Best Rated Restaurants in Waco¶

Here are some of the best-rated and most notable restaurants in Waco, categorized by cuisine type.

American/Southern¶

Magnolia Table¶

Cuisine: American, Southern
Location: 2132 S Valley Mills Dr, Waco, TX 76706
Expected Cost: $$
Notes: Joanna Gaines' flagship restaurant, serving elevated home-style breakfast and lunch. Expect a wait — it's one of the most popular spots in the city.
Website: magnolia.com/table

Health Camp¶

Cuisine: American, Burgers
Location: 2601 Circle Rd, Waco, TX 76706
Expected Cost: $
Notes: A Waco institution since 1949. Classic drive-in-style burgers, milkshakes, and fries. One of the most iconic local spots in the city.
Website: healthcampwaco.com

Buzzard Billy's Armadillo Bar & Grill¶

Cuisine: American, Cajun/Creole
Location: 100 N University Parks Dr, Waco, TX 76701
Expected Cost: $$
Notes: Lively waterfront bar and grill overlooking the Brazos River. Known for its crawfish, gumbo, and weekend live music.
Website: buzzardbillys.com

BBQ¶

Terry Black's Barbecue¶

Cuisine: BBQ
Location: 228 S 8th St, Waco, TX 76701
Expected Cost: $$ - $$$
Notes: From the family behind Austin's acclaimed Terry Black's, this Waco location serves Central Texas-style smoked brisket, ribs, and sausage. One of the top BBQ spots in the region.
Website: terryblacksbbq.com/waco

Vitek's BBQ¶

Cuisine: BBQ
Location: 1600 Speight Ave, Waco, TX 76706
Expected Cost: $
Notes: A Waco landmark since 1915. Famous for the "Gut Pak" — a local specialty piled with BBQ, Fritos, beans, onion, and pickles. Cash-friendly and unpretentious.
Website: viteksbbq.com

Mexican / Tex-Mex¶

Ninfa's Mexican Restaurant¶

Cuisine: Mexican, Tex-Mex
Location: 220 S 3rd St, Waco, TX 76701
Expected Cost: $$
Notes: Long-running local favorite for traditional Tex-Mex. Popular for fajitas, enchiladas, and margaritas. Frequently cited as one of the best Mexican restaurants in Waco.
Website: ninfaswaco.com

La Fiesta Mexican Restaurant¶

Cuisine: Mexican, Tex-Mex
Location: 1802 Richland Dr, Waco, TX 76710
Expected Cost: $
Notes: A no-frills neighborhood staple with large portions and consistently fresh food. Beloved by locals for its value and authenticity.

Italian¶

Di Campli's Italian Ristorante¶

Cuisine: Italian
Location: 6500 Woodway Dr, Ste 121, Waco, TX 76712
Expected Cost: $$ - $$$
Notes: Upscale Italian dining in a relaxed setting. Known for house-made pasta, wood-fired dishes, and an extensive wine list. One of Waco's premier date-night destinations.
Website: dicamplis.com

Asian¶

Noodle Zone¶

Cuisine: Asian Fusion, Vietnamese, Thai
Location: 420 N Valley Mills Dr, Waco, TX 76710
Expected Cost: $
Notes: A beloved local staple for affordable and flavorful Asian noodle dishes, pho, and stir-fry. Known for large portions and quick service.

