Greater Fort Worth dining impresses visitors with true Texas-sized portions, bold seasoning and hearty comfort fare befitting its cowtown heritage. But the city’s culinary scene offers so much more beyond bountiful barbecue, chicken fried steaks and cinnamon-laced Tex-Mex, thanks to acclaimed chefs and passionate farm-to-table newcomers celebrated as progressive menu innovators.
| Restaurant Name | Specialty |
|---|---|
| Reata Fort Worth | Upscale Western chophouse cuisine |
| Joe T. Garcia’s | Tex-Mex cuisine in a historic setting |
| Angelina’s Mexican | Authentic central Mexican fare |
| Grace | Fine dining with New American cuisine |
| Clay Pigeon Food Co | Known for its burgers and casual dining |
| Ellerbe Fine Foods | Contemporary Southern cuisine |
| Piattello Italian Kitchen | Handmade pastas and Italian dishes |
| Brewed | Texas comfort cuisine with craft beers |
| Terra Mediterranean Grill | Mediterranean cuisine, including vegan options |
| Little Red Wasp | Creative small plates and craft cocktails |
| Revolver Taco Lounge | Unique tacos and organic tequila flights |
| Tokyo Café | Affordable sushi and Japanese dishes |
Foodies indulge in carefully curated tasting concepts, handmade pastas, celebratory South American grilling and exotic global influences proving Texas tastes eagerly embrace exciting variety and culinary craftsmanship. From quintessential family-owned staples to sophisticated venues claiming critical acclaim, here are 12 of Fort Worth’s best restaurants visitors must sample.
Reata Fort Worth
Name and Location: Reata Fort Worth brings refined rustic Hill Country cuisine downtown inside a restored early 20th century building along the Sundance Square corridor.
History and Significance: Opened in 2009 under partners including ranch scion T.J. Fountain, Reata Fort Worth reimagines authentic flavors across family recipes and live fire cooking paying homage to Southwestern ranch heritage through culinary craft while celebrating the rich cultural traditions woven into Texas food and hospitality.
What to Expect: Cast iron kisses certified Angus filets beneath fragrant mesquite smoke permeating aged bison ribeyes as foie-topped tenderloin tamales seal in cherished memories amid special occasion celebrations centered around travel-worthy Native American inspired Southwestern cuisine prepared distinctly with warm inviting Fort Worth charm.
Visitor Information: Reata Fort Worth serves creative rustic cuisine for lunch, dinner and Sunday Brunch. Reservations preferred given confined seating in the landmark downtown building with validated parking in adjacent garages otherwise robust valet service.
As downtown’s quintessential upscale Western chophouse, Reata Fort Worth steaks claim bragging rights as Texas’ best for expertly fire-grilled cuts like bone-in ribeyes and tenderloin filets atop根本 iconic roof deck views. But their menu travels deeper into cowboy cuisine spotlighting regional delicacies like chicken fried antelope or tequila-kissed quail complemented by intriguing starters like cactus fritters with chile ranch. Weekend brunch flaunts braised bison Benedict alongside campfire cobblers and cinnamon custard bread pudding. Just save room for their signature rooftop peach cobbler brought sizzling tableside under flowing bourbon glaze because everything tastes bigger and better across Reata’s authentic ranching elegance.
Joe T. Garcia’s Mexican Restaurant
Name and Location: Joe T. Garcia’s Mexican Restaurant sprawls across a vibrant Mexican villa compound near Fort Worth’s Cultural District hosting enormous family-style Tex Mex feasts amid festive outdoor atmospherics since 1935.
History and Significance: Founder Joe T. Garcia opened the iconic restaurant during the Great Depression, gaining renown for mesquite grilled specialties, Mambo Taxi margaritas, atmospheric patio spaces housing over 1,200 guests nightly and most importantly – consistent warm hospitality spanning four generations of Garcia family ownership.
