{"id":782671,"date":"2026-05-08T20:11:15","date_gmt":"2026-05-08T20:11:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/782671\/"},"modified":"2026-05-08T20:11:15","modified_gmt":"2026-05-08T20:11:15","slug":"where-to-drink-in-dallas-5-foodie-happy-hours-for-may-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/782671\/","title":{"rendered":"Where to drink in Dallas: 5 foodie happy hours for May 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

After months of buildup, the best restaurants, chefs, and bars of the year were revealed and celebrated at our 2026 CultureMap Dallas Tastemaker Awards<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

On May 7, the winners were crowned at a tasting event and awards ceremony, hosted by NBC5 Texas Today host Cleo Greene<\/a>, at Astoria Event Venue in Irving.<\/p>\n

In the weeks leading up to the big event, we published a special editorial series<\/a> highlighting nominees<\/a>. A panel of expert judges helped select all of the winners, except Best New Restaurant, which was determined by our readers in a bracket-style tournament.<\/p>\n

Without further delay, let’s raise a glass to the 2026 Dallas Tastemaker Awards winners:<\/p>\n

Restaurant of the Year: <\/strong>Mamani
<\/a><\/strong>This French restaurant made a splash immediately when it debuted in 2025, as the Michelin Guide awarded it a coveted one-star rating just 60 days after the doors opened. Even with those lofty expectations, chef Christophe De Lellis has managed to consistently produce some of the city\u2019s finest dishes. From the jaw-dropping veal cordon bleu to the Paris-Brest dessert, everything on the menu at Mamani is a star.<\/p>\n

Chef of the Year: <\/strong>Peja Krstic, Mot Hai Ba<\/a>, Pillar<\/a><\/strong>
Michelin-recognized Vietnamese restaurant Mot Hai Ba has been going strong for over a decade, and Southern American bistro Pillar has been drumming up buzz in Bishop Arts since 2024. Those concepts from chef Peja Krstic prove his range and skill as both a chef and restaurateur. He\u2019s a frontrunner in Dallas\u2019 culinary scene and beyond, having gained international acclaim when Mot Hai Ba was named a Bib Gourmand restaurant in the inaugural Texas Michelin Guide in 2024.<\/p>\n

Bar of the Year:<\/strong> Ayahuasca Cantina<\/a><\/strong>
While you won\u2019t find this Oak Cliff bar\u2019s namesake psychedelic on the menu, there are still plenty of exciting sips that will shift your frame of mind. The cocktails range from ancient fermented drinks like pulque and tepache to much more modern libations like the Maria, which blends premium Mexican rum with tamarind and cream cheese in what is a texturally fascinating and flavorful drink. It\u2019s the perfect thing to sip before enjoying chef Hugo Galvan\u2019s menu at the adjacent Xaman Cafe.<\/p>\n

Best New Restaurant:<\/strong> Frenchie<\/a><\/strong>
As its name might indicate, this sweet little spot in The Plaza at Preston Center is focused on French cuisine, with Bruno Davaillon, the city\u2019s most stalwart French chef, behind the project and executive chef Reilly Brown currently leading the kitchen. Inside the bright and vivacious dining room, you\u2019ll find classic plates like light and cheesy gougeres, French onion soup, and a spring-y pea risotto. It\u2019s also a must-add to your brunch rotation, thanks to dishes like the Provencale tomato tart.<\/p>\n

Rising Star Chef of the Year: <\/strong>Eduardo Osorio, Meridian<\/a><\/strong>
Executive chef Eduardo Osorio took the reins of Meridian when it staged its big comeback<\/a> last year, following a 2024 closure and revamp. Under Osorio’s direction, Meridian now celebrates seasonal ingredients and the jovial, comforting nature of Italian and New American cuisine against a backdrop of live-fire cooking. Think chilled clams infused with smoky essence, wood-fired chicken, and grilled Spanish octopus.<\/p>\n

Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year:<\/strong> Beverley’s Bistro & Bar<\/a><\/strong>
Named for owner Greg Katz\u2019s mother Beverley, this boisterous bistro on Fitzhugh Avenue has been effortlessly balancing chic and casual since its 2019 debut. Its sophisticated interiors and eclectic menu make Beverley\u2019s the exact kind of spot where you want to bring a group of friends and order everything on the menu, especially the caviar-topped latkes and immaculately shucked oysters.<\/p>\n

Dessert Program of the Year:<\/strong> Lucia
<\/strong><\/a>With Maggie Huff, 2026 James Beard finalist<\/a> for Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker, at the helm, it\u2019s no surprise Lucia\u2019s dessert program is a standout. The intimate, award-winning Italian eatery in Bishop Arts serves a rotating menu with sweet bites such as semolina cake with roasted grapes, rosemary, honey, and pistachio ice cream. Diners can opt for a tropical escape with coconut sorbet with nectarines and lime and mint pesto. For an earthy experience, there\u2019s the hazelnut frangipane and goat cheese tart with figs and balsamic vinegar ice cream.<\/p>\n

Coffee Shop of the Year: <\/strong>Ascension<\/a><\/strong>
A stalwart of Dallas-Fort Worth\u2019s craft coffee scene since 2012, Ascension now serves its painstakingly sourced beans at six locations across the Metroplex. It\u2019s committed to ethically and sustainably sourcing beans from the planet\u2019s finest coffee growing locations and roasting them at its roastery in Dallas\u2019 Design District, before brewing them into crema-topped shots of espresso or a perfect pourover. And for those who love a sweet latte, Ascension excels at those, too, as anyone who\u2019s tried the popular horchata latte can attest.<\/p>\n

Best Sandwich: <\/strong>Trades Delicatessen<\/a>
<\/strong>If you\u2019re looking to splurge on a great sandwich in DFW, Trades Delicatessen is your destination. You won\u2019t find sandwich-chain prices here, but the decadent French dip, made with hand-shaved ribeye and grilled onions, is absolutely worth the cost. The menu also features a stellar turkey melt, plus housemade pastrami and juicy Italian beef.<\/p>\n

—<\/p>\n

Rhema Joy Bell and Amy McCarthy contributed to this story.<\/p>\n

The CultureMap Tastemaker Awards ceremony was sponsored in Dallas by Maker’s Mark, Shutto, NXT LVL Event, Seedlip, Ritual Zero Proof, H-E-B, Marine Foods Express, and S.Pellegrino Acqua Panna. A portion of the proceeds benefited Harvest Project Food Rescue<\/a>.<\/p>\n