Tastemaker Awards

Dallas' 16 best new restaurants face off in heated Tastemakers battle

It's the favorite part of the Tastemaker Awards — when you get to decide.

Kevin Marple

Get your button-pushing finger ready, it's time for our annual CultureMap Tastemaker Awards Best New Restaurant tournament, when 16 new eateries go head to head in a bracket-style vote-off that you decide.

It's one of the most popular categories in our annual celebration of the best in Dallas food and drink.

It differs from the rest of our editorial series, where we spotlight nominees in categories such as best pastry chefs, best bars, best neighborhood restaurants, best rising star chefs, and best new pizza. Those are determined by a panel of judges consisting of former CultureMap Tastemaker Award winners and local F&B experts.

But the Best New Restaurant is the only category in which you can vote once a day for your favorite. The voting goes four rounds, culling down to two finalists.

Who will win? Find out at the Tastemaker Awards party on May 12 at Fashion Industry Gallery, where we’ll dine on bites from nominated restaurants while emcee CJ Starr reveals the winners. Buy tickets here.

To vote, click here. Don't delay: The first bracket ends on Monday, April 25.

Here are the 16 nominees:

Beckley 1115
Oak Cliff wine bar in the former Victor Hugo's space (named for its address at 1115 N. Beckley Ave.) is from Sharon Van Meter, most previously at the 3015 at Trinity Groves event space. You can get wine by the glass, bottle, or case, plus shared small plates such as Spanish meatballs with creamy polenta and crunchy bread; tomato bisque with mini grilled cheese; caramelized squash toast with whipped ricotta; and smashed fried potatoes with saffron goat cheese.

Carte Blanche
Greenville Avenue restaurant-bakery from Casey and Amy La Rue is a two-pronged concept: Mornings, it's a bakery featuring the sweet creations of chef Amy; evenings is a tasting menu restaurant with a hyper focus on wine, featuring the savory creations of chef Casey. The couple worked in serious restaurants across the U.S. before moving to Dallas to open this gem, with dishes such as fried green tomato with Dungeness crab, and smoked hamachi with ratatouille.

Cheapsteaks
Good steaks done cheap is the goal at this Deep Ellum restaurant from a credentialed team that includes Jeff Biehler, formerly of The Foundry. Their inspiration is Char Bar, the now closed restaurant on Greenville Avenue, where broke musicians could get a cheap steak. The idea is steakhouse-style food — including steakhouse sides and salads like a Caesar, potato gratin, and charred broccolini — but affordable, with live music (they have two stages) and a Deep Ellum vibe.

Cry Wolf
Small restaurant in a former Subway is from Dallas chef and foodie god Ross Demers, and is very Ross-style: It seats about 28, with an open bar and an open kitchen where you can watch the chefs do a limited menu of ooh-and-aah dishes that changes frequently. Think gnocchi with beef cheeks. The wine selection is boutiquey with breathtaking by-the-glass selections such as Evolution pinot noir from Oregon or La Nerthe grenache from Cotes-du-Rhone.

Harper's
Globally inspired restaurant and elevated dining destination at The Epic development in Deep Ellum represents a next step for Milkshake Concepts (Stirr, Vidorra, Citizen). It's serving creative gourmet fare such as Peruvian anticucho beef sticks, Burmese tea leaf salad, and Texas Wagyu tomahawk with miso compound butter. A buzzy brunch features Japanese pancakes, lobster benedict, and steak & eggs, and crafty cocktails including some with sake and lychee liqueur.

Hawkers Asian Street Food
Cool concept from Florida is all about Asian street foods: Korean twice-fried wings, Seoul hot chicken bao, and roti canai, a thin flaky pancake served with curry sauce. Cocktails such as the "magari-thai" with tequila, Patron Citronage, mango nectar, and bird’s eye chili have an Asian spin, as well. They made their Texas debut in Dallas' Deep Ellum, with the bar at the front of the restaurant to make it feel energetic as soon as you enter.

