el Restaurante congratulates these Mexican/Latin-themed restaurants named as 2026 James Beard Award Restaurant and Chef Awards semifinalists. These honorees join what the organization calls ”a constellation of James Beard Award–recognized leaders who collectively embody the breadth of American culinary excellence.”
We’re honored and proud to be part of this segment of the broader restaurant industry that is, after far too long, getting the recognition it so richly deserves!
Nominees will be announced on Tuesday, March 31, and winners will be celebrated at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards Ceremony on Monday, June 15, 2026, at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
Outstanding Restaurateur
- Tommy Lee, Uncle, Hop Alley, and Molino Chido, Denver, CO
- Hugo Ortega and Tracy Vaught, H-Town Restaurant Group (Hugo's, Xochi, Urbe, and others), Houston, TX
Outstanding Chef
- Gilberto Cetina, Holbox, Los Angeles, CA
- Diana Davila, Mi Tocaya Antojeria, Chicago, IL Quince, San Francisco
Outstanding Restaurant presented by Acqua Panna® Natural Spring Water
- Mixtli, San Antonio, TX
Emerging Chef presented by S.Pellegrino® Sparkling Natural Mineral Water
- José Olmedo Carles Rojas, Si! Mon, Venice, CA
- Adrian Torres, Maximo, West University Place, TX
Best New Restaurant
- Anacacho Coffee & Cantina, San Antonio, TX
Outstanding Bakery
- Gusto Bread, Long Beach, CA
- Mercado Sin Nombre, Austin, TX
Outstanding Hospitality
- Ansots Basque Chorizos & Catering, Boise, ID.
- Cosme, New York, NY
- Mallorca, Cleveland, OH
Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program
- Amara at Paraiso, Miami, FL
- Brasero, Chicago, IL
- Kalimotxo, Austin, TX
- Taconeta, El Paso, TX
Outstanding Bar
- Ayahuasca Cantina, Dallas, TX
Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service
- Nader Asgari-Tari, Zurito, Boston, MA
Best Chefs presented by Capital One (by region)
Best Chef: Great Lakes (IL, IN, MI, OH)
- Javier Bardauil, BARDA, Detroit, MI
- Danny Espinoza and Jhoana Ruiz, Santa Masa Tamaleria, Chicago, IL
- Norman Fenton, Cariño, Chicago, IL
- Luz Gonza and Omar Gonza, Macizo Restaurant, Indianapolis, IN
Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic (DC, DE, MD, NJ, PA, VA)
- Miguel Guerra and Tatiana Mora, Mita, Washington, D.C.
Best Chef: Midwest (IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, SD, WI)
- Alex Henry, El Molino del Sureste, St. Louis, MO
- Gustavo Romero and Kate Romero, Oro by Nixta, Minneapolis, MN
Best Chef: Mountain (CO, ID, MT, UT, WY)
- Johnny Curiel, Alma Fonda Fina, Denver, CO
Best Chef: New York State
- Fidel Caballero, Corima, New York, NY
- Giovanni Cervantes, Carnitas Ramirez, New York, NY
- Efrén Hernández, Casa Susanna, Leeds, NY
Best Chef: Northwest & Pacific (AK, HI, OR, WA)
- Janet Becerra, Pancita, Seattle, WA
Best Chef: South (AL, AR, FL, LA, MS, PR)
- Ana Castro, Acamaya, New Orleans, LA
- Raúl Correa, René Marichal, and Xavier Pacheco, Bacoa Finca + Fogón, Juncos, PR
- Maria La Mota and Chason Spencer, Chancho King, Jacksonville, FL
- Wendy Lopez, Reyes Mezcaleria, Orlando, FL
Best Chef: Southwest (AZ, NM, NV, OK)
- Roberto Centeno, Espiritu, Mesa, AZ
- Armando Hernandez and Nadia Holguin, Tacos Chiwas, Phoenix, AZ
- Sarah Thompson, Casa Playa, Las Vegas, NV
- Claudia Vindiola, La Frida Mexican Grill & Seafood, Tucson, AZ
- Veronica Zelada, Café Kacao, Oklahoma City, OK
Best Chef: Texas
- Francisco Estrada and Lizzeth Martinez, Naco Mexican, San Antonio, TX
- Daniela Landaverde and Rosa Landaverde, La Santa Barbacha, Austin, TX
- Emil Oliva, Leche de Tigre, San Antonio, TX
- Gabe Padilla and Melissa Padilla, Café Piro, Socorro, TX