2026 James Beard Award Winners

The James Beard Foundation announced its 2026 Restaurant and Chef Award winners on Monday, June 15th at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, and while no Boston restaurants (or Massachusetts, even) were in the running, some New England neighbors got a little love.

In the Best Chef Northeast category, Evan Hennessey of Stages in Dover, New Hampshire earned the region’s top honor, while Portland restaurateur Dana Street was recognized as Outstanding Restaurateur for a portfolio that includes Fore Street, Scales and Standard Baking Co. Just down the coast, Providence’s Loma was named Best New Bar.

Consider it your excuse to plan a few summer road trips. This year’s batch of James Beard Award winners offer a ready-made itinerary, from acclaimed tasting menus in New Hampshire to waterfront dining in Maine and award-winning cocktails in Rhode Island. The full list of 2026 winners is available on the Foundation’s website if you want to head even further afield.