For many in the food industry, the James Beard Awards are the Oscars of the restaurant and bar world. Winners gain greater prestige, but even getting nominated shows people are paying attention to what’s going on. Now, the 2026 James Beard Awards finalist list is out, with seven NYC restaurants, bars, and chefs gracing the roster, plus the Best Chef: New York State category, which features five of the city’s top talent.
Outstanding Restaurant: The Four Horsemen in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
The globally-influenced new American restaurant and natural wine bar opened in summer, 2015, and it’s been a hit ever since. Part of that’s due to the celebrity backing of LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy, as well as Christina Topsøe, Randy Moon, and the late Justin Chearno. But a majority of attention comes from a solid wine program and thoughtful dishes. 295 Grand St., Williamsburg, Brooklyn, fourhorsemenbk.com
Emerging Chef: Rasheeda Purdie of Ramen by Ra in the East Village
During the pandemic chef Rasheeda Purdie launched her first iteration of Ramen by Ra, which, in 2025 led to the brick and mortar location. Not only did the chef bring the idea of breakfast ramen into the American public mind, but Ramen by Ra also became the first Black woman-owned ramen shop in the country. 70 E. 1st St., New York, ramenbyra.com
Best New Restaurant: Lei in Chinatown
Annie Shi opened her 25-seat wine bar last summer, and it’s been buzzing ever since. With a Wong Kar-wai film vibe, the intimate space serves homestyle Chinese food to go with a unique selection of vinos from all over the world. 15-17 Doyers St., Chinatown, leiwine.nyc
Best New Bar: Clemente Bar in NoMad
If the address looks familiar it should, Clemente Bar is the latest by chef Daniel Humm, and is located right above Eleven Madison Park the restaurant and repeat James Beard Award winner. Between bites from the a la carte menu and steadfast cocktails, gaze about and take in the artwork, all done by the bar’s namesake, Francesco Clemente. 11 Madison Ave., NoMad, clementebar.com
Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program: Chambers in Tribeca
World-renowned sommelier Pascaline Lepeltier leads the beverage program at this three-year-old concept, and her talent shows. The wine, paired with chef Jon Karis eclectic menu, creates a winning combination. 94 Chambers St., Tribeca, chambers.nyc
Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service: Lee Campbell of Borgo in the East Village
Wine director Lee Campbell has crafted a stunning beverage list with vinos from around the world. The bottle list proves stellar too, with many for under $100 price point. 124 E. 27th St., East Village, borgonyc.com
Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service: Ivy Mix of Whoopsie Daisy in Brooklyn
Ivy Mix is no stranger to excellence, especially when it comes to bars. After all, she has run the female bartending competing Speed Rack for over a decade, oversaw Leyenda back when sipping mezcal in NYC was novel, and currently owns Fiasco! Wine + Spirits with her fellow Whoopsie Daisy cohorts. 225 Rogers Ave., Brooklyn, whoopsiedaisybk.com
Best Chef: New York State
These five chefs stood out from a sea of talent in New York. While the category is open to the whole state, each runs a restaurant in the five boroughs.
- Fidel Caballero of Corima in Chinatown
- Giovanni Cervantes of Carnitas Ramirez in the East Village
- Hooni Kim of Meju in Queens
- Ayesha Nurdjaja of Shukette in Chelsea
- Joshua Pinsky of Claud in the East Village
