Finding the best coffee in the world is a mission that has many people occupied, and if you're one of them, Onyx Coffee Lab in Arkansas might just be the answer to your prayers. Here's why Onyx Coffee Lab was named the world's best coffee shop!
Onyx Coffee Lab is far from your regular coffee houses. If you're someone who cannot do without their daily dose of caffeine, this coffee place in Arkansas, United States, might just become your favourite.
Coffee is a magical potion that has the power to turn ordinary mornings into something better. For some people, it's a quick habit before work, and for others, it is a ritual so pure that they often plan trips around it. If you guessed that the best coffee shop in the world would be somewhere in Vietnam, Australia or New York, you're mistaken. World's 100 Best Coffee Shops revealed its second annual list of rankings at CoffeeFest Madrid 2026. According to Travel + Leisure, Onyx Coffee Lab in Rogers, in northwest Arkansas, has been named the world's best coffee shop in the new global list.
Onyx Coffee Lab in Arkansas
One of the most surprising things about Onyx Coffee Lab being named the best in the world is that it's located in a place where most people would not immediately associate with world-class coffee. People often think of Melbourne, Tokyo, Copenhagen or Milan when they think of good coffee. However, Onyx's top position in the world ranking isn't accidental.
Onyx has spent years building its reputation as a serious speciality coffee house and roastery. Its website describes it as a certified B Corp, which means it meets verified standards for social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability. The report said, "Onyx Coffee Lab has been recognised as the world's best coffee shop thanks to its commitment to speciality coffee, technical innovation, and strong connection with the coffee community." Their motto, 'Never Settle for Good Enough,' is their binding philosophy that shapes the entire process of sourcing and making coffee at Onyx.
How was Onyx Coffee Lab ranked #1?
Onyx didn't get points for nice branding or exquisite location. Still, it secured the top position for things that actually matter. The ranking is based on evaluation criteria that include coffee quality, barista expertise, customer service, innovation, ambience, sustainability practices, food and pastry quality, and community. For the 2026 ranking, more than 800 judges weighed in, while about 350,000 coffee drinkers cast votes of their own.
The result was a mix of public voting and expert judging, where public votes count for 30 per cent of the final score, with the remaining 70 per cent going to the expert panel. Interestingly, judges also looked at Onyx's behind-the-scenes work of giving its customers the best coffee in the world. Everything from sourcing beans at origin to roast control, solar energy use and ongoing training for baristas and staff is done because they don't settle for 'good enough.'
Visiting the world's best coffee shop
Onyx serves the usual classics, such as lattes and cortados, but it is the house drinks that draw people's attention. Its Southern Weather blend is described as having notes of milk chocolate, plum, and candied walnuts. Other signature drinks include the Salt Mocha, made with house-made chocolate, black salt, espresso and milk, plus the Onyx Delight and FOMO, both of which lean into richer, more playful flavour combinations.
Yes, coffee is a pull, but their food is amazing too. While the food menu is limited, it's still adequate. Expect breakfast sandwiches, pastries and rotating lunch options, including salads, grain bowls and sandwiches. There are vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free items too, which makes the café feel more complete than a place built around espresso alone.
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