Photo courtesy of Agnes & Sherman
Reputed U.S. food-and-culture magazine Bon Appétit has released its list of the Best New Restaurants 2026. Among 15 cities and 19 restaurants across the country, the publication named Houston’s Agnes and Sherman as one of the best U.S. restaurants of the year.
Rather than official ranking, the annual list offers a snapshot of the most notable restaurants to have opened between March 2025 and March 2026. Per Bon Appétit, the list was based in editorial judgement rather than implementing any sort of rigid criteria.
“The restaurants we found the most exciting are, of course, delicious, but they were also fearless about challenging the playbooks by betting on community and creativity. These are the traits that help evolve modern American cuisine”, the article reads.
The list spans 15 cities and includes 19 concepts ranging from a Chinatown wine bar, non-traditional pizza joint, all-day cafés, and more.
At the top of the list – organized alphabetically – is Houston’s Agnes and Sherman. In its write-up, Bon Appétit described the restaurant as an Asian Americana update to the classic roadside diner; nostalgic and playful both in aesthetic and cuisine, the publication hailed the restaurant’s cheeseburger fried rice and wedge salad, the latter adorned with lap cheong, youtiao croutons, and ginger scallion ranch.
The latest accolade from Bon Appétit marks another feather in the cap of the Asian American diner. Just this year, Texas Monthly hailed Agnes and Sherman as the No.1 best new restaurant in Texas.
This was shortly followed by a spotlight from Food & Wine; in its article entitled “The Most Exciting Place to Eat in America is Right Here in Texas“, the publication featured Agnes and Sherman among its roundup of the top restaurants to eat in Houston.
In 2025, Michelin designated Agnes and Sherman with Michelin Recommended status.
Le Calamar in Austin is the only other Texas restaurant included on the list. Le Calamar is a modern French bistro in the city’s Bouldin Creek neighborhood, led by chef Casey Wall. It applies classic French technique to Texas-grown produce, Gulf seafood, and charcoal-grilled meats in a polished but relaxed setting.
Agnes and Sherman is located at 250 W 19th St A. The restaurant is open from 10:30 am – 2 pm/5 pm – 10 pm Wednesday through Friday; 10 am – 2 pm/5 pm – 10 pm on Saturday; and from 10 am – 2 pm/5 pm – 9 pm on Sunday.