What to Expect: Expect waits exceeding two hours for parties below six on busy nights without reservations. Once seated, brisk servers deliver heaping trays of scratch-made enchiladas, tacos stuffed with grilled steak and melty cheese, sizzling fajitas, puffy tamales and combination platters family-style alongside frozen margaritas to wash it all down joyfully as live music fills the vibrant walled villa.
Visitor Information: Joe T. Garcia’s serves daily lunch and dinner with extended weekends hours. Reservations highly recommended to bypass long waits. Cash only. Complimentary self-parking with paid valet options.
Operating from the same modest house since 1935 across a residential Fort Worth neighborhood known as Mexican Beverly Hills, Joe T. Garcia’s iconic Tex-Mex restaurant pampers patrons with potent margaritas and enormous combination plates bridging Texas-sized appetites to Jalisco generosity. Their patio sprawls over several tree-covered blocks where guests wait hours sipping chips and salsa for the spicy fajitas, tender cabrito and legendary enchiladas packing in flavors matching the festive atmosphere. Insider regulars start with the chile con queso dip then make sangria swirls from their frozen magarita glasses. Family owned and operated through four generations, Joe T’s remains an institution.
Angelina’s Mexican Restaurant
Name and Location: Angelina’s Mexican Restaurant has brought family-owned Tex Mex favorites to a converted Fort Worth bungalow along bustling West Magnolia Avenue for over a decade.
History and Significance: Angie and Salvador Facundo proudly continue sharing their family’s authentic northern Mexico recipes, hearty hospitality and vibrant culture across scratch made enchiladas, tacos al pastor, breakfast plates and weekend brunch fare celebrating traditions through flavorful downhome cooking prepared daily using premium ingredients selected by generations of Facundo family purveyors since 1943.
What to Expect: Handshakes welcome guests into the Magnolia Avenue bungalow filled with vibrant Mexican decor spanning bright Talavera tile, pressed tin designs and colorful textiles. Oak-smoked chicken enchiladas, hearty breakfast plates and velvety margaritas anchor menus sharing heritage through flavor.
Visitor Information: Angelina’s serves daily breakfast through dinner. Reservations recommended for large groups while smaller parties seat first-come, first-served with free street parking available on Magnolia Avenue.
Angelina’s homestyle cooking focusing authentic central Mexico flavor profiles lands this tiny eastside storefont on nationwide “best authentic Mexican” rankings thanks to 20 years perfecting regionally specific specialties like mole poblano oaxaqueño enveloping smoky chipotle chicken in rich je ne sais quoi spice blends. Handmade tortillas, complex marinades and standout vegetarian options like pumpkin flower quesadillas or mushroom empanadas keep loyal locals returning. The husband-wife owners source premium ingredients for traditional preparations their own family enjoys daily too, from spice-dusted al pastor tacos with sweet pineapple to velvety churros sprinkled in cinnamon sugar. For genuine soulful cooking in an unpretentious setting, Angelina’s delivers genuine heartfelt hospitality.
Grace
Name and Location: Modern urban steakhouse Grace brings sleek upscale dining to Fort Worth’s Seventh Street corridor just west of downtown inside a restored historical building.
History and Significance: Since 2012, Chef Blaine Staniford has driven Grace’s success by melding meticulous cooking techniques with pristine ingredients selected through direct relationships with regional ranchers, farmers and artisans who share the kitchen’s passion for excellence allowing creative preparations to shine supported by polished service befitting the expertly refined seasons-driven cuisine.
What to Expect: Intricate exhibition stations set raw seafood and marbled wagyu cuts aglow, previewing chef-driven contemporary plates culminating with oak & hickory kissed, dry-aged prime steaks listed by breed from Texas and Kansas ranches optimizing flavor, ensuring memorable celebrations lingering long after candlelit dinners conclude.
Visitor Information: Grace offers an elegant fine dining experience overlooking the Seventh Street corridor through dinner nightly alongside weekend late night hours. Robust valet services the downtown destination with reservations strongly recommended.
