a feast of events

10 tastiest Houston food and drink events on the menu for 2018

From an outdoor feast at a sustainable farm, to CultureMap’s annual celebration of culinary talent, we’ve rounded up 10 can’t-miss food events to hit up now through May. This is your chance to kick off the new year, and mix and mingle at some standout parties, while noshing on amazing food, and enjoying crafty libations.

This menu of hot happenings features some of the biggest names in the Houston — and Texas — dining scene, so we recommend grabbing your tickets now.

Truffle Masters
January 29
They had us at black truffles, the star of dishes made by more than 20 top chefs at Truffle Masters, this year held at The Astorian. Then, they added a charitable component, with event proceeds benefiting Casa de Esperanza de Los Ninos, and we’re all in. The lengthy roster of culinary talent includes Luis Roger (BCN Taste and Tradition), Philippe Verpiand (Étoile Cuisine et Bar), Jose Hernandez (Lucienne), Danny Trace (Potente), and Ryan Lachaine (Riel). (VIP reception from 6 pm-7 pm, and general admission from 7 pm-10 pm; tickets: $175 per person for general admission and $275 per person for VIP).
2500 Summer St.

Cooking Up a Cure
February 1
Texas Children's Hospital organizes Cooking Up a Cure, which raises funds for the hospital’s food allergy program. The epicurean soiree, held at The Astorian, promises food prepared by top cooking talents including Tommy Elbashary (B&B Butchers), Martin Sayer (Nobie’s), Jim Mills (State Fare), Richard Kaplan (Weights and Measures), and Lance Gillum (Uchi). (7-10 pm; tickets: $250 per person, tables range from $1,000-$15,000)
2500 Summer St.

Texas Monthly Whiskey Affair
February 8
Whiskey makers from near and far come together at Silver Street Studios to serve straight pours and cocktails from their portfolios at the Texas Monthly Whiskey Affair. Expect spirit seminars led by Texas Monthly editor-in-chief Tim Taliaferro and wine and spirits contributor Jessica Dupuy, music by jazz musician Doc Watkins, and bites and cocktails served up by food and beverage superstars from Mike Raymond (Reserve 101), to Shion Aikawa and Kevin Kobayashi (Ramen Tatsu-Ya), to William Wright (Helen Greek Food and Wine). A portion of the proceeds goes to Feeding Texas and the Houston Food Bank. (6-10 pm; tickets: $95 per person).
2000 Edwards St.

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Best Bites
February 18
Go big at Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s (HLSR) mega food and wine event, Rodeo Uncorked! Best Bites. Here, you can load up on fare from more than 100 high profile local restaurants, and take your pick of more than 400 wines available to sample. (6 pm for table buyers and 6:30 for general admission; tickets: $165 per person, tables range from $2,000-$2,500)
1 NRG Park

Chef Fest
March 4
Enjoy an outdoor feast at a sustainable 12-acre farm, Harvest Green Village located in Richmond, Texas, at Chef Fest. Dig into dishes, made with local produce and proteins, by Houston-area chefs: Monica Pope (Sparrow Bar + Cookshop), Jill Bartolome (Aqui), Ara Malekian (Harlem Road Texas BBQ), Becca Reyenga and Jason Kerr (Little Kitchen HTX), Stephanie Hoban (Ripe Cuisine), Chris Zettlemoyer (Renegade Kitchen) and Rebecca Masson (Fluff Bake Bar).

The event also includes regional chefs, from Matt McCallister (Dallas’ FT33) to Andrew Wiseheart (Austin’s Contigo), to Ryan Trahan (Lafayette’s Dark Roux). Tickets also include beverages from local purveyors, live music, a Kids’ Can Cook tent, and farm tours. (12-4 pm; tickets: $75-$90 per person).
8939 Harlem Rd., Richmond

CultureMap Tastemaker Awards
April 4
An annual celebration of talent in Houston's restaurant and bar community, the CultureMap Tastemaker Awards shine the spotlight on the people making the city's restaurant scene special by honoring their innovation, energy, and creativity. In March and April, we'll feature all the nominees in a special editorial series.

