Where To Eat and Drink Near Foster Pavilion in Waco
The new $212 million multi-use arena on Baylor University’s campus opened in early 2024 and has already seen hundreds of thousands of basketball fans, concert-goers, and event attendees come through its doors. Foster Pavilion is in an exciting location because, instead of being on the east side of I-35 where the majority of Baylor University is, it was built in the downtown area of Waco, TX. So if you’re looking for exciting places to eat or drink near Foster Pavilion, you’re in luck.
Here are some of the best local restaurants and bars that are within walking distance of Foster Pavilion. I’ll only include local Waco spots, but there are lots of national chain restaurants around too, if that’s more your thing. Feel free to use the map below to find one that’s closest to you.
Where To Eat And Drink Near Foster Pavilion
Bangkok Royal
Distance to Foster Pavilion: 0.4 miles, approximately 8 minutes walking
Anyone who’s lived in Waco for more than a minute knows about Bangkok Royal. It’s the place to go for delicious Thai cuisine, and it’s a great place to get a big cozy meal before a Baylor basketball game. Get the panang curry, Pad See Ew, or chicken fried rice. Bangkok Royal is a calm restaurant, so it’s a good option if you want a quiet place to eat before a loud event. If you want a party atmosphere, this isn’t it. {Photo: Thanh Thao P, Yelp}
WEBSITE | 215 S University Parks Dr, Waco, TX 76701, United States
Cricket’s Draft House and Grill
Distance to Foster Pavilion: 0.4 miles, approximately 9 minutes walking
Super close to the Foster Pavilion, tons of beer on tap, and an amazing grill menu? What more can you want! Cricket’s is a popular spot to go before a Baylor baseball game, but it’s also a very large restaurant so there’s plenty of room for a crowd. If you just want a classic burger and beer, this is a good option.
WEBSITE | 211 Mary Ave, Waco, TX 76701, United States
Lucky Buck’s
Distance to Foster Pavilion: 0.5 miles, approximately 11 minutes walking
The rooftop bar at the Hotel Herringbone opens in the evening, so you probably can’t go here before your event at Foster Pavilion. But if you’re looking for a bite + a drink after the game, this rooftop patio bar overlooking the Magnolia Silos has cold beer, a few styles of hot dogs, and a really fun ambiance.
WEBSITE | 319 S 4th St, Waco, TX 76701, United States
Red Herring
Distance to Foster Pavilion: 0.5 miles, approximately 11 minutes walking
Red Herring is one of the best fine dining restaurants in Waco, and it’s an excellent spot to enjoy an upscale meal before heading to a concert at the Foster Pavilion. They advertise themselves as being Mediterranean-inspired, but the menu expands beyond that. Red Herring is also an excellent cocktail bar and a fun place to get a drink after your event at Foster.
WEBSITE | 319 S 4th St, Waco, TX 76701, United States
Segovia Wine Bar
Distance to Foster Pavilion: 0.7 miles, approximately 15 minutes walking
For wine and Spanish tapas, head to Segovia for a meal before walking to Foster Pavilion. It’s easy to think of “tapas” as little snacks, but Segovia serves full meals that are seriously incredible.
WEBSITE | 300 S 6th St suite f, Waco, TX 76701, United States
Pivovar Brewery and Restaurant
Distance to Foster Pavilion: 0.8 miles, approximately 17 minutes walking
Pivovar brings a little bit of Czech culture to Waco, Texas! It’s an authentic Czech brewery, restaurant, and hotel, and it’s very close to Foster Pavilion. They have authentic Czech cuisine like schnitzel and goulash, but they also offer more generic American cuisine like burgers and fries. The beer is phenomenal, so it’s a wonderful place to get a drink before or after the game.
