Often considered the more casual sibling when compared to neighboring Dallas, Fort Worth has a style all its own. With heavy influences from its Wild West past and its current position as a world-class cultural city—thanks to an incredible arts scene—you’ll always find a harmonious juxtaposition of luxury and laid-back. That same spirit extends to its restaurants, where cowboy tradition, Texas hospitality, and ambitious chefs have combined to create one of the state’s most exciting dining destinations.
The dining scene reflects that concept thanks to a growing number of informal fine-dining establishments, as well as mainstay BBQ, taco, and burger joints. Read on for 19 of the best places to eat and drink in Fort Worth.
Lonesome Dove Bistro
Celebrity chef Tim Love has contributed significantly to the local dining scene with nearly a dozen concepts in Fort Worth alone. His flagship creation, Lonesome Dove Bistro, celebrated 25 years in business last year and because of its popularity, he has expanded its footprint with locations in Austin and Knoxville, Tennessee. This Stockyards restaurant showcases his talents with inspired wild game creations, from his signature rabbit-rattlesnake sausage to kangaroo nachos. More mainstream favorites include a roasted garlic-stuffed beef tenderloin and chicken fried steak. 2406 N. Main St., Fort Worth, lonesomedovebistro.com
Walloon’s Restaurant
The curb appeal of Walloon’s in the historic, 1920s-era LaCava building signals great things to come. The Near Southside restaurant offers some fantastic seafood dishes, from the surprisingly affordable seafood tower and Meixcan-style shrimp cocktail to the lobster roll and seared gulf redfish for main courses. You’ll also find an excellent steak frites, a hearty chopped salad with roasted salmon, and an Italian Beef worthy of the best joints in Chicago. Pop in for happy hour to enjoy discounted oysters, burgers, fish dip, plus wines by the glass and a trio of cocktails to wash it all down. 701 W. Magnolia Ave., Fort Worth, walloonsrestaurant.com
61 Osteria
For impeccably crafted Italian dishes served in an elegant setting, chef Blaine Staniford and restaurateur Adam Jones have made 61 Osteria one of Fort Worth’s hottest tables. A focus on seasonal local ingredients brings a freshness to every plate, whether it’s Maine lobster gnocchi, wild boar pappardelle, or bee pollen risotto with sun-dried tomatoes and white asparagus. The wine program shines with a well-appointed by-the-glass selection and a robust collection of Italian wines by the bottle. 500 W. 7th St., Fort Worth, 61osteria.com
Grace
If you have tickets to a show at Bass Hall, make an early dinner reservation at Grace to start the evening on the right note. Chef Blaine Staniford focuses on modern American classics here, but you’ll find welcome Asian influences including Japanese tataki, chicken karaage, and miso glazed cod, along with traditional fish, pasta, and steak dishes. 777 Main St. #2700, Fort Worth, gracefortworth.com
Kincaid’s Hamburgers
Kincaid’s Hamburgers has been serving juicy beef creations since 1946, from simple Texas-style burgers with mustard, lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickle, to towering achievements such as the Cowtown Deluxe layered with bacon, pimento cheese, grilled onions and jalapeños. Homemade onion rings, fried okra, and deviled eggs make great sides if you’re looking for a crinkle fry alternative. Multiple locations, kincaidshamburgers.com
Wicked Butcher
Check in with the host and you’ll soon be led into an intimate basement space with white subway tile walls. The modern approach helps Wicked Butcher stand apart from several Texas steakhouses, but the menu bursts with both classics and new twists. Kick things off with a jumbo shrimp cocktail, some braised tenderloin hummus, a wicked wedge, and a spot-on beef Wellington or hand-cut steak with lobster butter. 512 Main St., Fort Worth, wickedbutcher.com
Emilia’s
