant at 1301 Walnut Street in Over-the-Rhine.
