Where To Eat in Waco: A Guide to the City's Best Restaurants

The best restaurants in Waco, TX, might surprise you. The city that gave us Dr Pepper, Baylor University, and Chip and Joanna Gaines is experiencing a growth spurt, with new restaurants opening downtown and east of the Brazos River.

Waco is halfway between Austin and Dallas on the I-35 highway. It's a convenient spot for great food on the go and a destination in its own right. Kel and I have gone to a Baylor football game, to Magnolia Market at the Silos, to the Cameron Park Zoo, and to Mammoth National Monument.

My ongoing exploration of Central Texas and Dallas has led me to Waco, 95 miles north of Austin, on many occasions over the past several years. Each visit brings new opportunities to feast at local restaurants. Here are some of the best places we've tried so far.

Top Waco Restaurants

Editor's Note (New and Noteworthy)

One of the most impressive additions to Waco's dining scene is The Butcher's Cellar. This chophouse immediately earned a spot among my most memorable meals of 2025. I've listed it later in this guide.

1. Magnolia Table

Chip and Joanna Gaines renovated a historic building to open Magnolia Table in 2018, and it's been a destination dining experience ever since. This restaurant, serving breakfast and lunch, charms fans of the Gaines with fresh pastries from Silos Baking Co. and seasonal butter flights.

Classic brunch dishes such as avocado toast on sourdough bread, lemon-blueberry pancakes, French toast, and burgers are also availablEntréesees are $8 to $14, a terrific value given the quality of ingredients, preparation, and ambiance.

Dessert fans can order a three-scoop ice cream sundae with one of five Magnolia flavors produced in collaboration with Blue Bell of Brenham, TX. Banana pudding, a skillet cookie, and fresh-baked pie are also available to excite your taste buds.

Magnolia Table's website dynamically updates approximate wait times for walk-in customers. However, given that this is one of the best restaurants in Waco, TX, I recommend making a reservation. 2132 S Valley Mills Dr, Waco, magnolia.com

2. Cafe Homestead

Cafe Homestead offers a delightful blend of farm-to-table dining and rustic charm. Located within the sustainable farming community of Homestead Heritage in North Waco, this restaurant is more than just a pit stop for food; it's an experience and an example of resilience.

In December 2022, a few days before Christmas, the original building suffered a catastrophic fire. Incredibly, the Homestead Heritage staff began collaborating that same night, and six months later, the new-and-improved Cafe Homestead reopened.

In keeping with the community's DIY ethic, furniture and interior decor were constructed from scratch. The full scope of the project is detailed on the back of the menus and is worth a read.

The menu celebrates organic, locally sourced ingredients, featuring comfort foods like grass-fed burgers, homemade sourdough bread, and farm-fresh eggs. When Kel and I went to the newly reopened restaurant for dinner, we began with the Southern corn fritters.

I enjoyed the house-smoked chicken enchiladas, while Kel got the evening's special, a wedge salad and loaded baked potato with brisket and bacon.

We shared a generous portion of blackberry cobbler à la mode for dessert. The incredible six-month rebuilding of Cafe Homestead made me appreciate its wonderful atmosphere, menu, and service. 608 Dry Creek Rd, Waco, cafehomestead.com

3. OneThirtyFive Prime

If you want to treat yourself, plan a date night, or enjoy time with friends and family over an excellent steak dinner, head to OneThirtyFive Prime in Hewitt, a South Waco suburb.

This steakhouse has served the community for over ten years and offers prime Akaushi Beef from HeartBrand Beef, a fifth-generation Texas ranch. I recently became a fan of Akaushi Beef after getting one of the best burgers of my life at LeRoy and Lewis, a food truck in Austin.

At OneThirtyFive Prime, I tried the six-ounce filet of tenderloin ($44) and bourbon-glazed carrots. I initially forgot to order brandy peppercorn sauce, so I took my first few bites without it and was reminded of how incredible this wagyu beef tastes.

Other options include a 12-ounce New York strip steak ($54), ribeye ($74), and Chateaubriand for Two ($175).

The Chateaubriand is a three-course meal for two, including a salad, steak carved tableside, two sides, and crème brulee. It's an easy choice to celebrate special occasions. A 14-ounce New Zealand rack of lamb also looked appealing.

