Last Updated on January 12, 2024 by Emily Johnson
Lubbock, Texas is home to a vibrant food scene with many excellent restaurants to choose from. The city has a range of cuisines to suit any palate, from Texas barbecue to fine dining to ethnic eateries.
| Restaurant Name | Cuisine and Specialties |
|---|---|
| The Crafthouse Gastropub | Craft beer, New American cuisine, chicken and waffles, seared ahi tuna salad, green chile cheeseburgers |
| West Table Kitchen & Bar | Farm-to-table, American dishes with southern flair, chicken fried ribeye steak, cast iron seared quail |
| Orlando’s Italian Restaurant | Southern Italian cuisine, handmade pastas, cioppino, chicken piccata |
| The Nicolett | Fine American dining, seafood and steak, sea scallops, filet mignon |
| Cafe J | American with Mediterranean/French influence, lemon ricotta pancakes, avocado toast, shakshuka |
| La Diosa Cellars | Wine and tapas, charcuterie boards, baked brie, stuffed mushrooms |
| One Guy from Italy | Traditional Italian, bruschetta, lasagna Bolognese, chicken marsala |
| Stella’s Restaurant | Brunch, fresh local ingredients, huevos rancheros, breakfast tacos |
| The Foundry | New American cuisine, burrata, elk carpaccio, lobster bisque |
| Caprock Cafe | Texas barbecue, brisket, ribs, pulled pork |
| The Crave | American comfort food, chicken and waffles Benedict, un-BLT sandwich |
| Alien Fresh Jerky | Exotic meats, gourmet jerky, specialty sandwiches |
Here is a list of the top 12 best restaurants that Lubbock has to offer.
The Crafthouse Gastropub
Name and Location: The Crafthouse Gastropub is located in downtown Roswell, NM.
History and Significance: Opened in 2012 in a converted 1920s building, The Crafthouse offers craft beers and upscale pub fare with a trendy vibe.
What to Expect: Creative appetizers, salads, burgers, and entrees with global influences. Extensive craft beer selection. Popular happy hour and late-night spot.
Visitor Information: Open daily 11am-2am. Main dishes $10-25. Reservations recommended for dinner. 21+ after 9pm.
The Crafthouse Gastropub offers a unique dining experience with its craft beer and wine bar paired with locally-sourced New American cuisine. The rotating tap list features over 30 beers including many local Texas brews.
The seasonal menu includes dishes like the fan-favorite chicken and waffles, seared ahi tuna salad, and green chile cheeseburgers. Handcrafted cocktails and an extensive whiskey list round out the drink options. With its warm ambiance and friendly service, Crafthouse Gastropub is a favorite neighborhood spot.
West Table Kitchen & Bar
Name and Location: West Table Kitchen & Bar is located in downtown Roswell, NM.
History and Significance: Opened in 2014, West Table brings contemporary American cuisine with New Mexican flair to a historic building.
What to Expect: Seasonal menus featuring dishes like elk tenderloin, crab cakes, and green chile cheeseburgers. Full bar. Sunday brunch.
Visitor Information: Open Tuesday-Saturday 5-9pm, Sunday brunch 10am-2pm. Entrees $15-40. Reservations recommended.
West Table Kitchen & Bar takes farm-to-table dining to new heights. The restaurant sources high-quality ingredients from local ranches, farms, and purveyors to create American dishes with a southern flair.
Customer favorites include the chicken fried ribeye steak, cast iron seared quail, baby back pork ribs, and diver scallops. The craft cocktail menu is also a highlight using housemade bitters, syrups, and juices. The upscale casual vibe makes West Table a great spot for both special occasions or a night out with friends.
Orlando’s Italian Restaurant
Name and Location: Orlando’s Italian Restaurant is located in downtown Roswell, NM.
History and Significance: Family-owned since 1986, Orlando’s serves authentic Italian cuisine in an intimate setting. A longtime local favorite.
What to Expect: Classic Italian dishes like chicken piccata, lasagna, and spaghetti carbonara. Extensive wine list. Fresh baked bread. Friendly staff.
Visitor Information: Open Tuesday-Saturday 5-9pm. Entrees $13-25. Reservations recommended.
Serving authentic southern Italian cuisine since 1962, Orlando’s Italian Restaurant is steeped in Lubbock history. They are best known for handmade pastas, sauces, and bread. Standout dishes include the cioppino, chicken piccata, and tiramisu.
Orlando’s has an old-world charm with its checkered tablecloths, dim lighting, and cozy booths. It’s a long-standing favorite for intimate dinners, family gatherings, and celebrations. Be sure to check out their wine cellar featuring over 200 labels.
The Nicolett
Name and Location: The Nicolett is located in downtown Roswell, NM.
History and Significance: Opened in 2021 in a former 1930s hotel, The Nicolett offers new American fine dining with craft cocktails in an elegant setting.
