Breakfast aficionados in Houston have another reason to celebrate as Casaema, a local spot dedicated to the art of morning fare, has garnered recognition from Bon Appétit as one of the country's best new breakfast spots. As reported by the Houston Chronicle, this charming eatery is the only Houston representative to make the acclaimed list, placing it amidst an exclusive company of 14 restaurants nationwide.
The title awarded to Casaema speaks both to the quality of its dining experience and the ingenuity of its menu. Described by Bon Appétit’s Sam Stone, "Inside an airy, modern dining room flooded with light from tall windows, chef Nicolas Vera and pastry chef Stephanie Velasquez reward patience with a satisfying menu focused on ingredients native to Mexico," as noted by CultureMap Houston. This is an establishment that puts a premium on authenticity and uniqueness, creating dishes that tell a story with every bite. Proud of the attention, Stephanie Velasquez expressed her exhilaration to the Houston Chronicle, admitting, "It's pretty surreal," and "I don't think we really expected to get Bon Appétit, but it's really exciting, because we're all big fans of the magazine."
The rise of Casaema, previously known as Ema, has been meteoric since its opening in March 2024. It presents a slice of Mexico City café culture in the heart of Houston, Texas. The collaborative efforts of Chef Nicolas Vera, pastry chef Stephanie Velasquez, and coffee roaster Marlén Mendoza have not only caught the eye of Bon Appétit but also earned the establishment a Bib Gourmand in the Michelin Guide. According to CultureMap Houston, Velasquez's exceptional pastries won her the title of Pastry Chef of the Year in the 2025 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards.
A standout feature on Casaema's menu, the horchata berlinesa, has been singled out in multiple accolades, including a mention in the New York Times' list of the best 26 dishes eaten in 2024, a testament to the establishment's culinary prowess. Alongside the famed pastries, patrons can indulge in savory selections like the confit carrot taco, dishes that reimagine traditional Mexican cuisine with an innovative twist. As Bon Appétit's article notes, one morning at Casaema might introduce guests to the spicy tang of an egg sandwich nestled between blue corn masa biscuits, or possibly the surprising delight of a masa dessert with chili-spiked chocolate ganache, as explained by Sam Stone of CultureMap Houston.
Beyond Houston's borders, the Bon Appétit list also celebrates the diversity and evolution of the American breakfast scene. Elazar Sontag, writing for the magazine, captures the essence of this evolution: "As American breakfast morphs and expands to encompass morning rituals the world over, our first meal of the day has become something we seek out and treat with deserved respect," as per CultureMap Houston. Other spots curating inventive morning menus include Comedor Nishi in La Jolla, California, Mémoire Cà Phê in Portland, Oregon, and Norm's Diner in Detroit—all contributing to a dynamic and flavorful start to the nation’s day.