Kitok Restaurant¶

Cuisine: Korean, American
Location: 1815 N 18th St, Waco, TX 76707
Expected Cost: $
Notes: A small, well-regarded spot for Korean food in Waco. Popular with students and adventurous diners looking for something off the beaten path.
Website: Facebook

Mediterranean / Greek¶

Alpha Omega Grill & Bakery¶

Cuisine: Mediterranean, Greek
Location: 929 Franklin Ave, Waco, TX 76701
Expected Cost: $$
Notes: Family-owned Mediterranean restaurant and bakery. Known for fresh gyros, kabobs, and house-baked pastries. A great lunch option near downtown.
Website: alphaomegawaco.com

Steakhouse¶

OneThirtyFive Prime¶

Cuisine: Steakhouse, Seafood
Location: 1201 Hewitt Dr, Waco, TX 76712
Expected Cost: $$$$
Notes: Waco's premier fine dining steakhouse. Known for dry-aged prime cuts, fresh seafood, and a curated wine list. The go-to for special occasions and business dinners.
Website: 135prime.com

Coffee & Cafés¶

Café Cappuccino¶

Cuisine: Coffee, Café, Light Fare
Location: 3815 W Waco Dr, Waco, TX 76710
Expected Cost: $
Notes: A Waco staple for coffee lovers since 1986. Cozy atmosphere, strong espresso drinks, and a rotating selection of pastries and sandwiches.

Common Grounds¶

Cuisine: Coffee, Café
Location: 1123 S 8th St, Waco, TX 76706
Expected Cost: $
Notes: A popular coffee house near Baylor with a strong community following. Known for specialty drinks, a welcoming atmosphere, and live music events.
Website: commongroundswaco.com

Newer & Recently Opened (2024–2026)¶

Opal's Oysters¶

Cuisine: Seafood, Coastal
Location: 228 S 8th St Suite B, Waco, TX 76701
Expected Cost: $$ - $$$
Notes: First non-barbecue venture by the Terry Black's BBQ team. Named after Opal Faye Hendershot, the Black family matriarch. Offers raw oysters, redfish, and craft cocktails right next door to Terry Black's.

Red Herring¶

Cuisine: Mediterranean, Fine Dining
Location: 319 S 4th St, Waco, TX 76701 (inside Hotel Herringbone)
Expected Cost: $$$-$$$$
Notes: Elevated Coastal Mediterranean cuisine in a stunning art-deco setting inside the Hotel Herringbone. Features a raw bar, chef's tasting counter, and a grand piano for live music. One of Waco's premier new upscale dining destinations.

Songbird Wine Bar¶

Cuisine: Wine Bar, Small Plates
Location: 319 S 4th St, Waco, TX 76701 (Hotel Herringbone courtyard)
Expected Cost: $$
Notes: Courtyard wine bar adjacent to Red Herring. Known for curated wine selections, charcuterie boards, and weekend live music. A relaxed alternative to its fine-dining neighbor.

Milo All Day¶

Cuisine: Southern, Contemporary, Farm-to-Table
Location: 1020 Franklin Ave, Waco, TX 76701
Expected Cost: $$
Notes: From the same chef as Red Herring. A bright, modern space with a buzzy brunch scene, open kitchen, and seasonally driven, locally sourced menu. A local favorite for weekend mornings.

Sagrado Cocina and Bar¶

Cuisine: Tex-Mex, Mexican
Location: 215 S University Parks Dr Suite 107, Waco, TX 76701
Expected Cost: $$
Notes: Downtown Tex-Mex with an upscale feel — deep velvet green textiles, hanging plants, and a full bar. Well-positioned for pre- or post-event dining near the Brazos riverfront.

Blaine's Restaurant and Wine Shoppe¶

Cuisine: Contemporary, French Bistro
Location: 1101 Richland Dr, Waco, TX 76710
Expected Cost: $$ - $$$
Notes: Chef Blaine Fischer's cozy bistro with checkered floors and twinkle lights. Features a rotating seasonal menu with small plates, soups, salads, and mains sourced from local farms. Also operates as a wine shop.

The Butcher's Cellar¶

Cuisine: Steakhouse, Seafood
Location: 13701 Woodway Dr Bldg 5, Woodway, TX 76712
Expected Cost: $$$-$$$$
Notes: Run by two chefs who appeared on Hell's Kitchen Season 21. One of the most talked-about new fine dining experiences in the greater Waco area. Located in neighboring Woodway.