It’s another one for CultureMap’s history books. The 2023 Tastemaker Awards, which recognized Texas' best chefs, restaurants, and more culinary superstars of the year, have finally come to a close.
The series kicked off April 13 with our sold-out Houston Tastemaker Award at Silver Street Studios, then we came home to Fort Worth, to the 4 Eleven, for our second annual event, April 27. The Texas culinary tour steered us over to Dallas' Fashion Industry Gallery on May 4. From there, we took a drive to the Hill Country for Austin’s evening festivities at Fair Market on May 11, then concluded our journey with our second-ever fête in San Antonio on May 18.
The 2023 Tastemaker Awards honor the state’s most innovative culinary pioneers, allowing nominated chefs and restaurants to showcase their talents for guests before announcing the winners during a live ceremony.
Guests sampled chefs’ specialty bites and imbibed a variety of creative cocktails or mocktails, with a few Topo Chicos sprinkled in throughout the evening. But as always, our nominees and winners are the main focus of our program and are the reason we can bring these celebrations to life.
While a panel of local food and beverage pros choses a majority of the winners, the winner of Best New Restaurant is determined by our readers in an online, bracket-style tournament. New this year in each city, a sizzling on-site Burger Throwdown sponsored by Goodstock Beef by Nolan Ryan.
Without further ado, let’s meet our 2023 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards winners, listed by city:
Fort Worth:
- Restaurant of the Year: Fitzgerald
- Chef of the Year: Juan Ramón Cárdenas, Don Artemio
- Bar of the Year: Birdie’s Social Club
- Best New Restaurant: Calisience
- Rising Star Chef of the Year: Angel Fuentes, Guapo Taco
- Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year: Cafe Bella
- Best Burger: Dayne’s Craft Barbecue
- Best Brewery: Martin House Brewing Company
Dallas:
- Restaurant of the Year: Shoyo
- Chef of the Year: Junior Borges, Meridian
- Bar of the Year: Lounge Here
- Best New Restaurant: Quarter Acre
- Rising Star Chef of the Year: Mike Matis, Fearing’s
- Pastry Chef of the Year: Maricsa Trejo, La Casita Bakeshop
- Bartender of the Year: Haley Merritt, Midnight Rambler
- Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year: El Rincon del Maiz
- Wine Program of the Year: Pappas Bros.
- Best Burger: Wulf Burger
- Brewery of the Year: Manhattan Project Beer Co.
Houston:
- Restaurant of the Year: Bludorn
- Chef of the Year: Mark Clayton, Squable
- Bar of the Year: Captain Foxheart’s Bad News Bar and Spirit Lounge
- Best New Restaurant: Aiko
- Rising Star Chef of the Year: Emmanuel Chavez, Tatemó
- Pastry Chef of the Year: Shawn Gawle, Goodnight Hospitality
- Bartender of the Year: Kristine Nguyen, Captain Foxheart’s Bad News Bar
- Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year: Craft Pita
- Wine Program of the Year: Nancy’s Hustle
- Best Pop-Up: Khói Barbecue
- Best Burger: Burger Bodega
Austin:
- Restaurant of the Year: Birdie’s
- Chef of the Year: Amanda Turner, Olamaie
- Rising Star Chef of the Year: Joaquin Ceballos, Este
- Pastry Chef of the Year: Mariela Camacho, Comadre Panadería
- Bar of the Year: Nickel City
- Bartender of the Year: Erin Ashford, Olamaie
- Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year: Nixta Taqueria
- Wine Program of the Year: Bufalina
- Brewery of the Year: Lazarus Brewing Co.
- Best Burger: Dai Due
- Best New Restaurant: Maie Day
San Antonio:
- Restaurant of the Year: Carriqui
- Chef of the Year: Robbie Nowlin, Allora, Arrosta
- Bar of the Year: Amor Eterno
- Brewery of the Year: Künstler Brewing
- Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year: The Magpie
- Pastry Chef of the Year: Sofia Tejeda, Hotel Emma
- Best Burger: Last Place Burger
- Best New Restaurant: Reese Bros BBQ
