24 Best Restaurants in Waco Texas
Waco Texas was, until recently, just a small college town in the center of Texas...but it has recently morphed into a city with a booming culinary scene! (I know! As someone who grew up in Texas, it's shocking to me, too!) The restaurants in Waco have slowly been gaining recognition even outside Waco borders.
As the hometown of the famous Fixer Upper couple, Chip and Joanna Gaines, Waco's restaurant landscape has seen a HUGE transformation in recent years.
While the popular Magnolia Table, owned by the Gaines family, has drawn visitors from all over, the city offers a pretty impressive variety of other diverse dining experiences that are worth knowing about.
From authentic Tex-Mex to award-winning central Texas BBQ, burger joints, steakhouses, and pizza spots, Waco's culinary scene can cater to pretty much any palate and preference.


About me: I’m Kelsey, a bestselling travel book author and the creator of 3 Texas travel websites. As a native Texan, I spend my own time and money exploring this state to help millions of readers find the best food, things to do, places to stay in Austin and beyond. Check out my other sites: TheSanAntonioThings.com and TheAustinThings.com!
The Best Restaurants in Waco, TX
1. Harvest on 25th

This is, as far as I'm concerned, the very best restaurant in Waco for a regular local customer. It's not fancy, but it is fresh, delicious, adorable, and consistent!
Harvest on 25th is a counter-service restaurant with breakfast and lunch every day. They offer delicious baked goods, breakfast classics like blueberry pancakes, migas, and the insanely good breakfast chorizo hash, and yummy bowls, pizza, and tacos for lunch.
I'm obsessed with their healthy harissa cauliflower rice bowl (I add a fried egg!) and their rustic pizza made with Harvest sourdough crust. Yum.
WEBSITE | 12 N 25th St, Waco, TX 76710
2. Helberg BBQ

You'll find this place on Texas Monthly's Top 50 BBQ Joints list, but you won't find it in Waco...exactly. You have to drive about 15 miles out of Waco to the town of Woodway. IT IS SO WORTH IT!
This is 100% one of the best spots to enjoy classic central Texas BBQ in Waco. It's a husband/wife-owned barbecue restaurant that opened just before the pandemic, and they have been absolutely SLAYING. Be sure to try the brisket (duh), the smoked chicken, and load up on their sides and desserts.
WEBSITE | 7809 Hwy 6, Woodway, TX 76712
3. Red Herring

For the best fine dining restaurant in Waco, I simply can't recommend Red Herring enough! It's FABULOUS! It's a Mediterranean-inspired menu inside a cool Art Deco space on the ground floor of the Hotel Herringbone...a hotel made up of shipping containers.
I know, it's a lot! But the food is fantastic, the cocktails are fresh and creative, and the chef's counter makes for a really fun dinner experience where you can watch your food being prepared. Definitely a great spot for a date night in Waco or a special dinner out.
WEBSITE | 319 S 4th St, Waco, TX 76701
4. Cafe Homestead

Café Homestead is definitely one of the best restaurants in Waco, but there are a few caveats... I'll share them with you.
It's a restaurant located at Heritage Homestead, which is a agrarian and craft-based Christian community in Waco. Families live there, farm there, cook there, do woodworking and quilting and candle making there, and then sell their goods at the craft village. And they have a restaurant on site...and it's good! {You can read my full review of Cafe Homestead here.}
Cafe Homestead serves their own rustic homemade bread, meat that is smoked on site, locally grown veggies, and locale eggs. I'd call the menu "Tex/Mex-meets-comfort" because it has lots of burgers, salads, enchiladas, tacos, and chicken fried steak. Omg and the BEST dessert!!
The caveat: this is a very conservative Christian community, so they don't serve alcohol. For some, that's a plus! For others, you want to have a glass of wine with a nice dinner out.
Personally? I adore this restaurant for a lunch spot in Waco, and then I love to go to Red Herring for a fancy dinner date.
WEBSITE | 608 Dry Creek Rd, Waco, TX 76705
5. Milo All Day