Then, join us on April 4 at Silver Street Studios for a swanky tasting event and awards ceremony, where attendees can mix and mingle with the city's top culinary talent and fellow foodies as we celebrate the nominees and unveil the winners. (6-9 pm; tickets: $45 per person through Feb 15 and $55 per person thereafter)
2000 Edwards St.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Big Taste
April 8
Satisfy your taste buds at the Big Taste of Houston. Get delicious bites and drinks from more than 20 restaurants (past participants include Kitchen 713, Mala Sichuan, The Pit Room, Uchi), while bidding on silent auction items. Held at Audi Central Houston, the event is chaired by Stacy and John Andell, Divya and Chris Brown, Leigh McBurnett and Matt Harris to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters. (4:30-7 pm; tickets: $125 per person for general admission and $195 per person for VIP)
2120 Southwest Fwy.

Tacos Over Texas
April 8
El Tiempo Cantina and The Original Ninfa’s on Navigation team up to present the inaugural Tacos Over Texas event, benefiting the Ninfa Laurenzo Scholarship Fund. Phyllis Mandola (Tony Mandola's Gulf Coast Kitchen) and Jonathan Horowitz (Legacy Restaurants) chair the event, with Barbara and George Bush designated as honorary chairs.

Score libations, enjoy live music, and an abundance of tacos by chefs Domenic Laurenzo (El Tiempo) and Alex Padilla (The Original Ninfa’s), who are joined by Michael Cordua and David Cordua (Churrascos; Americas); Johnny Carrabba (Carrabba’s); Bud Royer (Round Top Cafe); Charles Bishop (Presidio); Lee Ellis (Cherry Pie Hospitality); and more. Tacos Over Texas takes place in the outdoor area between El Tiempo and The Original Ninfa’s, located in Houston’s East End. (1- 4 pm; tickets: $40 per person for general admission and $200 per person for VIP)

Houston BBQ Festival
April 15
More than 20 barbecue joints — including four of Texas Monthly's top 10 in the state: Tomball's Tejas Chocolates & Barbecue, Spring's CorkScrew BBQ, Taylor's Louie Mueller Barbecue, and Brenham's Truth BBQ (coming soon to Washington Ave) — as well as local favorites like Blood Bros. BBQ, The Brisket House, Feges BBQ, Killen's Barbecue and Gatlin’s BBQ gather together to offer up tasty ‘cue at Houston BBQ Festival, which moves to a new venue in 2018: Humble Civic Center Arena. (1-4 pm; tickets: $50-$60 per person for general admission and $100-$120 per person for VIP)
8233 Will Clayton Pkwy., Humble

Raising the Barre: A Dinner in Four Acts
April 29
At the Houston Ballet's Raising the Barre: A Dinner in Four Acts, expect a stylish crowd and a special four-course menu created especially for the occasion by four local chefs alongside four Houston Ballet dancers serving as sous-chefs. Last year’s roster of top chefs included Lance Gillum (Uchi), Nicole Routhier (Le Colonial), Robert Del Grande (Cafe Annie), and pastry chef Rebecca Masson (Fluff Bake Bar). Chairing this year's event are Elizabeth and Charlie Leykum, and Elisa and Cris Pye — with Kristy Bradshaw and Lindsey Brown as 2018 honorees. (location and time TBD; tickets: $350 per person. Tables range from $3,500-$10,000)

Don't miss Truffle Masters at at The Astorian.

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Don't miss Truffle Masters at at The Astorian.

barbecue news-you-can-eat fundraisers

Meet the Tastemakers

Houston's 10 best neighborhood restaurants offer comfort and convenience

Courtesy of ChòpnBlọk

ChòpnBlọk is basking in the national spotlight.

The time has come to celebrate the nominees for Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year in the 2026 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards.

Since a “neighborhood restaurant” should be as available to its customers as possible, we only include establishments that are open at least six days per week and serve both lunch and dinner. Beyond that, they should be affordable, casual, and available to people without a reservation. After all, neighborhood restaurants should be just as welcoming for a spontaneous weeknight craving as they are for fancy weekend celebrations.

Who will win? Find out at our Tastemaker Awards ceremony April 16 at Silver Street Studios. Dine on bites from this year’s nominees, sip cocktails from our sponsors, and witness as we reveal the winners. Buy your tickets now. A limited number of Early Bird General Admission tickets remain. VIP tickets offer early entry, valet parking, and more perks. All tickets will sell out before the event, so don't wait.

