Known for its world-famous stadiums and amusement parks, Arlington also boasts an underrated foodie scene waiting for visitors to discover. From barbecue joints celebrated statewide to globally inspired eateries, Arlington restaurants range from iconic holes-in-the-wall to fine dining hot spots.
| Restaurant Name | Cuisine | Special Features |
|---|---|---|
| Hurtado Barbecue | Texas Barbecue | Melt-in-your-mouth brisket, habanero coleslaw |
| Baby Back Shak | Barbecue | Smoked ribs, Cajun flavors, live music |
| Big Daddy’s Roadhouse | Southern Comfort Food | Fried chicken, meatloaf, catfish, hearty portions |
| Sweet Sammies | Desserts | Gooey cookies, Instagrammable milkshakes |
| Osteria Giotto | Italian | Northern Italian cuisine, intimate atmosphere |
| Los Vaqueros | Mexican | Fresh, authentic dishes, colorful eatery |
| Zeus Grill | Greek | Old World recipes, mouthwatering staples |
| Twisted Root | Burgers and Shakes | Creative burger options, spiked milkshakes |
| Sangria Tapas Bar | Spanish | Small plates, seafood, churros, fruity sangria |
| First Chinese BBQ | Chinese | Dumplings, noodle soups, barbecue skewered meats |
| Havana Cafe | Latin American | Cuban and Puerto Rican specialties, vibrant decor |
When exploring this energetic Texas city, make sure to visit these 12 best, must-try restaurants recommended by locals as Arlington’s top culinary experiences across cuisines.
Experience Authentic Texas Barbecue at Hurtado or Baby Back Shak
Hurtado Barbecue (Arlington, TX)
History and Significance: Hurtado Barbecue opened its doors in Arlington in 2015. Founded by native Texans and barbecue aficionados Brandon and Meghan Hurtado, it quickly became known as one of the best authentic Texas barbecue joints in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. They are dedicated to serving up melt-in-your-mouth brisket, ribs, and more using old school style offset smokers.
What to Expect: Expect succulent smoked meats, classic sides like potato salad and beans, and a laidback, friendly atmosphere. Their fatty brisket and fall-off-the-bone ribs are standouts. Make sure to come hungry!
Visitor Information: Hurtado BBQ is open Tuesday to Sunday from 11am to 8pm, closed Mondays. It’s located at 1101 W Arbrook Blvd in Arlington. Free parking is available.
No trip to Arlington is complete without indulging in slow-cooked Texas barbecue, a Lone Star State specialty. Locals passionately debate between beloved joints, but two perpetually earn best brisket honors: Hurtado Barbecue and Baby Back Shak.
Hurtado Barbecue draws devoted fans for melt-in-your-mouth brisket, smoky sausage links, and signature habanero coleslaw. Order at the counter cafeteria-style before grabbing a picnic table outside. Don’t skip the creamy corn pudding or chili-cheese grits on the side.
Meanwhile Baby Back Shak plates up expertly smoked, fall-off-the-bone beef ribs and spicy, Cajun-influenced flavors in servings so ample, leftovers are guaranteed. Enjoy live music performances featuring local bands while dining al fresco on the patio.
Savor Southern Comfort Food at Big Daddy’s Roadhouse
Baby Back Shak (Fort Worth, TX)
History and Significance: Baby Back Shak first fired up their smokers in 2013 in Fort Worth. Owners Justin and Diane Fourton set out to serve competition-style barbecue after years perfecting their smoking skills on the amateur barbecue circuit. It quickly developed a following for standout baby back ribs.
What to Expect: Look forward to fall-off-the-bone baby back ribs basted in tasty sauces, as well as treats like homemade Cajun sausage and pulled pork nachos. Their outdoor patio has picnic tables and live local music on weekends.
Visitor Information: Baby Back Shak serves lunch and dinner daily, opening at 11am. They’re located at 5512 Locke Ave, with parking available behind the restaurant.
When craving quintessential Southern meals like Grandma used to make, head to Big Daddy’s Roadhouse near UT Arlington’s campus. Hearty portions of fried chicken, meatloaf, catfish and more come with sides like mac and cheese, fried okra, collard greens and perfect mashed potatoes.