It's cute, it's modern, and it has a delicious southern-inspired menu...that's probably why Milo All Day is consistently popular. (Especially for their weekend brunch!)
I love the live plants and tall ceiling and outdoor patio, the sweet tea-brined fried chicken, the fun cocktails, and the cute ambiance.
Psst: Milo and Red Herring (mentioned earlier) have the same chef. That's probably why I love both of them so much and consider them both to be among the best restaurants in Waco.
WEBSITE | 1020 Franklin Ave, Waco, TX 76701
6. Slow Rise Slice House

Slow Rise Slice House is a Waco institution. It's a counter service waterfront restaurant that's very popular among college students for its delicious pizzas by the slice or by the pie.
It's also a great place for adults and families! They have this HUGE patio on the Brazos river, a good draft beer and cocktail list, and a friendly staff.
Slow Rise makes their NY-style pies through the process of allowing the dough to ferment and "slow rise" (hence the name of this place...), resulting in a deep flavor and big, foldable slices with a crispy edge.
There are two locations, both open 7 days a week, but if you want to dine by the water, go to the N. MLK Jr Blvd location.
WEBSITE | 1620 N M.L.K. Jr Blvd, Waco, TX 76704
7. One Thirty Five Prime

One Thirty Five Prime is Wacos's go-to fine dining steakhouse and seafood restaurant. It's fantastic! It's located in a shopping center, which I think is the only downside to it. (It doesn't feel quite as upscale as something like Red Herring.)
But if you want that classic steakhouse and seafood restaurant feel with white tablecloths and wine glasses and cheesecake for dessert, One Thirty Five is the best steakhouse in Waco. {Photo: Doug B., Yelp}
WEBSITE | 1201 Hewitt Dr Suite 110, Waco, TX 76712
8. Pinewood Public House

For the very coolest coffee shop and beer bar in Waco, be sure to check out Pinewood Public House. It's a midcentury-inspired space with lots of wood panelling and cozy vibes, and the best coffee in Waco.
Walk through the courtyard to the other side of the building, which has taps of local beer, wine, and side, a lot of seating, weekly trivia, and a cool retro feel to it.
WEBSITE | 2223 Austin Ave B, Waco, TX 76701
9. Schmaltz’s Sandwich Shop

When you're looking for a quick local lunch stop, Schmaltz's Sandwich Shop is a the place to go. Shmaltz's has been around since 1975 and they have the best sandwiches in Waco!
This old-school shop started at Baylor University where it became popular with the students, and later they opened this branch in Downtown Waco. The biggest difference between Schmaltz's and typical sandwich shops is that they make their bread from scratch every morning, and it's these funny little round shapes that you don't typically see...but I promise you, they're delicious.
PSA: Schmaltz's is quite popular during the lunch rush. Expect a bit of a wait, so if you’re in a hurry, definitely call ahead and place your order in advance! Otherwise plan on waiting about 20 minutes for your sandwich.
WEBSITE | 4445, 1412 N Valley Mills Dr #136, Waco, TX 76710
10. Guess Family BBQ

Ranked in the Top 50 BBQ Joints in Texas by Texas Monthly in 2021, Guess Family BBQ is a family-owned and operated bbq pit that serves central Texas bbq. So yes, that means you'll find all the expected classics here.
Sliced brisket is the star of the show (this is Texas, after all!), house made chipotle cheddar sausage, pork ribs, smoked turkey, pulled pork, and a half smoked chicken rounding out the menu.
My favorite part about Guess Family BBQ is the ambiance! It's a cute indoor space with a pool table, a long bar, and plenty of family-friendly seating for big groups.
If you're just going to go to one BBQ spot and you're willing to drive a bit, I'd recommend Helberg in Woodway. But if you want something really close and local in Waco, my top pick is Guess Family BBQ!
WEBSITE | 2803 Franklin Ave, Waco, TX 76710
11. Alpha Omega Grill and Bakery

Alpha Omega Grill and Bakery is a bit of a hidden gem in Waco, Texas. (That is, among tourists - locals know it very well!) It’s a Greek restaurant that combines the best of Mediterranean cuisine with classic bakery items. (BAKLAVA!!! It's so good here!)
Their menu combines the flavors of Greece, Italy, and other Mediterranean regions, with an emphasis on fresh ingredients and made-from-scratch dishes. And it is truly SO inexpensive! You could easily fill up for under $10 at Alpha Omega.
The restaurant has all-day dining available, from brunch to lunch and dinner. It's a cozy little spot with a European-inspired interior.
WEBSITE | 929 Franklin Ave, Waco, TX 76701
12. Magnolia Table

