383 Best Restaurants in Texas, USA

This beloved villa-style North Loop spot combines sophisticated ambience with a solid menu of authentic Mexican classics. Start with the ceviche Veracruzano (with chiles, onion, tomato, and spices), and continue with a multilayered dish like the ancho relleno San Miguel—a roasted pepper stuffed with chicken, capers, raisins, and cilantro cream—or try the pollo pibil, chicken baked in a banana leaf. Yes, it’s pricier than other Mexican hot spots, but the lovely, romantic atmosphere makes up for it.

If Central Texas is the hub of the state's best barbecue, then Franklin has become its favorite darling. The former food truck–turned–full-fledged, world-renowned restaurant, founded by pitmaster Aaron Franklin, attracts a daily throng of fans who wait in line for upward of three hours in hopes of devouring a tray of brisket, sausage, and pork ribs pulled straight from the smoker, alongside classic potato salad, pinto beans, and coleslaw. The hype is unmatched (President Obama even stopped by during an Austin visit) but so is the quality. People start lining up well before doors open at 11 am, but crowds dissipate when the meat sells out, which can be as early as 2 pm.

Chicken-fried steak, burgers, and the Big O (a frosty two-handed-size mug of beer) top the menu at this family-friendly Waco landmark that has been around since the 1930s. Popular with college students—especially on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights—as well as an all-age cross section of Waco, Georges is packed on Baylor football game days and busy most other times, though it's usually easy to get a table for a hearty, reasonably priced breakfast. For the youngsters, there's a kids' menu.

Dining at the Gristmill is as mandatory as shuffling your boots along the wood floors of Gruene Hall when visiting Gruene. On a sunny day, request outdoor seating on one of two decks overlooking the Guadalupe River, beneath Gruene's landmark water tower in a former cotton gin. No reservations, but you do get to listen to live music outdoors while you wait.

This popular restaurant, where breakfast is served from open to close (8 am–2 pm), is housed in a stately 1860 home built by the founder of Pioneer Flour Mills. Fluffy Pioneer Brand biscuits, pancakes, and Southern sweet cream waffles, fresh fruit, and delectable pastries are half the reason to eat here. The other half is the 1920s art nouveau decor of stained, beveled, and etched glass along with plant motifs that create the illusion of a fine home's conservatory. The lunch menu starts at 10:30 am.

This is a popular retro-style lunch spot and store, where you can shop for local pepper sauce, souvenirs, and artisanal crafts while you wait for your food. The daily menu of delicious soups, salads, and sandwiches includes the House Salad Trio, a scoop of homemade chicken salad and a scoop of homemade tuna salad on a fresh field-greens salad, served with gluten-free crackers. The Greek Salad Flax Wrap, a specialty, is a Greek salad rolled up into a flaxseed tortilla and slathered with thick, garlicky hummus. (Gluten-free bread is available.) For $2, throw in a side of zesty Highmade Cabbage Slaw. Save room for a sweet treat from the dessert case of fresh baked goods, including fudge-walnut brownies, lemon and blueberry yogurt cake, and chewy chocolate-chip cookies.

This South Congress institution specializes in New York–style pizza with a down-home, neighborhood atmosphere. The happening hot spot attracts SoCo crowds any given day of the week, and an adjacent walk-up window with outdoor picnic table seating is conveniently located right next to their main dining room, which can fill up fast. Order by the pie or slice, and don't miss out on their mouthwatering hot sub sandwiches.

Local chef and native east Austinite Hoover Alexander has created one of the city’s best comfort-food oases, blending Mama's home cooking, diner short-order specials, Tex-Mex favorites, and Cajun influences in one Southern comfort mecca. The self-styled "Smoke, Fire & Ice House" is known for its large portions and flavorful recipes, like a Jamaican jerk chicken and a chicken-fried steak that puts most others to shame. "Side mates” like mac 'n' cheese, fried okra, and creamed jalapeño spinach round out any home-style cravings. A full bar serves popular staples like beet margaritas. It’s hard to save room for dessert, but the homemade pies are excellent—and their New Orleans–influenced breakfasts are worth a try.

