
James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards have announced the semifinalists for the 2025 season. Across 25 categories, there were a total of 13 Houston semifinalists. Categories that Houston is in contention for include Outstanding Restauranteur, Emerging Chef, Outstanding Wine and Other Beverage Program, Outstanding Bakery, Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service, and Best Chef Texas.
One Houston restaurant is a James Beard Award semifinalist for Best New Restaurant: Ema. Located The Heights area, Ema is a Mexican bakery, restaurant, and coffee bar. Its team, consisting of 2024 James Beard Award-nominated Chef Stephanie Velasquez, Nicolas Vera, and Marlen Mendoz, began as a pop-up bakery concept, later opening a brick-and-mortar in Five Points Center in March 2024.
Since opening, Ema has continued to garner widespread acclaim. The New York Times heralded Ema’s Horchata Berlinesa as one of the ’26 Best Dishes We Ate Across The U.S. in 2024′. Houston Chronicle named Ema as one of the best new restaurants in Houston in 2024. Furthermore, Ema earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand this past November:
“From popular bakery pop-up to a brick and mortar in the Houston Heights, this daytime restaurant can do no wrong. Celebrating Mexican traditions and quality coffee, the menu is finely curated and endlessly tempting,” Michelin writes.
Even before opening its brick-and-mortar Ema’s Mexican-inspired baked goods quickly attracted lines of eager eaters. Such hits include the likes of the aforementioned horchata berlinesa, guava queso empanada, and its various flavors of concha – in which Chef Stephanie prepares with a French twist. Be assured, that its pastries are as supplies last, so better to arrive early.
The art of heirloom corn is present at Ema, elevating the savory side of its menu that includes tacos de zanahoria, mushroom tetela, and mushroom tostada. Ema’s sensational Suadero Chilaquiles, comprised of brisket, tortilla chips, dill sourcream, salsa verde, red onions, cilantro, housemade queso fresco, with a sunnyside egg is also a huge hit here.
The widely acclaimed cafe is now a semifinalist for the James Beard Awards’ Best New Restaurant. The esteemed culinary institution will announce the James Beard Award winners on Monday, June 16. Good luck, Ema!
Ema is open from 7 am – 3 pm Tuesday through Friday, and from 8 am – 3 pm Saturday and Sunday at 5307 N Main St Suite 100, Houston, TX 77009.