San Antonio’s 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 San Antonio nominees.

These nominees represent the very best in San Antonio dining right now, from casual community-minded spots to Michelin-worthy menus and more.

Our panel of judges — including local culinary experts and a who’s who of past Tastemaker Awards winners — have selected outstanding nominees across 10 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 14 at the Briscoe Museum 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. First Dibs tickets are sold out, but you can still score discounted Early Bird tickets ($65 for GA and $99 for VIP).

Now, please join us in toasting the 2026 San Antonio Tastemaker Awards nominees:

Restaurant of the Year

Best Quality DaughterBurnt Bean Co.Chika OmakaseCullum’s AttaboyEl Pastor es Mi SeñorIsidoreThe MagpieMixtliPetit CoquinReese Bros BBQShiro Japanese Bistro

Chef of the Year

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

Best New Restaurant

Anacacho Coffee & CatinaChurch BurgerThe Desert Spoon (Spring Branch)Gigi’s DeliHoney’s Chicken JointJots at Hotel GunterKaedama BattleshipKing William Wine Co.Lovers PizzeriaMax’s SisterOtto’s Ice HousePetit CoquinSan Peter TaqueriaSouth BarbecueTacopolisTucker’s Italian

Rising Star Chef of the Year

Matti Bills, Howdy ChildAdesuwa Elaiho, AzukarKarla Espinosa, Art 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 Year

Bahklovah BakeryBakery LorraineClementineExtra FineHonchos – The House of ChurrosLaika CheesecakesMax’s SisterNicosiPanifico Bake Shop

Coffee Shop of the Year

Barrio BaristaCasa Pink Studio CoffeeEstate CoffeeFlowergirl CoffeeGravves CoffeeMila CoffeeNoFi Slow BarRose Hip MarketSan Antonio GoldSilhouette CoffeeTheory Coffee Company

Best Sandwich

Beacon Hill Market & DeliBilia EateryExtra FineGigi’s DeliGino’s DeliThe NewstandRoHo Pork & BreadSmack’s Chicken ShackStation CafeThe Wicked WichZito’s Deli

Best Pop-up

Buddy’s Big TroubleBurritos FronteraCrispy Bao GangDeath Burger at Little DeathThe Fajita LoungeKin Khao Thai FoodMala Suerte Food LabMasshole Lobster TruckPorc SlapPony BoysPuro PorkTacos Cucuy

—

The CultureMap Tastemaker Awards ceremony is sponsored in San Antonio by NXT LVL Event and more to be announced. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Culinaria.