OneThirtyFive Prime serves sushi-grade fish and has a surprisingly extensive seafood menu.

Related: Best Restaurants in Fredericksburg

I'd be remiss not to mention dessert, as I couldn't resist the Tower Cake, an eight-layer amaretto chocolate cake with Callebaut chocolate buttercream frosting. It was drenched in chocolate sauce and garnished with blueberries and candied pecans.

Kel helped me with it, though we still took half of it home. Other desserts at one of Waco's best fine dining restaurants include key lime pie, seasonal gelato, NY-style cheesecake, and marbled bread pudding. 1201 Hewitt Dr, Suite 110, Waco, 135prime.com

4. Milo

Milo All Day, commonly known as Milo, celebrates Southern comfort food made with seasonal ingredients. The plant-filled restaurant exudes a relaxed, industrial-chic vibe that's attractive and welcoming.

A local favorite, diners line up before the restaurant opens on weekends, especially when there's a Baylor football home game.

Co-owner and chef Corey McEntyre's brunch menu features elote corn ribs, truffle fries, salads, blue corn pancakes with Earl Grey maple syrup, and Nashville chicken tacos.

I ordered my server's favorite: smoked pork hash with sweet potato mole and eggs. It was delicious and filling. I also chose a Pinewood drip coffee, which Milo served in a custom clay mug (Pinewood is a popular coffee shop in downtown Waco).

The dinner menuentréesees look equally flavorful. There's a cheeseburger made with two 44 Farms beef patties, short rib au poivre, and pan-seared trout. To produce the best food possible, Milo partners with nearby farms to ensure the ingredients they receive are as fresh as possible.

The bar isn't to be overlooked either; it offers a curated selection of craft beers, wines, and cocktails to complement the food. 1020 Franklin Ave, Waco, milowaco.com

5. Ninfa's Mexican Restaurant

If you're craving Tex-Mex or Mexican food at an affordable price, check out Ninfa's in downtown Waco. The Original Ninfa's on Navigation Boulevard in Houston was opened by "Mama" Ninfa Laurenzo in 1973. She's credited with popularizing fajitas in H-town.

While descendants of Mama Ninfa opened the restaurant in Waco and were previously licensed to use the name, it is not affiliated with the original Ninfa's on Navigation.

Regardless, you can count on chips and queso, handmade tortillas, various quesadilla and nacho options (including BBQ brisket nachos), burritos, and fajitas. The margarita menu will ensure a good time, whether you're there for lunch, happy hour, or dinner.

When Kel and I ate dinner at Ninfa's, we were seated near a staircase leading to a small loft. It seemed like an odd spot, but when Kel noticed Baylor Football's head coach, Dave Aranda, walking down with some college students, it became a memorable experience.

In 2021, Aranda led the Baylor Bears to their best record in school history (12-2), a Big 12 Championship, and a win at the Sugar Bowl in only his second year. 220 S 3rd St, Waco, ninfaswaco.com

Related: Best Restaurants in Houston

6. Schmaltz's Sandwich Shoppe

Opened in 1975 on the Baylor University campus, Schmaltz's Sandwich Shoppe has been in business as long as I've been alive. When Kel suggested I check out this sandwich shop she frequented during her graduate school days at Baylor, I wondered what was so special about it.

The answer is in their circular loaves of artisan white and whole wheat bread, handmade every morning with no additives or preservatives.

While the Baylor location closed decades ago, you can still dine downtown or at their North Valley Mills restaurant near Lake Waco. I went to the latter during the peak lunch rush on a Tuesday afternoon, and they were so busy that my ham-and-Swiss sandwich took 25 minutes to prepare.

Once I received the warm deli sandwich, I sat in a booth and sank my teeth into it. The bread truly makes the difference here, and the buzzy atmosphere complemented my experience at one of the best restaurants in Waco, TX. 1412 N Valley Mills Dr #136, Waco, schmaltzssandwichshop.com

7. True Jamaica

On a drive home from Dallas, Kel and I stopped at Tru Jamaica, which "promises to entertain your soul with authentic Jamaican cuisine." Owners Vivia Charles and her son Aniceto returned to Waco to open the restaurant after living in Northern Virginia (where I once lived).

Inside, reggae plays, and the decor resembles Caribbean island restaurants I've visited in the Bahamas, Belize, and Colombia.

