CultureMap has lastly accomplished its statewide journey to honor one of the best cooks, eating places, and extra with the 2025 Tastemaker Awards.
The collection kicked off April 3 with our Houston Tastemaker Awards at Silver Avenue Studios, then we moved south to San Antonio on April 10 for our greatest celebration there but, on the Briscoe Museum.
We then headed to North Texas for our Fort Price celebration at 4 Eleven on April 23, adopted by our Dallas celebration at Astoria Occasion Venue on Might 1.
Final, however definitely not least, our Texas culinary tour completed robust with our Austin fête at Honest Market on Might 8.
The 2025 Tastemaker Awards celebrated Texas’ sensible and numerous culinary panorama and honored those that’ve made the largest influence previously yr. Our nominated cooks and eating places showcased their flavorful bites and treats throughout every of the celebrations, and winners had been revealed in an onstage ceremony.
Visitors dined on chef-created dishes and sipped on quite a lot of inventive batched cocktails. However nothing might take away the main target from our acclaimed nominees and winners, who’re the principle motive we carry these celebrations to life yr after yr.
Nominees had been, as all the time, decided by a panel of native business consultants, together with earlier Tastemaker winners and CultureMap workers. They voted on winners in classes akin to Chef of the 12 months, Restaurant of the 12 months, Bar of the 12 months, and extra. The champion within the Finest New Restaurant class was decided by our readers in an internet, bracket-style match.
Our 2025 “wild card” class was a contest for Finest Espresso Store in every of our cities; those that maintain us caffeinated and completely happy day after day.
Readers in every metropolis bought to know all of the nominees by way of a particular editorial collection for weeks main as much as the occasions.
Now with out additional delay, let’s meet our 2025 CultureMap Tastemaker Award winners all throughout Texas, listed by metropolis:
San Antonio:
Restaurant of the 12 months: LadinoChef of the 12 months: John Russ, ClementineBest New Restaurant: Freight Fried ChickenBar of the 12 months: Gimme GimmeBrewery of the 12 months: Roadmap Brewing Co.Neighborhood Restaurant of the 12 months: Cullum’s AttagirlPastry Chef of the 12 months: Alessia Benavides, ChocolatlBest Espresso Store: Folklores Espresso Home
Houston:
Restaurant of the 12 months: BasoChef of the 12 months: Emmanuel Chavez, TatemóBar of the 12 months: Johnny’s Gold BrickBest New Restaurant: Leo’s River OaksRising Star Chef of the 12 months: Jacques Varon and Max Lappe, BasoPastry Chef of the 12 months: Stephanie Velasquez, Ema/PapaloBartender of the 12 months: Aaron Lara, KiraNeighborhood Restaurant of the 12 months: Josephine’s Gulf Coast TraditionBest Pop-Up/Startup: Suu Khin, BurmaliciousBest Espresso Store: Blacksmith
Fort Price:
Restaurant of the 12 months: Teddy WongsChef of the 12 months: Alessandro Salvatore, Bocca Osteria RomanaBar of the 12 months: The Rabbit Gap PubBest New Restaurant: Whiskey CakeRising Star Chef of the 12 months: Steve Hoogeboom, 61 OsteriaPastry Chef of the 12 months: Lindsey Lawing, Candy Lucy’s PiesNeighborhood Restaurant of the 12 months: Bodega South MainBest Barbecue: Panther Metropolis BBQBest Espresso Store: Avoca Espresso Roasters
Dallas:
Restaurant of the 12 months: Mister CharlesChef of the 12 months: Jeff Bekavac, GoodwinsBar of the 12 months: Columbian Nation ClubBest New Restaurant: Nikki Greek Bistro & LoungeRising Star Chef of the 12 months: Roman Murphy, Perch BistroPastry Chef of the 12 months: Ryan Stipp, Omni PGA Frisco Resort & SpaNeighborhood Restaurant of the 12 months: The PorchBest Eatertainment: Hen N PickleBest Espresso Store: Benefit Espresso
Austin:
Restaurant of the 12 months: EsteChef of the 12 months: Peter Klein, HolidayRising Star Chef of the 12 months: Heejae Galluccio, Birdie’sPastry Chef of the 12 months: Abby Love, Abby Jane BakeshopBar of the 12 months: Tools RoomBest New Restaurant: Tancho SushiNeighborhood Restaurant of the 12 months: The Little Darlin’Brewery of the 12 months: St. Elmo Brewing Co.Finest Espresso Store: Desnudo Espresso
The San Antonio Tastemaker Awards ceremony was dropped at you by The Yuengling Firm, Jim Beam Black, Hornitos, Reyka Vodka, H-E-B, and PicMe Occasions. A portion of the proceeds benefited our nonprofit companion, Culinaria.
