Austin’s Top 16 New Restaurants Compete for Coveted Tastemaker Award

Austin’s Top 16 New Restaurants Go Head to Head for Coveted Tastemaker Award

The culinary landscape of Austin thrives on bold flavors, creative concepts, and spirited competition. And it doesn’t get any more competitive in the city’s food scene than when its newest dining gems vie for the coveted top spot at the 2024 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards. This is the thrill engulfing Austin’s new restaurants as 16 contenders go head-to-head for the Best New Restaurant category, demonstrating their culinary prowess.

The formidable line-up was cherry-picked by a panel of judges comprised of previous winners who had scrutinized every new restaurant that’s popped up in the Austin area since February 2023 – a testament to the ongoing gastronomic revolution in the city. The nominated restaurants will now compete in an exciting bracket-style tournament, with voting open to the public.

The Contestants

Battles are brewing everywhere as the nominees include the likes of “Bill’s Oyster” and “Bureau de Poste” in a seafood showdown, “Bacalar” and “Ezov” with their specific international inspirations, and “Gràcia Mediterranean” and “El Raval” offering their unique spins on Mediterranean and Spanish cuisines respectively.

Embracing creativity in familiar dining experiences are “Elementary” and “Fabrik,” with the former reimagining comfort food learning lessons and the latter taking Austin’s plant-based cuisines into the realm of adventurous coursed meals. Another interesting competitor is “Alma By Stephan Pyles”, an upscale restaurant nestled within a luxury assisted-living community, which has managed to impress a diverse palate across generations.

Asian cuisines aren’t being left behind as upscale Chinese restaurants “RedFarm” and “Zoé Tong” gear up for competition. Also, offering a warm bowl of Asian comfort food are “Ramen Del Barrio” and “Soupleaf Hot Pot”, ready to spice up the competition. Lastly, Italian influenced “Allday Pizza” and “Poeta” bring in the traditional Italian warmth and hospitality, but with their own unique menu offerings.

The Voting Process and Finals

Voters are encouraged to participate in the four rounds of competition, with one vote allowed per round. The first round ends on March 22 at 11:59 pm, leading up to the final showdown on April 11 at the 2024 Tastemaker Awards party at Distribution Hall.

Guests can look forward to indulging in bites from the year’s nominated restaurants, complimented by cocktails courtesy of the event’s sponsors, as the winners are unveiled in a brief ceremony. As food enthusiasts anticipate this culinary face-off, the 2024 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards continues to underline and celebrate the audacity and creative spirit of Austin’s burgeoning restaurant industry.