We split a jerk chicken breast entrée with coconut rice, salad, and fried plantain. The chicken is baked instead of fried and is moderately spicy. We also tried sorrel-ginger juice, coconut milk bread, and a terrific rum cake made with Jamaican Overproof Rum.

Other dishes include jerk shrimp, curry goat (shrimp, chicken, or vegetables), oxtails, red snapper, and Rasta pasta (penne in jerk sauce with bell peppers and spinach). Imported Jamaican sodas are also available. 724 Austin Ave, Waco, trujamaica.com

Related: Memorable Memphis Restaurants

8. Alpha Omega Grill & Bakery

A great place to satisfy your Mediterranean food cravings is the Alpha Omega Grill & Bakery. Located in Waco's historic district, the old brick building was a transmission shop in the 1950s and was lovingly restored ahead of Alpha Omega's 2016 opening.

We pulled into the spacious parking lot for an early dinner on our way back from a visit to Fort Worth and had the place to ourselves. I got a customer favorite, the pork gyro, a side of hummus, a strong cup of traditional Greek coffee, and a giant piece of baklava for dessert.

Baked goods, including the pita bread, are made in-house, and you can tell; their pita is light and fluffy, encouraging you to eat whatever's wrapped in it. Gyros are also available with chicken, beef, lamb, ribeye, shrimp, fish, chickpeas, and vegetables.

Other delicious-sounding menu items include a Greek salad, Greek feta fries, feta cheese phyllo rolls, and spanakopita. 929 Franklin Ave, Waco, alphaomegawaco.com

9. Kitok Restaurant

Like Schmaltz's, Kitok opened in 1975 and remains a favorite restaurant of Waconians today. The restaurant is named after its first owner, Kitok, a Korean woman who met her American husband, Robert Moore, while he was stationed in South Korea.

Upon returning to the U.S. and settling in Waco, Kitok opened a small restaurant serving American comfort food and Southern classics, such as chicken fried steak.

After attracting some regulars, one of them suggested she offer something unique. The tip led to Kitok's signature oriental fries, a mix of fried shoestring potatoes, carrots, onions, and parsley served with soy sauce.

I can attest to the addictive nature of these fries. I also enjoyed a tasty bulgogi burger marinated with soy sauce, garlic, ginger, wine, sugar, and sesame oil. Another customer favorite is the Lip Locker, a double-patty cheeseburger.

Traditional Korean dishes include bulgogi (beef, chicken, or pork) and galbi (short ribs). Although Kitok has changed owners several times since it first opened, the current owners are Korean-American women who have kept the restaurant's original look and feel alive. 1815 N 18th St, Waco, Kitok on TripAdvisor

10. Pivovar

Pivovar is a new Czech-style boutique hotel, brewery, restaurant, bakery, and beer spa in the historic Katy Hotel building across the street from the Magnolia Silos. In late 2022, Kel and I entered the hotel's bar and restaurant for an adult eggnog.

A few weeks later, we ate there while in town for a Baylor men's basketball game. The restaurant and bar are well-appointed, with comfortable seating and views of the on-site brewery. An atrium adds to the spacious feel.

The beer, wine, and brandy flights caught our attention, but we ultimately ordered the seasonal Blackberry Bramble cocktail.

The menu offers traditional Czech food with Texan influences. Kel went with the charcuterie board with cheeses and local sausage, and I had a delectable Czechan Schnitzel (the breading is made with their beer).

Additional Czech specialties include braised pork shank with mashed potatoes and a short rib goulash. Angus Beef burgers, a 14-ounce ribeye, filet mignon, and house sausage are also available, as are seafood, pasta, soups, and sandwiches. 320 S 8th St, Waco, pivovar.com

11. Revival Eastside Eatery

The welcoming Revival restaurant opened in 2019 at the site of an abandoned church, a few blocks south of True Jamaica in Waco's up-and-coming Elm Avenue neighborhood.

Every effort was made to preserve the original building's materials, including the roof timbers, tin ceiling tiles, and red brick walls.

There's also plenty of outdoor seating. Texas-sourced ingredients are used whenever possible, and the salads, sandwiches, and burgers are made in-house.

