Diners, set your restaurant reservation alerts, because the James Beard Foundation has dropped its list of top dining destinations across every region of the U.S.
The food advocacy nonprofit organization, which is based in New York City, unveiled its 2026 Restaurant and Chef Award finalists on Tuesday, celebrating excellence across the independent restaurant industry from emerging chefs like E.J. Lagasse of Emeril's in New Orleans to a family-owned bakery in Honolulu.
"As we mark 40 years of the James Beard Foundation, we're reminded of just how vital it is to celebrate and champion the people driving American food culture forward," James Beard Foundation CEO Clare Reichenbach said in a statement.
Widely regarded as the Oscars of the culinary world, winners will be announced at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards Ceremony on June 15 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
Read on for a snapshot of the restaurateurs, chefs, pastry chefs, bakers, and eateries named in the shortlist of finalists, and see the full list from the James Beard Foundation here.
2026 James Beard Restaurant and Chef Award Nominees
Awards committee co-chairs Lauren Saria and Erinn Tucker-Oluwole said in a joint statement that this year's nominees "show just how vibrant and dynamic restaurant culture is right now," adding that the list includes both longstanding institutions and exciting newcomers.
"They reflect an industry defined by outstanding craft, hospitality, and deep connection to the communities they serve. Together, they offer a compelling snapshot of American dining today," the pair stated.
Outstanding restaurateur
This category celebrates "a restaurateur who uses their establishment(s) as a vehicle for building community, demonstrates creativity in entrepreneurship, and integrity in restaurant operations."
Srijith Gopinathan and Ayesha Thapar, Cal-India Collective (Ettan, Copra, Eylan and Little Blue Door), Palo Alto, San Francisco, Menlo Park, Los Altos, California
Meherwan Irani and Molly Irani, Chai Pani Restaurant Group (Chai Pani and Botiwalla), Asheville, North Carolina
Donald Link and Stephen Stryjewski, Link Restaurant Group (Pêche Seafood Grill, Herbsaint, Cochon, and others), New Orleans, Louisiana
Hugo Ortega and Tracy Vaught, H-Town Restaurant Group (Hugo's, Xochi, Urbe, and others), Houston, Texas
Dana Street, Fore Street, Scales, Standard Baking Co., and others, Portland, Maine
Outstanding chef
The foundation defines this category as "a chef who sets high culinary standards and has served as a positive example for other food professionals."
Gilberto Cetina, Holbox, Los Angeles, California
Niki Nakayama, n/naka, Los Angeles, California
Josh Niernberg, Bin 707 Foodbar, Grand Junction, Colorado
David Standridge, The Shipwright's Daughter, Mystic, Connecticut
Michael Tusk, Quince, San Francisco, California
Outstanding restaurant
This award is given to "a restaurant that demonstrates consistent excellence in food, atmosphere, hospitality, and operations," per the James Beard Foundation.
The Catbird Seat, Nashville, Tennessee
The Four Horsemen, Brooklyn, New York
Kalaya, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Mixtli, San Antonio, Texas
Vicia, St. Louis, Missouri
Emerging chef
This award is given to "a chef who displays exceptional talent, character, and leadership ability, and who is likely to make a significant impact in years to come," according to the foundation.
Adrian Torres, Maximo, West University Place, Texas
Best new restaurant
This award is given to a restaurant that opened between Oct. 1, 2024, through Sept. 30, 2025, "that already demonstrates excellence in cuisine, seems likely to make a significant impact in years to come, and demonstrates consistent excellence in food, atmosphere, hospitality, and operations," according to the James Beard Foundation.
This award is for "a restaurant, bar, or bakery that fosters a sense of hospitality among its customers and staff that serves as a beacon for the community and demonstrates consistent excellence in food, atmosphere, hospitality, and operations."
Ansots Basque Chorizos & Catering, Boise, Idaho
Aria, Atlanta, Georgia
Bottega, Birmingham, Alabama
Louie, Clayton, Missouri
Providence, Los Angeles, California
Best chefs
The best chefs category is broken down regionally and recognizes "chefs who set high standards in their culinary skills and leadership abilities and who are making efforts to help create a sustainable work culture in their respective regions."
