San Antonio’s culinary scene is unstoppable, and annually we have a good time the town’s high restaurant and bar expertise with the annual CultureMap Tastemaker Awards. Lately, we revealed the 2026 occasion dates and launched a restricted variety of discounted tickets, and now it is time for the anticipated unveiling of our San Antonio nominees.
These nominees characterize the easiest in San Antonio eating proper now, from informal community-minded spots to Michelin-worthy menus and extra.
Our panel of judges — together with native culinary consultants and a who’s who of previous Tastemaker Awards winners — have chosen excellent nominees throughout 10 classes. They will select the winner for all however one award — the Greatest New Restaurant shall be topped by CultureMap readers in an interactive match this spring.
Meet the nominees under, then be a part of us Could 14 on the Briscoe Museum to search out out who wins. You may nosh on chef-prepared bites from a bunch of taking part nominees, sip completely paired cocktails, and be within the room when the winners are revealed. First Dibs tickets are bought out, however you possibly can nonetheless rating discounted Early Hen tickets ($65 for GA and $99 for VIP).
Now, please be a part of us in toasting the 2026 San Antonio Tastemaker Awards nominees:
Restaurant of the 12 months
Greatest High quality DaughterBurnt Bean Co.Chika OmakaseCullum’s AttaboyEl Pastor es Mi SeñorIsidoreThe MagpieMixtliPetit CoquinReese Bros BBQShiro Japanese Bistro
Chef of the 12 months
Christopher Cullum, Cullum’s AttaboyLeo Davila, Anacacho, EsenciaAndrew Ho, Andrew Samia, and Sean Wen, Curry Boys BBQSue Kim, The MagpieDavid Kirkland and Ernest Servantes, Burnt Bean Co.Emil Oliva, Leche de TigrePaul Petersen, Bar LorettaEsaul Ramos, 2M SmokehouseJohn Ramos and Jonathan Reyes, ChikaBerty Richter, LadinoAlex Sarmiento and Brenda Sarmiento, El Pastor es Mi SeñorBar of the YearChiflada’sDouble StandardHoly DiverJue LetLighthouse LoungeThe RoundaboutSlow RideThree Star BarTony’s SiestaVolta
Greatest New Restaurant
Anacacho Espresso & CatinaChurch BurgerThe Desert Spoon (Spring Department)Gigi’s DeliHoney’s Rooster JointJots at Lodge GunterKaedama BattleshipKing William Wine Co.Lovers PizzeriaMax’s SisterOtto’s Ice HousePetit CoquinSan Peter TaqueriaSouth BarbecueTacopolisTucker’s Italian
Rising Star Chef of the 12 months
Matti Payments, Howdy ChildAdesuwa Elaiho, AzukarKarla Espinosa, Artwork to TableJorge Flores, Reese Bros, Burritos FronteraJason Garcia, Tucker’s ItalianMatt Garcia, Gigi’s DeliJaime Gonzalez, Wok WeyJavi Gutierrez, Porc Slap, Buddy’sIan Lanphear, IsidoreBrian Reese, The MagpieNeighborhood Restaurant of the YearBarbaroBar LorettaBlissCappy’sCon Huevos TacosThe Hut DinerIl FornoThe Jerk ShackMare e MonteMomo HausOutlaw KitchensPazzo Pastaria
Dessert Program of the 12 months
Bahklovah BakeryBakery LorraineClementineExtra FineHonchos – The Home of ChurrosLaika CheesecakesMax’s SisterNicosiPanifico Bake Store
Espresso Store of the 12 months
Barrio BaristaCasa Pink Studio CoffeeEstate CoffeeFlowergirl CoffeeGravves CoffeeMila CoffeeNoFi Gradual BarRose Hip MarketSan Antonio GoldSilhouette CoffeeTheory Espresso Firm
Greatest Sandwich
Beacon Hill Market & DeliBilia EateryExtra FineGigi’s DeliGino’s DeliThe NewstandRoHo Pork & BreadSmack’s Rooster ShackStation CafeThe Depraved WichZito’s Deli
Greatest Pop-up
Buddy’s Massive TroubleBurritos FronteraCrispy Bao GangDeath Burger at Little DeathThe Fajita LoungeKin Khao Thai FoodMala Suerte Meals LabMasshole Lobster TruckPorc SlapPony BoysPuro PorkTacos Cucuy
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The CultureMap Tastemaker Awards ceremony is sponsored in San Antonio by NXT LVL Occasion and extra to be introduced. A portion of the proceeds will profit Culinaria.
