For nine of the 10 categories in the 2025 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards, our judges’ panel picks the winners. The one exception is Best New Restaurant, where we ask CultureMap readers to name the champion.
We’ve matched up 16 Houston restaurants that opened in 2024 in a bracket-style, head-to-head tournament. After all, March is for tournaments, right?
To keep things interesting, round one always matches up restaurants that have a common tie, whether it’s geography, style of cuisine, or something a little more ephemeral. Let the debates begin!
Voting is open now at this link. People may vote once per day. The results are closely monitored for cheating and other shenanigans, so don’t even try to game the system. Round one ends at 11:59 pm on Monday, March 17.
Which restaurant will win? Find out April 3 at the Tastemaker Awards party at Silver Street Studios. We’ll dine on bites from this year’s nominated restaurants and sip cocktails from our sponsors before revealing the winners in our short and sweet ceremony.
Buy your tickets now before they sell out.
Here are the eight matchups in the Best New Restaurant contest:
Bar Bludorn vs. Credence
This matchup features two of the hottest new restaurants to open in Memorial. Diners have flocked to Bar Bludorn for its lively atmosphere and comfort food staples such as fried chicken and a short rib Reuben. Credence puts an elevated spin on Texas fare with dishes such as deviled crab and dry-aged steaks that are cooked over live fire. Both of these restaurants are owned by successful chefs, but only one will move on to round two.
MF Lobster & Ceviche vs. Okto
Two of Montrose’s most exciting new eateries square off in this matchup. At MF Lobster & Ceviche, chefs Chris Kinjo and Miguel Alvarez feature everyone’s favorite crustacean in dishes such as lobster tacos, lobster bisque, and, of course, lobster rolls. Okto builds on the success of Doris Metropolitan and Hamsa with a broader range of flavors inspired by Greece, Italy, and France. Both restaurants cook seafood well, but only one will move on in the tournament.
Drake's Hollywood vs. Leo's River Oaks
Two lively supper clubs square off in this matchup. With red leather booths and murals of Hollywood celebrities, Drake’s has a retro charm that pairs well with dishes such as spicy rigatoni pasta, lobster escargot, and steak. At Leo’s, diners will enjoy the live piano player who creates an atmosphere for enjoying cold seafood, steaks, and the newest contender for Houston’s best bread service. Both restaurants inspire people to get a little dressed up for dinner, but only one will advance.
The Marigold Club vs. Ishtia
Two versions of modern fine dining square off in this matchup. The Marigold Club conjures the spirit of Mayfair London with its exuberant interior and a menu of French fare created by chef Austin Waiter. Chef David Skinner interprets his Choctaw heritage at Ishtia by crafting 20-course tasting menus that use Native American ingredients and techniques. Both restaurants have Michelin aspirations, but only one will move on to round two.
ChòpnBlọk vs. Traveler's Cart
This matchup features two cutting-edge fast casual concepts. At the Montrose location of ChòpnBlọk, James Beard Award semifinalist Ope Amosu has expanded his vision beyond what his original food hall location could serve by adding more dishes, a posh environment, and cocktails. Like its sister restaurant Traveler’s Table, Traveler’s Cart takes diners around the world by serving dishes that range from fish and chips to curry lamb dumplings and lomo saltado. Both restaurants serve their interpretation of street food, but only one will advance to round two.
Maximo vs. Milton's
As is tradition, whenever a restaurant group earns two nominations in this category, the concepts square off in round one. After initially opening as a casual restaurant, Local Foods Group switched things up at Maximo by challenging 26-year-old chef Adrian Torres with serving sophisticated Mexican cuisine built around a housemade masa program. After initially opening as French restaurant Eau Tour, Local Foods Group switched things up by replacing it with an Italian-American restaurant that serves classics such as spaghetti and meatballs, pasta vongole, and chicken parm. Both restaurants have creative ways to serve caviar, but only one will make it to round two.
Little Rey vs. Ema
Two models of the modern Mexican restaurant square off in this matchup. At Little Rey, a live fire grill and smoker powers a casual menu of tacos, margaritas, and some of Houston’s best chicken wings. Ema takes its inspiration from Mexico City cafes, with a horchata doughnut that’s earned both the attention of The New York Times and the Michelin Guide, which named it a Bib Gourmand. Both restaurants draw lines on the weekends, but only one will compete in round two.
Kira vs. Late August
Two more casual sister concepts of successful Houston restaurants square off in this matchup. A sister concept to omakase counter Neo, Kira’s hand rolls, sashimi, and donburi are served at an intimate, 15-seat counter in an environment inspired by Japanese record bars. Lucille’s chef-owner Chris Williams recruited chef Sergio Hidalgo to lead the kitchen at Late August, a restaurant that explores the connections between African American and Mexican culinary traditions. Although only one of these rising stars will move on, we suggest saving room for dessert at both establishments.
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The Tastemaker Awards ceremony is brought to you by Stella Artois, PicMe Events, and more to be announced. A portion of proceeds will benefit our nonprofit partner, the Southern Smoke Foundation.
Photo by Claudia Casbarian
Bar Bludorn features walnut paneling and green banquettes.