Nationally acclaimed Hot Joy has an eclectic menu that occasionally calls for an adventuresome spirit. You can try a Mexican twist on Asian fare like migas fried rice or pozole verde ramen, or go for the consistent standouts like the twice-fried crab wings—chicken wings fried in crab fat. The authentic Spam fried rice is a surprise hit (although not to anyone from Hawaii). Wait times can be long, but you'll have the surroundings to entertain you. There's a wonderful cocktail menu and a good selection of beer. Ramen Monday is very popular, a good way to try various dishes at an affordable price. 

This sophisticated, yet casual follow up to Chef Andrew Weissman's popular Le Rêve is just the kind of regular neighborhood spot San Antonians were looking for. Excellent, well-executed Italian food matched by flawless service in a cozy, unpretentious bistro-style environment. Though reservations are now accepted, families and couples alike still line up for breakfast, lunch and dinner at this urban-chic space at The Pearl. Antipasti are a focus, with a corner area table brimming with plates and platters of options from white bean purée to marinated wild mushrooms and fennel with cream sauce. Pastas are house-made and excellent, as are wood-fired pizzas, but heartier mains like decadent sugo or fall-off-the-bone osso bucco are earth-stopping. There are also delicious desserts and top notch wine list.

The not-so-secret weapon of this classic east Austin breakfast spot is its owner and namesake, local legend Juan Meza, who has run his modest eatery since 1981 and still greets every diner with a bone-crushing handshake and a smile. Juan's strong community spirit is infectious, but the simple, filling, and reliably good fare will start your day off right on its own. The Don Juan taco (a massive mound of eggs, potato, bacon, and cheese) is the true east Austin breakfast of champions; the migas and huevos rancheros are also above average. A variety of inexpensive Tex-Mex and Mexican specialties is served at lunch.

On a distinctly unromantic stretch of far East 5th Street, this intimate French brasserie is an alluring oasis, perfect for any cherished first date or special occasion celebration. You can’t go wrong with the steak frites (featuring a Texas-size rib eye), while the escargots and ratatouille are reliably exceptional. Weekends can mean a lengthy wait for a table, and they don’t accept reservations for parties under six. The outdoor patios feature circus-tent draped lounge spaces, café-table seating, bocce ball courts, and other private dining spaces carved out from time to time for temporary art installations and special events.

This sprawling landmark barbecue spot is another must when touring Lockhart for barbecue. Like Smitty's, this one has pits, so you can watch while you wait, but unlike Smitty's, they have more rules here: no sauce and no forks (so don't try asking for any!).

Laying claim as San Antonio's oldest Mexican restaurant, La Fonda opened in 1932 and has had an ardent following ever since. The robust menu offers traditional Tex-Mex plus some dishes from the interior of Mexico. Tex-Mex fare includes appetizers, tacos, enchiladas, and oak-grilled fajitas. The family-friendly spot features a beautiful dining room that opens onto an inviting outdoor patio. Desserts include vanilla bean flan and house-made pralines. The vibrant, welcoming bar delivers tasty margaritas. This is a very popular and often busy place. Reservations are highly recommended for dinner and weekend brunch.

You can't get too far in San Antonio without stumbling into a Tex-Mex restaurant, but when you need something that relays the authenticity of true Mexican cuisine, La Gloria is the place. Inspired by the street foods of Mexico, chef/owner Johnny Hernandez has created a vibrant taqueria-style restaurant celebrating the bold flavors and classic offerings you'd typically find with Mexican street vendors. Tacos Alpastor (marinated pork) and Tacos Torre de Mariscos (fresh tuna, Gulf shrimp, white fish) are top picks, but you can't go wrong with any of the selections from the fresh ceviche menu or with an order of quesadillas, tostadas, or enchiladas. Non-GMO corn tortillas are made daily in-house. Tequilas, spirits, and beer round out the beverage menu. 