Ask Fort Worth foodies for favorite fine dining and Grace’s elegant renovated church tops nearly every list through devotion towards phenomenal New American cuisine, impeccable table service in hallowed sanctuary surroundings capped by stunning stained glass, and one of Texas’ top 100 wine programs curated by Advanced Sommelier June Rodil. Grace impresses across all courses from desserts like the lemon bar with pistachio glaze to entrées like profoundly succulent lamb porterhouses under subtle fig balsamic glaze. Chef Blaine Staniford tweaks menus seasonally to incorporate peak regional produce too, with standouts recently including seared scallops with butternut leek fondue and whole roasted quail with bourbon jus lie. Special occasion or not, Grace graces every meal beautifully.
Clay Pigeon Food Co
Name and Location: Urban diner Clay Pigeon Food Co fires up elevated comfort cuisine centered around a custom wood-burning grill and smoker daily inside an adapted 1950s machine shop along Fort Worth’s White Settlement Road.
History and Significance: Passionate chef Marcus Paslay honed respected culinary chops within renowned area kitchens before debuting Clay Pigeon Co in 2015 as an approachable neighborhood source for playful scratch-made sandwiches, loaded sprout bowls and smoky brisket-topped baked potatoes prepared soulfully amid retro-inspired atmospherics.
What to Expect: Expect pillowy house-made potato buns oozing with melted pimento cheese enveloping thinly sliced pastrami rubbed with black peppercorns and juniper berries. Wash it down with local craft brews filling behind a concrete bar back along guided tours of the open kitchen ending at whiskey lockers securing personalized bottles to ensure return visits.
Visitor Information: Clay Pigeon Co offers counter-service lunch and dinner daily showcasing Marcus Paslay’s lauded yet humble cooking that quickly made the order-at-the-counter diner a local favorite. Free parking available behind building.
Strong contender for Fort Worth’s best burger, the casual Clay Pigeon Food Co packs locals into an unassuming strip center along White Settlement Road for juicy dry-aged beef patties, diner-style smashburgers, crispy tater tots and thick handspun milkshakes available in rotating flavors like cookies & cream or cherry cheesecake. Their namesake “Clay Pigeon” double burger stacks two patties between bacon, Tillamook cheddar and red onion marmalade dripping decadently over a pretzel bun. Noteworthy sides include pimento cheese fries or beer-battered onion rings while wings arrive perfectly fried then glazed in Korean sticky sauce or buffalo pepper juices alongside crunchy celery and house ranch dip. Reasonable prices make Clay Pigeon burgers an anytime treat.
Ellerbe Fine Foods
Name and Location: Ellerbe Fine Foods brings vibrant New South cuisine led by Chef Molly McCook to an upscale downtown Fort Worth locale overlooking Sundance Square from an exclusive second floor dining room.
History and Significance: Named after the physician who desegregated Fort Worth hospitals before the landmark Civil Rights Act, Ellerbe Fine Foods opened during 2017 inside the private City Club building to honor legacy through inclusive contemporary Southern fare blending global techniques showcasing diversity through elevated flavorful recipes embracing the region’s abundant agricultural bounty.
What to Expect: Textural components enrich bright fresh vegetables from local Provide & Pursue farm adorning grilled and roasted entrees like prime beef short ribs in mole sauce, seared duck breast with fermented blackberry gastrique and cast iron seared Gulf fish, all paired best alongside craft spirits and boutique wines within the intimate landmark dining room setting aglow amid warm hospitality through dinner nightly.
Visitor Information: Ellerbe Fine Foods exclusive second floor City Club setting offers a refined upscale dining experience through nightly dinner service with reservations strongly recommended. On-site paid parking accommodates guests.
Chef Molly McCook plates artistic contemporary Southern cuisine celebrating humble ingredients through influenced technique inside her critically-acclaimed Ellerbe Fine Foods just west of downtown alongside the museum district. The cozy house interior matching embroidered linen napkins feels decades older than its 2015 origins while menu standouts traverse continents like Vietnamese meatballs next to Lowcountry shrimp and grits then delicate General Tso’s quail beside chicken currywurst revealing the chef’s globetrotting inspiration. Every preparation incorporates seasonal produce too, so tomato pie and okra fries give way to root vegetable cassoulets and citrus-cured duck. Ellerbe’s simultaneously feels homey yet worldly.
