Crème De La Crème: 16 Texas Restaurants That Stand Out
Texas is known for big flavors and even bigger personalities, and some restaurants rise above the rest to earn a reputation that locals can’t stop talking about.
From bold barbecue to inventive takes on classic dishes, these eateries capture the heart of the state’s culinary spirit.
Each plate tells a story of tradition, passion, and creativity. Visiting them offers a taste of Texas at its finest, where food becomes an unforgettable experience.
1. InterStellar BBQ: Austin’s Otherworldly Meat Experience
Forget rocket science – the real genius happens at InterStellar BBQ where smoke meets meat in perfect harmony. The brisket arrives with a bark so beautifully formed you’ll hesitate before cutting into it.
Owner John Bates crafts BBQ that’s truly astronomical, with peppery ribs and innovative sides that elevate the entire experience.
Locals line up early for their famous peach tea glazed pork belly – a dish worth planning your entire day around.
2. Birdie’s: The Austin Wine Bar With Major Food Cred
Tucked away on an unassuming East Austin corner, Birdie’s serves up Mediterranean-inspired magic without reservations or pretension.
Their ever-changing menu scribbled on a chalkboard might feature anything from handmade pasta to seasonal vegetables treated with reverence.
Wine lovers rejoice at their thoughtfully curated list of natural selections.
The charming patio fills nightly with locals sipping interesting bottles while sharing plates of food that somehow taste even better under the string lights.
3. Emmer & Rye: Grain Revolutionaries in Downtown Austin
Grain obsession reaches new heights at Emmer & Rye where chef Kevin Fink mills heritage varieties in-house for pastas and breads that will ruin you for lesser carbs forever.
Their dim sum-style cart service adds playful surprise to fine dining. Seasonal ingredients shine through minimal intervention.
The restaurant’s commitment to whole-animal butchery and fermentation techniques creates flavors you won’t find elsewhere.
Don’t skip their cacio e pepe – a seemingly simple dish that showcases their grain mastery.
4. Nixta Taqueria: Corn Craftsmen Redefining Tex-Mex
Yellow corn tortillas at Nixta Taqueria aren’t just vehicles for fillings – they’re the star of the show.
Chef Edgar Rico nixtamalizes heritage corn daily, creating tortillas with flavor so profound they’d be worth eating plain.
Fortunately, they come topped with creative combinations like duck carnitas with prickly pear or beet tartare tostadas.
The tiny East Austin spot sports a vibrant pink exterior that matches the bold flavors within. Their enchiladas might bring tears of joy to your eyes.
5. la Barbecue: The Queen of Austin Smoke
Founded by LeAnn Mueller (BBQ royalty as daughter of legendary pitmaster Bobby Mueller), la Barbecue has earned its reputation through perfect post oak-smoked meats rather than family connections.
Their brisket achieves that magical balance of pepper-crusted exterior and buttery interior that defines Texas barbecue.
The sausages pop with juicy perfection. Once a food truck with epic lines, their brick-and-mortar location still draws crowds seeking beef ribs large enough to make Fred Flintstone jealous.
6. Truth BBQ: Houston’s Smoke-Ringed Sensation
Leonard Botello IV started Truth BBQ in tiny Brenham before bringing his smoke mastery to Houston, where lines form hours before opening.
Their brisket boasts the kind of smoke ring that makes BBQ enthusiasts weak in the knees.
The sides here aren’t afterthoughts – the corn pudding alone deserves its own fan club. Save room for their towering cakes displayed in a vintage case by the register.
The banana caramel cake stands several inches tall and provides perfect sweet balance to all that savory meat.
7. March: Houston’s Mediterranean Fine Dining Temple
Stepping into March feels like entering a secret Mediterranean society where every detail matters intensely.
The tasting menu concept from Goodnight Hospitality explores different regions of the Mediterranean with scholarly precision and artistic presentation.
Wine pairings showcase obscure treasures from ancient wine regions. The lounge experience offers a more accessible entry point to their culinary world.
Chef Felipe Riccio creates dishes that tell stories of cultural exchange and migration through flavors that somehow feel both ancient and completely new.
8. Kata Robata: Houston’s Sushi Sanctuary
Chef Manabu Horiuchi (affectionately known as Hori-san) crafts sushi with such precision at Kata Robata that regulars speak of his knife skills in hushed, reverent tones.
Beyond impeccable raw fish, the restaurant excels at robata grilled items and hot dishes that blend Japanese tradition with Gulf Coast ingredients.
Their Texas wagyu beef stands among the city’s best meat experiences. The understated dining room lets the food command attention.
Sitting at the sushi counter watching Hori-san work is like witnessing athletic performance art with delicious results.