Notably, their Texas-sized brisket sandwich comes soaked in sweet, tangy barbecue sauce and piled high with smoked meat on a soft bun. And don’t skip dessert – the bread pudding with whiskey sauce makes a comforting end to any down-home meal.
Indulge Your Sweet Tooth at Sweet Sammies
Sweet Sammies (Fort Worth, TX)
History and Significance: Sweet Sammies bakery opened in 2015, quickly becoming known for having some of the best cupcakes, custom cakes, and artisan cookies in Fort Worth. Owner Samantha Lopez brings years of pastry experience from top resorts and restaurants around the country.
What to Expect: Indulge your sweet tooth with their signature over-the-top cupcakes like salted caramel and cookies and cream, specialty wedding cakes, freshly baked cookies, milkshakes, coffees, and more. They offer vegan and gluten-free options too.
Visitor Information: Sweet Sammies is located at 6550 Camp Bowie Blvd, Suite 110. They’re open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am-7pm, Sundays 12pm-5pm, closed Mondays. Paid garage parking is available nearby.
For a delicious pick-me-up, order confections from Sweet Sammies, an Arlington sensation known for gooey cookies and Instagrammable milkshakes. Sammie’s cookies come in fun flavors like lemon lavender, honey nut cheerios, and s’mores stuffed with marshmallows and chocolate.
But their towering, decadent milkshakes steal the show. Heap on mix-in toppings like cheesecake chunks, chocolate covered pretzels, or entire slices of cake transforming your shake into an edible work of art. With outdoor picnic tables to enjoy your sugar rush under string lights, Sweet Sammies makes a sweet stop.
Savor Sophisticated Italian Fare at Osteria Giotto
Osteria Giotto (Fort Worth, TX)
History and Significance: Osteria Giotto brought authentic rustic Italian dining to Fort Worth when it opened in 2017 under Chef Davide Caranchini. With an extensive Italian wine list and imported ingredients, it quickly earned a reputation as one of the best Italian restaurants in the city.
What to Expect: Handmade pastas, wood-fired pizzas, fresh seafood, hearty meat dishes, and decadent desserts made with care using traditional techniques and family recipes. Standouts include squid ink linguine, pizza with imported Italian cheese and sausage, pan roasted branzino, osso buco, and tiramisu.
Visitor Information: Osteria Giotto serves dinner nightly starting at 5pm, located downtown at 1111 W Magnolia Ave. Valet parking available. Closed Sundays. Reservations recommended, especially on weekends.
For an upscale Italian escape, snag a table at Osteria Giotto along the historic downtown strip. An intimate atmosphere with flickering candles sets the mood for regional Northern Italian cuisine bursting with flavor. Share appetizers like imported cheeses, velvety burrata and salty cured meats.
For your primi piatti pasta course, try the pappardelle bolognese showered in rich, meaty ragu or the seafood-studded linguine alle vongole. Move onto secondi like braised short ribs over creamy polenta or seared scallops in a light lemon caper sauce. Sommeliers help select the perfect Italian vintage to complement your meal from the extensive wine list.
Experience Mexico at Local Favorite Los Vaqueros
Los Vaqueros (Arlington, TX)
History and Significance: Los Vaqueros Mexican restaurant opened its doors in Arlington, TX in 1985. Started by the Lopez family, it has remained family-owned and operated for almost 40 years, becoming a local favorite and culinary staple known for authentic interior Mexican cuisine and hospitality.
What to Expect: Los Vaqueros is a casual but lively restaurant dishing out beloved interior Mexican specialties like mole poblano, chiles en nogada, carnitas, chilaquiles, and more. Combination plates make it easy to sample several classics. Their tableside guacamole is a must.
Visitor Information: Los Vaqueros on Division Street serves lunch and dinner daily from 11am-9:30pm. Closed Mondays. Free parking lot available, no reservations needed.
