The 2025 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards celebrated Fort Worth's culinary all-stars - the restaurants, bars, and chefs who've impacted the local dining scene most in the past year.
After months of buildup, the winners finally were crowned at an awards ceremony and signature tasting event on Wednesday, April 23 at the 4 Eleven venue on South Main.
For weeks leading up to the event, we published a special editorial series that highlighted nominees in eight categories. A panel of expert judges helped select all of the winners, except for Best New Restaurant. That was determined by you, our readers, in a bracket-style tournament.
Now, without further delay, let's raise a glass to the 2025 Fort Worth Tastemaker Award winners:
Rising Star Chef of the Year: Steve Hoogeboom, 61 Osteria
Regulars at this upscale Italian destination in downtown Fort Worth (which took the crown for Restaurant of the Year at the 2024 CultureMap Fort Worth Tastemaker Awards) know Steve Hoogeboom as the man behind their meal. As chef de cuisine, Hoogeboom often takes the reins from exec-chef Blaine Staniford when he’s pulled to other projects, leading the kitchen team to execute intricate dishes like wild boar pappardelle, Maine lobster gnocchi, and venison osso bucco. He’s also known for his outgoing demeanor, love for dogs, and friendly personality when working the dining room on a busy night.
Pastry Chef of the Year: Lindsey Lawing, Sweet Lucy's Pies
Lindsey Lawing elevated the pie game in Fort Worth when she debuted her thick and flaky crust pies more than a decade ago, first selling at pop-ups and then at local farmers markets. Now she’s celebrating two years in her own shop (3520 Blue Bonnet Circle), where she’s become known for fan favorites like TX Whiskey pecan pie, grapefruit meringue pie, and The Sweet Lucy strawberry pie named for her young daughter. She also sells pie crusts and seasonal savory hand pies and pot pies.
Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year: Bodega South Main
Part grocer, part grab-and-go eatery, Bodega South Main (203 S. Main St.) opened in 2021 in a historic building that once housed Sawyer Grocery Store a century ago. The neighborhood destination has become a Near Southside go-to for sandwiches, salads, sourdough, and sweets, along with more elaborate items like smoked salmon, crème brulee, and seasonal soups. Owner Tasha Monticure caters to her South Main Street clientele, following her in her mother and grandfather’s footsteps of owning and operating boutique grocery stores.
Bar of the Year: The Rabbit Hole Pub
Popular for college kids and night shift workers alike (thanks to a 7 am opening time during the week), this Alice in Wonderland-themed bar serves up all-day happy hour and friendly vibes. There’s plenty of room to spread out with table seating inside and out thanks to glass garage doors that slide open to a string-lit covered patio area. Visit on Wednesdays for music bingo, Thursdays for karaoke, and daily for sports on TV and tacos from the permanent food truck outside.
Best Coffee Shop: Avoca Coffee Roasters
The pioneering craft coffee roastery and bar kicked off an artisanal coffee craze when it was founded in 2011 by Fort Worth natives Garold LaRue and Jimmy Story. The duo presented locals with a new educational experience with respect to bean sourcing, roasting methods, and preparation techniques. (Pour-overs became all the rage.) Today under new ownership, Avoca still has cred as a leader in the local coffee shop community with three locations in Fort Worth (including its flagship location at 1311 W. Magnolia Ave. ) and beans in stores across the state.
Best Barbecue: Panther City BBQ
After starting a catering business in 2014 and later opening a food truck, Christian Magallanes and Ernest Morales made Panther City BBQ a household name when they opened their permanent location in 2019 (201 E. Hattie St). Barbecue lovers have long known the duo for their smoked meats, including “BBQ Twists” like pork belly poppers, brisket elote, and double brisket smashburgers. But last fall the restaurant received international acclaim with a highly coveted listing of “Recommended” in the debut of the prestigious Michelin Guide Texas.
Best New Restaurant: Whiskey Cake
The Dallas-based American tavern named for its signature sticky toffee cake dessert opened in Alliance Town Center last fall, bringing with it popular entrees like crab fritters, goat cheese fondue, and chicken and waffles. Brunch is busy and features crab Benedict and colossal cinnamon rolls.
Chef of the Year: Alessandro Salvatore, Bocca Osteria Romana
McAllen, Texas-born Alessandro Salvatore opened Bocca Osteria Romana last year with his brother Alfonso and cousin Eduardo Mariel. The Italian concept is their first venture in the U.S., where Alessandro serves as exec-chef specializing in fresh-made al dente pastas for which patrons can get enough. Think classic cacio e pepe, lasagnas, gnocchi, spaghetti alla carbonara, osso bucco, and ravioli.
Restaurant of the Year: Teddy Wongs
Trendy upscale Chinese restaurant opened with a splash in the Near Southside in 2023 and has remained a hot spot ever since — drawing diners with its handmade dumplings in a multitude of varieties such as pork soup dumplings, veggie dumplings and Wagyu potstickers. But dumplings are not all they do: There's Peking duck, wok stir-fries, fried rice, and an extensive wine, beer, and sake list. The restaurant is a Tastemaker Awards return nominee, having earned noms in two categories in 2024: best new restaurant and best chef for chef and co-owner Patrick Ru, who also own Ru’s Bushi Bushi Dim Sum in Addison.
The Tastemaker Awards ceremony was brought to you by The Yuengling Company, Still Austin Whiskey, Hornitos, and PicMe Events. A portion of the proceeds benefited the Fort Worth Food and Wine Foundation.
