Your favorite burger, the server who knows your order, and a rare chance to read print while dining solo may all come from the same place. Few places impact a foodie's day-to-day as much as their favorite neighborhood restaurant.

These eateries, peacefully residing next to apartment buildings, yoga studios, and schools, can fold into a local's daily routine as much as they can offer an escape from it. Reservations are seldom needed — or in some case, even accepted — and most of these are just as good for lunch or dinner. The largest common denominator is an unspoken invitation to stay awhile.

The judges of the CultureMap Tastemaker Awards are taking all this and more into consideration when choosing their favorite neighborhood spots. Only one can walk away with the coveted trophy at our Tastemaker Awards ceremony and signature tasting event April 11 at Distribution Hall. Read up on the 10 contenders below, and consider doing your own field research in the meantime.

You can see all of the Tastemaker Award nominees here and learn more about them in our special editorial series leading up to the big event.

A limited number of Early Bird tickets are on sale now at discounted rates of $60 for general admission and $99 for VIP (includes early access to the event, valet, and a dedicated bar). Prices will increase March 1. Grab your tickets now, because this party will sell out — just like it does every year.

Cheers to our nominees for Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year 2024 in Austin:

Barley Swine
One of the fanciest nominees — and one that's only open for dinner — Barley Swine does the impossible and serves as a neighborhood favorite despite its relative formality. Part of that approachability is the location on Burnet Road, nestled among hyper-casual spots like Flyrite Chicken and JewBoy Sub Shop. But it's the exceptionally welcoming team, cool atmosphere, and accessibly priced tasting menu (for an occasional treat) that keep this popular spot grounded.

Birdie's
Birdie's would be an enigma, were it not so upfront about everything. It's uncommon to see a counter service restaurant that's constantly lauded — even on a national level — for its upscale dishes and a well-respected wine program. But this restaurant commits to the laid-back vibes and does it well. It also switches the menu regularly and hosts occasional pop-ups, further ensuring that high-quality food is only a casual meal away.

Chapulín Cantina
A neighborhood restaurant serves its residents first and foremost — and the tequila bar has that covered — but this one doubles as a fantastic place to bring visitors. Situated advantageously on South Congress Avenue, Chapulín Cantina miraculously avoids the tourist pretense with deep, earthy foods and a bright, colorful atmosphere. On the menu are less common Mexican snacks and samplers that are always fun to present to a friend, like the tlayudas, mole degustacion with four varieties, or Chapulín's namesake: roasted grasshoppers.

Dai Due
Ingredients are king at Dai Due, which derives its name from an Italian proverb about nature and food. Necessity is the mother of (culinary) invention, so this semi-rustic butcher shop keeps things fresh with wild game hunting, pickling, candying, and other preserving techniques. (The team is so serious about keeping it local, they disclose on their website that they sometimes use pistachios from New Mexico.) But you don't need a full rundown of everything on the plate to enjoy it, especially when it comes to Dai Due's famous burger.

Launderette
Launderette has been buzzy for a long time, in part thanks to the oddity of existing in a transformed laundromat. The beautiful plating also helps. Located in a unique spot in Austin — east of Rainey Street and south of Cesar Chavez — it's close to popular nightlife without being in the thick of it, drawing an energetic, but more adult crowd. Appropriately, one of the most popular dishes is a birthday cake ice cream sandwich with colorful nonpareils that shout nostalgia from the New American menu.

Loro
Here's a place where reservations will not help you, because they don't exist. The outdoorsy "Asian Smokehouse" on South Lamar Boulevard is always busy, and even at its fullest feels more like a friendly cookout than a serious seated dinner. Loro's greatest strength is in tempering its heaviness; Whereas many Texas barbecue joints all but necessitate a gut-busting meal, this restaurant's Asian sensibilities result in smoked meats over coconut rice bowls, citrusy slaws, and bright side salads.

L'Oca d'Oro
One of Austin's leading Italian restaurants, L'Oca d'Oro honors tradition with small twists that just make things, well, better. Consider the spritz with house-made botanical liqueur or the meatballs with Wagyu brisket. And the menu is always changing to keep up with what's in season. Most importantly, the team is also shaking up restaurant industry norms with ongoing nonprofit partnerships, mandatory service fees, and other programs aimed at improving the hospitality business for all its workers.

NG Cafe
This one is truly a neighborhood restaurant, quietly slotted into an outdoor mall off I-35. The family-owned Vietnamese eatery has amassed a cult following over the years, and is constantly stepping up its business plan and interior. The menu is simple and more pan-Asian than specifically Vietnamese, especially when it comes to the excellent to-go baked goods — although it doesn't get much more authentic than bánh mì on house-baked bread. Fans of spicy food, too, will meet their match here.

Ramen Tatsu-ya
One of the first restaurants many new Ausitnites are introduced to, this cool ramen mini-chain is famous for good reason. The funky vibes feel right at home in this city, and the ramen speaks for itself. Soup slurpers can't go wrong with springy yellow noodles and mostly-traditional pork-and-vegetable medleys. For extra fun, they can add flavor "bombs" like the yuzu kosho bomb with Japanese citrus, serrano, jalapeño, and garlic. The mix-and-match system is perfect for comfort food without compromise.

Uptown Sports Club
The newest of all 10 nominees, this New Orleans-inspired bar and restaurant brings together a nostalgic menu and atmosphere on East 6th Street, where many Austinites could use a break from the chaos. The humble sandwiches — mostly po' boys with roast beef, shrimp, or fried green tomatoes — lead the menu with strong flavor nonetheless. They're joined by other classic-but-niche staples like raw bar snacks, red beans and rice, and a hearty gumbo. Top things off with an ice cream shake, with or without booze.