Hei Hei American Chinese
Appealing new restaurant in Lake Highlands is from the team behind Cedar & Vine, in the former Atomic Pie pizza space. They do familiar American-Chinese dishes, with a twist. There’s stir-fry dishes to which you can add beef, chicken, or shrimp, such as spicy Hunan (with smoky spicy garlic sauce, mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, & carrots); and Kung Pao, with chilies, peanuts, bell pepper, onion, and celery. Everything on the menu is shareable, and they're also good to go.

Loro Dallas
Asian smokehouse and bar from two of Austin's biggest restaurant names, Aaron Franklin (Franklin Barbecue) and Tyson Cole (Uchi), is a casual, outdoor-centric hangout in old East Dallas, where it's combining Southeast Asian flavors with traditional Texas BBQ. Think rice bowls, French onion brisket melt, and Malaysian-inspired dishes including curry chicken and brisket coconut rice. Dallas is the second Loro; the original opened in Austin in 2018.

Modest Rogers
Charming bistro and foodie favorite in a cute house off Oak Lawn is from husband-and-wife Modesto and Kathryn Rodriguez. The menu incorporates influences from Modesto's Venezuelan heritage, along with Spanish and Mexican flavors. Dishes include fried cauliflower and onions battered in a chili spice batter, served with caper aioli; sliced Wagyu with chimichurri sauce and arugula salad; and seafood with elote corn "ribs" — long strips of corn kernels cut straight from the cob.

National Anthem
Nick Badovinus is Dallas' quintessential chef so it's fitting he scored the historic Magnolia Petroleum Building, the eye-catching triangular building in the newly dubbed "East Quarter," a former wasteland on the eastern edge of downtown, for this new American restaurant. The menu features elements from both coasts with a straightforward Texas sensitivity: meatballs, steak nachos, deviled eggs, steak frites, Reuben sandwich, mac & cheese, and warm cookies for dessert.

Nuri Grill
Korean steakhouse, located in Dallas' Koreatown, has a grill-your-own meat theme in an upscale setting. Conceived by Wan Kim, originally from Korea and current CEO of Smoothie King, it features interactive grills at each table, to be used by servers trained to cook the premium cut meats while diners watch, or if they're inclined, cook their own food at their table. Standouts include kimchi fried rice, marinated short rib, Korean-style short rib, and Prime NY strip.

Sister
Charming sophisticated neighborhood restaurant is sister to The Charles, the buzzy eatery in Dallas' Design District from Duro Hospitality, located in the storied location that was once The Grape, with a wine list heavy on bottles from Italy and a creative food menu of Mediterranean and Italian dishes, with pastas such as pesto farfalle with fennel sausage, and Calabrian chile ravioli with broccoli and ricotta. Seasonal dishes like beets & avocado are as beautiful as they are tasty.

Sueño Modern Mex-Tex
Concept from the well-liked Pineda family who previously co-owned Pineda's Mexican Cuisine in Richardson, and who boast decades of experience in the industry. They're building a loyal following for their twists on Mexican classics, craft cocktails, and warm welcoming atmosphere, with expert renditions of mole and fajitas, with unusual ingredients like lobster, and a raw bar with ceviches and aguachiles.

Tian Tian
Chinese restaurant in North Dallas is more authentic than most, with favorite dishes being the XLB, pan-fried buns, black pepper pork, greens beans, five-spice beef, jalapeno chicken, and peppered ribs. But the must-get is Peking duck, which they prepare on a showpiece rotisserie-style device, delivering the ideal pairing of crisp skin, and tender and juicy meat. They also have a cute dessert featuring sweet rolls that you dip in condensed milk.

Toussaint Brasserie
French-inspired restaurant and bar at the Renaissance Hotel Saint Elm Dallas Downtown is named for New Orleans writer, producer, and performer Allen Toussaint. It observes generous hotel hours — breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily — with food that incorporates French and Asian flavors, plus NOLA-inspired cocktails. The menu features French staples such as steak tartare, steak frites with NY strip, roasted chicken, and an Asian-inspired lobster Thermidor.

