Each year, we hold a Texas-sized celebration of two of the things we love most: food and drink. The annual CultureMap Tastemaker Awardshonorsthe top restaurant and bar talent in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio.
The program started in Austin in 2012 and has expanded to include every city we cover. Our mission is to shine a spotlight on the people making the restaurant scene special and honor their innovation, energy, and creativity. Here's how it works. First, we collaborated with industry experts to determine a list of nominees in each city. Our local panels then selected winners in every category, except Best New Restaurant, which was determined by you, our savvy readers.
The winners were revealed at our swanky tasting events and awards ceremonies, held April 18-20 in Houston, Austin, and Dallas. (See highlights from the Dallas party here.)
Meet the winners below, and join us in toasting the best of Texas dining right now.
- Restaurant of the Year: Emmer & Rye
- Chef of the Year: Todd Duplechan, Lenoir
- Rising Star Chef of the Year: James Dumapit and David Baek, Old Thousand
- Pastry Chef of the Year: Abby Love, Dai Due
- Bar of the Year: King Bee Lounge
- Bartender of the Year: Josh Loving, Small Victory
- Brewery of the Year: Hops & Grain
- Wine Program of the Year: Bufalina
- Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year: June's All Day
- Best Burger: Contigo
- Best New Restaurant: Sophia's
- Restaurant of the Year: Lucia
- Chef of the Year: Julian Barsotti, Nonna, Carbone's, Sprezza
- Rising Star Chef of the Year: Josh Sutcliff, Mirador
- Pastry Chef of the Year: Sarah Green, The Joule
- Bar of the Year: Armoury D.E.
- Bartender of the Year: Charlie Papaceno, Industry Alley Bar
- Wine Program of the Year: Gemma
- Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year: Bbbop Seoul Kitchen
- Best Fried Chicken: The Slow Bone
- Best New Restaurant: Pie Tap Pizza Workshop + Bar
- Restaurant of the Year: Tokyo Cafe
- Chef of the Year: Jesus Garcia, Oni Ramen
- Best New Restaurant: Tortaco
- Restaurant of the Year: Coltivare Pizza & Garden
- Chef of the Year: Ryan Pera, Coltivare Pizza & Garden
- Rising Star Chef of the Year: Martha de Leon, Pax Americana
- Pastry Chef of the Year: Victoria Dearmond, One Fifth/Underbelly
- Bar of the Year: Eight Row Flint
- Bartender of the Year: Leslie Ross Krockenberger, Reserve 101
- Wine Program of the Year: Pappas Bros Steakhouse
- Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year: State of Grace
- Favorite Taco: Tacos Tierra Caliente
- Best New Restaurant: State Fare
- Restaurant of the Year: The Bin Tapas Bar
- Chef of the Year: Stefan Bowers, Feast
- Best New Restaurant: Sangria on the Burg
Emmer & Rye, Austin Restaurant of the Year.
