When the James Beard Awards—food industry’s Oscars—turned their gaze to coffee, the specialty world took notice. For the first time, a coffee shop made it to the shortlist alongside restaurants, bars, and wine counters. Arkansas-based Onyx Coffee Lab, a roastery with roots in craft coffee since 2015, has landed a semi-finalist nod in the Outstanding Bar category. The recognition isn’t just a win for Onyx—it’s a seismic shift for an industry long sidelined by mainstream culinary acclaim.
Onyx’s 1907 location, a sprawling 30,000-square-foot café and roastery, embodies the ethos of modern specialty coffee. It’s not just about beans; it’s about the entire experience—precision in brewing, hospitality that feels personal, and a commitment to quality that rivals any fine dining establishment. The nomination underscores a growing truth: specialty coffee isn’t a niche anymore. It’s a movement, one that’s redefining what excellence means in the food and beverage world.
This moment matters because it validates the labor of countless baristas, roasters, and café owners who’ve spent years perfecting their craft. For decades, coffee has been treated as an afterthought, a commodity rather than an art. Now, with accolades from the most respected culinary institution, the industry is finally getting the credit it deserves. The James Beard Awards aren’t just about taste—they’re about storytelling, innovation, and the human connection behind every cup.
The 2026 finalists will be announced March 31, with winners celebrated in Chicago on June 15. For coffee professionals, this is more than a trophy—it’s a sign that the world is ready to see coffee as a pillar of culinary excellence. Onyx’s journey from a small roastery to a Beard finalist is a blueprint for what’s possible when passion meets precision.
The 1907 location blends roastery and café into a hospitality-focused space.
Key points: Onyx Coffee Lab’s James Beard nomination signals specialty coffee’s mainstream legitimacy. The 1907 location blends roastery and café into a hospitality-focused space. The awards highlight coffee’s role in redefining culinary excellence.
What does this milestone mean for the future of specialty coffee?
Questions & Answers
Who won the James Beard Awards in coffee?
Onyx was a finalist for the James Beard Awards in the coffee category, but no winner was announced in the recap.
What is Onyx known for?
Onyx is known for its high-quality, small-batch coffee and innovative brewing methods, making it a notable name in the specialty coffee industry.
Information sourced from industry reports and news outlets.