This bright, sophisticated restaurant looks onto the Fort Worth Cultural District and its menus feature dishes that are works of art on their own. The Italian-inspired fare draws inspiration—as does the restaurant’s name—from Fort Worth’s sister city, Reggio Emilia, Italy. Enjoy fresh Mediterranean favorites like fresh oysters with seasonal mignonette, or heartier dishes like short rib and pancetta rigatoni or a prosciutto and hot honey pizza. The bar’s a great place to grab a cocktail before or after a visit to one of the nearby museums. 3300 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, emiliasfortworth.com
Clay Pigeon Food & Drink
Since 2013, chef Marcus Paslay has been treating diners to a menu filled with classics and seasonal creations. The beautiful, brick-walled dining room provides a warm and inviting environment to kick back and linger over lively conversation and great food. For summer, the watermelon gazpacho with blue crab makes for a refreshing start to dinner, which could be spice duck breast with mushroom succotash or wood-grilled lamb chops and summer beans. Or stop in for the Sunday Chicken Roast or a two-course Steak Frites Monday starting at $30. The food-and-drink-packed happy hour’s also makes any weekday a reason to celebrate. 2731 White Settlement Rd., Fort Worth, claypigeonfd.com
Esperanza’s Restaurant & Bakery
Joe T. Garcia’s gets heaps of attention as a go-to Tex-Mex spot when visiting Fort Worth, but it can be packed with tourists that wait times can get pretty long. Enter Esperanza’s. Run by the same family, its two locations are a little less congested, and the menu is far more expansive than Joe T’s. Try the combination Uno for a sampling of two types of enchiladas and a crispy taco, but don’t overlook the guisado, fish tacos, or some chorizo chilaquiles from the all-day breakfast menu. Multiple locations, esperanzasfw.com
Provender Hall
Deep in the heart of Mule Alley in the historic Fort Worth Stockyards, this massive, two-story, 5,000-square-foot bar and grill offers chill vibes and chef-driven takes on popular comfort fare. Fried green tomatoes, loaded nachos with queso and smoked brisket, chopped beef sandwiches, Texas redfish and chips, chicken fried steak, braised greens, and banana pudding represent the concept well. You can easily make a full meal during happy hour with full-size sandwiches, gumbo, and $5 glasses of wine as highlights. 122 E. Exchange Ave. #110, Fort Worth, provenderhall.com
Heim BBQ
Heim’s smoked meats have become so coveted, that you can even have them shipped anywhere in the nation. While in Fort Worth, however, enjoy Prime Certified Angus brisket, Niman Ranch pork ribs, house brined-and-smoked turkey breast, and their world-famous Heim BBQ bacon burnt ends. Get any of these meats in sandwich form or on a platter with green chili mac and fried okra (or your own favorite selections from several indulgence-worthy sides). Multiple locations, heimbbq.com
The Mont
Jeff Payne’s Cousin’s BBQ has been a local favorite since 1983, but its sister concept, the Mont, represents a sharp turn toward elevated New American in a swanky mid-century modern space. The raw bar impresses, so consider the Fruits de Mer platter that gives six different seafood dishes equal representation. A whole roasted duck and a 42-ounce Irodori Wagyu tomahawk both make great, showstopping shareable entrees, or keep one of the other Irodori Wagyu butcher cuts all to yourself with some roasted mushrooms on the side. 4729 St. Amand Cir., Ste. 105, Fort Worth, themontfw.com
Bonnell’s Fine Texas Cuisine
Chef Jon Bonnell’s longtime passions for hunting, fishing, and cooking come to life on his menu featuring his brand of “Fine Texas Cuisine.” Oysters Texasfeller, pepper-crusted buffalo, ancho-rubbed elk, and pecan-crusted redfish all represent his skill and passion for flavorful cuisine that highlights local and seasonal ingredients in an elegant setting. 4259 Bryant Irvin Rd., Fort Worth, bonnellstexas.com
The Chumley House
As Duro Hospitality’s (Sister, Mister Charles, Norman’s Western Japanese Grill) first concept outside of Dallas, the Chumley House has taken a European-style steakhouse and infused it with a little British flair. Order the beef Wellington, butter chicken meat pie, or halibut “Portherhouse” for a nice array of dishes that showcase several across-the-pond influences. 3230 Camp Bowie Blvd., Ste. 150, Fort Worth, thechumleyhouse.com
