The 2026 James Beard Awards semifinalists were announced in January, including Onyx Coffee Lab. The Rogers Coffee Roaster, Arkansasbeing shortlisted was a monumental moment for specialty coffee; they were the first coffee company to make it this far in the prestigious American award. And now Onyx is one step closer to winning it all, and she did was among the finalists of the Outstanding Bar competition.
According to the James Beard website, the Outstanding Bar award is intended to honor “a wine bar, beer bar, cocktail bar, café or any other business whose primary offering is beverages and which demonstrates consistent excellence in beverage selection or preparation, as well as exceptional atmosphere, hospitality and operations.” And while coffee shops are clearly included on the list, there’s really nothing to do yet. Until now.
From the original group of 20 semi-finalists, Onyx made it to the final five, breaking another barrier for specialty coffee. They will be joined in the finale by Bow & Arrow Brewing Co., The Lovers Bar on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Scotch Lodge and Smuggler’s Cove.
“Being a James Beard finalist for Outstanding Bar means the world to our team and to everyone who believes that coffee is a world-class hospitality experience,” said Andrea Allen, former American Barista Champion, World Barista Runner-up and co-founder of Onyx Coffee Lab. “This distinction reflects years of commitment from people who care deeply about excellence – in service, craftsmanship and creating something truly memorable for guests who walk through our doors. We have always believed that coffee can be as lively, thoughtful and moving as any beverage program in the world, and it is incredibly rewarding to see that vision honored on this stage.”
Their final fate will be announced this June in Chicago during the 2026 James Beard Awards ceremony.
But Onyx isn’t coffee’s only hope of winning a Beard Award. Jack Benchakul is also a finalist in the Outstanding Hospitality Professional category. Benchakul, a former pastry chef and molecular biochemist, is the driving force and only barista in Los Angeles Coffee with endorphina laboratory-like coffee temple located in a shopping district in Los Angeles’ historic Chinatown district.
That means the odds of coffee taking home at least one James Beard this year, all things being equal, are about one in three. Technically, 36%, but who’s counting? Not to get too ahead of ourselves, even without a win, 2026 is shaping up to be the year the food and beverage awards finally start taking specialty coffee seriously. Which is long overdue, but welcome nonetheless.
