Best Rated Restaurants in and around Richland Hills, Waco¶

Richland Hills is a primarily residential neighborhood, but its location along the North Valley Mills Drive commercial corridor provides residents with a strong variety of dining options. The area around Richland Mall and North Valley Mills is one of Waco's most concentrated dining districts.

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; Texas Monthly spotlighted the Helberg Pork Steak. Yelp's 100 Best BBQ in America; Wacoan's Best BBQ & Ribs (2024).
Website: helbergbarbecue.com

American¶

Blaine's Restaurant & Wine Shoppe (Opened March 2025)¶

Cuisine: European Fine Dining (French, Italian, Cajun, British influences), Wine
Location: 1101 Richland Dr, Waco, TX 76710
Expected Cost: $$$
Hours: Tue–Sat 4–9 PM (bar/retail to 10 PM)
Notes: Opened March 2025 by 25-year-old Waco-native Chef Blaine Staniford (certified sommelier). European-inspired cuisine including crab beignets and 12oz ribeye. Wine retail, chef's table experiences, cooking classes, private event buyouts. Located directly in the Richland Hills area.

Italian¶

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 Italian flour and San Marzano tomatoes. Rated 4.5/5 with 559+ reviews. Owner also 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.

Mediterranean / International¶

Baris¶

Cuisine: Mediterranean, International
Location: 904 N Valley Mills Dr, Waco, TX 76710
Expected Cost: $$
Notes: Well-reviewed for affordable prices and quality food with excellent service.

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: Casual neighborhood sports bar known for nachos, steak fingers, and Frito pie. Confirmed open March 2026.
Website: saltydogwaco.com