97 West Kitchen & Bar
Though 97 West is far from the only restaurant in town elevating Texas fare with their own spin, it’s definitely among the best. Sidle in for a leisurely dinner or lively weekend brunch. Taste your way through menu favorites including chicken-fried Texas oysters, pecan-smoked salmon, New York Strip chicken-fried steak, wood-grilled bison tenderloin, and a grilled cauliflower steak side dish that shouldn’t be overlooked. Make sure to also try a smokin’ marg to start. 200 Mule Alley Dr., Fort Worth, 97westkitchenandbar.com
Tannahill’s Tavern & Music Hall
From a satisfying meal to a night of live music and dancing, this venue from chef Tim Love offers a full spectrum of entertaining options. Grab a pizza outside the lounge, or settle in for a spell at a table inside the tavern for smoked crab and green chili dip, a bowl of Texas Red, fried bologna sandwiches, and smoked brisket enchiladas. 122 E. Exchange, Ste. 200, Fort Worth, tannahills.com
Proper
Proper has emerged as a cult-favorite cocktail lounge thanks to its playful offerings, ranging from spicy pickle martinis to complimentary hot dogs on random nights. Bartenders are able to tailor drinks to your specifications, so feel free to throw out some creative ingredients. The vintage vibe gives guests plenty to look at (and if you “find the Bob Ross,” you’ll get a free shot), while the patio welcomes well-behaved dogs and like-minded humans. 409 W. Magnolia Ave., Fort Worth, propermagnolia.com
Gemelle
On the grounds of chef Tim Love’s micro-resort, Hotel Otto, Gemelle welcomes both overnight guests and locals eager to sample his Amalfi-coast inspired take on Italian fare, as well as New York and Detroit-style pizzas. T’s Pie with Love’s famous rabbit-rattlesnake sausage is a must. Set daily specials also shine, from Monday lasagna to Sunday’s seared pork osso bucco with polenta. Aperol Spritzes are the go-to throughout the hotel property, so give the frozen version a try. 4400 White Settlement Rd., Fort Worth, gemelleftw.com
Don Artemio
This James Beard semifinalist takes Mexican cuisine to new levels of gastronomic sophistication. Begin with a tequila and mezcal powered Tierra Caliente cocktail while you decide among savory offerings, including nopalitas fritos (fried cactus), deep-fried enchiladas, overnight braised beef tongue tacos, or El Famoso “Chile Hojaldrado,” a cream cheese and pecan-stuffed poblano wrapped in puff pastry. 3268 W. 7th St., Fort Worth, donartemio.us
Toro Toro Fort Worth
Internationally renowned chef Richard Sandoval brought his Toro Toro concept to Fort Worth several years ago and it’s become a consistent and reliable place for well prepared steaks with pan-Latin influences. The menu is suited for sharing, with sweet corn empanadas, smoky bison tiradito, and a signature 32-ounce tomahawk ribeye true standouts. On the cocktail front, the pisco-spiked Pachamama Spritz taps into the South American influence in a different way, but you can’t go wrong with a margarita either. 200 Main St., Fort Worth, torotorofortworth.com
Benito’s
In a land of Tex-Mex, Benito’s aims to distinguish itself with authentic Mexican cuisine (also open for interpretation), but the food here’s good regardless of categorizations. Enchiladas con mole rojo, Mexican-style quail, whole fried rainbow trout, and guisado de puerco con calabacitas (pork stew with squash) all represent the “authentic” notion well. 1450 W. Magnolia Ave., Fort Worth, benitosmexican.com
West + Stone
Tucked inside the Sheraton Fort Worth Downtown Hotel, this off-the-beaten-path eatery serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but also a bar program worthy of a visit. Expect shareable dishes such as roasted chickpea poblano dip, Cowtown wings and a cold draft beer or signature Blood Moon Mule highlighted by blood orange vodka and other citrus flavors. 1701 Commerce St., Fort Worth, westandstoneftworth.com…