Northwest Arkansas coffee chain named best coffee shop in the world

Onyx Coffee Lab takes top global honor for quality, expertise, and hospitality

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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Onyx Coffee Lab, a Northwest Arkansas-based coffee chain, has been named the best coffee shop in the world according to a new report from "The World's 100 Best Coffee Shops." The rankings were based on factors like coffee quality, barista expertise, customer service, innovation, and sustainability practices. Onyx was the only U.S. and North American coffee shop to be ranked in the top 10.

Why it matters

This prestigious global recognition for an Arkansas-based coffee shop highlights the growing reputation and influence of the Northwest Arkansas region as a hub for high-quality food and beverage businesses. It also underscores the importance of hospitality and creating welcoming spaces for customers as key differentiators in the competitive coffee industry.

The details

Onyx Coffee Lab was named the best coffee shop in the world, just one year after being ranked the second-best in the world and the best in North America. The coffee chain has locations in Rogers, Fayetteville, Bentonville and Springdale. In a social media post, Onyx attributed the honor to its dedicated team of baristas, roasters, trainers, bakers, and support staff who approach their work with "discipline, care, and professionalism every single day."

  • Onyx Coffee Lab was named the second-best coffee shop in the world in 2025.
  • Onyx Coffee Lab was named the best coffee shop in the world in 2026.

The players

Onyx Coffee Lab

A Northwest Arkansas-based coffee chain that was named the best coffee shop in the world in 2026.

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What they’re saying

“We are deeply honored to be named the Best Coffee Shop in the World. This recognition belongs to our team. The baristas, roasters, trainers, bakers, and support staff who approach their work with discipline, care, and professionalism every single day.”

— Onyx Coffee Lab (Onyx Coffee Lab (social media)

The takeaway

Onyx Coffee Lab's global recognition as the best coffee shop in the world demonstrates that exceptional quality, expertise, and hospitality can thrive even in smaller regional markets like Northwest Arkansas, challenging the dominance of major metropolitan areas in the specialty coffee industry.