Small family-owned Italian restaurants in Dallas and Denton are the two James Beard finalists in North Texas for 2026.
The James Beard Foundation announced the 2026 restaurant and chef nominees today. Back in January, we learned that eight North Texas restaurants and chefs were semifinalists. Here’s a quick rundown of who/what was in the running as semifinalists:A search for the term “Dallas” on the James Beard Foundation’s 12-page press release for this year’s finalists yields only one hit.
The Top 50 Restaurants in Dallas Right Now This makes eight total nominations for Lucia in one way or another, starting with a 2014 semifinalist selection for owner and chef David Uygur for Best Chef Southwest. He’s been nominated five other times and was a finalist twice. Additionally, the restaurant was a finalist for best restaurant in 2023. This is Huff’s third nomination; she was a semifinalist in 2017 for her work at FT33, then again in 2020 at Homewood. Let’s bring one home! It’s time.Evelyn Garcia and Henry Lu, JŪN, Houston, TXmoved to Italy after culinary school in Denton. He returned to North Texas and opened this restaurant in a charming 80-year-old house in Denton. The menu is a four-course trip that starts with house-made breads and ends with inventive dishes like tajarin with duck speck.for Osteria Il Muro open at noon on the last Monday of the month for the following month. That was yesterday … and April is all booked. Set an alarm for May. However, they open the Pasta Table, a bar-style pasta table, daily at noon. Good luck.. She started working as a freelance writer in 2013 and became editor in 2021. She covers Dallas’ evolving dining scene, the many openings and closings as well as trends and breaking news. She oversees annual lists includingIf you value independent journalism, please consider making a contribution to support our continued coverage of Dallas' evolving dining scene and the latest culinary innovations our community offers.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Philly scores seven 2026 James Beard Award finalistsKalaya, Emmett, and the Lovers Bar at Friday Saturday Sunday all scored nominations for Outstanding Restaurant, Best New Restaurant, and Outstanding Bar, respectively.
Read more »
The Best New Restaurants And Bars In America—According To The 2026 James Beard AwardsFrom omakase counters and tasting-menu spots to innovative cocktail lounges, this year’s nominees highlight the most exciting venues across the United States.
Read more »
These Are Colorado’s Five 2026 James Beard FinalistsAmong the honorees are Bin 707 Foodbar's Josh Niernberg for Outstanding Chef and Denver favorites Johnny Curiel and Penelope Wong.
Read more »
James Beard LA finalistsThe most important stories for you to know today
Read more »
Several LA chefs advance to the James Beard Award 2026 finalsSuzanne Levy is a senior editor for the LAist and KPCC newsroom.
Read more »
Colorado’s James Beard finalists include chefs, a sommelier and a barFamiliar names return to the foundation’s annual award ceremony this June in Chicago.
Read more »