In a city filled with Mexican bakeries, brothers José and David Cáceres kicked the whole pan dulce (pastry) game up a notch with La Panadería. Their love for baking comes from selling their mama Doña Josefina's loaves of fresh-baked bread on the streets of Mexico City, and they've translated that passion into a winning combination of fresh, quality products available for only a limited amount of time each short day. Bestsellers include empanadas, tres leches (three-milk) croissants, and Nutella cruffins (a croissant-muffin hybrid). Brunch items include avocado toast with grilled chicken, ranchero eggs Benedictine, and tequila-butter steak and eggs. They also have salads, tortas, cakes and cookies, and a nice assortment of freshly baked breads. Their other locations are 8305 Broadway (Alamo Heights) and 17030 Fiesta Texas Drive (La Cantera Heights).

If you can get to the Stockyards, you shouldn't miss dining at Lonesome Dove, where sophisticated and exotic food is served in a setting of brick walls, rustic hardwoods, and a pressed-tin ceiling. Chef Tim Love's creations include kangaroo carpaccio nachos with avocado relish, chili-rubbed foie-gras brûlée, and grilled New Zealand red deer chops served with truffle mac and cheese. Less adventurous options include, at lunch, meatloaf with barbecue sauce, chipotle mashed potatoes, and sautéed spinach and a grilled ham-and-cheese sandwich with tomato-basil soup.

Named for the longleaf pine lining the interior of the dining room, this craft kitchen and bar lets local and seasonal ingredients drive the menu, so the offerings may change, but they are always incredibly fresh and flavorful. Offerings might include dishes like Hill Country quail stuffed with mushroom and apples and served with caramelized brussels sprouts, paired perfectly with local Hye-fig cider. The wine and beer list are robust, but the cocktails, which also utilize fresh and seasonal ingredients whenever possible, are some of the best in town. Enjoying one in their garden courtyard and sculpture garden is a must when in Wimberley.

No one knows meat better than the James Beard award–winning team (namely, chefs Tyson Cole and Aaron Franklin) behind this Asian-Texan fusion smokehouse. The carnivore-centric menu features smoked meats, like Malaysian chicken bossam and incredible smoked baby back duroc-pork ribs, paired with Southeast Asian and Japanese sides and sauces that are all best enjoyed when shared. The cuisine is high-end, but the vibe is friendly and casual, with diners ordering at the bar and sharing huge tables on the back patio.

Here at Mansion Restaurant, simple flavors are layered to produce complex results, such as slow-braised short ribs, poached lobster with risotto, and porcini-crusted filet mignon. Count on dining with DFW's most moneyed folks, who relish the legendary service and exquisite surroundings. The interior design successfully marries contemporary furniture, fixtures, and artwork with the grand, historic feel of the Italian Renaissance–style residence built in 1925. Lunch is less expensive but still fashionable. Views of the landscaped grounds are lovely from the veranda. The outdoor seating is also open at night, lending a more casual feel to one of Dallas's most revered institutions.

Come to this loud, silicone-and-Rolex-filled place with a big appetite and a taste for a great selection of Texas and world-wide wines. This local favorite packs in young movers and shakers every night with upscale comfort food, including Lobster Thermadelphia—a twist on a Philly cheesesteak, with lobster, tequila, lime, and jalapeño cheddar cheese on a baguette, and the Texas Haute Dog, an all-beef hot dog with pickled jalapeño, Texas venison chili, cotija cheese, and crispy fried onion rings. Pair them up with an awesome selection of wines, many available by the glass, but much better priced as bottles. It's open until 2 am Thursday, Friday, and Saturday

For quite possibly the best coffee in Austin, visit this little bungalow on West Lynn that draws quite a crowd for the laid-back, cozy vibes that are great for casual patio hangouts or quick business meetings. Here, baristas pull exquisite shots for espresso drinks and leave creative designs in latte and cappuccino foam. It's a great neighborhood feel, tucked just above the bustle of downtown, with friendly staff and regulars. There are other Medici locations in town, but this is the original.

