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Voting Open for Best New Restaurant in CultureMap Awards

Food lovers participating in the voting for the Best New Restaurant at the CultureMap Tastemaker Awards.

News Summary

The 2025 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards has kicked off, inviting Houston food lovers to vote for the Best New Restaurant. This year features a head-to-head bracket tournament involving 16 new restaurants that opened in 2024. Voting is open daily until March 17, with the winner announced at a celebratory event on April 3. This annual tournament allows readers to embrace Houston’s vibrant culinary scene and support their favorite eateries while enjoying a variety of food and drinks at the finale.

Voting Open for Best New Restaurant in 2025 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards Tournament

Exciting news for food lovers in Houston! The polls are now officially open for the highly-anticipated 2025 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards, and this year there’s a unique twist on one of the categories that everyone’s buzzing about — the Best New Restaurant. Instead of being judged solely by a panel of experts, CultureMap wants you, the readers, to get in on the action!

Head-to-Head Bracket Style Tournament

This year, readers can help determine the winner of the Best New Restaurant category through a thrilling head-to-head bracket-style tournament. That’s right! Sixteen exciting restaurants that swung open their doors in 2024 are now battling it out to be crowned the top spot for newcomers. The tournament matches restaurants based on shared ties such as geography or cuisine style, making it a fun and engaging way to see who comes out on top.

Round One Voting Details

Voting is open now, and fans can cast their votes once per day until the round ends at 11:59 PM on March 17. Each vote counts, and it’s your chance to champion your favorite new eatery! Can you taste the anticipation in the air? Well, it’s building!

Mark Your Calendars: The Grand Finale

The winning restaurant will be revealed during a festive awards party on April 3 at the lively Silver Street Studios. This is more than just an announcement; it’s a full-blown celebration of Houston’s culinary scene. Expect to delight your taste buds with bites from nominated restaurants and sip on scrumptious cocktails courtesy of the event’s sponsors!

Speaking of tickets for this mouthwatering extravaganza, they are now on sale. It may be wise to snatch them up quickly, as they’re likely to sell out fast!

The Thrilling Matchups

Now, let’s dive into the delicious matchups that are setting the stage ablaze:

Bar Bludorn vs. Credence: Both heavyweights in Memorial, Bar Bludorn charms with comforting fried chicken while Credence serves up elevated Texas dishes.
MF Lobster & Ceviche vs. Okto: Taste the ocean at MF Lobster, or explore Mediterranean flavors at Okto.
Drake’s Hollywood vs. Leo’s River Oaks: With retro charm and live piano, these supper clubs are ready to create memorable evenings.
The Marigold Club vs. Ishtia: Enjoy classic French fare or Indigenous-inspired tasting menus from these two upcoming hot spots.
ChòpnBlọk vs. Traveler’s Cart: From upscale street food to global dishes, both restaurants promise an exciting journey for your palate.
Maximo vs. Milton’s: Maximo delights with sophisticated Mexican dishes, while Milton’s captivates with Italian-American favorites.
Little Rey vs. Ema: Featuring a live fire grill, Little Rey competes against Ema, known for its Michelin-recognized desserts.
Kira vs. Late August: Kira delivers Japanese-inspired bites, while Late August melds African American and Mexican culinary traditions.

A New Venue and Exciting Offerings

Also worth noting is the opening of the Montrose Country Club on March 14, which promises a chef-driven restaurant and a vibrant swim and dayclub. You won’t need a membership to enjoy this fresh spot; it’s focused on offering a casual and welcoming experience for everyone. The talented executive chef, Diego Chiarello, has crafted a menu filled with shareable plate options and rotating comfort foods, ensuring there’s something for everyone.

With the CultureMap Tastemaker Awards on the horizon, this event promises to shine a light on Houston’s incredible culinary talent and creativity. Don’t forget to vote daily and join in on the fun!