Piattello Italian Kitchen
Name and Location: Piattello Italian Kitchen resides along Fort Worth’s revitalized West 7th corridor spanning Philip’s Creek downtown off the Trinity River Trails.
History and Significance: After honing techniques working under esteemed chefs spanning both American and Italian culinary institutions, Amy and Antony Carron opened Piattello during 2012 to rave local praise endorsing housemade pastas, precisely executed wood-fired entrees like whole roasted fish with salsa verde and 22-month prosciutto slicing station alongside 600 varietals populating their Italian focused wine list.
What to Expect: Soaring two-story windows flood the contemporary industrial interior with natural light warming wives laughing with friends over Aperol spritzes while husbands debate friendly with staff selecting bottles from Piedmont versus Sicily to complement hand-rolled torchio noodles accepting rich ragu beneath a scatter of aged parmesan managing expectations to properly honor la dolce vita through al dente textures bathed in tradition.
Visitor Information: Piattello serves lunch weekdays and dinner nightly spanning casual counter seating to white-linen intimacy. Reservations recommended with validated parking in the 7th Street lot. Closed Sundays.
Husband-wife owners Ashley and Salvatore Giardina transform their ancestral Sicilian cooking pedigree into spectacular shared plates across an intimate modern atmosphere at Piattello Italian Kitchen located in Fort Worth’s exploding Crockett Row district. Handmade pastas dental floss thin like sweet pea agnolotti or decadent squid ink fettuccini pair beautifully with hearty Italian comfort dishes like dense meatballs blanketed in tomato gravy and parmigiano cheese fondue. Salvatore worked under renowned chefs like Lidia Bastianich early in his career to master regional techniques evident within flawless execution of classics like veal marsala escalopes or genovese braised beef short ribs slowly collapsing into fork-tender perfection. Piattello Italia Kitchen deserves applause for its authentic cooking and flavors.
Brewed Fort Worth
Name and Location: Brewed Fort Worth brings elevated global pub fare alongside a thoughtfully curated tap wall spotlighting Lone Star State breweries to a restored 1920s firehouse downtown along the Trinity Trails and Water Gardens.
History and Significance: Director of Brewing Operations Jorge Gonzalez Baeza migrated his passion for craft beer’s creative capacity through taps showcasing exclusive small-batch brews best enjoyed alongside Executive Chef Sebastian Mar partitioning global cuisine influences into approachable shared plates made for pairing and lingering joyfully within the historic landmark property refreshed in 2020.
What to Expect: Daily rotating small plates spanning Thai chicken bao buns, Lebanese spindle skewers and mole spiced queso accompany Mexico City style tacos stuffed with beer battered cod or crispy beef barbacoa. It all reinforces Executive Chef Sebastian Mar’s global training through flavor-focused preparations chasing over 50 curated taps primarily spotlighting prized local and regional breweries.
Visitor Information: Brewed serves weekday lunch and dinner plus weekend brunch with happy hours daily. Hop-lovers can monitor constantly rotating taps online while walk-ins easily explore the revitalized historic property with on-site parking available.
Los Angeles transplant and executive chef Robert Paley fled big city pressures for a small town passion project celebrating Lone Star heritage through elevated Texas comfort cuisine best enjoyed beside Fort Worth’s longest bar inside his namesake Brewed restaurant along 7th Street. House smoked brisket stars within their quintessential breakfast taco while homemade flour tortillas wrap tender barbacoa short ribs bathed in ancho chile gravy. Beyond barbecue, sandwiches like the buttermilk chicken flies higher than most Fried fare thanks to spicy honey drizzle playing against dill pickles and cabbage slaw. Don’t miss beer can chicken either, roasted deliciously moist with Fort Worth craft IPA. For creative local flavor with cold brews on tap, Brewed hits the hearty Texas sweet spot.
