17 Must-Try Texas Restaurants Serving Iconic Lone Star Flavor
Texas is a food lover’s paradise, serving up everything from smoky brisket to high-end sushi.
Whether you’re craving authentic tacos or a perfectly cooked steak, the Lone Star State delivers flavor at every turn.
Get ready to explore 17 incredible spots that showcase why Texas dining is legendary.
1. Craft Omakase
Ever wonder what happens when Japanese precision meets Texas hospitality? Magic, basically. This intimate spot serves omakase-style sushi that’ll make you rethink everything you thought you knew about raw fish.
Chef Khang Hoang crafts each course with seasonal ingredients, transforming simple seafood into edible art. Reservations fill up faster than concert tickets, so plan ahead!
2. La Barbecue
Pitmaster LeAnn Mueller knows her way around a smoker, and boy, does it show. Her brisket practically melts on your tongue, with that perfect pink smoke ring everyone chases.
The line might wrap around the block, but trust me – it’s worth the wait. Grab some fatty brisket and house-made sausage, then find a picnic table and prepare for happiness.
3. InterStellar BBQ
John Bates and his team are slinging some of the most creative barbecue in Austin. Their beef ribs? Absolutely ridiculous in the best way possible.
What sets them apart is the attention to detail – every rub, every sauce, every side gets the same love. The pork belly burnt ends have developed a cult following for good reason. Come hungry, leave impressed.
4. Olamaie
Southern comfort food gets a sophisticated makeover here, without losing its soul. Chef Michael Fojtasek elevates biscuits, fried chicken, and vegetables into something extraordinary.
The menu changes with the seasons, highlighting Texas ingredients at their peak. Their biscuit service alone could make grown adults weep with joy. Fancy enough for celebrations, cozy enough to feel like home.
5. BCN Taste & Tradition
Barcelona vibes meet Texas charm at this Spanish stunner. Chef Luis Roger brings authentic Catalan flavors to Houston, and the results are spectacular.
Their paella is the real deal – crispy socarrat and all. Don’t skip the jamón ibérico or the gin and tonics served in giant goblets. It’s like taking a mini-vacation to Spain without the jet lag.
6. LeRoy & Lewis Barbecue
Forget everything you think you know about typical Texas barbecue joints. These folks are doing “new school” barbecue with creativity and flair.
Beef cheeks, barbacoa, and wild boar ribs rotate through the menu alongside classics. Their sides are anything but boring – think Thai-style slaw and charred vegetables. Innovation tastes delicious here, y’all.
7. Tatsu Dallas
Ramen lovers, this is your happy place. Chef Tatsu Aikawa slings bowls of noodle soup that’ll warm you from the inside out.
The tonkotsu broth simmers for hours, creating that rich, creamy base that dreams are made of. Noodles have the perfect chew, and the toppings are generous. Slurping is not just allowed – it’s encouraged!
8. Nancy’s Hustle
This East End Houston gem punches way above its weight class. The menu bounces between Italian-inspired dishes and Gulf Coast flavors with serious swagger.
Pasta is made in-house daily, and the wine list is full of interesting bottles you won’t find everywhere. Casual atmosphere, knockout food – that’s the Nancy’s way. Reservations recommended unless you enjoy waiting.
9. Mixtli
Prepare for a culinary journey through Mexico’s diverse regions. Chefs Rico Torres and Diego Galicia change their tasting menu every forty-five days, focusing on different states.
Each course tells a story, with historical context printed right on your table. It’s dinner and a history lesson, minus the boring parts. Only ten tables, so book early or cry later.
10. Fearing’s
Dean Fearing basically wrote the book on Southwestern cuisine, and his namesake restaurant showcases decades of expertise. Located in the Ritz-Carlton, this spot screams upscale Texas.
The tortilla soup is legendary, and the rattlesnake-rabbit sausage is surprisingly delicious. Perfect for impressing out-of-town visitors or celebrating something special. Cowboy boots meet fine dining beautifully here.
11. Franklin Barbecue
The barbecue spot that launched a thousand pilgrimage trips. Aaron Franklin’s brisket has achieved mythical status, and honestly? The hype is real.
People line up before dawn for a taste of that perfectly smoked, impossibly tender beef. Is it worth the four-hour wait? Barbecue fanatics say absolutely yes.
12. Emmer & Rye
The dim sum cart concept meets New American cuisine in this wildly creative restaurant. Servers roll around carts loaded with seasonal ingredients, and you build your meal on the fly.
It’s interactive dining that actually works, not just a gimmick. The grain program showcases heritage varieties you’ve probably never heard of. Adventurous eaters will absolutely geek out here.
13. Contigo
Ranch-to-table dining with a laid-back Hill Country vibe. The spacious patio, complete with picnic tables and shade trees, makes you forget you’re in the middle of Austin.
Menu focuses on Texas ranchers and farmers, with dishes that feel both familiar and elevated. Sunday brunch here is practically a local religion.
14. Tamale House East
This Austin institution has been slinging breakfast tacos and tamales since the 1950s. No frills, no fuss – just honest Tex-Mex done right.
The migas will cure whatever ails you, especially after a long night on Sixth Street. Cash only, so hit the ATM first. It’s the kind of place where locals and tourists peacefully coexist over plates of deliciousness.
15. Odd Duck
Farm-to-trailer turned brick-and-mortar success story. This spot champions local farmers and ranchers while serving inventive dishes that change with the seasons.
The duck fat fries are criminally good, and the desserts shouldn’t be skipped. Brunch brings creative twists on morning classics. It’s Austin’s food scene in a nutshell – unpretentious, creative, and community-focused.
16. Perry’s Steakhouse
Texas loves its steakhouses, and Perry’s delivers the goods with serious style. Their pork chop is basically legendary – a three-inch-thick behemoth that’s been slow-roasted for hours.
Steaks are dry-aged and cooked to perfection, with sides that could be main courses themselves. The bar scene is lively, perfect for cocktails before dinner. Classic American steakhouse done right.
17. Dai Due
Chef Jesse Griffiths takes nose-to-tail cooking seriously, sourcing whole animals from Texas ranches and using every last bit. It’s sustainable butchery meets creative cooking.
The menu reads like a love letter to Texas ingredients – wild boar, axis deer, Gulf seafood. Brunch is particularly popular, with dishes that celebrate regional flavors. Real food, real farmers, real delicious.
