It’s a buzzy week for Houston’s lauded restaurant scene.
Seven area spots made Yelp’s 2026 list of the Top 100 U.S. Restaurants, more than any other city in the nation, while Houston also led the semi-finalist nominations for the James Beard Awards in Texas.
Houston’s Taste of Texas steakhouse landed the number 2 spot on the annual Yelp list, garnering praise for its approach to wet-aging steaks and its focus on “warm Texas hospitality.” Other local restaurants on this year’s list include Xiaolong Dumpling (43), Aga’s Restaurant & Catering (50), Mikiya Wagyu Shabu House (55), Ginger Mule (63), Shabu En (69) and The Chef’s Table (73).
Yelp’s Top 100 U.S. Restaurants list showcases the highest-reviewed restaurants, diners, fast-casual spots, food halls, and more, as ranked by the Yelp community.
Meanwhile, the semi-finalist list for the annual James Beard Awards includes 12 notable local restaurateurs, beverage professionals and chefs—more than any other Texas city.
- Outstanding Restaurateur: Hugo Ortega and Tracy Vaught, H-Town Restaurant Group
- Outstanding Chef: Manabu Horiuchi, Katami
- Emerging Chef: Max Lappé and Jacques Varon, Baso
- Emerging Chef: Adrian Torres, Maximo
- Best New Restaurant: Agnes and Sherman
- Best New Bar: Lee's
- Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service: June Rodil, March
- Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service: Kristine Nguyen, Bludorn
Best Chef Texas, Houston nominees:
- Ope Amosu, ChòpnBlọk
- Kent Domas and Seth Siegel-Gardner, Milton's
- Evelyn Garcia and Henry Lu, JŪN
- Shawn Gawle, Camaraderie
"We are thrilled to congratulate this year's semifinalists as we mark another major milestone - 40 years of the James Beard Foundation," Clare Reichenbach, CEO of the James Beard Foundation, said in a statement.
The Beard Foundation will further narrow the list to finalists in each category before announcing this year’s winners at a ceremony in June.
Written by A.J. Mistretta
Photo: Caracol