9. Squable: Houston’s European Bistro With Texas Heart
The French cheeseburger at Squable has achieved cult status for good reason – the patty comes nestled in pain de mie with a cascade of raclette cheese that creates pure handheld bliss.
Chefs Mark Clayton and Drew Gimma bring serious technique to comfort food. Pastas made in-house showcase seasonal ingredients without unnecessary flourishes.
The wine list favors natural producers and unexpected regions. Their dutch baby pancake with cultured butter stands as proof that simple dishes executed perfectly can outshine complicated cuisine.
10. Riel: Houston’s Global-Local Fusion Pioneer
Chef Ryan Lachaine blends his Ukrainian-Canadian heritage with Gulf Coast ingredients at Riel, creating dishes that could only exist in Houston.
The hanger steak with pierogi reveals his background while gulf fish karaage shows his adaptive creativity.
The restaurant’s clean lines and open kitchen create casual elegance without stuffiness. Their tempura cauliflower with kimchi hot sauce disappears from tables moments after arrival.
Cocktails incorporate unexpected ingredients like borscht for vibrant colors and flavors that complement the boundary-crossing menu.
11. Blood Bros. BBQ: Bellaire’s Multicultural Smoke Masters
Brothers Robin and Terry Wong joined forces with pitmaster Quy Hoang to create Blood Bros. BBQ, where traditional Texas techniques meet Chinatown flavors.
Their brisket fried rice and smoked turkey banh mi represent Houston’s diversity in delicious form. Daily specials might include anything from Thai green curry boudin to pastrami beef belly burnt ends.
The strip mall location in Bellaire houses some of the most creative BBQ in Texas. Their gochujang beef belly burnt ends have inspired countless imitators but remain unmatched.
12. Town Hearth: Dallas’ Crystal-Lit Steakhouse Spectacle
Walking into Town Hearth means encountering 64 chandeliers sparkling above tables where beautiful people consume beautiful steaks.
Chef Nick Badovinus created a theatrical dining space featuring a yellow submarine in a fish tank and a vintage Ducati motorcycle as decor.
Beyond visual drama, the steaks deliver with perfect char and premium aging. The Lenox bone-in filet arrives still sizzling.
Sides like tots topped with caviar and crème fraîche demonstrate the restaurant’s playful luxury approach. Their raw bar towers arrive with sparklers for maximum Instagram appeal.
13. Cattleack Barbeque: Dallas’ Thursday-Friday Smoke Phenomenon
Operating just two days a week (plus one Saturday monthly) creates perpetual lines at Cattleack Barbeque, where Todd and Misty David serve transcendent smoked meats worth rearranging your schedule for.
Their Akaushi beef ribs develop a peppery crust that yields to meat so tender it barely clings to the bone. The Toddfather sandwich stacks brisket, pulled pork and sausage for true carnivore bliss.
Their pastrami beef ribs offered occasionally represent the pinnacle of Texas BBQ innovation. The industrial park location adds to the exclusive, in-the-know appeal.
14. 2M Smokehouse: San Antonio’s New BBQ Tradition
Pitmaster Esaul Ramos left Austin’s La Barbecue to bring craft BBQ to his hometown, creating 2M Smokehouse with childhood friend Joe Melig.
Their brisket achieves that perfect jiggle when sliced, indicating the ideal rendering of fat that makes Texas BBQ legendary. Serrano-cheddar sausage links add Mexican flavors to the Texas BBQ canon.
The handmade tortillas served alongside represent San Antonio’s bicultural heritage perfectly. Their pickled nopales provide bright contrast to all the rich, smoky meat – grab extra to take home.
15. Goldee’s Barbecue: Fort Worth’s New Smoke Royalty
A group of young pitmasters who trained at Texas’ most famous BBQ joints opened Goldee’s Barbecue in 2020, quickly earning Texas Monthly’s #1 BBQ spot in the state.
Their brisket develops the kind of bark that BBQ dreams are made of – shatteringly crisp yet yielding to meat with perfect moisture.
Banana pudding comes topped with crumbled vanilla wafers and brûléed banana slices.
The no-frills building outside Fort Worth houses smokers tended with monastic dedication. Pork ribs glisten with a perfectly tacky glaze that clings to your fingers and memory.
16. L&J Cafe: El Paso’s Border-Crossing Flavor Institution
Nicknamed “The Old Place by the Graveyard” for its location next to Concordia Cemetery, L&J Cafe has served border-style Mexican food since 1927.
Their green chile enchiladas achieve the perfect balance of heat and cheese-laden comfort that defines this regional style.
The salsa arrives warm with chips still glistening from the fryer. Family recipes passed through generations create dishes with a homemade quality that chain restaurants can never replicate.
Politicians making campaign stops in El Paso know showing up here is mandatory for local credibility.