James Beard Recognition

Dakar NOLA takes the 2026 win. Below that, finalists like Acamaya and Saint-Germain, then a deep bench of semifinalists stretching back to 1991. Recognition isn't our rating — four of these spots land at Delicious as F*ck, but plenty of medaled kitchens sit at Worth Trying or lower on our scale. The badges are real. Our score is separate. Check both before you book.