The best restaurants in Waco
50 restaurants we’ve checked and stand behind — with the story on each one. Not a ranking; a record.
Browse another shelf: all of Waco’s best · Entertainment · Bakeries & Sweets · Beauty · Arts & Culture · Hobbies, Books, & Crafts · Nightlife · Parks & Outdoors · Shopping · Sporting Goods · Health & Wellness · Home & Garden
Pinned in Waco today
This spot is open today.
Two pinned places a day in Waco — $10 here, $25 adds the newsletter. List your business →Paid placements are always marked.
Shorty's Pizza Shack
RestaurantsFamily-owned since 2011, Shorty's Pizza Shack nails the crisp crust, gooey whole-milk mozzarella, and house-made sauce, plus from-scratch…
Shorty's Pizza Shack
RestaurantsMagnolia Table
RestaurantsMagnolia Table turns breakfast and lunch into fresh, garden-and-farm driven comfort, with prepared-to-go bites that save the day when life…
Magnolia Table
RestaurantsTerry Black's Barbecue Waco
RestaurantsCraving that no-nonsense Central Texas smoke? Terry Black's Barbecue Waco nails the melt-in-your-mouth brisket, beef ribs that demand two…
Terry Black's Barbecue Waco
RestaurantsDubl-R Old Fashioned Hamburgers
RestaurantsThis week, chase that thin, griddled patty with crispy edges, buttered buns and grilled onions at Dubl-R Old Fashioned Hamburgers, the tiny…
Dubl-R Old Fashioned Hamburgers
RestaurantsWaco Waffle Co
RestaurantsWaco Waffle Co keeps breakfast interesting with waffles stacked how you like them, from strawberries and Nutella to fried chicken and…
Waco Waffle Co
RestaurantsUnion Hall - Waco
RestaurantsUnion Hall packs Waco favorites and new finds into one downtown hub, so everyone gets what they want and you still eat together. Think…
Union Hall - Waco
RestaurantsWingstop
RestaurantsCasual counter-serve chain serving a variety of chicken wings & sides.
Wingstop
RestaurantsRudy's "Country Store" and Bar-B-Q
RestaurantsBrisket, ribs & sides served up cafeteria-style in a no-frills setting with indoor picnic tables.
Rudy's "Country Store" and Bar-B-Q
RestaurantsSegovia Wine Bar
RestaurantsCozy spot serving wine, beer, and tapas in a space with live entertainment.
Segovia Wine Bar
RestaurantsVitek's BBQ
RestaurantsVitek's BBQ keeps Waco fed with the Original Gut Pak, the legendary pile-up locals lean on when hunger gets loud. Swing by this week for…
Vitek's BBQ
RestaurantsDave's Hot Chicken
RestaurantsRelaxed, colorful eatery serving chicken tenders and sandwiches with varying spice levels, plus fries and sides.
Dave's Hot Chicken
RestaurantsJ.S. Barnett's Whiskey House
RestaurantsWhiskey bar & eatery for brunch, cocktails & happy hours, plus craft beer & Southern-inspired fare.
J.S. Barnett's Whiskey House
RestaurantsCasa Do Brasil
RestaurantsCasa Do Brasil spotlights premium cuts and authentic Brazilian flavors, plus midweek live music on the bar and patio. Not in a going-out…
Casa Do Brasil
RestaurantsPivovar
RestaurantsWhether your week needs a little European escape, Pivovar has you covered with house-brewed lagers, a breezy beer garden, and Czech comfort…
Pivovar
RestaurantsShorty's Pizza Shack
RestaurantsShorty's Pizza Shack nails that crisp crust and gooey, whole-milk mozz with house-made dough and sauce, plus the beloved pizza pillows and…
Shorty's Pizza Shack
RestaurantsDave's Burger Barn
RestaurantsDave's Burger Barn keeps it simple and legit with made-to-order chuck burgers, chili dogs, and homemade potato chips that somehow disappear…
Dave's Burger Barn
RestaurantsRevival Eastside Eatery
RestaurantsStylish spot in a former church with locally sourced burgers, salads & sandwiches, plus wine & beer.
Revival Eastside Eatery
RestaurantsHecho En Waco Mexican Cuisine
RestaurantsHecho En Waco Mexican Cuisine is your move when you want legit Mexican plates, an extensive drink lineup, and a place to catch the Premier…
Hecho En Waco Mexican Cuisine
RestaurantsBroken G BBQ
RestaurantsBroken G BBQ is the kind of spot locals keep in their back pocket, turning out tender brisket, proper ribs, and those melt-in-your-mouth…
Broken G BBQ
RestaurantsOpal's Oysters
RestaurantsOpal's Oysters brings Gulf Coast energy to Waco with oysters, bright ceviche, lobster rolls and crab cakes, plus a cocktail list built for…
Opal's Oysters
RestaurantsItalia Express Waco
RestaurantsBetween the authentic New York style pies, scratch-made pastas, and oven-kissed calzones, Italia Express Waco is that family-owned standby…
Italia Express Waco
RestaurantsBuffalo Wild Wings
RestaurantsChain dishing up wings, tenders & burgers, plus sauces ranging from sweet to very spicy.
Buffalo Wild Wings
RestaurantsMOD Pizza
RestaurantsCounter-serve, industrial-chic chain restaurant known for build-your-own pizzas.