Written By The Seasons
Cozy and elegant Bishop Arts restaurant is from the folks who own nearby Tribal All Day Cafe, and they're continuing their healthy streak with a restaurant focused on changing with the seasons. The menu rotates with entrees such as kimchi fried cauliflower, mahi-mahi steamed inside a banana leaf, and seafood stew. Where else in town are you going to find an amazing squash sandwich on wheat bread? A full bar features cocktails and a superb wine list.

awards bests tastemakers

A Roundup of Restaurant News

Fill up on the festive fare in this roundup of Dallas restaurant news

Maison Chinoise

Spread at Maison Chinoise

This roundup of restaurant news around Dallas is all about new menus, with lots of festive-themed dishes and menu additions. There's a new brunch at a surprising destination, new cocktails, and lots of hot chocolate, fitting for the season.

Here's what's happening in Dallas restaurant news:

Taziki’s Mediterranean Café is opening a location in Las Colinas, at 5910 N. MacArthur Blvd. Taziki's is known for its hummus, whipped feta, kebabs, Greek salad, and Mediterranean lamb burger. This is the chain's fourth Dallas location and 100th location nationwide.

Catch Dallas, the seafood restaurant at Maple Terrace, ha some splashy new items including truffle sashimi, rainbow sashimi pizza, and a Wagyu hot rock dish with options of A5 Kobe beef, olive beef, and snow beef cooked tableside.

Dive Coastal Cuisine in Snider Plaza has new seasonal specials, including beet & blood orange salad, butternut squash soup, fingerling potatoes, coconut rice, and portobello mushrooms, available through the end of November.

TK's Addison, the comedy club, has a new brunch every Sunday from 10 am-3 pm. Shareable options include cast-iron cinnamon rolls with Grand Marnier cream cheese icing, deviled eggs, and Belgian waffle bites. Meals include filet mignon Benedict, crab cakes Benedict, Nashville chicken biscuit, and the hangover burger, with a short rib/chuck/brisket blend patty with bourbon bacon, four-cheese bechamel, a fried egg and crispy onions.

Fish City Grill, Half Shells restaurants are launching a name brand oyster on November 19 called the Mystic Mermaid, which have a heavy brine and shell ranging from 3-3 1/2 inches, served with cucumber-citrus mignonette. Available for for $21 per half-dozen and $42 per dozen at all Dallas, Flower Mound, Richardson, and Plano locations.

Dog Haus is celebrating Thanksgiving all month with a twist on the Turducken: a turkey, duck, and chicken sausage topped with garlic aioli, turkey gravy, onions, and scallions, served on King’s Hawaiian rolls; and the Turducken burrito, a turkey, duck, and chicken sausage, three sunny side up eggs, white American cheese, sweet potato fries, caramelized onions, and spicy mayo in a toasted flour tortilla.

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar has a new lunch menu with a two-course prix fixe starting at $28. New options include steakhouse filet chopped salad, and Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse burger, steak frites, and a barbecue salmon fillet. All lunch dishes are $30 or less. There are new cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages, like Tropical Tee and Blackberry Lavenderade.

Carrabba’s Italian Grill has new menu items including Arancini, a risotto bite with fennel sausage, mozzarella, parmesan, & Romano cheese; rigatoni al forno, with tomato cream sauce, Italian sausage, Romano, parmesan, mozzarella and goat cheese; and short rib marsala, bone-in short rib over garlic mashed potatoes with Lombardo Marsala wine sauce. Dessert includes a triple chocolate bread pudding. New festive cocktails feature the merry berry martini and wood-fired old fashioned. Available through January 13.

Taziki’s has brought back its tomato basil soup. Prices start at $5.49, and the soup is also available as part of a soup-and-salad combo with pricing varying by market. This soup is available through January 26.

Beyond Sun Sausage is now available at Whole Foods Markets across Dallas. It’s made from plant-based ingredients, including yellow pea, brown rice, and red lentil proteins. There are 12 grams of plant-based protein per link with no cholesterol, soy, gluten, added antibiotics, or hormones. Flavors include Cajun and pesto, and a four-count package is $11.