Terra Mediterranean Grill
Name and Location: Terra Mediterranean Grill brings distinct modern Eastern Mediterranean flavors to Fort Worth’s bustling West 7th corridor spanning Trinity River Trails overlooking downtown.
History and Significance: Open since 2013, Terry and Anna Petrov reign over the kitchen blending their Bulgarian heritage with Lebanese preparations learned under family immersed for generations while living abroad in the Middle East. This first-hand cultural exposure shines through complex yet approachable small plates and heartier entrees welcoming guests through vibrant world flavors.
What to Expect: Smoky baba ghanoush joins falafel, lamb sliders and made-to-order lavash flatbreads fresh from the stone hearth oven. Branzino caps larger plates incorporating pickled vegetables, briny olives and layered dips like labneh and muhammara reflecting the Petrov’s dedicated efforts towards expanding perspectives through the hospitality of breaking bread passed down respectfully through generations.
Visitor Information: Terra Mediterranean Grill serves weekend brunch alongside lunch and dinner daily with happy hour specials in their covered patio lounge. Parking validations provided in the 7th Street public garage.
From the first warm puffy sheet of housemade lavash bread arriving alongside burdening mezze platters brimming with baba ghanoush, hummus, tabbouleh, stuffed grape leaves, and Mediterranean salad, family-owned Terra Mediterranean transports guests across the Atlantic through hospitality matching the scrumptious cooking crossing Turkish, Greek and Lebanese cultures reflected across their menu spanning doner kebabs, scratch made moussaka casseroles, and regional sweets like baklava dripping sweet syrup. Separate sections catering specifically to gluten free, vegan, and vegetarian dietaries makes Terra even more welcoming. For Old World escapism with new world service, Terra dishes consistent satisfaction.
Little Red Wasp Kitchen + Bar
Name and Location: Little Red Wasp Kitchen + Bar brings creative small plates and craft cocktails alongside live music performances to a restored bungalow along Fort Worth’s eclectic Magnolia Avenue.
History and Significance: Open since 2015, owners Jerett and Leslie Kusek source local ingredients to nourish seasonal sharable plates celebrating the best of Texas farms and products through distinct flavor profiles evolved across Asia and America over years working abroad before returning home. Nightly live music honors Fort Worth’s treasured culture scene.
What to Expect: Crunchy tempura maitakes with sweet miso vinaigrette play well with diver scallop crudo dressed in pickled wasabi accompanied by daily handcrafted cocktails like the refreshing Pimm’s Cup#7 cooling the lingering heat of crispy pork belly buns with kimchi and gochujang pepper sauce as live music transports diners from the cozy vintage bungalow to Seoul nightlife.
Visitor Information: Little Red Wasp’s Magnolia Avenue location offers weekday lunch, daily dinner and weekend brunch spanning indoor and pet-friendly covered patio space. Expect some wait during peak hours without reservations.
Creative small plates served alongside craft cocktails mixed with artistic precision draw crowds towards Little Red Wasp buzzing energetically along Fort Worth’s popular Magnolia Avenue near the medical district’s economic resurgence. Their kitchen playfully traverses global fusion flavor profiles through standouts like Mexican street corn fritters, Korean fried chicken wings on waffles and Japanese fried chicken bao buns for multicultural mash-ups enlightening tastebuds. Cocktails stays innovative too, from the “Dilly Dilly” with herbaceous gins and dill simple syrup to frothy cold brew martinis jolting happy hour energy. Come with a spirited attitude towards adventure because Little Red Wasp often surprises joyfully.
Revolver Taco Lounge
Name and Location: Revolver Taco Lounge brings globally-inspired tacos, creative craft margaritas and good times through two distinct funky Fort Worth locales including the flagship West 7th location.