Here are the nominees for 2026 Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year:

Aga's
Even by its incredibly busy standards, the essential Southwest Houston Indo-Pak restaurant had a banner 2025. Not only did Chris Shepherd feature the restaurant on Eat Like a Local, the Chronicle ranked it as Houston’s best restaurant. Plans for a new, to-go only location in Katy will bring its signature goat chops, biryani, karahi, and more to even more people.

Aladdin Mediterranean Cuisine
With locations in Montrose and Garden Oaks, this cafeteria-style Mediterranean restaurant has built a devoted following for its pita, hummus, vegetables, kebabs, and more. At a time when everyone is looking for an affordable meal, Aladdin offers an entree and sides for as little as $18 or its essential lamb shank for $25. Make sure to save room for a little baklava.

ChòpnBlọk
The West African restaurant has earned a lot of national acclaim since opening its Montrose location in 2024, including a glowing two-star review in the New York Times from chief restaurant critic Tejal Rao and a Bib Gourmand designation in the Michelin Guide. Frequent collabs, including partnerships with the likes of Bun B (Trill Burgers) and Marcus Davis (The Breakfast Klub) help maintain the lively spirit of ChòpnBlọk’s pop-up roots.

Cuchara
For almost 15 years, this restaurant has been providing Montrose diners with a taste of Mexico City. Dishes such as turkey in mole negro and huitlacoche quesadilla remain fan favorites, as do the well-crafted margaritas. With Houston on the cusp of peak patio weather, expect Cuchara to be packed for as long as the weather holds.

Feges BBQ
With features like a kids play area and dinner service Tuesday through Saturday, the Spring Branch location of Erin Smith and Patrick Feges’ eponymous barbecue joint serves its neighborhood well. The vegetarian-friendly menu — think Korean-braised greens, sweet and spicy sprouts, elote, and more — allows the restaurant to cater to more than carnivores. Happy hour deals, weekly specials, and a $15 pork steak help make the restaurant affordable for area families.

Handies Douzo
When Houstonians want the city’s crispiest, most well-crafted hand rolls, they turn to one of this restaurant’s three locations in Montrose, the Heights, or Spring Branch. Both the approachable, counter seating format and affordable prices (a three-roll set is less than $20) make it easy to drop in for a quick bite. Given the attention to detail, it’s no wonder that the Dubai location of Kokoro, its upscale sister concept, made the World’s 50 Best List for the Middle East and North Africa.

Moon Rabbit
From staples like spring rolls and shaken beef to more unusual fare like the banh xeo tostada Xi quiche bone marrow, diners turn to this Vietnamese restaurant for well executed fare. Warm service and a creative cocktail list further enhance its appeal.

Nonno's Family Pizza Tavern
This pizzeria from the team behind Nobie’s and The Toasted Coconut has quickly become a favorite for Montrose families. Part of the credit goes to the retro-inspired dining room — complete with an arcade, but restaurants do not succeed on vibes alone. It’s the crispy, tavern-style pies, gooey mozzarella sticks, and other crowd-pleasing fare that keeps people coming back again and again.

North China
For more than 40 years, this West Houston staple has been serving Chinese, Chinese America, and Korean classics to hungry Houstonians. First timers should seek out signature items like the Beijing fish bun, sizzling rice soup, and Pong Lai beef, which gets its signature spice from chile de arbol. That willingness to blend Chinese classics with Texas flavors keeps diners coming back again and again.

Pinkerton's Barbecue
With a second Bib Gourmand designation and a third straight appearance in Texas Monthly’s list of the state’s 50 best barbecue joints, Grant Pinkerton’s Heights-area restaurant has affirmed its status as one of Houston’s premier smokehouses. Diners go to Pinkerton’s for expertly smoked brisket, the signature “candy paint” pork ribs, and sides such as duck jambalaya and jalapeno cheese rice. The recently-opened Upper Kirby location, with its retro style and expanded menu, is the city’s most ambitious barbecue joint to open in the past several years.

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The Tastemaker Awards ceremony is sponsored in Houston by Maker's Mark, Culinary Khancepts, NTX LVL Event, Shutto and more to be announced. A portion of proceeds will benefit our nonprofit partner, the Southern Smoke Foundation.

Courtesy of ChòpnBlọk

ChòpnBlọk is basking in the national spotlight.

tastemaker awards neighborhood restaurant