Best Rated Restaurants in and around Parkdale Viking Hills, Waco¶

Parkdale Viking Hills is served by two distinct dining corridors: the North Valley Mills Drive / Richland Mall area on the eastern edge, and the Woodway Drive corridor on the west. Together they form one of Waco's most diverse dining zones.

Steakhouse / Chophouse¶

The Butcher's Cellar (Opened May 2024)¶

Cuisine: Steakhouse, Chophouse, Seafood
Location: 13701 Woodway Dr, Bldg 5, Woodway, TX 76712
Expected Cost: $$$
Hours: Mon–Thu 4:30–10 PM; Fri–Sat 4:30–10:30 PM; closed Sunday
Notes: Opened May 17, 2024 to high anticipation. Upscale steakhouse serving steaks, chops, and fresh seafood. Executive Chef Alejandro Najar; Chef de Cuisine Alyssa Osinga (Hell's Kitchen). Confirmed open March 2026.
Website: butcherscellar.com

BBQ¶

Helberg Barbecue¶

Cuisine: Texas BBQ
Location: 2301 N Valley Mills Dr, Waco, TX 76710
Expected Cost: $$
Notes: Fire destroyed the original building November 26, 2023; rebuilt and reopened March 2025. Named to Texas Monthly's Top 50 BBQ Joints in Texas (2025) — 2nd appearance; Yelp's 100 Best BBQ in America; Wacoan's Best BBQ & Ribs (2024). Texas Monthly spotlighted the Helberg Pork Steak (marinated overnight in citrus and spice).
Website: helbergbarbecue.com

Italian / Mediterranean¶

Baris¶

Cuisine: Sicilian Italian, Mediterranean
Location: 904 N Valley Mills Dr, Waco, TX 76710
Expected Cost: $$
Notes: Family-run Sicilian Italian since 1996, operated by founders' sons Adem and Jimmy Imeri. Rated 4.5/5 with 589+ reviews (confirmed March 2026).
Website: bariswaco.com

Moroso Italian Ristorante¶

Cuisine: Italian, Pizza
Location: 4700 Bosque Blvd, Waco, TX 76710
Expected Cost: $$$
Hours: Tue–Thu 11 AM–2 PM & 5–9 PM; Fri 11 AM–2 PM & 5–10 PM; Sat 5–10 PM; Sun 10 AM–2 PM; closed Monday
Notes: Artisan Neapolitan-style pizza using organic, non-GMO imported Italian flour and San Marzano tomatoes. Rated 4.5/5 with 559+ reviews. Owner opened Azurro Café next door in October 2024.

Di Campli's Italian Ristorante¶

Cuisine: Italian
Location: 6500 Woodway Dr, Suite 121, Waco, TX 76712
Expected Cost: $$$
Hours: Mon–Thu 11 AM–2 PM & 4–9 PM; Fri–Sat 11 AM–10 PM; closed Sunday
Notes: Opened 2020 by Massimo Di Campli (from Abruzzo, Italy). Authentic regional Italian. Confirmed open through 2026.

International¶

Saffron (Relocated)¶

Cuisine: Indian, Pakistani (100% Halal)
Location: 2305 Marketplace Dr, Waco, TX 76711 (relocated — original 416 N Valley Mills Dr location is closed)
Expected Cost: $$
Hours: Tue–Thu 11 AM–9 PM; Fri–Sat 11 AM–10 PM; closed Monday & Sunday
Notes: Waco's first authentic Indian/Pakistani restaurant. Relocated from its original N Valley Mills Dr location. Rated 4.5/5 with 178 reviews (confirmed January 2026).
Website: saffronwaco.com

Bar & Grill¶

Salty Dog Sports Bar & Grill¶

Cuisine: American, Bar & Grill
Location: 2004 N Valley Mills Dr, Waco, TX 76710
Expected Cost: $$
Hours: Sun–Mon 11 AM–9 PM; Tue–Thu 11 AM–10 PM; Fri–Sat 11 AM–11 PM
Notes: A casual neighborhood sports bar known for nachos, steak fingers, and Frito pie. Confirmed open March 2026.
Website: saltydogwaco.com

New / Coming Soon¶

Wienerschnitzel (Opened December 2025)¶

Cuisine: Hot Dogs, American Fast Food
Location: 305 S Valley Mills Dr, Waco, TX 76710
Expected Cost: $
Notes: Drive-through format (~1,490 sq ft). The brand's return to Waco since 2009; its 48th Texas location. Operated by local entrepreneur Brett Swartz (also of Slow Rise Slice House). Opened late 2025.