The Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year category in the 2024 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards recognizes restaurants that are almost always there for their customers — meaning that they serve both lunch and dinner and are open at least six days a week.
This year’s nominees cover a diverse range of cuisines that span the globe. From two of Houston’s top barbecue joints, to a burger staple and a couple of Montrose favorites, our nominees satisfy a wide range of tastes.
They’re united by their casual atmospheres, relative affordability, and flexible menus that serve many cravings, including vegan and vegetarian. They’re also friendly and welcoming, which is why they’re staples of their respective neighborhoods.
Who will win? Find out March 27 at our Tastemaker Awards ceremony. Dine on bites from this year’s nominees, sip cocktails from our sponsors, and witness as we reveal the winners. Buy your tickets before they sell out.
Aga's Restaurant & Catering
Houston’s South Asian community has embraced this Pakistani restaurant in Southwest Houston as a go-to for both family celebrations and regular dining. On any given night, hundreds of people pack the dining room — and hundreds more order to-go. The goat chops are must-order, but fans also know to indulge in curries such as the Peshawari karahi and the white karahi.
Burger Bodega
Abbas Dhanani traveled to New York and Los Angeles to research the perfect smash burger. He brought those lessons back to Houston and wrapped it in a colorful, whimsical design that recreates a classic NYC bodega. What sets Burger Bodega apart is the details — those thin, crispy patties, tangy sauce, thick but not too thick milkshakes — that show the care it puts into its food. Frequent collaborations with other Houston restaurants keep Burger Bodega in touch with its pop-up roots.
Cuchara
For more than 10 years, Ana Beaven and her team of female cooks have given Montrose a taste of Mexico City. From the range of corn-based dishes — everything from pork belly gorditas to a huiitlacoche tamal — to menu staples like ceviche and mole verde, diners count on Cuchara for flavorful, well-executed fare. A potent lineup of agave-based cocktails offers plenty of pairing options, and the lively patio fills up in nice weather. If someone really wanted to embrace the Cuchara lifestyle, she could have breakfast at sister concept Cucharita then wander over to the main restaurant for a leisurely lunch with a couple of margaritas, which sounds like a pretty good day to us.
Feges BBQ
Part of what makes this Spring Branch restaurant so appealing is the diversity of its menu. Sure, Texas Monthly ranked it as one of the state’s 50 best barbecue joints, but vegetarians could make a meal out of the restaurant’s creative sides or extensive roster of salads. Worthy takes on a smash burger and fried chicken sandwich add to the menu’s appeal, as does the well-chosen selection of wine and beer.
Gatlin's Fins & Feathers
Comfort food had always been part of the offerings at Gatlin’s BBQ, so it’s no surprise that proprietor Greg Gatlin created a dedicated restaurant to serve them. Fried chicken, fried shrimp, and fried catfish are the stars, but chef de cuisine Darius King keeps things lively with specials that could include everything from roasted oysters to seared redfish over risotto. The welcoming atmosphere, friendly service, and affordable prices make it a welcome options for residents of nearby neighborhoods such as Independence Heights and Garden Oaks.
Handies Douzo
This hand roll and crudo concept from Duckstache Hospitality — the team behind Tastemaker Awards 2023 Best New Restaurant winner Aiko — provides an affordable, efficient sushi experience. Maximize the value by opting for pre-fixe-style hand roll sets of three, four, or five rolls or splurge on one packed with Hokkaido uni. Either way, the crispy nori gives the rolls a satisfying crunch. A tidy menu of beer, wine, and sake pairs well with the selections.
Hando
At both its original location in the Heights and its recently opened second location in Spring Branch, this restaurant provides a more expansive hand roll experience. Not only does the menu include a lengthy list of both seafood and vegetarian hand rolls, it also offers hot and cold shareable plates such as Brussels sprouts, wagyu gyoza, and izakaya-style skewers. The full liquor license includes a selection of creative, Asian-inspired cocktails that complement the dishes. To-go only maki rolls and a steady stream of weekly specials further enhance the restaurant’s utility.
Kenny & Ziggy's
CultureMap columnist Ken Hoffman is fond of saying that if he could eat at one restaurant forever it would be this Jewish deli in the Galleria area. After all, it’s open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and has a menu with hundreds of items that could satisfy almost any craving. Deli classics like corned beef sandwiches and potato knishes are first rate, but so are the burgers, salads, and entrees. Moving to a new location in 2022 brought an expanded selection of desserts, an retro-style soda fountain, and a full cocktail program — because latkes taste better paired with a martini.
Ostia
This Italian restaurant in Montrose serves its customers’ needs well. Whether stopping by for a pizza at lunch or a multi-course, special occasion dinner, Ostia is ready to serve. Chef Travis McShane’s menu includes a selection of housemade pastas, a rotating array of seasonal small plates, and reference-quality takes on the Caesar salad and roast chicken. Different dining rooms — whether the main room with its open kitchen, the sunny greenhouse, or outdoor patio — allows diners to further customize their experience.
Paulie's
For 25 years, this counter service Italian restaurant has served Montrose well. Paulie’s affordable menu of salads, sandwiches, pastas, and entrees provides plenty of compelling choices, from one of Houston’s better takes on pasta bolognese to the iconic shrimp BLT. A smart, well-chosen wine list — no surprise coming from the owner of Camerata — and those signature iced shortbread cookies further enhance the experience.
Truth BBQ
Everyone knows Leonard Bottelo IV’s Washington Avenue restaurant serves some of the state’s best barbecue, but not everyone wants to stand in line for an hour or more for lunch. For the last year or so, the restaurant has been quietly serving dinner — complete with an enhanced menu that includes both a first-rate burger and an extensive cocktail menu. Thankfully, the signature smoked meats and sky-high layer cakes taste just as good after sunset as they do in the afternoon.
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The 2024 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards event runs 6-10 pm Wednesday, March 27 at Silver Street Studios (2000 Edwards St.).
Handies Douzo serves crispy hand rolls.
The Tastemaker Awards ceremony is brought to you by Stella Artois, Rías Baixas Albariño, Topo Chico Sparkling Mineral Water, 8th Wonder Cannabis, and more to be announced. A portion of proceeds will benefit our nonprofit partner, the Southern Smoke Foundation.
