Each year, we hold a Texas-sized celebration of two of the things we love most: food and drink. The annual CultureMap Tastemaker Awards, presented by Woodford Reserve, honors the top restaurant and bar talent in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio.
Our mission is to shine a spotlight on the people making each city's culinary scene special. First, we collaborated with a panel of experts, including previous Tastemaker winners, to determine the nominees in each city. The panels then selected winners in every category, except Best New Restaurant, which was determined by our readers in a tournament presented by Whole Foods Market.
It all culminated in our series of signature tasting events and awards ceremonies, held in Houston, Austin, and Dallas, where guests mixed and mingled with top culinary talent and fellow foodies, while we unveiled the 2018 Tastemaker Awards winners. Join us in toasting the best of Texas dining right now.
- Restaurant of the Year: L’Oca d’Oro
- Chef of the Year: Kevin Fink, Emmer & Rye
- Rising Star Chef of the Year: Zach Hunter, The Brewer’s Table
- Pastry Chef of the Year: Tavel Bristol-Joseph, Emmer & Rye
- Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year: Texas French Bread
- Best New Restaurant: Be More Pacific
- Favorite Food Truck: Veracruz All Natural
- Bar of the Year: Nickel City
- Bartender of the Year: Erin Ashford, Olamaie
- Brewery of the Year: St. Elmo Brewing Co.
- Wine Program of the Year: Texas French Bread
- Restaurant of the Year: Town Hearth
- Chef of the Year: Omar Flores, Whistle Britches
- Rising Star Chef of the Year: Anastacia Quinones, The Cedars Social
- Pastry Chef of the Year: Keith Cedotal, The Joule
- Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year: Nova
- Best New Restaurant: Ferris Wheelers
- Best Biscuits: Crossroads Diner
- Bar of the Year: Parliament
- Bartender of the Year: Trevor Landry, Jalisco Norte
- Wine Program of the Year: Bullion
- Restaurant of the Year: Piattello Italian Kitchen
- Chef of the Year: Lanny Lancarte, Righteous Foods
- Best New Restaurant: B&B Butchers & Restaurant
- Bar of the Year: Proper on Magnolia
- Restaurant of the Year: Xochi
- Chef of the Year: Chris Shepherd, Underbelly Hospitality
- Rising Star Chef of the Year: Jason Vaughan, Nancy’s Hustle
- Pastry Chef of the Year: Jillian Bartolome, Aqui
- Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year: Paulie’s
- Best New Restaurant: Field & Tides
- Poke Restaurant of the Year: Izakaya
- Bar of the Year: Better Luck Tomorrow
- Bartender of the Year: Alex Negranza, Better Luck Tomorrow
- Brewery of the Year: Eureka Heights Brewing Company
- Wine Program of the Year: a’Bouzy
- Restaurant of the Year: Battalion
- Chef of the Year: Pieter Sypesteyn of The Cookhouse
- Best New Restaurant: Tenko Ramen
- Favorite Coffee Shop: Bakery Lorraine
- Bar of the Year: Downstairs at the Esquire Tavern
Houston Restaurant of the Year, Xochi.
