Search

This Arkansas Coffee Shop Was Just Named the Best in the World — Here’s Why Everyone Is Talking About It

Erika Willitzer
3 days ago
3 min read

If you’re a coffee lover—or someone who appreciates a great small business success story—there’s a new destination to add to your travel list.

When people think of the world’s best coffee shops, they often picture big cities known for coffee culture—places like Seattle, Copenhagen, or Melbourne.

But in 2026, the top spot went somewhere unexpected: Northwest Arkansas.

Onyx Coffee Lab was recently ranked the No. 1 coffee shop in the world on the 2026 World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops list, according to reporting from Food & Wine. The ranking evaluated thousands of cafés across the globe based on coffee quality, service, innovation, and overall experience.

For a coffee company that started small in Arkansas, the recognition shows something powerful: You don’t have to be in a major city to build a world-class brand.

The Story Behind Onyx Coffee Lab

The journey began in 2012 when founders Andrea Allen and Jon Allen launched Onyx Coffee Lab with a simple goal: make exceptional coffee and build a culture around it.

Instead of treating coffee as a commodity, they approached it like a craft.

From the beginning, they focused on:

• sourcing high-quality beans directly from farmers

• roasting coffee with precision and transparency• training baristas at the highest level of the craft

• building beautiful, welcoming cafés that feel like community hubs

Their approach paid off.

Over time, Onyx grew from a small operation into one of the most respected specialty coffee brands in the world, with multiple café locations across Northwest Arkansas and a globally recognized roasting program.

But one of the things that truly set them apart is something the founders call radical transparency.

They Didn’t Just Build a Coffee Shop — They Built a Coffee Ecosystem

Another big part of Onyx’s success is education.

Through their coffee classes and training programs, they’ve turned their cafés into places where people can learn the craft of coffee, not just drink it.

Their classes cover topics like:

• espresso fundamentals

• latte art training

• coffee brewing techniques

• professional barista skills

• coffee tasting and cupping

These experiences allow coffee lovers—and even aspiring café owners—to deepen their understanding of specialty coffee.

You can explore their classes here: https://onyxcoffeelab.com/collections/classes

By offering education alongside hospitality, Onyx transformed their business from a simple café into a destination for coffee culture.

Photos from: https://onyxcoffeelab.com/

What Small-Town Businesses Can Learn From Onyx

The success of Onyx Coffee Lab offers several lessons for entrepreneurs—especially those in smaller communities.

1. Obsess Over Quality

Onyx focused relentlessly on making incredible coffee.

Whatever your business sells, excellence should be the foundation.

Great products naturally create loyal customers.

2. Build an Experience, Not Just a Product

People don’t visit Onyx just for coffee.

They go for the atmosphere, the craft, and the community.

Small businesses can do the same by asking:

How can we turn our business into an experience people remember?

3. Educate Your Customers

Onyx teaches people about coffee.

Education builds trust and positions your business as an authority.

Whether you run a bakery, a hardware store, or a boutique, sharing knowledge can turn customers into lifelong fans.

4. Be Transparent

Customers appreciate honesty and authenticity.

By sharing their sourcing practices and pricing transparency, Onyx built credibility and loyalty.

5. Think Bigger Than Your Location

Perhaps the biggest lesson is this:

Being in a small town doesn’t mean thinking small.

Onyx built a global brand from Arkansas by focusing on craftsmanship, innovation, and storytelling.

Small Towns Can Create World-Class Businesses

The rise of Onyx Coffee Lab is proof that world-class businesses can grow anywhere.

You don’t need a major city to build something remarkable.

What you need is:

• passion for your craft

• a commitment to quality

• a willingness to innovate

• a story that connects with people

And sometimes, that’s exactly what small towns do best.

If you want to learn more about Onyx Coffee Lab’s journey, you can explore their story here:👉 https://onyxcoffeelab.com/pages/our-story

And if you’re curious about learning the craft of specialty coffee, check out their training experiences here:👉 https://onyxcoffeelab.com/collections/classes

Also, check out their MERCH. Another great way to bring in revenue and get the word out about their dynamic brand.