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    TEXAS TASTEMAKERS

    Texas' top restaurants and chefs crowned at the 2026 Tastemaker Awards

    Amber Heckler
    May 25, 2026 | 3:00 pm

    After months of hard work and culinary determination, CultureMap has completed its statewide journey to honor the best chefs, restaurants, and more with the 2026 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards.

    The series kicked off April 9 with our Austin Tastemaker Awards at Distribution Hall, then we moved to Houston on April 16 for our tasting event at Silver Street Studios. Next up was North Texas, for the Fort Worth celebration at Social Space on April 30 and Dallas fête at Astoria Event Venue on May 7. Our Texas culinary tour finished strong with a San Antonio extravaganza at the Briscoe Museum on May 14.

    The 2026 Tastemaker Awards celebrated Texas' diverse culinary landscape and honored those who've made the biggest impact in Lone Star State dining in the past year. A host of nominated chefs and restaurants showcased their flavorful bites and treats during each of the celebrations, and winners were revealed in an onstage ceremony.

    Guests dined on chef-created dishes and sipped on a variety of creative cocktails. But nothing could take away the focus from our acclaimed nominees and winners, who are the reason we bring these celebrations to life each year. Readers in each city got to know all the nominees through a special editorial series for weeks leading up to the events.

    Nominees were, as always, determined by a panel of local industry experts, including previous Tastemaker winners and CultureMap editors. They voted on winners in categories such as Chef of the Year, Restaurant of the Year, Bar of the Year, and more. The champion in the Best New Restaurant category was determined by our readers in an online, bracket-style tournament. Our 2026 "wild card" category celebrated the Best Sandwich in each city.

    Let's raise a glass to our 2026 CultureMap Tastemaker Award winners all across Texas, listed by city:

    Houston:

    • Restaurant of the Year: Casaema
    • Chef of the Year: Manabu Horiuchi; Kata Robata, Katami, Sushi Horiuchi
    • Bar of the Year: Donna's
    • Best New Restaurant: Barbacana
    • Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year: ChòpnBlọk
    • Rising Star Chef of the Year: Adrian Torres, Maximo
    • Bartender of the Year: Julia Miles, Refuge
    • Dessert Program of the Year: Barbacana
    • Coffee Shop of the Year: Un Caffe
    • Best Sandwich: B'Tween Sandwich Co.

    Dallas:

    • Restaurant of the Year: Mamani
    • Chef of the Year: Peja Krstic; Mot Hai Ba, Pillar
    • Bar of the Year: Ayahuasca Cantina
    • Best New Restaurant: Frenchie
    • Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year: Beverly's Bistro & Bar
    • Rising Star Chef of the Year: Eduardo Osorio, Meridian
    • Dessert Program of the Year: Lucia
    • Coffee Shop of the Year: Ascension
    • Best Sandwich: Trades Delicatessen

    Fort Worth:

    • Restaurant of the Year: Cattlemen's Steak House
    • Chef of the Year: Jon Bonnell; Bonnell's, Waters, Buffalo Bros., Jon’s Grille
    • Bar of the Year: Crystal Springs Hideaway
    • Best New Restaurant: Cocodrie's Bayou Kitchen
    • Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year: Rex's Bar & Grill
    • Rising Star Chef of the Year: Levi Gardner, Westland Hospitality
    • Dessert Program of the Year: FunkyTown Donuts & Drafts
    • Coffee Shop of the Year: Buon Giorno Coffee
    • Best Sandwich: Carshon's Deli

    Austin:

    • Restaurant of the Year: Odd Duck
    • Chef of the Year: Daniela Landaverde and Rosa Landaverde, La Santa Barbacha
    • Bar of the Year: Parley
    • Best New Restaurant: Moderna Bar & Pizzeria
    • Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year: Allday Pizza
    • Rising Star Chef of the Year: Ale Kuri, Este
    • Dessert Program of the Year: Rockman Coffee + Bakeshop
    • Coffee Shop of the Year: Palomino Coffee
    • Best Sandwich: Mum Foods Smokehouse & Delicatessen

    San Antonio:

    • Restaurant of the Year: Cullum's Attaboy
    • Chef of the Year: Sue Kim, The Magpie
    • Bar of the Year: Jue Let
    • Best New Restaurant: Honey's Chicken Joint
    • Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year: Con Huevos Tacos
    • Rising Star Chef of the Year: Matt Garcia, Gigi's Deli
    • Dessert Program of the Year: Nicosi
    • Coffee Shop of the Year: NoFi Slow Bar
    • Best Sandwich: Beacon Hill Market & Deli

    ---

    The Houston Tastemaker Awards ceremony was brought to you by Maker's Mark, Culinary Khancepts, Herradura Tequila, Ritual Zero Proof + Seedlip, Shutto, and NXT LVL EVENT. A portion of proceeds benefitted our nonprofit partner, the Southern Smoke Foundation.

    Houston Chef of the Year winner Manabu Horiuchi.