What to Expect: Seasonally inspired entrees like bison filet, grilled scallops, and braised short ribs. Extensive wine list and creative cocktails. Sophisticated ambience.
Visitor Information: Open Tuesday-Saturday 5-10pm. Reservations recommended. Closed Sunday-Monday.
The Nicolett offers fine American dining with an emphasis on fresh seafood and steak. The 1920s speakeasy vibe sets the sophisticated yet relaxed tone. Diners rave about the sea scallops with pork belly, filet mignon topped with jumbo lump crab, and Chilean sea bass.
For lighter fare, the Nicolett serves salads, sandwiches and flatbreads at lunchtime on weekdays. With live jazz performances, craft cocktails, and excellent service, it makes for a memorable night out.
Cafe J
Name and Location: Cafe J is located in downtown Roswell, NM.
History and Significance: Opened in 2005, Cafe J serves Southwestern fare like enchiladas and tacos alongside classic American dishes in a casual, art-filled setting.
What to Expect: Signature breakfast plates, burgers, sandwiches, salads and comfort entrees for lunch and dinner. Full espresso and coffee bar.
Visitor Information: Open daily 7am-9pm. Dishes $7-15. Can order online for pickup.
Cafe J features American eats with Mediterranean and French influences mixed in. The chic but cozy dining room is bright and airy. Menu standouts include lemon ricotta pancakes, avocado toast, shakshuka, and croque madame for brunch.
Dinner highlights include trout almondine, steak frites, and ratatouille. Cafe J uses high-quality ingredients to craft each dish. Guests especially love the baked goods like macarons, tarts, and croissants. Whether for brunch or dinner, Cafe J has comfort food and rustic charm worth savoring.
La Diosa Cellars
Name and Location: La Diosa Cellars is located just outside downtown Roswell, NM.
History and Significance: Established in 2010, La Diosa is a small woman-owned winery crafting wines from New Mexico grapes. The tasting room offers a cozy experience.
What to Expect: Tastings of red, white and fruit wines. Wine by the glass or bottle. Gift shop with take-home bottles. Private tasting events.
Visitor Information: Open daily 11am-6pm. Tastings $7-10 per person. Wine club available.
Wine lovers rejoice, as La Diosa Cellars serves top-notch wine alongside tapas plates. Located in a restored Victorian home, the atmosphere is artsy and elegant. Guests delight in charcuterie boards, baked brie, stuffed mushrooms, hummus platters and more to pair with their wine.
Sampling flights allow you to taste several of La Diosa’s locally-made wines like sauvignon blanc, sangiovese, and cabernet franc. There’s also a full bar so you can enjoy craft cocktails as well. For a relaxing glass (or bottle) of vino, check out La Diosa Cellars.
One Guy from Italy
Name and Location: One Guy from Italy is located in downtown Roswell, NM.
History and Significance: Family recipes from owner Mario are the highlight at this cozy Italian restaurant open since 1991. A longtime local favorite.
What to Expect: Traditional dishes like chicken parmesan, lasagna, manicotti and spaghetti with Mario’s red sauce. Affordable prices, big portions.
Visitor Information: Open Tuesday-Saturday 11am-8:30pm. Closed Sunday-Monday. Entrees $10-20. Cash only.
One Guy from Italy instantly transports diners to Italy with its traditional dishes, cozy trattoria ambiance, and gregarious owner. A trip to this Lubbock institution often starts with bruschetta, followed by hand-rolled pastas and sauces made from scratch.
Signature items include the lasagna Bolognese, chicken marsala, and pistachio-crusted salmon. Save room for canolis or tiramisu for dessert. Between the friendly service and big portions, One Guy from Italy offers an excellent value for authentic Italian fare.
Stella’s Restaurant
Name and Location: Stella’s Restaurant is located in downtown Roswell, NM.
History and Significance: This comfy diner has been serving all-American breakfast and lunch favorites since the 1960s in a relaxed, retro setting.
What to Expect: Big portions of omelets, pancakes, burgers, sandwiches and more. Baked goods like giant cinnamon rolls. Old-school soda fountain drinks.
Visitor Information: Open daily 7am-2pm. Dishes less than $15. Cash only. Can order online for pickup.
For brunch that feels indulgent yet healthy, there’s Stella’s Restaurant. Their menu emphasizes fresh, locally-sourced ingredients to create dishes like huevos rancheros, breakfast tacos, crepes, frittatas, and more.
Customer favorites include the veggie omelet with goat cheese and spinach and the organic chicken apple sausage. Stella’s also serves fresh-pressed juices, smoothies, mimosas and bloody marys. The laid-back, sunny space makes it a great spot for a weekend brunch with friends.
The Foundry
Name and Location: The Foundry is located north of downtown in Roswell, NM.