WEBSITE | 320 S 8th St, Waco, TX 76701, United States
Terry Black’s Barbecue
Distance to Foster Pavilion: 0.8 miles, approximately 18 minutes walking
Terry Black’s actually started in Austin, TX before expanding to a few other cities (including Waco!) and it’s been a huge success. They have a massive BBQ smokehouse where they cook the brisket low and slow. Also, this is one of the few barbecue restaurants in Waco where you can get beef aka “dinosaur” ribs on the menu. Terry Black’s is a great place to dine with a big group before heading to an event at Foster Pavilion.
WEBSITE | 228 S 8th St, Waco, TX 76701, United States
Cajun Craft
Distance to Foster Pavilion: 0.8 miles, approximately 19 minutes walking
They call themselves “Waco’s best hidden gem” and it really is one of the best under-the-radar restaurants in Waco! Cajun Craft has authentic Cajun dishes like red beans and rice, po’boys, and gumbo. The restaurant itself is small but really beautifully decorated, and there’s an outdoor area if the weather is nice.
WEBSITE | 601 S 11th St, Waco, TX 76706, United States
Union Hall
Distance to Foster Pavilion: 0.9 miles, approximately 19 minutes walking
One of my top picks for restaurants near Foster Pavilion is Union Hall because it has so many great options in it! This food hall features a bunch of well-known Waco restaurants under one roof so everyone can order whatever they want.
WEBSITE | 720 Franklin Ave, Waco, TX 76701, United States
Jake’s Texas Tea House
Distance to Foster Pavilion: 0.9 miles, approximately 20 minutes walking
If you want a good kid-friendly spot to eat near the Foster Pavilion and you’re heading to an afternoon basketball game, check out Jake’s Texas Tea House! It’s a lunch-only retro eatery with southern classics, fun décor, and a relaxed atmosphere.
WEBSITE | 613 Austin Ave, Waco, TX 76701, United States
Lighthouse Coffee & Wine
Distance to Foster Pavilion: 1.0 miles, approximately 22 minutes walking
Need a cup of coffee before the game? No judgement! Some of us need a little afternoon jolt. Lighthouse Coffee & Wine is one of the best coffee shops in downtown Waco. They also have cocktails, spirits, and an excellent selection of wine by the glass or bottle in case you want a nightcap.
WEBSITE | 624 Washington Ave, Waco, TX 76701, United States
Maria Mezcaleria
Distance to Foster Pavilion: 1.0 miles, approximately 22 minutes walking
Easily one of the best Mexican restaurants in Waco, Maria Mezcaleria is an awesome place to go before an event at the Foster Pavilion because it’s so close by and it’s an absolute Waco favorite! This is definitely more “interior Mexican” than “Tex-Mex”, with a strong focus on their Mezcal-based drinks (duh.) {Photo: Dean M., Yelp}
WEBSITE | 724 Austin Ave Ste 102, Waco, TX 76701, United States
Alpha Omega
Distance to Foster Pavilion: 1.1 miles, approximately 24 minutes walking
Most people aren’t looking for something healthy on game day, but if you are, I absolutely adore Alpha Omega Greek Grill & Bakery for their fresh and delicious grilled chicken gyros and Greek salads. Also, this place typically isn’t very crowded on game day (most people don’t think of a Greek bakery as a “game day spot”) so if you’re looking to avoid a crowd, keep Alpha Omega in mind.
WEBSITE | 929 Franklin Ave, Waco, TX 76701, United States
Southern Roots Brewery
Distance to Foster Pavilion: 1.1 miles, approximately 25 minutes walking
Whether you just want a beer after the game or you’re hungry for dinner, Southern Roots Brewery has got you covered. They’re an incredibly hospitable, welcoming place serving a wide variety of beer styles, craft pizza, wings, and appetizers.
WEBSITE | 219 N 8th St, Waco, TX 76701, United States
Milo All Day
Distance to Foster Pavilion: 2.0 miles, approximately 44 minutes walking
If you’re looking for a more upscale eatery, Milo is a very popular spot in downtown Waco. It’s a southern-inspired eatery with lots of fresh food, delicious cocktails, and a bright interior.
WEBSITE | 1020 Franklin Ave, Waco, TX 76701, United States
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!
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