    Photo by Vivian Leba

    Houston Chef of the Year winner Manabu Horiuchi.
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    CULTUREMAP EMAILS ARE AWESOME
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    food news roundup

    10 things to know in Houston food: Openings, closings, and barbecue discount

    Brianna McClane
    Aug 13, 2026 | 12:30 pm
    Farmers Houston Food & Wine Festival
    Photo by Dave Rossman
    Tickets are available now for the 2026 Chefs for Farmers Houston Food & Wine Festival at Autry Park on Saturday, September 26, and Sunday, September 27.

    School is back in session for most Houston kids, but Houston restaurants keep the summer vibes alive with new restaurant openings, meal deals, and upcoming events. Read on to see what you need to know about the city’s culinary scene this week.

    Openings and closings

    Mediterranean fast-casual restaurant CAVA has opened a new location at 5401 Bellaire Boulevard. The popular eatery’s menu features bowls, pitas, dips, and dressings. The Bellaire location is open daily from 10:30 am-10 pm.

    Pour Decisions Craft has opened in the Heights. Here, locals will find more than just a cup of joe — Pour Decisions also provides a selection of craft beers, serving a draft as early as 7 am. Specialty drinks include an ube cream Vietnamese coffee, a peanut butter latte, and a banana matcha.

    The location aims to be a community gathering space with future plans to partner with local DJs, bakeries, food trucks, and small businesses to host family-friendly events. Pour Decisions Craft is located at 555 W. 19th Street, Suite 100A, and is open Monday-Wednesday, 7 am-6 pm, Thursday-Saturday, 7 am-9 pm, and Sunday, 7 am-5 pm.

    Wah Coffee Kitchen has opened its third location in the Houston area and first in Sugar Land at 6560 Greatwood Parkway, Suite 100. Patrons of the Richmond and Montrose locations know Wah Coffee Kitchen for its unusual flavor pairings such as a tiramisu and banana latte, along with its full kitchen cranking out burgers, crispy chicken sandwiches, and Korean fried wings. Wah in Sugar Land is open Sunday from 8 am-10 pm, Monday-Thursday from 7 am-10 pm, Friday from 7 am-12 am, and Saturday from 8 am-12 am.

    Shiva Indian Restaurant has quietly closed its location at 5220 Buffalo Speedway, according to a tip from a CultureMap reader. The restaurant's online ordering has been turned off, and its phone number is disconnected. Recently featured on the Houston Chronicle's social media for its affordable lunch specials, the West U. area restaurant first opened in Rice Village in 1990.

    Upcoming Events

    Saturday, August 29

    ¡Adiós Summer! Fiesta at Lyric Market
    Say farewell to summer on Saturday, August 29, at Lyric Market with a fiesta sponsored by Hornitos Tequila. From 2 pm-6 pm, attendees can enjoy complimentary tequila tastings, mariachi music, Lotería, and giveaways. Drink specials include classic margaritas, palomas, and ranch waters for $8, with Mexican candy shots for $6, and Hornitos tequila shots for $5. Mexology will offer free chips and guacamole with the purchase of any meal. Lyric Market is located at 411 Smith Street.

    September 26-27

    Chefs for Farmers
    Tickets are now available for the 2026 Chefs for Farmers Houston Food & Wine Festival on Saturday, September 26, and Sunday, September 27. Early bird pricing is available through August 18, with tickets starting at $125 for a general admission single day ticket to the Autry Park event. The two-day festival highlights Houston’s restaurants and chefs, with participating restaurants such as Belly of the Beast, Boo’s Burgers, Burmalicious by Suu, and Traveler’s Table. The event also includes wine and spirit pairings, craft cocktails, local vendors, and live DJs. Visit chefsforfarmers.com to purchase tickets.

    Restaurant Specials

    Killen’s Barbecue in Pearland is offering a “Working Man’s Special” from Tuesday through Friday, from 11 am to 2 pm. The $14 deal includes a two meat plate of four ounces of both brisket and sausage link, with beans and potato salad. Normally priced at $25, Killen's Working Man’s Special is available throughout the month of August and for in-person ordering only.



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    A post shared by Killen's Barbecue (@killensbbq)


    Grab a quick breakfast on weekdays at Dish Society with its new $10 combo. From 7-10:30 am, patrons can pair one breakfast item with a regular-sized specialty coffee, matcha latte, or small juice. The combo is available for dine-in, delivery, and pickup, with the options such as avocado toast, breakfast tacos, buttermilk pancakes, gluten-free power pancakes, half granola bowl, or a sausage, egg, and cheese biscuit.

    Federal American Grill's newly-launched Mondays Uncorked offers patrons half off the restaurant’s entire wine list at all six of its locations.

    Pizaro’s Pizza and Saint Arnold Brewing Company are partnering for a limited-time pizza collaboration. The Zesty Asparagus and Prosciutto pizza’s dough is crafted with Saint Arnold’s biscuit barley malt, before being topped with fresh lemon slices, mozzarella, asparagus, lemon cream sauce, feta, and prosciutto. A 16 inch pizza can be ordered at Pizaro’s from August 13-31 for $24, while Saint Arnold will offer a 12 inch pie for $18 beginning August 18.

    Farmers Houston Food & Wine Festival

    Photo by Dave Rossman

    Tickets are available now for the 2026 Chefs for Farmers Houston Food & Wine Festival at Autry Park on Saturday, September 26, and Sunday, September 27.

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