Crème De La Crème: 18 Top Restaurants In Texas
Texas dining is bigger, bolder, and more delicious than you might expect. From smoky pits to white tablecloth temples, every bite tells a story of heritage and innovation. You will find chefs turning local farms, Gulf waters, and time honored techniques into unforgettable plates. Ready to plan your next reservation and taste the state at its best?
1. Franklin Barbecue, Austin
Lines are long here, but the brisket makes time feel like a friendly neighbor. You queue up, trade stories, and smell oak smoke drifting across East Austin. When the tray lands, you see a peppery bark, wobbling fat, and silky slices that cut with a plastic fork.
There is turkey so juicy it surprises, ribs balanced between tug and tenderness, and sausage that snaps. Simple white bread, pickles, and onions keep things grounded. You leave full, happy, and a little smoky, already plotting the next early morning pilgrimage.
2. Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen, Houston
This is big flavor, Gulf proud, and joyfully loud. You crack into crawfish when in season, sip something cold, and let the kitchen send out shrimp prepared every way imaginable. Gumbo arrives dark and glossy, the roux whispering of patience and heat.
Oysters come briny and bright, dressed or raw, always fresh. Platters tower, sauces zing, and you pass forks across the table without asking. It feels like a celebration on an ordinary Tuesday, where you remember that seafood is best shared and a little messy.
3. Uchi, Austin
Sushi here feels like poetry written in rice and sea. You taste cool, clean fish, brushed with thoughtful sauces that never shout. The toro melts gracefully, while the smoked salt whispers across the top like a secret.
Hot tastings arrive with clever contrasts, tempura almost weightless, and miso playing balance. You watch chefs work with quiet focus, building small bites that hum with intention. By dessert, you realize how precise flavors can be, and how restraint makes every note ring brighter.
4. Nixta Taqueria, Austin
Nixtamal is the heartbeat here, and you feel it in every tortilla. The masa smells warm and sweet, griddled to a soft chew that cradles bold fillings. You might try duck carnitas, beet tartare tostadas, or a fish taco that tastes like a sea breeze.
Salsas sparkle with citrus and heat, layered rather than loud. The vibe is playful, art filled, and distinctly Austin. You leave with fingers stained by chiles and a grin, grateful that tradition and creativity can dance this well together.
5. Pecan Lodge, Dallas
Dallas loves this pit, and you can taste why. The brisket sits rich and relaxed, with a bark that crunches softly before surrendering. Beef ribs are prehistoric in size and delightfully tender, the kind of showstopper you share but secretly want to hoard.
Jalapeno sausage pops with spice, sides lean comforting, and dessert seals the deal. The smoke is assertive but clean, hanging like a handshake. You leave reinvigorated, equal parts proud and sleepy, already texting friends about the next meat mission.
6. Fearing’s, Dallas
Dean Fearing cooks with swagger and hospitality, turning Southwestern flavors into polished comfort. You might start with a bowl of tortilla soup with depth that surprises. Then the chicken fried lobster arrives playful and indulgent, crisp shell giving way to sweet meat.
Tacos show up luxe, stacked with smoked brisket and bright slaw. Service moves with smooth confidence, guiding you through sauces, peppers, and pairings. It feels celebratory without being stiff, a Dallas classic that respects roots while dressing them up for a night out.
7. Himalaya Restaurant, Houston
Himalaya serves flavors that wrap you in warmth. You dig into biryani that blooms with saffron, cardamom, and tender meat. The hara masala chicken sizzles, green and fragrant, a dish that wins skeptics and loyalists alike.
Naan arrives blistered, buttery, and eager to swipe up every drop. Portions are generous, prices kind, and the hospitality unmistakably personal. You leave full in body and spirit, thinking about leftovers and the next excuse to return with more friends.
8. Pappas Bros. Steakhouse, Houston
This is steak with ceremony. You hear the sizzle before the plate lands, butter spilling onto a seared crust that locks in deep flavor. Cuts are thick, properly rested, and confidently seasoned.
The wine list is a library, and the staff knows its chapters by heart. Sides lean classic and comforting, from creamed spinach to au gratin. Dessert is cheesecake sized for sharing, though you will try to claim it. It is timeless dining done with proud precision.
