Crème De La Crème: 17 Best Restaurants In Texas

Texas is a food lover’s paradise with incredible dining options from border to border. The Lone Star State offers everything from smoky BBQ joints to upscale fine dining establishments that will make your taste buds dance with joy.

Ready to discover some amazing places to eat in Texas? These restaurants showcase the best flavors and culinary creativity the state has to offer.

1. Franklin Barbecue (Austin)

Franklin Barbecue (Austin)
© Bon Appetit

Smoke rises at 5 AM as pitmasters tend to briskets that have been slow-cooking for 12+ hours. The line forms early – sometimes before dawn – but the melt-in-your-mouth meat is worth every minute of waiting.

Their brisket has a perfect pepper-crusted bark and signature pink smoke ring that’s become legendary among BBQ enthusiasts nationwide. President Obama even stopped by in 2014!

2. Uchi (Austin)

Uchi (Austin)
© Texas Lifestyle Magazine

Nestled in a converted bungalow, Uchi revolutionized Austin’s dining scene with innovative Japanese cuisine. Chef Tyson Cole blends traditional techniques with unexpected ingredients like local citrus and Texas peaches.

The daily-changing menu features impossibly fresh fish flown in from Tokyo’s Tsukiji market. My first taste of their hama chili – yellowtail with ponzu and Thai chili – literally made me close my eyes in pure bliss.

3. Bludorn (Houston)

Bludorn (Houston)
© Houstonia Magazine

Former Café Boulud chef Aaron Bludorn creates magic in this Montrose hotspot where French technique meets Gulf Coast ingredients. The buzzy dining room hums with energy as servers deliver plates of delicate lobster ravioli and hearty wood-fired oysters.

I still dream about their duck heart bolognese – a dish that converted even my organ-meat-skeptical friends into believers. The desserts, crafted by pastry chef Alejandra Salas, provide a perfect sweet finale.

4. Pappas Bros. Steakhouse (Dallas)

Pappas Bros. Steakhouse (Dallas)
© Thrillist

Dark wood paneling and white tablecloths set the scene for serious meat appreciation. Their dry-aging room is a temple where prime cuts develop intense flavor over weeks.

The bone-in ribeye arrives with a perfect sear, accompanied by sides like lobster mac and cheese that could stand as entrées elsewhere.

Their wine cellar boasts over 3,900 selections, with sommeliers who guide you to perfect pairings without a hint of pretension.

5. Xochi (Houston)

Xochi (Houston)
© Wide Open Country

Chef Hugo Ortega’s love letter to Oaxacan cuisine dazzles with complex moles that take days to prepare. The restaurant’s name means “to bloom” in Nahuatl, perfectly capturing how flavors unfold with each bite.

Hand-ground chocolate, house-made masa, and regional cheeses showcase Ortega’s commitment to authenticity.

Don’t miss the tlayudas – massive tortillas topped with bean paste, quesillo, and seasonal vegetables that bring the vibrant markets of Oaxaca to downtown Houston.

6. Gemma (Dallas)

Gemma (Dallas)
© Dallas Morning News

This intimate Knox-Henderson gem feels like dining in a stylish friend’s home. The seasonal American menu changes regularly, showcasing what’s fresh and local through a California-inspired lens.

Husband-and-wife team Stephen Rogers and Allison Yoder create magic with seemingly simple dishes like roasted chicken with preserved lemon.

Their late-night menu has saved me after many evening events – nothing beats their burger paired with a glass from their thoughtfully curated wine list at midnight.

7. Gatlin’s BBQ (Houston)

Gatlin's BBQ (Houston)
© Houston BBQ Guide

Greg Gatlin’s family-run BBQ joint brings soul to every bite. Unlike places focused solely on brisket, Gatlin’s excels at everything, especially their fall-off-the-bone ribs glazed with a slightly sweet sauce.

The sides aren’t afterthoughts here. Their dirty rice contains actual giblets (as proper dirty rice should). When I brought my Louisiana relatives here, even they were impressed – and they’re usually BBQ snobs who claim nothing compares to their hometown spots.

8. Mixtli (San Antonio)

Mixtli (San Antonio)
© San Antonio Express-News

Two passionate chefs transform a tiny converted boxcar into a culinary journey through Mexico’s 32 states. The name means “cloud” in Nahuatl, perfectly capturing their ever-changing menu that floats from region to region every few weeks.

Just 12 diners per seating experience dishes that might include pre-Hispanic ingredients like ant larvae or huitlacoche.

I watched my normally picky father-in-law devour every bite of their chapulines (grasshoppers) taco, declaring it the best thing he’d eaten all year.

9. Killen’s BBQ (Pearland)

Killen's BBQ (Pearland)
© Houston Chronicle

Ronnie Killen brings fine-dining precision to Texas BBQ in this unassuming Pearland spot. The classically trained chef applies temperature control and timing with scientific accuracy, resulting in brisket with perfect bark and juicy interior.

