Meet the Tastemakers

Houston's 11 best neighborhood restaurants keep people coming back for more

We have a strict definition for the Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year category in the 2025 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards. To be eligible, a restaurant must serve both lunch and dinner and be open at least six days per week.

The reason is that accessibility is an essential component of being a neighborhood restaurant. These are the places we turn to when we’re too tired to cook dinner — or when something went horribly wrong while preparing it. They’re there for us when a break in the day’s schedule allows for a quick lunch.

Naturally, we seek comfort in these moments, so it’s no surprise to see barbecue, pizza, and pasta represented more than once among this year’s nominees. We also like a well-made bite of sushi or expertly grilled goat chops. Whatever dish people choose to eat at this year’s nominees, it’s always going to be delicious, which is why our judges’ panel of Houston restaurant experts has included it.

Which restaurant will win? Find out at our Tastemaker Awards ceremony April 3 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 before they sell out.

Aga's Restaurant & Catering
As the hundreds of people who pack its dining room nightly can testify — not to mention the hundreds more whose to-go orders flow constantly on a conveyor belt — this South Asian staple has become one of Houston’s go-to destinations for Pakistani cuisine. While no visit is complete without an order of the signature goat chops, devoted fans also know not to miss curries such as Peshawari karahi and the white karahi. While Aga’s once flew under the media radar, it’s drawing more attention, including a prominent feature on Chris Shepherd’s Eat Like a Local TV show and a shout out in the New York Times.

Feges BBQ
Credit owners Patrick Feges and Erin Smith for being ahead of the curve of inner loop restaurateurs flocking to Spring Branch and Memorial. Their family-friendly menu of Texas barbecue and comfort food — everything from smoked brisket and Carolina-style whole hog to a top notch smash burger and the essential chicken wings — keeps diners coming back again and again. The husband-and-wife duo also use their platform to support a number of worthy causes, including the Southern Smoke Foundation and I’ll Have What She’s Having, Houston’s nonprofit that’s focused on healthcare for hospitality workers.

Gold Tooth Tony's
Created by Houston pizza wizard Anthony Calleo, Gold Tooth Tony’s puts a Houston spin on Detroit-style pizza. The deep dish, rectangular pies achieve an ideal balance — sturdy enough to support hefty toppings without being so dense as to be chewy. As GTT grows, first to its sister concept Rudyard’s and more recently to a second location in Bellaire, the restaurant has also developed a round pizza with a thinner crust that allows it to serve pizza lovers of all preferences.

Handies Douzo
While a no-holds-barred, wallet-busting omakase is a treat, sometimes people crave sushi without spending the price of a car payment on their dinner. Handies Douzo is there to satisfy those cravings with its tidy menu of hand rolls, crudos, and sashimi. The precise technique and high quality fish reflect the training that its founders, chefs Daniel Lee and Patrick Pham, learned during their stints at Uchi, while the come-as-you-are atmosphere and counter seating setup make it approachable for a quick lunch or a casual dinner.

Josephine's Gulf Coast Tradition
At this Midtown restaurant, 2024 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards Rising Star Chef of the Year winner Lucas McKinney draws upon his personal history and time spent working for Chris Shepherd to serve a menu that’s inspired by the entire Gulf Coast. That means Cajun staples like boiled crawfish and shrimp po’ boys demonstrate just as much attention to detail as fusion style dishes like jambalaya arancini and the signature blue crab rice bowl. Save room for dessert to discover the reasons that pastry chef Emily Rivas is also nominated for Pastry Chef of the Year.

Kata Robata
Now that Katami has firmly established itself as one of Houston’s best restaurants, the time has come to appreciate all the ways that its sister restaurant serves such a wide range of occasions. Whether it’s a casual lunch of ramen and California rolls or an all-out omakase with fish flown in fresh from Japan, Kata Robata is there. The recent introduction of to-go boxes loaded with premium nigiri and sashimi allows diners to have some of the Kata experience at home.

Nonno's Family Pizza Tavern
Who else but Nobie’s owners Sara and Martin Stayer could have known that the pizzeria Houstonians had been craving was a retro-styled restaurant serving Chicago-style tavern pies? With the addition of lunch service, diners can now get the restaurant’s epic mozzarella sticks and crispy wings throughout the day. While the classic arcade games are a hit with kids, adults look to the restaurant for well-crafted cocktails and an eclectic wine list.

