The food scene in Fort Worth is unstoppable, and every year we honor the city’s best restaurant and bar professionals through the annual event.CultureMap Tastemaker Awards. Recently, we announced the dates for the 2026 event and offered a limited number of discounted tickets, and now it’s time for the highly anticipated reveal of ourFort Worth nominees.
These contenders highlight the top dining experiences currently available in Fort Worth, ranging from relaxed, community-focused establishments to lively, chef-led restaurants and beyond.
Our panel of judges — featuring local food specialists and notable past Tastemaker Awards recipients — has identified exceptional nominees in nine different categories. They will determine the winner for all awards except one — the Best New Restaurant will be decided by CultureMap readers through an interactive tournament this spring.
Check out the nominees listed below, then join usApril 30 at Social Spaceto discover the winner. You’ll enjoy chef-crafted samples from various nominated participants, savor expertly matched drinks, and be present when the winners are announced. A limited number ofFirst Dibs ticketsare still available with reduced rates ($25 off regular entry and $40 off VIP), so act quickly.
Now, please raise your glass in celebration of the 2026 Fort Worth Tastemaker Awards nominees:
Restaurant of the Year
・The Blue Room
・Bricks and Horses
・Cattlemen’s Steak House
・The Chumley House
・Clay Pigeon Food and Beverage
・Coco Shrimp
・Lonesome Dove Western Bistro
・Malai Kitchen
・Margie’s Italian Gardens
・Smoke’N Ash BBQ
Chef of the Year
・Michael Arlt, The Mont
・Jon Bonnell, Bonnell’s, Waters, Buffalo Bros.
・Rodrigo Cárdenas, Dos Mares
・Ix-Chel Ornelas Hernandez, Tinie’s Mexican Cuisine
・Marcus Kopplin, Duchess at The Nobleman
・Molly McCook, Ellerbe Fine Foods
・Jett Mora, Cafe Modern
・Tim Prefontaine, The Fort Worth Club
・Theodore Tom, Cattlemen’s Steak House
・Craig Walter, The Chumley House
Bar of the Year
・The Archibald
・Crystal Springs Hideaway
・The Magnolia
・Morton’s Tavern
・Oscar’s Pub
・River’s Bar and Wine Lounge
・Sarah’s Place
・Soma Winery
・Stewart’s Croquet and Cocktail Club
・The Winchester Tavern
Best New Restaurant
・Beren Mediterranean
・Brooklyn’s
・Cork and Pig Tavern – Willow Park
・Cocodrie’s Bayou Kitchen
・Dos Mares
・Duchess at The Nobleman
・Ichiro Izakaya Diner and Bar
・Ko Thai
・Mister 01 Pizza
・The Mont
・NADC Burger
・Nikuya
・Delicious Sushi & Pan Asian
・Polanco Fine Cuisine
・Truva Mediterranean Bar and Grill
・Yoichi Omakase & Handroll
Chef of the Year: Rising Star
・Asdren Azemi, Ozzi’s Pizza
・Jessica Castañeda, Chef Jess Bakes
・Alvin Chik, Nikuya
・Michael Douresseaux, Chef’s Corner
・Levi Gardner, Westland Hospitality
・Jesse Gibson, Cocodrie’s Bayou Kitchen
・Brent Hale, The Taste Project Fort Worth
・Carol Ann Kroehler, Tarrant Area Food Bank
・Philip Peluso, Whiskey Cake
・John Sanford Jr., BBQ on the Brazos
Restaurant of the Year in the Neighborhood
・Boopa’s Bagel Deli
・Cafecito
・DeVivo Bros. Eatery
・Flying Carpet Turkish Cafe
・Hudson House
・Japanese Palace
・The Meat Board
・Paris 7th Restaurant Francais
・Stella Ristorante
・Rex’s Bar & Gril
Year’s Best Dessert Program
・The Black Rooster Bakery
・Bricks and Horses
・Buttermilk Sky Pie Shop
・Esperanza’s Restaurant & Bakery
・FunkyTown Donuts & Drafts
・Leaves Bakery & Books
・Melt Ice Creams
・The Sicilian Baker
・The Sweet Spot Bakery
・Swiss Pastry Shop
Year’s Best Coffee Shop
・Buon Giorno Coffee
・Brewed
・Café Momento
・Cherry Coffee Shop
・Relaxing Coffee and Wine Bar
・Coffee Folk
・Crude Craft Coffee Bar
・Fort Worth Coffee Co.
・Sons Coffee
・World Blend
Best Sandwich
・B&B Butchers
・Bella Gente Focaccia Gourmet
・Big Guys Bodega
・Carshon’s Deli
・Cheba Hut “Toasted” Subs
・Dino’s Subs
・Galligaskin’s Restaurant & Catering
・Lola’s Cuban Cuisine Restaurant & Lounge
・The Sour Boule
・Weinberger’s Deli
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The CultureMap Tastemaker Awards event in Fort Worth is supported by Maker’s Mark, NXT LVL Event, and additional sponsors yet to be revealed. A part of the funds will go towards supporting theFort Worth Food and Wine Foundation.