I ordered the Golden Calf cheeseburger, a customer favorite, for $13. The five-ounce beef patty is topped with caramelized balsamic onions, whipped herbed goat cheese, and lemon garlic aioli on a brioche bun.

The burgers and sandwiches come with French fries (you can upgrade to sweet potato fries, broccoli slaw, a side salad, or tomato soup for an extra $2).

I left Revival feeling it was an excellent option for a budget-friendly meal or quick bite, thanks to the freshness of the food, friendly service, and interesting interior. 704 Elm Ave, Waco, revivaleastsideeatery.com

12. The Brasserie at Hotel 1928

Five years after opening Magnolia Table, Chip and Joanna Gaines debuted The Brasserie at Hotel 1928. The historic building that housed their new restaurant was redeveloped into a boutique hotel, a process documented in their hit show, Fixer Upper (streaming on Max and Amazon Prime Video).

Kel and I stopped by for an early dinner before catching a Baylor Bears men's basketball game at the new $212 million Foster Pavilion. The ground-floor restaurant is massive and beautifully designed.

The Brasserie's menu features "Southern classics with a Texas twist," such as the grilled pork chop with poblano creamed corn I ordered and the chicken fried steak.

Kel enjoyed the 1928 burger with black peppered bacon, cheddar, and green tomato jam. We also shared a cast-iron mac 'n cheese made with a three-cheese blend.

The leftovers we took home were enough to last several days. Since the soda was invented in Waco, I looked forward to the Dr Pepper fudge cake. However, it lacked the Dr Pepper flavor (the waitress said they were still working on the recipe). As a chocolate cake, though, it was perfectly fine.

If you like the design of The Brasserie at Hotel 1928, be sure to explore the hotel's cafe, which offers a view of the basement-level library, and Bertie's on the Rooftop, a great spot for drinks with a view.

701 Washington Ave, Waco, hotel1928.com

13. Terry Black's Barbecue

Terry Black's Barbecue opened its fourth location in the heart of downtown Waco, TX, on April 19, 2024. Business-wise, I thought it was brilliant, as you can serve a college town and catch people commuting between Austin and Dallas.

I'm a long-time fan of Terry Black's, as it's one of the first spots I tried brisket after moving to Austin. They bring that same passion for the 'cue to the Waco location.

One of the pitmasters started chatting with me and showed me some brisket over a fire before I walked in the front door! The cafeteria-style ordering is the same as at other locations, with lots of indoor seating (and an outdoor patio).

We got the Texas Trinity (brisket, pork ribs, and jalapeno cheddar usage) along with sides of mac 'n cheese, string beans, creamed corn, and cornbread, with peach cobbler for dessert. 228 S 8th St, Waco, terryblacksbbq.com

14. The Butcher's Cellar

If you're looking for a refined, special-occasion dinner in the Waco area, The Butcher's Cellar delivers on every front from cocktails to dessert. Executive Chef Alejandro Najar, a finalist on Hell's Kitchen (Season 21), brings a confident, modern touch to a menu that balances technique with comfort.

Kel and I started with cocktails, including the Midnight Petal, alongside the playful Beary-tini mocktail. The appetizers set the tone: Prime beef and shrimp dumplings served with chili oil and fabulous tuna with crispy rice.

For entrées, I ordered the dry-aged pork chop served with miso apple butter, while Kel went with the six-ounce filet topped with confit garlic and maître d' butter. Both were beautifully cooked. The sides of miso-honey butter corn ribs and Brussels sprouts were strong enough to stand on their own.

Dessert sealed the deal: a sticky toffee pudding made with date cake and buttermilk ice cream that I'm still thinking about months later.

Every course impressed, making The Butcher's Cellar one of my best meals in Central Texas in 2025 and a must for anyone serious about dining in Waco. 13701 Woodway Dr, Bldg 5, Woodway, butcherscellar.com

Conclusion

I hope this cross-section of outstanding restaurants in Waco, TX, is whetting your appetite. I've also eaten at Union Hall on Franklin Ave., the city's European-style food hall, which boasts about 20 different vendors.

Future trips to the Waco area will include Red Herring, Hellberg Barbecue, Jasper's BBQ, Vitek's BBQ, George's Restaurant (founded in 1930), Jake's Texas Tea House, and Health Camp (an ironic name for a fast-food restaurant).