Mar 7, 2025 | 6:34 am
You’ve got your steakhouses, your breakfast spot, your greasy spoon — but no category resonates more brightly than the neighborhood restaurant. It’s the place nearby where you can eat without a fuss; the place that speaks to where you live.
Neighborhood restaurants are one of the key categories the annual CultureMap Tastemaker Awards, our celebration of the best chefs, restaurants, bars, and more who’ve set the standard in dining for the past year — selected by our judging panel in eight categories, including two new “wildcard” contests for 2025: Best Coffee Shop and Best Eatertainment. (CultureMap readers will pick the winner of Best New Restaurant in a head-to-head, bracket-style tournament.)
We’ll celebrate the nominees and reveal the winners at an awards ceremony and tasting event on Thursday, May 1 at the new Astoria Event Venue. Tickets are on sale now at a discount rate of $60 for general admission and $99 for VIP (includes early access to the event and a dedicated bar)…