ABOUT
The CultureMap Tastemaker Awards return to celebrate Dallas’ top restaurant and bar talent for 2026. Our mission is to shine a spotlight on the people and places that make Dallas a world-class culinary destination.
Join us May 7 at Astoria Event Venue for our signature tasting event and awards ceremony. We’ll celebrate all of the nominees and unveil this year’s winners, and you’ll enjoy chef-prepared bites and specialty drinks all night.
Get to know the nominees in our special editorial series, then join us May 7 as we toast the Tastemakers.
This is a sell-out event — get your tickets now!
CultureMap Tastemaker Awards
May 7, 2026
GA 7 pm | VIP 6 pm
Astoria Event Venue
NOMINEES
Meet the exceptional culinary talent nominated in this year's awards.
RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR
CHEF OF THE YEAR
BAR OF THE YEAR
BEST NEW RESTAURANT
NEIGHBORHOOD RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR
RISING STAR CHEF OF THE YEAR
DESSERT PROGRAM OF THE YEAR
COFFEE SHOP OF THE YEAR
BEST SANDWICH
JUDGES
Meet our distinguished panel of culinary experts and past Tastemakers winners.
PARTNERS
The CultureMap Tastemaker Awards program is brought to you by the following partners.
NXT LVL EVENT is an experiential marketing and immersive event company that transforms ordinary gatherings into unforgettable brand moments. It specializes in interactive photo, video, and AI-powered activations that blend technology, creativity, and human connection, helping brands engage guests in meaningful, shareable ways. From corporate events to large-scale brand activations, NXT LVL EVENT creates experiences where stories come to life and brands become experience
Visit →For sponsorship opportunities, email sales@culturemap.com
BENEFICIARY
Southern Smoke Foundation
Founded in 2015 by James Beard award-winning chef Chris Shepherd, Southern Smoke Foundation supports members of the food and beverage (F+B) industry in crisis nationwide through emergency relief funding and access to mental health services. To date, Southern Smoke Foundation has provided more than $10.4M in grants to food and beverage workers in need. Through its mental health program, the nonprofit provides no-cost mental health counseling to F+B workers and their children in California, Louisiana, Illinois, New York, and Texas, and offers financial assistance to those seeking mental health care outside of the current service states.