You've probably already heard about Magnolia Table (Chip and Jo's restaurant) and don't need me to tell you it's one of the most popular restaurants in Waco But here's the truth: it actually is very, very good!
It's primarily a breakfast and lunch restaurant, and they offer dinner on the weekends. They serve fresh, home-cooked meals like farm eggs Benedict, Jo's' favorite chicken salad sandwich, and the popular Gaines' Brothers Burger.
A little tip for you: Magnolia Table is known for its breakfast and brunch, and it gets absolutely packed around 9 and 10 am…especially on the weekends! You should definitely make a reservation for this Waco restaurant. If you forgot, just plan on getting there early-ish to beat the breakfast crowd.
WEBSITE | 2132 S Valley Mills Dr, Waco, TX 76706
13. George's Restaurant
George's has been around since 1930 and it's a Waco restaurant that everyone needs to try once! I'm not going to say that it's the very best food in Waco, but it's consistent, tasty, and an insitution!
Order the wings to start, and be sure to try their chicken fried steak. They're famous for it!
WEBSITE | 1925 Speight Ave, Waco, TX 76706
14. Union Hall

You can check out a dozen+ eateries at Union Hall, a downtown Waco food hall. This place is fantastic!
They have some classic Waco restaurants that you might have heard of (The Blasian Asian, Whizzbangs), as well as newer places that are just getting started.
From ramen to burgers to cookie dough to cocktails, Union Hall is a great place to try out a bunch of the best restaurants in Waco...all in one downtown location. {Photo: Union Hall}
WEBSITE | 720 Franklin Ave, Waco, TX 76701
15. Terry Black's BBQ

Terry Black's BBQ is an AWESOME barbecue pit that started in Austin and now has a couple locations around Texas...including this huge new space in Waco!
Their meat is incredible. (The twin brothers who started this place are from Black's BBQ in Lockhart, so pretty famous.) I adore their giant "dinosaur" beef ribs, the sliced brisket, and the sides. (Get all the sides and all the desserts!)
Terry Black's is in downtown Waco and really close to Magnolia Market. This is an excellent family-friendly restaurant for a huge lunch before or after shopping at Magnolia.
WEBSITE | 228 S 8th St, Waco, TX 76701
16. Pivovar

You might have seen this place on the guide to the all the craft breweries in Waco, but Pivovar is actually a full-blown Czech restaurant, too! It's a sit-down restaurant that feels a little bit upscale (great for a nice dinner out), but it's still family-friendly with crayons and kids menus, if necessary.
Pivovar is a Czech brewery, hotel, beer garden, spa, and restaurant. Diners get to enjoy a view of their gorgeous brewery while they're eating. The entire restaurant space, actually is quite beautiful! It has a European feel to it, with dark wood, leather seating, and lots of copper tones.
The food is traditional Czech cuisine, which means there are plenty of Polish, Hungarian, and German influences.
You can expect to find lots of housemade sausages, schnitzels, curry-wurst, and short ribs. There are reuban sandwiches and Czech fried cheese and beer-battered onion rings and all sorts of delicious, crave-able starters and entrees.
The true highlight of Pivovar is their authentic Czech beer lineup. Be sure to start with a flight of their delicious beers if you dine at Pivovar!
WEBSITE | 320 S 8th St, Waco, TX 76701
17. Southern Roots Brewing co.

Southern Roots craft brewery is a great place to hunker down, order a flight of beer, and enjoy a pizza. This downtown Waco brewery has a casual, family-friendly vibe, delicious beer, wine, and cider, and plenty of indoor space to enjoy.
They have wings and salads and pretzels if you want something to snack on, or order one of their seriously insanely delicious signature pizzas if you want a full meal.
WEBSITE | 320 S 8th St, Waco, TX 76701
18. Bertie's On The Rooftop