MOD Pizza
RestaurantsDi Campli’s Italian Ristorante
RestaurantsDi Campli’s Italian Ristorante serves an Authentic Italian Experience with fresh, homemade recipes from Massimo Di Campli’s Abruzzo roots,…
Di Campli’s Italian Ristorante
RestaurantsSlow Rise Slice House
RestaurantsSlow Rise Slice House is the relaxed spot for large New York-style pies and slices plus a craft beer lineup that makes lingering a…
Slow Rise Slice House
RestaurantsCheddar Box
RestaurantsCheddar Box is Waco's original grilled cheese food truck, turning melty, gourmet builds into a proper lunch break without the fuss. Run by…
Cheddar Box
RestaurantsThe Olive Branch
RestaurantsIf you need a reliable go-to for coffee, pastries, and hearty American breakfast and lunch, The Olive Branch nails it in a relaxed,…
The Olive Branch
RestaurantsFazoli's
RestaurantsFast-food chain doling out baked pastas, subs, pizza & other casual Italian fare plus custom combos.
Fazoli's
RestaurantsLuigi's Italian Restaurant
RestaurantsWaco-area staple since 2007, now settled in Woodway since 2021, Luigi's Italian Restaurant is all about comforting Italian plates and…
Luigi's Italian Restaurant
RestaurantsOur Breakfast Place
RestaurantsLocally owned since 2012, Our Breakfast Place keeps Waco mornings upbeat with award-winning breakfasts, laid-back brunch, and lunch plates…
Our Breakfast Place
RestaurantsCajun Craft
RestaurantsSet in a restored 1950s auto shop downtown, Cajun Craft turns out jambalaya, boudin balls, and a dangerously good crawfish poutine, plus…
Cajun Craft
RestaurantsHawaiian Bros Island Grill
RestaurantsChain serving Hawaiian quick bites, including soft-serve Dole Whip, in a casual atmosphere.
Hawaiian Bros Island Grill
RestaurantsBlaine's Restaurant & Wine Shoppe
RestaurantsBlaine's Restaurant & Wine Shoppe is your scratch-kitchen wine hangout, serving seasonal plates that spotlight local farmers and artisans.…
Blaine's Restaurant & Wine Shoppe
RestaurantsThe Toasted Yolk Cafe
RestaurantsTrendy chain offering breakfast, brunch, and lunch classics, plus coffee, and cocktails.
The Toasted Yolk Cafe
RestaurantsWorld Cup Cafe and Fair Trade Market
RestaurantsCheery, socially conscious cafe offering familiar comfort grub & fair trade goods for sale on site.
World Cup Cafe and Fair Trade Market
RestaurantsThe Village Pizzaria Slice House & Gelato Bar at Union Hall turns aged sourdough into crisp, craveable pies, slices, and calzones, then…
Tony DeMaria's BBQ
RestaurantsFamily-run since 1946 and now in its fourth generation, Tony DeMaria's BBQ is the kind of counter-serve spot locals trust for straight-up…
Tony DeMaria's BBQ
RestaurantsBaris
RestaurantsBaris keeps things easygoing and delicious with traditional pastas, pizza, and those giant, addictive rolls locals rave about. It’s BYOB,…
Baris
RestaurantsGeorge’s Restaurant Bar & Catering
RestaurantsSince 1930, George’s Restaurant Bar & Catering has been the go-to for chicken fried steak, crazy wings, and that icy Big O beer that always…
George’s Restaurant Bar & Catering
RestaurantsTwisted Root Burger Co.
RestaurantsChain with gourmet beef, turkey & vegan burgers, plus spiked shakes. Some locations have game meats.
Twisted Root Burger Co.
RestaurantsJakes Burgers
RestaurantsFrom half-pound, made-to-order burgers stacked on freshly baked buns to creative builds that push what a burger can be, Jakes Burgers…
Jakes Burgers
RestaurantsRed Herring Restaurant & Bar
RestaurantsRed Herring Restaurant & Bar brings a piano lounge vibe to Waco with Grand Piano tunes, craft cocktails, and a menu that puts a playful…
Red Herring Restaurant & Bar
RestaurantsMilo All Day
RestaurantsLet Milo All Day handle your brunch-to-dinner cravings with modern Southern dishes built on seasonal ingredients. Expect traditional…
Milo All Day
RestaurantsBubba's 33
RestaurantsBurgers, pizza & beer served alongside many large-screen TVs showing sports & music videos.
Bubba's 33
RestaurantsBertie’s on the Rooftop
RestaurantsWhen you want dinner with a view and dishes that actually feel special, Bertie’s on the Rooftop delivers Texas Gulf shrimp cocktail, Spicy…
Bertie’s on the Rooftop
RestaurantsHelberg Barbecue
RestaurantsHelberg Barbecue is where Central Texas smoke does the talking, with brisket, ribs, and sausage that deliver bark, bite, and that…
Helberg Barbecue
RestaurantsChurch's Texas Chicken
RestaurantsFast-food chain offering fried chicken, chicken tenders, sandwiches & wings, plus Southern-influenced sides.
Church's Texas Chicken
RestaurantsCirca Bar & Kitchen
RestaurantsCirca Bar & Kitchen pairs globally inspired plates with artfully crafted cocktails in a relaxed spot tucked inside Element Waco, complete…
Circa Bar & Kitchen
RestaurantsWhizzbang's Hamburgers
RestaurantsWaco legend since 1977, Whizzbang's Hamburgers keeps things simple and perfect with hand-pressed patties, never frozen, and meat delivered…
Whizzbang's Hamburgers
RestaurantsLake Waco Golf Club Bar & Grill
RestaurantsTucked right on the fairways, Lake Waco Golf Club Bar & Grill does hometown dining with lake views, refreshing drinks, and the kind of…
Lake Waco Golf Club Bar & Grill
RestaurantsNothing matched that. Know a spot we’re missing? Tell us →
Listed here?
You’ve earned the mark — get the BaseLocal’s Best badge for your site →. Want in? List your business →
New spots land in the newsletter first
Free, every morning — this list is what we've already told Waco about.
One email a day. Unsubscribe anytime.