History and Significance: Owned and operated by husband-wife duo Regino and Sylvia Rojas since 2011, Revolver Taco creatively blends Tex-Mex heritage with worldwide training spanning Asia, Europe and South America into signature tacos chased by over 100 tequilas and Mexican beers best enjoyed late nights among the vibrant skull decor contrasting Dia de los Muertos aesthetics.
What to Expect: Gyoza trumpet mushroom and hibiscus margarita pairings preface shareable cadillac fries smothered in pipian rojo sauce leading towards crispy battered cod tacos over Asian slaw and the ultra-hot La Chingada taco packing habanero relish, pepper masa and ghost pepper sauce challenging courage between friends while enjoying high energy atmosphere.
Visitor Information: Revolver Taco serves funky tacos spanning global flavors and ingredients for lunch through late nights daily at both locales. Expect waits during peak hours at the tiny energetic spaces with parking varies by location.
Revolver Taco Lounge spices up near southside Sundance Square through edge-pushing tacos, inviting decor and specialty libation lineup emphasizing organic tequila flights tiering novices towards true aficionados. Their kitchen experiments beyond standard meat fillings too via sweet potato, chicken chicharron and Baja shrimp tacos topped with cabbage among 20 varieties. Shareable plates like queso fundido baked under melted Oaxacan cheese and wagyu beef tartare with truffle honey keep the good times going late into the night supported by pops of color everywhere from hanging papel picado banners to hand-painted Dia de Los Muertos skulls behind the bar. Approachable cool permeates Revolver Taco Lounge.
Tokyo Café
Name and Location: Tokyo Cafe brings homestyle Japanese comfort cuisine to locals inside a modest strip center along Fort Worth’s Old Denton Road just north of downtown.
History and Significance: Since 1992, Tokyo Cafe has steadfastly sustained neighborhood intimacy through scratch-made noodles, belly-warming donburi bowls and Spartan surrounds true to Chef Mike Ho’s Hong Kong training learned under generations of discipline carrying forward honest food preparations valuing simplicity and thoughtfulness necessary to nourish community.
What to Expect: Dishes steadfast as the restaurant’s hospitality anchor diners in familiarity across all generations – pork katsu crispy yet yielding under housemade bulldog sauce, tempura lightly fried allowing ingredients’ natural sweetness to shine or flaky Taiwanese potstickers soothing through bare-bones surrounds with well-worn booths punctuated by dragon wall scroll art reflecting millennia of culinary traditions distilled humbly through single plates prepared sincerely to gratify.
Visitor Information: Tokyo Cafe offers counter-service weekday lunch and dinner in a modest relaxed setting with free parking in the Old Denton Road strip center lot. Cash only payments. Closed Sundays.
Ask Fort Worth locals about favorite sushi spots and Tokyo Café frequently gets mentioned first for affordably priced rolls, sashimi and signature plates spanning Japanese favorites from steaming pork gyoza and chicken teriyaki to more exotic fare like monkfish liver pâté and marinated jellyfish appetizers. Their Dragon and Rainbow Rolls draw devotees while the nigiri selection impresses as more than just tuna and salmon. Hot entrees hit the menu too like katsu fried pork or grilled mackerel along with piping bowls of ramen stirred up hearty to offset fiery wasabi horseradish and salty tamari dipping sauce. For authentic Japanese fare without emptying your wallet, Tokyo Café delivers major satisfaction through quality cooking.
Beyond beloved barbecue joints and chicken fried steakhouses, Fort Worth dining impresses through chef-driven farm-fresh bistros, imaginative fusion concepts and internationally transportive cuisine celebrating the city’s cultural diversity. Foodies find Texas-approved culinary excitement downtown through creative tacos, extravagant Mediterranean mezze spreads, Asian cuisine cooked with meticulous balance and plenty more ethnic eateries proving Cowtown tastes eagerly accept delicious variety. From quintessential family-owned joints to James Beard honoree venues, visitors eat extraordinarily well across Fort Worth’s underrated food scene. Just make sure to save room for the decadent dessert or cowboy coffee still to come!