Between global food rankings and the “Oscars of Food,” Austin restaurants raked in more than half a dozen major food and beverage awards this week.
But enough with the appetizers — time for the main course.
Global Tastemakers Awards
Food & Wine Magazine’s Global Tastemakers Awards is an annual ranking of the top food and beverage talent in the world, curated and voted on by a panel of 180+ food and travel journalists.
With six recognitions, Austin was by far the most represented Texas city on the list, followed by Houston, which earned two accolades.
Starting with the big one, Austin ranked the No. 4 overall best US city for food and drinks.
That is six spots higher than last year’s No. 10 ranking, driven in part by local restaurants taking home 2023 awards for Restaurant of the Year (Birdie’s) and Best New Chef (Edgar Rico).
Speaking of Birdie’s and Rico, Austin spots included on Food & Wine’s list of Top 20 Restaurants in the US were:
- Birdie’s | No. 4
- Nixta Taqueria | No. 17
Watertrade — the Japanese-style cocktail bar attached to OTOKO — also earned a No. 16 ranking on Food & Wine’s list of top US bars.
Houston eatery March was also featured in the list of top restaurants at No. 14, and the city’s popular cocktail bar Julep ranked No. 11 in the list of top bars.
James Beard Awards
It’s been a big week for Birdie’s in more ways than one.
The restaurant’s chef, Tracy Malechek-Ezekiel, was also the sole Austinite to make it to the finalists round of this year’s James Beard Awards, with a nomination for Best Chef: Texas. Lockhart’s Barbs-B-Q also moved forward in the Best New Restaurant category.
Winners for the awards will be announced Monday, June 10 at a celebration in Chicago. Until then, check out our guide to every James Beard winner + semifinalist in Austin.
