CultureMap Dallas' 2024 Tastemaker Awards day is fast approaching. The awards are an annual awards ceremony recognizing Dallas' best food and beverages.
We're nominating the stars of the restaurant industry for awards in 10 categories and spotlighting them in a special editorial series. It honors notable restaurants, patios, wine programs, bars and Bartender of the Year nominees. An esteemed panel of judges.
There's also a Best New Restaurants category, where the winners are determined by readers rather than judges in a bracket-style tournament where nominees go head-to-head. Voting is still open at this link.
One winner will be announced at the awards ceremony on May 16th at the Fashion Industry Gallery, where they will enjoy refreshments and toast with the nominees. Tickets are on sale now.
This entry features Restaurant of the Year. These are top-notch, well-established restaurants that continue to attract diners and garner accolades for their trilogy of service, food, and atmosphere.
The 2024 Restaurant of the Year nominees are:
beatrice
The Oak Cliff restaurant pays homage to Cajun family traditions with dishes like duck and andouille gumbo, fried chicken with pepper jelly, and homemade pickles and jams. Not only have they been nominated again for a Tastemaker Award, but they've also earned James Beard praise. Owner Michelle Carpenter and chef Terrence Jenkins also offered a tuition-free program to support the development of female chefs.
Beverly's Bistro & Bar
The casual-chic bistro from seasoned culinary and bev pro Greg Katz (Clifton Club, Green Point Seafood) is a returning favorite and a perennial favorite. Beverly's, named after Katz's mother, is known for its traditional Jewish dishes such as caviar with latkes, smoked whitefish dip, and matzo bowl his soup. Smooth service and a lively atmosphere complete the package.
Georgie
Originally a collaboration with celebrity chef Curtis Stone, Georgie is now the showplace of chef RJ Yoakam, who previously worked at the famous Michelin-starred California restaurant, The French Laundry. The menu has plenty of seafood, duck, steak, and salads, with appetizer prices ranging from $34 to $80. In addition to caviar, the menu also features Chef's Tasting His Menu, which costs $155 for six courses.
Karachanji's
Dallas' longest-running vegetarian restaurant serves home-style Indian cuisine with a menu posted daily. He is also a skilled baker who makes his own bread. The service is excellent, as is the famous courtyard patio in the center of the restaurant. Its temple location in east Dallas adds to its appeal, making it a popular destination for out-of-town visitors.
monarch
The wood-fired Italian concept conceived by Michelin chef Danny Grant and his team is known for its elegant National Building space and stunning views of downtown Dallas, as well as its pasta, steaks and seafood. It was once again nominated for the Tastemaker Award and won Best Wine List and Best New Restaurant in 2021.
Max
There has been an influx of people to DFW in recent years, and with it the number of Asian restaurants. Mr. Max was ahead of all that. An authentic izakaya-style restaurant that opened in 2015. It has a relaxed atmosphere with Japanese-style seating, and also offers a sushi bar, tapas, and sake. Authenticity is key to being featured on Yelp's 2024 “Top 100 Places to Eat in America” list.
petra and the beast
Dallas' most acclaimed restaurant is a deeply personal project starring acclaimed chef Misty Norris and has won national and international awards, including multiple Tastemaker Award nominations . Norris is known for his enlightened take on cooking, including using whole animals, pickling them, and creating super homemade dishes. In 2023, we took a big leap forward, leaving our cute, funky location at 601 N. Haskell Ave. and relocating to Lakewood into a sleek, not-so-noisy space.
Terra/Eataly
Centered around a wood-fired Italian grill, the restaurant at Eataly Dallas os serves dishes inspired by 20 different regions of Italy, from grilled branzini to pasta to hanger steak. Considering it's located inside the NorthPark Center shopping mall, it comes with an expansive terrace with amazing sunset views. Bonus: You can go shopping after eating.
town hearth
Chef Nick Badovinas has an entire portfolio of unique and distinctive restaurants from downtown Dallas to Preston Hollow, including this rambunctious steakhouse in Dallas' Design District. Like all of his restaurants, this one is rich in food and atmosphere, and is probably best suited to the “special occasion” niche needs, such as a place to go for birthdays and celebrations.
Inner hall
Celebrity chef Tyson Cole's Uchi restaurant in Austin has made a name for itself. Menus such as home cooking and yakitori are supervised by Chef de Cuisine Rhonda McCullough, and the restaurant regularly holds collaboration dinners with the chef.