Lines form early, but the wait is part of the experience. Chatting with fellow BBQ pilgrims while sipping free beer makes the time fly by.

Their beef ribs – massive, dinosaur-sized portions of peppery, smoky goodness – are worth every minute of anticipation.

10. Suerte (Austin)

Suerte (Austin)
© Resy

Masa is the star at this East Austin hotspot where heirloom corn is nixtamalized in-house daily. Chef Fermín Núñez creates Mexican dishes that honor tradition while embracing Texas ingredients.

The suadero tacos feature confit brisket that melts on your tongue, topped with avocado crudo and black magic oil.

Their oak-fired goat display is theatrical – servers parade the whole roasted cabrito through the dining room before serving, creating a moment of collective awe among diners.

11. Tei-An (Dallas)

Tei-An (Dallas)
© Dallasites 101

Chef Teiichi Sakurai’s soba noodles are made fresh daily using buckwheat imported from Japan. The Arts District restaurant offers serene dining where every detail matters – from handcrafted pottery to the precise temperature of dipping sauces.

The omakase experience at the sushi counter reveals fish preparations you won’t find elsewhere in Texas. I once watched a Japanese businessman close his eyes in appreciation after tasting the white seaweed salad, whispering that it transported him straight back to Tokyo.

12. Nancy’s Hustle (Houston)

Nancy's Hustle (Houston)
© Houston Chronicle

This EaDo bistro defies categorization with its eclectic menu that might feature Turkish dumplings alongside perfectly executed burgers. The Nancy Cakes – cornmeal pancakes topped with cultured butter and trout roe – have achieved cult status among Houston foodies.

The natural wine list celebrates small producers with funky, interesting bottles. During my last visit, I sat next to a couple celebrating their anniversary who’ve returned weekly since their first date here three years ago – the ultimate testament to a neighborhood restaurant’s staying power.

13. Cured (San Antonio)

Cured (San Antonio)
© Eater Austin

Set in a meticulously restored 1904 administration building at Pearl Brewery, Cured celebrates preservation in all forms. Chef Steve McHugh’s charcuterie board features house-cured meats that have been aging for months, sometimes years.

The restaurant’s name holds special meaning for McHugh, a cancer survivor whose menu emphasizes pure, time-honored preparations. Their chicken-fried chicken livers with pickled jalapeño ranch convert even offal skeptics.

The bar program showcases forgotten classic cocktails that pair perfectly with the robust flavors.

14. Odd Duck (Austin)

Odd Duck (Austin)
© Eater Austin

From food truck to brick-and-mortar success story, Bryce Gilmore’s Odd Duck champions hyperlocal ingredients from nearby farms. The ever-changing menu features creative small plates designed for sharing, with flavors that bounce between global influences while remaining distinctly Texan.

Their sourdough bread – made with heritage grains and served with cultured butter – is worth the visit alone. During peach season, I witnessed three separate tables order second rounds of the grilled peach toast with ricotta and honey – it was that spectacular.

15. Lucia (Dallas)

Lucia (Dallas)
© Texas Monthly

This 36-seat Bishop Arts District gem feels like being transported to a tiny trattoria in Italy. Chef David Uygur makes pasta daily, crafting delicate sheets for his legendary ravioli filled with whatever’s freshest from local farms.

Securing a reservation requires planning – tables book exactly two months in advance and disappear within minutes. The salumi board features entirely house-made charcuterie that would make Italian nonnas weep with joy.

My anniversary tradition includes their foie gras-stuffed prunes, which somehow balance richness and sweetness perfectly.

16. Cochineal (Marfa)

Cochineal (Marfa)
© Big Bend Times

In the middle of the West Texas desert, this culinary oasis serves sophisticated dishes using ingredients from their on-site garden. The adobe building with minimalist design reflects Marfa’s artistic spirit, while the menu changes with what’s available locally.

Their quail stuffed with house-made chorizo celebrates regional game in an elevated way. After a day exploring Marfa’s art installations, nothing beats sitting in their cactus-filled courtyard at sunset, sipping prickly pear margaritas while waiting for the famous mystery lights to appear on the horizon.

17. Fearing’s (Dallas)

Fearing's (Dallas)
© Dallas Morning News

“The Father of Southwestern Cuisine,” Dean Fearing, creates bold flavors in the Ritz-Carlton’s elegant setting. His tortilla soup – poured tableside over avocado, chicken, and tortilla strips – has been imitated countless times but never equaled.

The buffalo tenderloin with jalapeño grits represents Texas on a plate. Chef Fearing often roams the dining room with his custom-made Lucchese boots and warm smile, sharing stories about hunting with the rancher who provided your venison.

His genuine hospitality makes even first-time visitors feel like old friends.