The heart of Market Square boasts one of San Antonio's most venerable culinary landmarks, part of the notable Cortez Family of restaurants. Opened in 1941 as a three-table café for early-rising farmers to get breakfast, Mi Tierra ("my land") is a traditional Mexican restaurant, bakery, and bar that serves its hallmark breakfasts all day; the chilaquiles famosas—eggs scrambled with corn tortilla strips and topped with ranchero (mild tomato-based) sauce and cheese—are alone worth coming back for again and again. Yes, the Christmas decorations stay up year-round.

This oak-fired barbecue is some of the best in town—and that's saying something. Founded in 2012, this east-side food truck has plans to expand their popular barbecue operations with a new brick-and-mortar on Springdale Road in early 2025. This humble Rosewood location, offering shaded outdoor seating with misters and an adjacent Saddle Up beer and wine bar, are fully operational until the move. Check their website to confirm the status of this authentic-meets-innovative Texas barbecue that is worth hunting down.

On any given sunny day, Austinites flock to Mozart's spacious lakeside patio to enjoy great coffee and indulgent baked goods. The expansive, multitiered deck overlooking Lake Austin can get crowded with weekend patrons, and weekdays are equally popular times for locals to post up and work remotely. There's an extensive bakery selection, plus an assortment of smoothies, sandwiches, signature sweet treats, and light breakfast fare. Live music on weekends is an added bonus, and their annual Christmas lights display is a seasonal sight to behold.

This scenic Austin institution, perched on a 450-foot cliff above Lake Travis, is famed for its sunsets and special-occasion atmosphere, attracting tourists, birthday revelers, and anniversary lovebirds. If possible, arrive early to choose a table directly overlooking the lake, though most seats in the multitiered eatery offer panoramic views. The menu includes typical Tex-Mex fare like burgers, fajitas, and margaritas. Weekly and seasonal events, like their Sunset Music Series, create an enjoyable ambience that justifies the 30-minute drive from downtown.

This food truck turned brick-and-mortar was an early trailblazer of the city’s farm-to-table movement, thanks to chef Bryce Gilmore’s inventive take on locally sourced, modern American cuisine. Gilmore and his team’s artistic approach to Southern seasonal fare comes in tapas-sized portions, so servers recommend a few dishes per patron. All the better to sample their variety of rotating dishes, from charred eggplant baba ghanoush and fried whole quail with peaches and squash puree to buckwheat crumpets and beer-battered sweet potatoes.

Pronounced “oh-la-may,” this upscale twist on traditional Southern cuisine has been turning heads and receiving critical acclaim since 2014. Occupying a renovated cottage on downtown's northern edge, Olamaie offers a blend of classic dishes that evoke a sense of tradition—like creamed broccoli greens and skillet cornbread—and innovative options including blue crab topped with corn pudding mousse and popped sorghum grains. Seasonal offerings change frequently, but a beloved mainstay is the house-made biscuits, a signature accoutrement made even sweeter with honey butter and pimento cheese spreads.

Most locals flock to this family-owned restaurant for a delicious and hearty breakfast, even though it's also open for lunch. Lacy German pancakes come with butter pats, lemon slices, and powdered sugar for sprinkling, and Holstein breakfast schnitzel (a breaded pork chop) is served with eggs, German fried potatoes, and buttermilk biscuits. Or skip straight to lunch and enjoy homestyle plates of sausage, kraut, and potato salad. If you don’t order a pastry with your meal, be sure to visit the bakery counter on your way out to get an apple strudel, prasselkuchen, or pretzel nut twist for the road.

Although Black's now has locations in Austin, New Braunfels, and San Marcos, there's nothing like a visit to the original location in Lockhart, where third-generation pitmaster Ken Black still smokes the meat just like his grandfather did in 1932. The brisket here is thick and juicy and the 9-inch beef ribs are memorable, but the sides also stand out, with less-common offerings like Mexican rice, green beans, black-eyed peas, and extra-cheddar mac 'n' cheese.