Ostia
The Montrose restaurant has recently freshened things up with some small changes to its dining room and, more importantly, improvements in the kitchen that will allow it to serve pizzas at lunch and dinner every day. That’s great news, considering the wood-fired, Neapolitan-style pies are among Houston’s best, and they complement staples such as the roast chicken with salsa verde. The restaurant has also improved its hospitality with snacks and a sip of rosé to begin the meal, a nod to the way chef-owner Travis McShane greets visitors to his home.

Pondicheri
Houstonians have come to count on chef-owner Anita Jaisinghani’s modern Indian restaurant to sustain them at all hours of the day, but the restaurant has added a new offering in the form of its first-ever happy hour. Introduced last year, happy hour showcases the restaurant’s renovated bar that opened in December. Weekly specials, including the iconic Meatless Monday and fried chicken Tuesday, keep diners coming back for more.

The Pit Room
With the opening of its second location near Memorial City Mall, this barbecue joint has firmly established its place as one of Houston’s foremost smoked meat purveyors. Bigger and better than the original location (sorry inner loopers), the expanded space paved the way for a number of beneficial additions, including dinner entrees, housemade ice cream sandwiches, and cocktails — created by Tastemaker Awards Bartender of the Year winner Sarah Crowl. While those improvements are welcome, it’s the signature tacos — wrapped in flour tortillas made with rendered brisket fat — that helped the restaurant earn its Michelin Bib Gourmand award

Truth BBQ
Widely considered Houston’s best barbecue joint, Truth is flying higher than ever. Not only did it earn a Bib Gourmand in the Michelin Guide, but the restaurant’s smoked brisket, ribs, and housemade sausages are now available at NRG Stadium for both Texans games and the entire run of the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo. If that weren’t enough, pitmaster-owner Leonard Botello IV has been busy creating new dishes to make Truth even more appealing at dinner with new dishes such as confit lamb and a pork chop that’s cold smoked then lightly fried. Those dishes may not fit on a traditional three-meat plate, but that’s exactly the point, isn’t it?

----

The Tastemaker Awards program 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 Ally Hardgrave

Go to Feges for barbecue, but don't miss that burger.

tastemaker awards news-you-can-eat lists

Soup spoon season

10 Houston chefs share 15 top soups that offer comfort and sustenance

Photo by Louis Lamson Quy

Louis Lamson Quy, co-owner of Alora, is a loyal diner at Phanh Ky thanks to its Hủ Tiếu Nam Vang, which reminds him of his hometown, Saigon.

Happy soup season to all who celebrate. The weather has finally dipped low enough in Houston that diners can enjoy a hearty bowl of soup without breaking a sweat. With so many delicious selections at Houston restaurants, we turned to Houston's chef and other restaurant industry experts to find out which brothy creations are worth seeking out.

The only rule? No one could nominate a soup from their own restaurant. Here’s what they had to say.

Dana East, line cook, Uchi Houston

To Dana East of Uchi Houston, the caldo de res at Ruchi Mexican Grille’s Reliant Stadium location “feels like home to me… Even though I’m not Mexican.”

“The caldo de res at that specific Ruchi's tastes like it was made in a Mexican grandmother's kitchen, or like soups that I would eat for family meal that kitchens I work in would make when everybody is sick during the winter,” she says.

East also recommends the Bogotano at Mi Pueblito, a soup made with three kinds of potatoes that she says “imbue a smoky flavor in it that is borderline addictive.”

“I could eat an entire pot of that stuff,” she says. “They serve it with fresh cream and capers that take it to the next level.”

Garrett Rice, owner, Bayou Butchers

The cream of crab soup at Loch Bar is a highlight that Garrett Rice of Bayou Butchers looks forward to after work.

“It’s a simple dish that lets a really good ingredient shine, and they certainly don’t shy away from the crab in true Baltimore fashion,” Rice says. “With Loch Bar’s kitchen open late, I can always count on a cup of crab soup waiting for me after a long shift.”

German Mosquera, executive chef, Long Weekend

When German Mosquera of Long Weekend wants ramen, he heads to Mensho, the Japan-based chain that just opened its second Houston-area location on the border of River Oaks and Montrose.

“For me, it’s all about the broth,” he says. “Mensho’s tori paitan has a rich, velvety texture and incredible umami flavor from start to finish. The perfectly jammy egg adds another layer of richness that keeps me coming back. I also love the intimate Tokyo-style counter seating. It makes for an authentic ramen experience.”

Kerry Pauly, owner, KP’s Kitchen

The matzo ball soup at Kenny and Ziggy’s is “in a league of its own,” according to Kerry Pauly of KP’s Kitchen. He describes it as “rich, flavorful, and pure comfort whether you’re sick or feeling great.”