The best rooftop bar in Waco for a glass of wine, an appetizer, and a view? Bertie's On The Rooftop, the hotel terrace bar at Hotel 1928, Chip and Joanna Gaines's hotel.
It's a beautiful space with panoramic views of downtown Waco. You can order seasonal cuisine like seared sea bass, 44 Farms filet, or wild mushroom and leek risotto. But my favorite part of this place? Honestly, it's the views and the drinks!
WEBSITE | 701 Washington Ave, Waco, TX 76701
19. Vitek’s

Vitek's, a Waco, Texas iconic barbecue and burger joint, has been serving up mouthwatering dishes to locals and visitors for over a century!
This legendary Waco restaurant is known for BBQ and burgers. It's primarily a lunch destination, but it's open for dinner Ron the
Vitek's is primarily a lunch destination, but it’s open for dinner on the weekends. The "Gut Pak" is the star attraction, which I realize sounds kind of disgusting but it's actually delicious. It's a messy and wonderful jumble of Fritos, bread, beans, sausage, cheese, pickles, onions, and jalapeños, all smothered in barbecue sauce.
WEBSITE | 1600 Speight Ave, Waco, TX 76706
20. Jake's Texas Tea House

You'll love Jake's Texas Tea House, especially if you're dining with kids and want a fun, retro eatery! They only serve lunch, FYI.
The menu has burgers, "blue plate" lunch specials like chicken fried steak and fried catfish, and plenty of hearty sides like macaroni and cheese, sweet potato fries, and fried okra.
613 Austin Ave, Waco, TX 76701
21. Moroso Wood Fired Pizza

Moroso Wood Fired Pizza is THE place to get pizza in Waco. This Italian pizzeria is renowned for its wood-fired Neapolitan pizza (which is quite different from the NY-style pies you can get at Slow Rise Slice House, mentioned earlier.)
The restaurant serves dinner, so this is more of a sit-down dinner spot for a nice meal rather than a quick pizza lunch spot.
The ambiance at Moroso is cozy, with wood floors and dim lighting. There's open kitchen showcasing the wood-fired oven, which is where the pizzas are expertly crafted. It's a nice place to gather with friends or enjoy a romantic dinner.
WEBSITE | 4700 Bosque Blvd, Waco, TX 76710
22. Jasper’s BBQ

Jasper's BBQ is a must-visit Waco restaurant for barbecue enthusiasts. It's more than a century old!.
It all started at the corner of Clifton Street and Elm Avenue in 1919. Since then Jasper's has been serving mouthwatering barbecue in the city. It's truly a part of Waco's history.
If you're super hungry and want to try a bit of everything, order the "Taste of Jasper's" sample platter that includes two pork spare ribs, a smoked sausage link, a smoked bologna ring, chopped brisket, a slice of brisket, and a fountain drink.
Whether you're a local or just passing through Waco, Jasper's BBQ is a must-try destination and one of the best restaurants in Waco.
WEBSITE | 105 Clifton St, Waco, TX 76704
23. Health Camp

Health Camp, a beloved institution in Waco, Texas, and no...it isn’t actually healthy. Don’t be fooled by the name, but DO plan to stop by! It's an iconic drive-in restaurant with a nostalgic dining experience that transports guests back in time.
They’ve been serving up classic American comfort food since 1948. Health Camp proudly states that it's "not a diet place," haha.
Among the most popular menu items is the Health Burger, a true crowd-pleaser. They offer a couple different burger combos served with fries or onion rings and a drink.
Of course, you can’t visit Health Camp without getting a milkshake to pair with your burger. They come in so many flavors, from the classics (vanilla, chocolate, strawberry) to the more absurd (pumpkin pie, coconut cheesecake, s’mores).
WEBSITE | 2601 Circle Rd, Waco, TX 76706
24. Cricket’s Draft House and Grill

Cricket's Draft House and Grill is a popular Waco restaurant with a TON of beer options on tap! If you're in Waco with a group and want a good restaurant for groups with classic burgers and beer, this is it.Cricket's is one of those quintessential American sports bars and grills. If you want a simple spot for classic pub food + plenty of screens for live sports, this is your spot.
It's pretty much your quintessential sports bar and grill. It's nothing fancy, but they have good burgers, cold beer, plenty of TVs for watching all the sports, and friendly service.
WEBSITE | 211 Mary Ave, Waco, TX 76701