Al Biernat’s has new cocktails with a festive twist. At the Oak Lawn location, find Golden Hour with Basil Hayden, Dolin Blanc, Campari, Giffard Piment d’espelette, and grapefruit bitters; Frosted Poinsettia with Titos, spiced cranberry syrup, lemon juice, and Zerbina with red glitter sugar; and Bloody Sidecar, with The Macallan 12, Fruitful Blood Orange, Cointreau, and lemon juice. The Al Biernat’s North menu has Spicy Pineapple Margarita with Flecha infused tequila, Grand Marnier, pineapple juice, and lime juice; Camp Fire Mule with whiskey, lemon juice, maple syrup, and Ladybird ginger beer; and Gin Apple Pie with Roku Gin, cinnamon syrup, and apple cider.

Maison Chinoise in Uptown has launched a new Dim Sum Happy Hour, available Monday-Thursday, with a selection of dim sum for $10. A new Sunday offering features all bottles of wine under $100 available at half-price all day for dine-in.

P.F. Chang’s has added Asian fried chicken to the menu for the first time. It comes in two options, Korean fried chicken and Taiwanese popcorn chicken, with a choice of sauces, including sweet soy glaze, dynamite, hot honey, and chili crisp. Available as bone-in three-piece or six-piece and boneless four-piece or five-piece, eight-piece or 10-piece for shareables.

Laredo Taco Company, 7-Eleven's in-house restaurant, has two holiday specials: Quesabirria, featuring shredded beef and melted cheese, available as a taco or bowl, paired with consommé dipping sauce; and tamales in choice of pork or chicken, in packs of three, six, or 12 or a family size with two dozen tamales and two sides.

Menchie's Frozen Yogurt is collaborating with candy brand Hi-Chew for a limited-edition Key lime pie flavor, inspired by Hi-Chew Dessert Mix’s Key Lime Pie. The flavor is available through November 30.

Main Event has new frozen hot chocolate shakes in three flavors: Classic, a frozen hot chocolate with chocolate candy frosted rim, and a Little Debby Christmas tree cake; s’mores with marshmallow rim and graham crackers; and peppermint with peppermint frosted rim and a candy cane. Bailey’s Irish Cream or Caffè Borghetti can be added to any flavor for $3. Prices start at $11. Available through January 7.

Rita’s Frozen Custard has two limited-time frozen treats: Frozen Hot Cocoa Gelati, which layers Rita’s Frozen Hot Cocoa Cream Ice with Vanilla Custard, blending the taste of hot cocoa with cool Italian Ice; and Frozen Hot Cocoa Gelati Blender with a crushed peppermint topping.

Dunkin' is bringing back holiday favorites and new menu items. Drinks include the cookie butter cold brew, peppermint mocha latte, toasted white chocolate latte, and white hazelnut bark coffee. New items include the cookie butter donut, holiday cookie latte, almond croissant, and hash brown brisket scramble bowl.

Barrilitos, the Mexican soda, has returned to Texas shelves. Originally produced nearly 100 years ago, the drink is available in four flavors: Mandarina, Manzana, Piña, and Ponche de Frutas in both 12-ounce and 1.5-liter bottles. The aguas frescas were sold until 2020-2021, and the sodas were sold until 2017. Now they're available at El Rancho, La Michoacana, and Fiesta stores across Dallas.

Wendy's has a new salted caramel Frosty. It can also be paired with the limited-time mushroom bacon cheeseburger, which features roasted mushrooms, bacon, Muenster cheese, and garlic spread. The Frosty is $3 and the burger is $6.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission has shut down two oyster harvest areas in the Gulf: the 14-acre Desperation Reef and the 529-acre Dollar Reef, both in Galveston Bay, to allow the oyster population to recover the reef is healthy enough that they can start harvesting oysters again. They'll reopen in November 2026.

Chipotle has launched a wacky new merchandise collection that includes a $10 cilantro soap, a nod to the small percentage of the population who are genetically wired to experience a soapy flavor when eating cilantro; the $28 “Water” Cup candle, a lemonade-scented candle; and $20 car napkin holder. The collection will be available for individual purchase, or as a bundle for $50.

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