Best chef: California
Dave Beran, Seline, Santa Monica, California
Harrison Cheney, Sons & Daughters, San Francisco, California
Sarah Cooper and Alan Hsu, Sun Moon Studio, Oakland, California
Kwang Uh, Baroo, Los Angeles, California
Daisy Ryan, Bell's, Los Alamos, California
Best chef: Great Lakes (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio)
Vinnie Cimino, Cordelia, Cleveland, Ohio
Sarah Dworak, Sudova, Cincinnati, Ohio
Norman Fenton, Cariño, Chicago, Illinois
Jeffery Harris, Nolia Kitchen, Cincinnati, Ohio
Jacob Potashnick, Feld, Chicago, Illinois
Best chef: Mid-Atlantic (Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, D.C.)
Nathan Flaim, Luca, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Jesse Ito, Royal Sushi & Izakaya, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Amanda Shulman, Her Place Supper Club, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Suresh Sundas, Tapori, Washington, D.C.
Omar Tate and Cybille St. Aude-Tate, Honeysuckle, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Best chef: Midwest (Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin)
Zak Baker, Ca'Lucchenzo, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
Shigeyuki Furukawa, Kado no Mise, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Loryn Nalic, Balkan Treat Box, Webster Groves, Missouri
Nick Bognar, Sado, Pavilion, St. Louis, Missouri
David Utterback, Yoshitomo, Ota, Omaha, Nebraska
Best chef: Mountain (Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Utah, Wyoming)
Johnny Curiel, Alma Fonda Fina, Denver, Colorado
Travis Herbert, Felt Bar & Eatery, Salt Lake City, Utah
Earl James Reynolds, Herb & Omni, Whitefish, Montana
Penelope Wong, Yuan Wonton, Denver, Colorado
Nick Zocco, Urban Hill, Salt Lake City, Utah
Best chef: New York State
Fidel Caballero, Corima, New York, New York
Giovanni Cervantes, Carnitas Ramirez, New York, New York
Hooni Kim, Meju, Queens, New York
Ayesha Nurdjaja, Shukette, New York, New York
Joshua Pinsky, Claud, New York, New York
Best chef: Northeast (Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire , Rhode Island, Vermont)
David DiStasi, Materia Ristorante, Bantam, Connecticut
Evan Hennessey, Stages, Dover, New Hampshire
Thomas Takashi Cooke, Izakaya Minato, Portland, Maine
Paul Trombly, Fancy's, Burlington, Vermont
Derek Wagner, Nicks on Broadway, Providence, Rhode Island
Best chef: Northwest & Pacific (Alaska, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington )
Nathan Bentley, Altura Bistro, Anchorage, Alaska
Johnny Courtney, Atoma, Seattle, Washington
Thomas Pisha-Duffly, Gado Gado, Portland, Oregon
Ryan Roadhouse, Nodoguro, Portland, Oregon
Aaron Tekulve, Surrell, Seattle, Washington
Best chef: South (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Puerto Rico)
Ana Castro, Acamaya, New Orleans, Louisiana
Bryce Bonsack, Rocca, Tampa, Florida
Maria La Mota and Chason Spencer, Chancho King, Jacksonville, Florida
Serigne Mbaye, Dakar NOLA, New Orleans, Louisiana
Jason Paul, Heirloom at The 1907, Rogers, Arkansas
Best chef: Southeast (Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia)
Joe Cash, Scoundrel, Greenville, South Carolina
Mary Ellen Diaz, Alma Bea, Shepherdstown, West Virginia
J. Trent Harris, Mujō, Atlanta, Georgia
Taylor Montgomery, Montgomery Sky Farm, Leicester, North Carolina
David Willocks, The Baker's Table, Newport, Kentucky
Best chef: Southwest (Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma )
Jeff Chanchaleune, Bar Sen, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Brian Howard, Sparrow + Wolf, Las Vegas, Nevada
Steve Riley, Mesa Provisions, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Sarah Thompson, Casa Playa, Las Vegas, Nevada
Zack Walters, Sedalia's, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Best chef: Texas
Ope Amosu, ChòpnBlọk, Houston, Texas
Evelyn Garcia and Henry Lu, JŪN, Houston, Texas
Scott Girling, Osteria Il Muro, Denton, Texas
Gabe Padilla and Melissa Padilla, Café Piro, Socorro, Texas
Finn Walter, The Nicolett, Lubbock, Texas
Other categories not mentioned here include outstanding wine and other beverages program, outstanding bar, best new bar, outstanding professional in beverage service and outstanding professional in cocktail service.