When craving fresh, authentic Mexican food, Los Vaqueros consistently earns rave reviews as a local favorite. This colorful, casual eatery north of downtown offers patio seating for margarita sipping alongside plates loaded with tacos, enchiladas, burritos and more.
Start your fiesta with sizzling fajitas or Mexico City-style street corn coated in tangy crema, lime juice and cotija cheese. Move onto bold, complex mole poblano smothering succulent chicken or tender braised carnitas nestled in handmade tortillas. And don’t forget to add guacamole – the hass avocado dip here gets the texture and flavor just right. Buen provecho!
Grab Greek Gyros and Spanakopita at Zeus Grill
Zeus Grill (Arlington, TX)
History and Significance: Zeus Grill opened in Arlington in 2013, founded by Greek immigrant Demetrios Katsanos to share his love for the rustic flavors of Greek cuisine. Its authentic gyros, moussaka, salads and more quickly earned it a following as one of Arlington’s best Mediterranean restaurants.
What to Expect: Look forward to classics straight from the Greek Isles like juicy spit-roasted gyros sliced fresh with tzatziki, famous spinach pies called spanakopita, crisp Greek salads dressed in lemon olive oil, and traditional desserts like baklava loaded with honey and nuts.
Visitor Information: Zeus Grill serves lunch and dinner daily from 11am, located at 4720 S Cooper Street STE 116 in Arlington. Free parking available in shopping plaza.
For fantastic Mediterranean cuisine, check out family-owned Zeus Grill using Old World recipes for mouthwatering Greek staples. This casual restaurants offers quick counter service for eating in the colorful dining room or carrying out.
Sink your teeth into their hot pita wraps stuffed with shaved gyro meat, crispy chicken or grilled veggies. Or order a create-your-own salad or grain bowl choosing ingredients and dressing. Top ratings go to their flaky, golden spanakopita spinach pies as the perfect garlic-infused, cheesy appetizer. OPA!
Chow Down on Gourmet Burgers and Shakes at Twisted Root
Twisted Root Burger Company (Fort Worth, TX)
History and Significance: Twisted Root Burger Company was founded in Texas in 2006, offering an irreverent and quirky take on gourmet burgers. Now a local favorite with multiple locations in DFW, it has developed a cult following for its massive customized burgers and over-the-top milkshakes.
What to Expect: Look forward to witty menu items like the Twisted Sister burger loaded with bacon and cheddar, Notorious P.I.G. with pulled pork and slaw, and Veruca Salt milkshake with salted caramel ice cream, salty pretzel rim, and candy topping. It’s an experience.
Visitor Information: The original Twisted Root on West 7th is open daily 11am to midnight. Parking can be tough – use rideshare when possible. Prepare to wait during peak times but you can order food and drinks while you wait in line outside.
When craving an indulgent burger and shake combo, Twisted Root Burger Company hits the spot for carnivores and vegans alike with creative options. Gigantic half-pound patties get piled high with fun toppings from fried eggs to chili to green chiles at this lively spot.
Meatless Monday options like the veggie Good Morning burger satisfy plant-based patrons, while the unique in-house fry seasonings take sides to the next level. And adults can spike milkshake flavors like cookies and cream and red velvet with liquor for an extra kick. With global inspiration and local flair, Twisted Root offers something deliciously unique for everyone.
Experience Spain at Arlington’s Sangria Tapas Bar
Sangria Tapas Bar (Arlington, TX)
History and Significance: Sangria Tapas Bar brings authentic Spanish flavors to Arlington, opened in 2019 by sisters Sara and Ana Fernandez drawing on their family roots in Spain. Known for paella, tapas, and the city’s best sangria, it’s a taste of Spain without leaving Texas.
What to Expect: Feast on tapas like grilled chorizo, gambas al ajillo garlic shrimp, patatas bravas, imported Manchego and jamon Serrano at the lively bar while watching paella and meat dishes being prepared in a custom open kitchen over a wood fire grill. Their sangria comes in red, white, and rose versions. ¡Salud!
Visitor Information: Sangria is open Tuesday to Sunday for dinner starting at 5pm, located downtown at 215 E Front Street. Street parking is available. Closed Mondays. Reservations recommended, especially on weekends.