9. Xochi, Houston
Oaxaca speaks here through moles that shimmer with complexity. You taste chocolate, seeds, chiles, and time woven together. Tlayudas crackle, topped with quesillo and tender meats, while memelas arrive thick and comforting.
There are chapulines for the curious, and a mezcal list that reaches deep into terroir. Service gently guides you through regions and stories. You leave feeling like you traveled far without leaving Houston, carrying new flavors that linger long after the plates are cleared.
10. Mixtli, San Antonio
Mixtli treats dinner like a journey through Mexican history and geography. Each course tells a chapter, highlighting a region, a harvest, or a tradition reimagined. You listen as chefs share context, then taste the idea translated into something beautiful and delicious.
The room is intimate, the pacing calm and intentional. Corn, cacao, and chiles appear in elegant, surprising forms. By the end, you feel nourished and educated, like you attended a flavorful lecture you never wanted to end.
11. Cured, San Antonio
Cured celebrates patience, preservation, and playful cooking. You start with a board that shows off housemade charcuterie, mustards, and pickles that snap. Each bite feels intentional, balancing richness with acid and spice.
Seasonal plates lean Texan with French technique, and the room buzzes with easy conversation. Cocktails echo the kitchen, thoughtful and bright. It is the kind of place where you linger, order one more small plate, and promise to come back with new friends.
12. Fonda San Miguel, Austin
Classic interior Mexican cuisine shines under painted ceilings and warm light. You scoop cochinita pibil that tastes of citrus and long, slow patience. Mole poblano drapes chicken like velvet, layered with spice, seeds, and chocolate.
Fresh tortillas puff and sigh, margaritas sparkle, and service moves with practiced grace. The room itself soothes, inviting conversation that stretches past dessert. You leave feeling restored, like you visited a beloved home rather than a restaurant.
13. Hugo’s, Houston
Hugo’s feels like a celebration of Mexican culinary heritage. You crack into chicharrones, sip a bright margarita, and share ceviches that sparkle. Barbacoa arrives tender and deeply seasoned, while moles comfort and intrigue in equal measure.
Sunday brunch is legendary, a tour of flavors best explored with a big appetite. The building sets the mood, elegant yet welcoming. You taste the care in every sauce and tortilla, then make plans to return before leaving the block.
14. Tei-An, Dallas
At Tei-An, soba takes center stage with quiet confidence. Buckwheat noodles arrive chilled, ready for a clean dip and slurp. Warm bowls offer comfort, with broths that whisper umami without heaviness.
Tempura is crisp and restrained, letting prawns and vegetables speak clearly. The room feels serene, a pause button in the city. You leave lighter, satisfied, and a little enchanted by how simple ingredients can feel profound in skilled hands.
15. Terry Black’s Barbecue, Austin
This is a crowd pleaser with real pit cred. The beef rib is a showpiece, glistening and tender, with just enough smoke to keep things honest. Brisket slices land juicy, balanced between bark and silky center.
Turkey and sausage hold their own, and sides make the tray feel complete. You grab a picnic table, compare bites, and steal from your neighbor’s plate. The vibe is friendly, unfussy, and reliably delicious.
16. Truth BBQ, Houston
Truth lives up to its name with honest smoke and careful cooking. Brisket shows rosy edges and a peppery crust that crunches slightly. Jalapeno cheddar sausage brings heat and richness, perfect with a swipe of tangy sauce.
Sides are thoughtful, and those towering cakes might be the sleeper hit. You leave sticky fingered, satisfied, and eager to brag about your finds. It is comfort and craft in equal measure, Houston style.
17. Suerte, Austin
Corn is queen here, stone ground and transformed into dishes that sing. Suadero tacos drip with richness, wrapped in tortillas that feel alive. Tetelas reveal creamy centers and smoky edges, while salsas land bright and confident.
Cocktails lean citrus forward and clever, never fussy. The room hums with energy, and the kitchen works with graceful rhythm. You taste history and innovation on the same plate, and it just makes sense.
18. The French Room, Dallas
Dining here feels like stepping into a grand postcard. The chandeliers glow, the service glides, and plates arrive like little sculptures. You might taste a perfect roast duck or delicate seafood framed by sauces that feel like satin.
Breads are warm, butter is cultured, and champagne sets the tone. Conversation naturally softens to a hush. By dessert, you are convinced time slowed down, and you are perfectly fine with that.
