Support Us Button Widget
Food

Dig into Austin’s 2025 James Beard Award semifinalists

Several local chefs and restaurants are in the running for a James Beard Award nomination.

January 22, 2025 • 
Morgan O’Neal
A plate of food with chicken on a banana leaf, a green herby sauce and vegetables.

Chef Tavel Bristol-Joseph’s modern Caribbean cuisine also earned him a “Best Chef” nomination in the 2024 James Beard Awards.

Photo by @alexeatsndrinks

We hope you’re hungry. The 2025 Restaurant and Chef Award semifinalists for the James Beard Awards are here — and several Austin chefs + restaurants made the cut.

From a celebrity pastry chef to a new Laotian American restaurant, let’s dig into the local people and places that are up for one of the culinary world’s highest honors.

Local semifinalists

A close-up photo of pasta on a white plate, sprinkled with green leaves and lemon zest.

Birdie’s has also earned nods from the Global Tastemakers Awards.

Photo by @mksrn

A spread of Texas-style barbecue and sides arranged on a table. At the center is a platter piled high with a variety of smoked meats, including brisket, sausage, pulled pork, and ribs, served with pickles, bread, and sauces. Surrounding the main platter are plates of colorful sides, such as coleslaw, chips and dip, vegetables, and potato salad.

MICHELIN called LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue’s banana pudding tiramisu a “clever hybrid.”

Photo by Jessica Attie

What’s next?

Nominees will be named on Wednesday, April 2. Winners will be announced on Monday, June 16 at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards in Chicago.

Can’t get enough? Check out our historical list of James Beard nominees and winners in ATX.

More from ATXtoday
ATX_AbaThanksgiving
Food
8 local restaurants with Thanksgiving catering
Take Turkey Day easy with dishes from these local restaurants.
November 11, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
ATX_TheTwelveThirtyClub
Business
Justin Timberlake’s The Twelve Thirty Club is coming to Austin
The entertainment hall, music venue, members club, restaurant, and bar is slated to begin construction Downtown in early 2026.
November 10, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
ATX_MoreHomeSlicePizza
Food
Home Slice Pizza celebrates 20 years of being the “Queen of Pies”
The iconic local pizza joint will celebrate two decades in business by reviving its annual community carnival after a nine-year hiatus.
November 10, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
Runners pass by a small green building with a large red circular sign that reads "Jo's" at the top. The building has a red stripe along the roofline and is located at the corner of South Congress Avenue. A small crowd of people stands on the sidewalk, watching and cheering the runners as they go by. In the background, there are trees with bare branches and a street sign indicating Congress Avenue.
Wellness
Run clubs for every day of the week in Austin
Make friends and move your body — we found a club in Austin for any day your schedule is open.
November 6, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
Three dishes on the table at KGBBQ
Food
Yelp’s list of the best 25 restaurants in Austin is here — try our favorites
Austinites know how to eat, and Yelp’s most dedicated members helped curate a list of the best and most reliable spots to get a meal.
November 6, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
ATX_AustinFoodandWine2025
Events
Best bites + bevs: Your guide to Austin Food & Wine Festival 2025
Austin Food & Wine Festival is this weekend and we’re ready to dig in by helping you maximize your time at this annual celebration of eats.
November 5, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
An overhead view of a Thanksgiving table spread.
Food
Help us create a reader-submitted Thanksgiving recipe book
You could help make a lot of Austinites thankful by sharing your best holiday recipes.
November 4, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
McConaughey in a black suit and white shirt stands amid a crowd at a formal event, gazing slightly off-camera. In the foreground, an Oscar statue is visible on the left, indicating the setting is likely an awards ceremony. People in the background appear dressed in formal attire, contributing to the celebratory atmosphere.
Culture
56 facts about Matthew McConaughey for his 56th birthday
Celebrate the local legend by learning dozens of facts about his life.
November 3, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
A map of the United States with 6AM City's markets.
City
Local news, powered by readers like you
Over the next 10 days, we’re launching a reader-driven campaign to sustain what we do best.
November 1, 2025
 · 
Staff
A graphic that says "Their perfect gift is on this list. Our holiday gift guide just dropped." surrounded by images of gift tags.
Small Businesses
ATXtoday’s 2025 holiday gift guide: 90+ finds for everyone you love
Including gifts for significant others, retirees, holiday parties, young people, and gifts that ship fast.
October 29, 2025
 · 
Emily Shea-Owen