For a taste of Spain without leaving Texas, snag a table at Sangria Tapas Bar downtown. With sunset-colored walls, hanging lanterns and olive trees, Sangria’s interior transports you to the Iberian Peninsula for a fun evening out.
Share small plates like bacon-wrapped dates, Spanish tortilla loaded with egg and potato, or grilled chorizo in cider as you sip fruity sangria. Seafood lovers praise the Gambas al Ajillo sautéed shrimp swimming in sizzling garlic oil and parsley. And save room for churros – the classic fried dough dessert with chocolate dipping sauce makes a perfect sweet finisher. ¡Olé!
Indulge in Chinese Dumplings and Noodle Soups at First Chinese BBQ
First Chinese BBQ (Arlington, TX)
History and Significance: First Chinese BBQ first fired up their custom smoker and woks when they opened in Arlington in 2011. Founded by Chinese immigrant Chef David Sun, it quickly became acclaimed for authentically flavored Chinese barbecue meats withimported seasonings, drawing diners from around DFW.
What to Expect: Beyond smoky ribs and crispy duck with dangling skin, First Chinese also excels at noodle soups, handmade dumplings, stir fries, and other Chinese comfort foods at affordable prices. Don’t miss their zesty house made chili oils and sauces.
Visitor Information: First Chinese BBQ is open daily for lunch and dinner from 11am, located at 2400 E Arkansas Ln Ste 100. Free parking available in adjacent lot. Cash only.
For mouthwatering Chinese fare under $15 a plate, First Chinese BBQ by UT Arlington offers savory barbecue skewered meats alongside hot noodle soups perfect for warmer months. Order at the counter first before grabbing a table in this casual pan-Asian eatery.
Start with juicy pork or chicken satay skewers smothered in a addictive peanut sauce glaze. Then make your carb selection:choose between steaming noodle bowls swimming in broth or heaping plates of white rice topped with your protein. Don’t skip their soup dumplings – the savory pork and crab meat filled xiao long bao dissolve decadently on the tongue.
Experience Local Latin Flavor at Havana Cafe
Havana Cafe (Arlington, TX)
History and Significance: Havana Cafe is family-owned Latin restaurant proudly serving Arlington since 1996. Drawing on recipes handed down over generations, Jim and Cristina Willis serve authentic Cuban and Tex-Mex dishes made from scratch in their tiny but mighty joint on South Cooper. A local institution.
What to Expect: Look forward to slow roasted citrusy pork shoulder, snappy yucca fritters, specially marinated chicken and steak fajitas, and crispy beef empanadas served with guava dipping sauce. And margaritas, of course. Their Cuban sandwich loaded with ham, pork, pickles, and Swiss cheese is a local legend.
Visitor Information: Open Tuesday to Sunday 11am to 9pm, Havana Cafe is located at 321 S Cooper Street. Free street parking available, but expect limited seating and waits at peak times. Cash only.
Thanks to Arlington’s sizable Latin American population, locals love grabbing authentic Cuban and Puerto Rican specialties at Havana Cafe near Six Flags. Vibrant Caribbean art decorates this unfussy cafe serving hearty plates of rice, beans and protein topped with tangy mojo criollo sauce.
Begin your meal with tostones – twice fried plantains perfect for dipping in creamy bean spread. Move onto enormous Cubano sandwiches layered with honey ham, salty pork and gooey Swiss cheese. And sample different mofongo mashed plantain bowl combinations, with options like sausage & beans, shrimp creole, and steak & cheese. The flavors at Havana Cafe offer an affordable island vacation for diners.
Conclusion
From the innovative burger joints to James Beard-recognized chefs, Arlington’s underrated dining scene offers outstanding options for every palate that visitors must experience. Use this list highlighting the city’s best restaurants to plan a memorable foodie itinerary across cuisines, atmospheres and prices.
With such an incredible variety of flavors, you’ll enjoy delicious Texas hospitality through every meal in America’s largest small town. So come hungry and prepare your tastebuds to savor Arlington’s spectacular local eateries.