San Antonio & Hill Country
This intimate cafe sits a few steps below street level and has rock walls, but that's where the comparison to an actual root cellar ends. The atmosphere…
Must-see restaurants in Texas
Panhandle Plains
It looks so sprightly from the outside that this upscale burger joint could be a chain, but it's not. All retro chrome inside, its burgers are excellent…
Austin
Torn between barbecue and fine dining? Lambert's serves intelligent updates of American comfort-food classics – some might call it 'uppity barbecue' – in…
San Antonio
San Antonio's pioneer vegetarian restaurant has an appealing location in the Pearl Brewery complex, with lots of outdoor seating. Not only are dishes like…
Austin
Walk-up window, friendly staff, shaded patio, plus great people-watching… Throw in breakfast tacos, gourmet deli sandwiches and coffee drinks. Stick it in…
East Austin
One of our favorite cafes in Austin, Cenote uses seasonal, largely organic ingredients in its simple but delicious anytime fare. Come for housemade…
Dallas
With glittering chandeliers and drop-dead opulence, this is one of the top-rated hotel restaurants in the country. Gilt-tinged arches, marble columns and…
El Paso
If you've got someone to impress – prices be damned – this is the place to go. It's the kind of place where, if you drop your napkin, someone will have…
San Antonio
A cute neighborhood cafe located in a former house, Madhatters is a pleasingly homey place to stop when you're feeling peckish. Breakfast during the week,…
Dallas
An icon in Deep Ellum, Pecan Lodge fires up tender brisket, ribs and pulled pork. Add the requisite sides (mac 'n cheese, collard greens, plus peach…
San Antonio
The neon signs in the window advertise 'steak' and 'whisky.' There's a tree growing up through the floor and out the ceiling of the dining room. And the…
Hill Country
The waitress might just call you 'hon' at this tiny hole-in-the-wall diner near the historic district, which serves up hearty home cooking in heaped…
East Austin
A brilliant repurposing of a former washeteria, Launderette has a stylish, streamlined design that provides a fine backdrop to the delicious Mediterranean…
Dallas
A mod hunting lodge for stylish cowboys features shotguns for door handles, faux stag heads, antler chandeliers and a gorgeous log bar. With all this…
Austin
The gorgeous building is drenched in the atmosphere of old Mexico, with folk-inspired art, and it's been serving interior Mexican cooking for over 25…
East Austin
Barbacoa, chorizo and adobado are just a few of the authentic Mexican specialties here. In fact, it was recommended by a friend who said the barbacoa was…
El Paso
Get ready to share all sorts of awesomeness. The small plates here fuse Spanish classics with the flavors of the Southwest in mouthwatering combos like…
East Austin
The beef panang curry is, simply put, amazing. Served from a colorful food truck behind Whisler's cocktail bar, this spicy curry is one of a half-dozen…
Dallas
A lavishly decorated Hare Krishna temple, 3 miles east of downtown, holds a fine counterpoint to Texas' many meaty temptations. The small but varying…
San Antonio
This is one of the most justifiably praised restaurants in town, run by chef Bruce Auden. The menu is a wonderful mix of European, Tex-Mex, American and…
Houston
Set in a former movie theater, El Real serves up first-rate Tex-Mex, with sizzling fajitas, steaming enchiladas and fluffy soft-shelled tacos among many…
Rio Grande Valley
Ms G herself arrives every morning at 4:30am to make the region's best flour tortillas for her deceptively simple tacos. Options are numerous, but you'll…
Houston
A pint-sized outlet of the locally beloved Barnaby's Cafe chain. Breakfasts and lunches are imaginative versions of American diner classics such as hash…
Fort Worth
At downtown's Grace, local luminaries hold court (and martinis) on the couch-strewn outdoor patio. In the stunning dining room with its temp-controlled…
Houston
Usually to be found serving lunch somewhere around the University of Houston, or pretty much anywhere in the city when school's out – check the website…
Dallas
You supply the dining room – your car – at this classic vintage drive-in, 7 miles north of downtown. The waitresses (yes, all women) may have seen it all,…
Panhandle Plains
In an upscale little shopping plaza north of town, the Garlic Press is one of the more stylish places in town. Med-style fare is best enjoyed outside…
Dallas
The line of regular lunch-goers, most clad in business casual, shuffles along quickly for plate-swamping portions of smoked brisket and other meats at…
East Texas
This traditional meat market has been a staple of the main square for decades. Each morning, it fires up a wood-fired brick pit and cooks up brisket, ribs…
Panhandle Plains
A lovely restaurant run by the same creative folks as the Inn at the Art Center. Lunches feature a changing menu of salads, soups, quiches, sandwiches etc…
San Antonio
This stylish former warehouse space in the Pearl complex is frequently packed with people vying for a shot at the fresh, house-made pastas. Best for…
Rio Grande Valley
Tacos, flautas, tostadas and beans. That's it. Yet they're so good they've been voted the best tacos in the Rio Grande Valley several times, and the small…
East Austin
This cozy cottage may lure you in with its $5 drink specials at happy hour (4pm to 6pm Tuesday to Friday), but the interior Mexican dishes will have you…
Dallas
An immensely popular hipster taqueria with globally accented tacos, including wagyu brisket and tikka chicken. Despite its freeway-side location, the…
East Texas
There's a creative touch here, whether it's the sea bass with miso sauce or a barely seared steak, served sushi-style. Daily specials are a standout. Book…
Corpus Christi
This very welcoming, no-nonsense Mexican diner serves high-class food at great prices. Breakfast starts early, with orders from $2.15, but even if you can…
West Texas
Alicia's is known for its quick-and-hot breakfast burritos. Eggs, bacon and the like get rolled up in a portable meal you can eat with your hands – known…
West Texas
You might get a helping of pit-master poetry from personable owner Don 'DB' Baucham if business is slow and you're from out of town. Poetry or not, if you…
Dallas
A barbecue joint that grows its own veggies and smokes its own meats gets enough street cred to claim the motto 'Raisin' Hell from Scratch.' The style of…
Hill Country
Everybody in town recommends Mary's, where the tortillas are homemade. The drill? Step up to the counter. Order a breakfast taco and a Big Red. Grab a…
