Dallas
This former take-out has graduated into stand-alone premises, but still serves authentic Oaxacan food at a handful of tables, and only accepts cash. Its…
Must-see restaurants in Texas
Stonewood Modern American Grill
El Paso
This stylish venture from the team behind the popular Crave Kitchen & Bar dispels the myth that a quality steakhouse has to look like a wood-paneled man…
Gulf Coast & South Texas
Serving up Americana classics in a restored building and decorated with historic photos of Orange, this is a place to celebrate modern cuisine and local…
Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi's own entry in the burger-chain wars, Whataburger got its start in town in 1950. This location, with its view of the marina, wears much of…
West Texas
In a ranch-fabulous setting, the 12 Gage serves a seasonal menu of creative fusion fare, with underlying Western themes (meaning meat). Think Moroccan…
Gulf Coast & South Texas
This is a rustic classic, and a lot of fun. Mountains of shellfish plus potatoes, sausage and corn are dumped in a pot full of boiling water, then they're…
Houston
There’s always a cluster of customers around this battered food truck, come in search of Houston's finest tacos – try the pastor (spicy roast pork)…
Gulf Coast & South Texas
Ask for a table out on the back deck to watch the shrimp boats coming and going as you wait for one of Moondog's huge burgers or Tex-Mex plates, or come…
Austin
At the South Austin Trailer Park location, they'll tell you what you should be ordering if they think you're making the wrong choice. We like your…
Houston
Excellent pizzas and pasta at great prices makes the name Dolce Vita (Sweet Life) highly appropriate for this Montrose fave. Find a romantic corner…
West Texas
This fancy-pants grocer caters to the highly developed palates of Marfa's sophisticated world travelers. One must have access to Nicolas Feuillatte…
Esperanza's Restaurant & Bakery
Fort Worth
Breakfasts are spicy, plentiful and awfully tasty at this always-busy local fave. It even has a full bar so you can get a leg up on the day. Lunch items…
Gulf Coast & South Texas
The finest dining locally. Look for creative takes on seafood at this stylish little place that doubles as an art gallery. The local special, grouper, is…
West Texas
Located inside the Holland Hotel, this place has the same vibe as the rest of the building: historic but fashionable, like a ranch done in dark woods with…
Fort Worth
One of the most inventive organic vegan restaurants in Texas, this retro-feel diner serves up fresh juices, smoothies, salads and a whole bevy of…
Hill Country
Located 10 miles north of town in a renovated 1950s gas station, this cozy roadhouse serves up satisfying meals and Hill Country ambience at its best…
Dallas
If sipping a mimosa in a lush courtyard atrium is the reward for the agony of choosing what to order for brunch, then bring on the pain. Lunch and dinner…
San Antonio
This cute Mexican diner is a nice little secret. Located in a strip mall near the McNay Art Museum, it would be easy to overlook, but the inside has the…
West Texas
Stock up on picnic supplies for the road or enjoy them at the tables outside at this charming little grocery store – formerly the WM French General…
Hill Country
It should come as no surprise that cowboy cuisine is the dominant theme around these parts. The OST (which stands for Old Spanish Trail) serves up hearty…
West Texas
Fort Davis' one upscale restaurant shares the peaceful courtyard at the Hotel Limpia. Open for dinner only, it serves a hearty bistro menu, including…
Galveston
This casual branch of Gaido's, in the self-same seafront building, is also more fun. It basically serves much the same fresh fishy ingredients, but fries…
San Antonio
These people take their steaks seriously – at these prices, so should you. Many people can appreciate a great steak, but you'll treasure the experience…
El Paso
It's hard to describe the strip-mall location: Pleasingly neutral? Not at all strip-mally? No matter, the food is the draw here, both in quality and…
Rio Grande Valley
At the top of a small nightlife district in the historic district, the Patio is popular for after work happy-hour drinks from the huge wine list that…
Panhandle Plains
This place tips its hat to the bordello museum up the block, with early 20th-century decor featuring tapestries and gilt-edged picture frames. However,…
Austin
Folks line up around the block for burgers, fries and shakes – and it's not because they're hard to come by in Austin. It's because the Hopdoddy chain's…
Palo Duro Canyon
As the menu says, this classy diner is dedicated to anyone who has made a wrong turn, wrong decision or wandered off the beaten path. Here, at least, you…
Galveston
The seafood is pretty good, especially the inclusion of Greek ingredients that sets it apart from competitors in the area, but really you're here for the…
El Paso
The eastern outpost of this popular, four-strong local chain is an early-morning favorite for its excellent breakfast menu, featuring all sorts of grains,…
Dallas & the Panhandle Plains
The legendary home of the big O, the 18oz beer (or margarita, if you prefer, only $6!) in a round, O-shaped glass. Sit at 'The Table of Knowledge' and…
West Texas
Part diner, part old-fashioned soda fountain – but no 1950s nostalgia here. The theme is pure cowboy, with corrugated metal, big wooden chairs and lots of…
East Austin
Even the food trucks here are going hyper local, 'curating' menus based on what's available. Breakfast wunderkind Paperboy does this particularly well,…
Panhandle Plains
It doesn't look like much, but then again you don't have much choice, so fortunately the Caprock Cafe scores with good diner fare. Lunch buffets are big,…
Houston
Within its capacious bare-brick walls, this vibrant neighborhood cafe serves everything from morning espressos, via fresh soups, salads and pizzas, to…
San Antonio & Hill Country
Located in the Faust Hotel, this convivial pub compliments its microbrews with bar food with a German twist – perfectly befitting its setting in this oh…
Panhandle Plains
The airy, exposed-brick dining room has a glass wall looking into the microbrewery. The Kind Rye IPA and Cerise Belgian Ale outclass any of the domestic…
Panhandle Plains
The Barn Door has been serving Odessa's best steaks for decades. The restaurant incorporates the old railroad depot from Pecos, moved to this site in 1972…
Dallas
Famed chef Stephan Pyles is behind this popular Uptown eatery. Enjoy imaginative takes on Texas classics from fried oyster tacos to duck and shrimp…
Austin
Ready for an X-rated meal? Venture into the large dining room that lurks behind the frankly unenticing facade of this Austin institution. When ordering…
