Meet the Tastemakers
Announcing the Dallas nominees for 2026 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards
This year's wildcard category highlights Dallas' best sandwiches.
Dallas' culinary scene is unstoppable, and each year we celebrate the city's top restaurant and bar talent with the annual CultureMap Tastemaker Awards. Recently, we revealed the 2026 event dates and released a limited number of discounted tickets, and now it's time for the anticipated unveiling of our Dallas nominees.
These nominees represent the very best in Dallas dining right now, from casual neighborhood spots to Michelin-worthy menus.
Our panel of judges — including local culinary experts and a who's who of past Tastemaker Awards winners — have selected outstanding nominees across nine categories. They'll choose the winner for all but one award — the Best New Restaurant will be crowned by CultureMap readers in an interactive tournament this spring.
Meet the nominees below, then join us May 7 at Astoria Event Venue to find out who wins. You'll nosh on chef-prepared bites from a host of participating nominees, sip perfectly paired cocktails, and be in the room when the winners are revealed. A limited number of First Dibs tickets are still available with big discounts ($50 for general admission and $85 for VIP), so don't delay.
Now, please join us in toasting the 2026 Dallas Tastemaker Awards nominees:
Restaurant of the Year
- Cattleack Barbeque
- Crown Block
- Gemma
- Mabo
- Mamani
- Mot Hai Ba
- Ngon Vietnamese Kitchen
- Nonna
- Sushi Kozy
- Tatsu Dallas
Chef of the Year
- Tiffany Derry, Roots Southern Table, Radici
- Omar Flores, Casa Brasa
- John Kleifgen, Nick & Sam’s Steakhouse
- Andreas Kotsifos, Andreas Prime
- Peja Krstic, Mot Hai Ba, Pillar
- Olivia López, Molino Olōyō
- Aubrey Murphy, SĒR Steak + Spirits
- Misti Norris, Far Out
- Charles Olalia, The Mansion
- Chris Vogeli, III Forks Steakhouse - Addison
Bar of the Year
- Apothecary
- Ayahuasca Cantina
- Bar Colette
- Black Swan Saloon
- Bowen House
- Boxcar
- La Viuda Negra
- Leela's Wine Bar
- Midnight Rambler
- The Wilfred
Best New Restaurant
- Avra Estiatorio
- Burger Schmurger
- Cafe Dior by Dominique Crenn
- Casa Brasa
- Centrale Italia
- Domodomo Ko
- El Molino Mexican Bistro
- Evelyn
- Far Out
- Flamant
- Frenchie
- Jo’Seon Wagyu Omakase
- Little Blue Bistro
- Norman's Japanese Grill
- Vaqueros Texas Bar-B-Q
- Winsome Prime
Rising Star Chef of the Year
- Reilly Brown, Frenchie
- Scott Girling, Osteria Il Muro
- Mollie Guerra, Chef Mollie G
- Zeina Kamal, Babel Mediterranean Grill
- Belal Kattan, Bazaar
- Brian Kim, Domodomo Ko
- Sonia Mancillas, Via Triozzi
- Benjamin Norton, Norman’s Japanese Grill
- Eduardo Osorio, Meridian
- Kelly Vargas, Curuba Colombian Kitchen
Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year
- Beverley's
- Blues Burgers
- Cafe Izmir
- Family Thais Asian Bistro
- Kenny’s East Coast Pizza
- il Bracco Restaurant
- La Parisienne
- Miriam Cocina Latina
- The Mexican
- Pillar
Dessert Program of the Year
- Crispy Cones
- IYKYK Mochi Churro
- Le Reve Gelato & Patisserie
- Lucia
- Pietro’s Italian Bakery
- Restaurant Beatrice
- Ritz-Carlton Dallas, Las Colinas
- San Martin Bakery & Restaurant
- Uchi
- Village Baking Co.
Coffee Shop of the Year
- Ascension
- Cafe Ciro
- Cafe Duro
- Cultivar Coffee Roasting Co.
- Good Boy Cafe
- La Réunion
- La Souq Coffee
- Palmieri Cafe
- Wayward Coffee Co.
- White Rock Coffee
Best Sandwich
- Beyond the Bun
- Bread Zeppelin
- Deli News Restaurant
- Empire Baking Co.
- Goodfriend Package
- Jimmy's Food Store
- Latin Deli
- Mendocino Farms
- Tortas la Hechizera
- Trades Delicatessen
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The CultureMap Tastemaker Awards ceremony is sponsored in Dallas by Maker's Mark, Shutto, NXT LVL Event, and more to be announced. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Harvest Project Food Rescue.