History and Significance: Housed in a converted 1930s bus depot since 2018, The Foundry specializes in made-from-scratch comfort food and handcrafted drinks.
What to Expect: Farm-to-table American fare like burgers, pot roast, salads and mac and cheese. Full bar with unique cocktail recipes.
Visitor Information: Open Monday-Saturday 11am-10pm. Entrees $12-25. Reservations recommended for dinner.
The Foundry provides refined new American cuisine in an elegant arts district setting. Starters range from burrata to elk carpaccio to lobster bisque. Mains include everything from steaks and seafood to short ribs, pork chops, and duck.
Their dessert menu is also a highlight with options like creme brûlée and molten chocolate cake. With its candlelit rooms, wine vaults, and craft cocktails, The Foundry offers a romantic fine dining experience great for date nights and special occasions.
Caprock Cafe
Name and Location: Caprock Cafe is located north of downtown in Roswell, NM.
History and Significance: Featured on Food Network, this cafe has been feeding locals flavorful Southwest dishes for breakfast and lunch since 1986.
What to Expect: Signature breakfast plates like Eggs DeVargas, along with burgers, salads, sandwiches and daily specials. Fresh baked goods.
Visitor Information: Open daily 7am-2pm. Dishes $5-15. Call ahead for large groups.
For quintessential Texas barbecue done right, there’s Caprock Cafe. Brisket, ribs, pulled pork, sausage, and more are smoked to absolute perfection. Sides like corn casserole, coleslaw, beans, and potato salad make for perfect barbecue pairings.
Caprock Cafe also serves breakfast all day and has a kids menu. The laid-back, cowboy vibe makes it a fun spot for the whole family to enjoy great barbecue.
The Crave
Name and Location: The Crave is located north of downtown in Roswell, NM.
History and Significance: Open since 2010, this contemporary space offers globally inspired small and share plates along with signature cocktails.
What to Expect: Unique appetizers like bacon-wrapped dates, ahi tuna nachos, and Cuban sliders. Large selection of craft beers and wines. Trendy atmosphere.
Visitor Information: Open Tuesday-Saturday 11am-10pm. Small plates $9-15. Reservations recommended for weekends.
The Crave brings American comfort food with a creative twist to downtown Lubbock. Their menu takes classic dishes up a notch, like the chicken and waffles Benedict for brunch or the un-BLT sandwich with fried green tomatoes for lunch.
Nightly specials keep things interesting, often featuring seafood or steak. The Crave also has a full bar with local beers on tap. With counter service by day and full service at night, it caters to diners around the clock.
Alien Fresh Jerky
Name and Location: Alien Fresh Jerky is located just off Main St in Roswell, NM.
History and Significance: Keeping Roswell weird since 1996, this alien-themed shop makes over 25 flavors of unique beef jerky to sample. A must-visit.
What to Expect: Fun photo ops, jerky tasting bar, and every jerky flavor imaginable – both savory and sweet. Take home flavored jerky and novelty gifts.
Visitor Information: Open daily 9am-6pm. Jerky prices start around $7 per bag. Cash or credit accepted.
For a truly unique dining experience, look no further than Alien Fresh Jerky. Focused on exotic and gourmet meats, their jerky menu includes selections like alligator, kangaroo, venison, salmon, and wild boar.
They also serve specialty sandwiches featuring their jerky alongside out-of-this-world ingredients. Alien Fresh Jerky sells their products in-store and online. With its alien decor and wide jerky selection, this roadside attraction makes for a fun and filling pitstop.
The Spoon
Name and Location: The Spoon is located just off Main Street in downtown Roswell, NM.
History and Significance: Serving over 1,000 varieties of ice cream, old-fashioned sodas, and diner fare since 1999, The Spoon is a quintessential Roswell experience.
What to Expect: Huge ice cream selection with unique flavors like green chile and extraterrestrial. Burgers, dogs, sandwiches and fountain drinks in a retro parlor.
Visitor Information: Open daily 11am-10pm. Dishes $4-12. Cash or credit accepted. Outdoor seating available.
Serving breakfast, lunch, and everything in between, The Spoon is a local favorite. Their diverse menu has something for everyone – pancakes, crepes, tacos, burgers, salads, and more. Daily specials range from chicken pot pie to prime rib.
For breakfast, customers rave about the Spoon’s migas and breakfast burritos. Lunch highlights include the Frito pie and Chicken Salad Cranwich. Open late, this diner is perfect for any time of day when you need a satisfying meal.
Conclusion
From barbecue joints to ethnic eateries to artsy cafés, Lubbock’s dining scene has something to suit any taste or occasion. The restaurants on this list represent the best food, service, and overall experiences the city has to offer.
Trying local spots like these is a great way for visitors and lifelong Lubbock residents alike to enjoy everything this West Texas city has to offer. With its mix of dining diversity and local flavor, Lubbock earns its place as an underrated foodie destination.