Louis Lamson Quy, co-owner, Alora

“My favorite go-to spot for soup has always been Phanh Ky,” says Louis Lamson Quy of Alora, a Peruvian-Vietnamese fusion restaurant in Montrose. “They specialize in hủ tiếu nam vang, a noodle dish with roots tracing back to Teochew Chinese immigrants in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. It’s also one of the most popular noodle dishes in my hometown, Saigon, so it always feels a little like home to me.

“To me, Phanh Ky is one of the OGs in the game,” he adds. “I first tried it when I moved to Houston nine years ago, and I’ve been coming back ever since. There’s just something comforting about a place that stays consistent after all these years.”

Maria Christie, operator and general manager, Christie’s Seafood and Steaks

“I love, love the lemon chicken soup at Harry’s,” says Maria Christie of Christie’s Seafood and Steaks. "For me the soup at Harry’s reminds me of the way my mom would make the lemon soup.”

“And the lentil soup (at Anonymous Cafe) is really hearty and it just reminds me of cold winter days (whenever we get those in Houston!),” she adds. “It’s absolutely perfect because it has a hint of tomato in it. Deeeelicious!”

Her sister, Kathy Christie, who serves as Christie's director of catering, is a fan of Little Pappasito's chicken tortilla soup. “Whenever you are under the weather, it totally hits the spot,” Kathy says. She adds extra lime to hers.

Nicole Routhier, partner and culinary ambassador, Le Colonial

The bun bo hue at Pho Quynh, a small Vietnamese restaurant located inside 99 Ranch Market, is a year round must for Nicole Routhier of Le Colonial.

“Their spicy, deeply flavorful broth is super comforting and among the best in town. The chef is generous with the noodles and toppings of tender beef brisket, pork shank, gio Hue (steamed pork sausage with black peppercorns), and blood pudding. The soup comes with a side of shaved cabbage, crunchy bean sprouts, Vietnamese mint (rau ram), and a wedge of lime to be added to the soup as you eat. Two tiny containers of fermented shrimp sauce (mam tom) and spicy chili oil are also provided so you can add even more umami to the soup,” Routhier says. “Bun bo hue is a full meal on its own, and my idea of heaven in a bowl.”

Oscar Juarez, founder and owner, Make It Nice Hospitality

The pozole verde at Cuchara is a simple and flavorful dish that private chef Oscar Juarez of Make It Nice Hospitality says he would recommend to anyone.

“The broth has a nice balance of richness and acidity, and it’s just one of those dishes that’s comforting without being too heavy,” Juarez says. “Growing up with Mexican food, I have a real appreciation for dishes like this.”

Rafael Nasr, founder, Craft Pita

Rafael Nasr of Craft Pita says he has “a burning passion for North China’s sizzling rice soup.”

He describes it as an intensely flavored, crystal-clear broth with bits of pork and tiny shrimp to fill you up.

“The carrot, napa cabbage, and wood ear mushrooms add umami and I am convinced have healing powers,” he says. “The flash fried rice adds texture and flavor at the same time and whether served table side or at home provide dinner and a show. I eat this soup and talk about it more than any soup in Houston.”

Nasr’s pro tip: Add a bit of soy sauce and lots of North China’s housemade green chili oil to the soup.

Ziggy Gruber, chef and owner, Kenny & Ziggy’s

Ziggy Gruber of Kenny & Ziggy’s has a couple of favorite soups in town, which isn’t surprising since his own deli is known for its bowl selection. Among his favorites is the clam chowder at Capital Grille, which he says captures the true flavor of the East Coast with plenty of clams and just the right amount of thyme.

He also loves the French onion soup at Etoile Cuisine et Bar.

“The stock is very rich and the onions are extracted so the flavor is permeated throughout the soup. I like that it has multiple croutons rather than one crouton in the soup,” he says. “And then the cheese on top!”

Another top pick for Ziggy is the tortilla soup at Grace’s.“It is complicated in such a good way, with the crunchy bits of tortillas and chicken skin, with the coolness of the avocado, and it has just the right amount of spice,” he says.

$Phanh Ky H\u1ee7 Ti\u1ebfu Nam Vang,$

Photo by Louis Lamson Quy

Louis Lamson Quy, co-owner of Alora, is a loyal diner at Phanh Ky thanks to its Hủ Tiếu Nam Vang, which reminds him of his hometown, Saigon.

news-you-can-eat soup lists chefs anderson