
ABOUT
The CultureMap Tastemaker Awards return to celebrate San Antonio’s top restaurant and bar talent for 2026. Our mission is to shine a spotlight on the people and places that make San Antonio a world-class culinary destination.
Join us May 14 at the Jack Guenther Pavilion at the Briscoe Museum 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 14 as we toast the Tastemakers.
This is a sell-out event — get your tickets now!
CultureMap Tastemaker Awards
May 14, 2026
GA 7 pm | VIP 6 pm
Jack Guenther Pavilion at The Briscoe Museum

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
BEST POP-UP

PARTICIPANTS

- Best New Restaurant
- Chef of the Year

- Rising Star Chef of the Year

- Restaurant of the Year

- Best Sandwich

- Bar of the Year

- Chef of the Year
- Restaurant of the Year

- Coffee Shop of the Year

- Rising Star Chef of the Year

- Best New Restaurant

- Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year

- Best New Restaurant

- Dessert Program of the Year

- Coffee Shop of the Year

- Best New Restaurant

- Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year

- Rising Star Chef of the Year

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.

Maker's Mark was built on doing things differently –– by hand, by heart, and by a standard that hasn't changed since day one. Since 1953, Maker's Mark has made a series of unconventional decisions to become the icon it is today. From burning the original recipe to harnessing the power of regenerative agriculture, the brand’s unique commitment to making a better bourbon and a better world is the story they want to tell globally. Going to unreasonable lengths –– in life, and in bourbon –– is what separates the good from the remarkable.
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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
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Proudly made in Texas, Ritual Zero Proof is America’s No. 1 non-alcoholic spirit brand. Crafted for cocktails, Ritual Agave Spirit, Whiskey, Gin, Rum, and Aperitif Alternatives have the nose, taste, and bite of liquor – without the alcohol or calories. Founded by best friends, born on a cutting board, and perfected across hundreds of iterations with the help of master distillers and award-winning mixologists, Ritual was created because we love a good cocktail, with or without alcohol.
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Founded in 2015, Seedlip is the pioneer of non-alcoholic spirits. Combining centuries-old techniques with modern innovations, Seedlip redefines the drinking experience by solving the dilemma of what to drink when you’re not drinking. Inspired by nature, Spice 94, Grove 42, Garden 108, and Notas de Agave deliver a vast range of flavors. These sophisticated, non-alcoholic spirits contain no sugar or calories and make the perfect base for cocktails.
Visit →For sponsorship opportunities, email sales@culturemap.com

BENEFICIARY

Culinaria
Culinaria is an independent, not-for-profit organization committed to promoting San Antonio as a premier food and wine destination, while fostering community growth and enrichment within the city. For more than 20 years, Culinaria has been promoting locally sourced food and wine experiences in the San Antonio region through community events and culinary education opportunities, including annual Restaurant Weeks, festivals, 5K runs, and more.




































