Best Restaurants in Lubbock (2025)

Chef Finn Walter’s High Plains cuisine brings elk tartare, fry bread with honey butter, and greenhouse dining to downtown. Named a 50 Best New Restaurant by Bon Appetit and led by a James Beard semifinalist, it’s Lubbock’s modern landmark.

Family‑run and proudly downtown, The West Table’s daily changing New American menu draws on local farms and a lively open kitchen. Praised by local tourism editors for farm‑to‑fork focus, it’s an essential for cocktails and seasonal plates.

Oak‑smoked brisket and beef ribs that sell out daily made Evie Mae’s a Texas Monthly Top 10 barbecue pick in 2025. Gluten‑free sides, a bakery case, and a fiercely local following make this the region’s must‑eat smokehouse.

A beloved breakfast‑and‑lunch counter where house tortillas, smoked meats, and pan dulce meet. Named a USA Today Restaurant of the Year in 2025, it blends old‑school Lubbock heart with tacos and barbecue worth planning around.

Tucked inside Cactus Alley, this Latin‑leaning kitchen serves ceviches, stacked enchiladas, and thoughtful agave cocktails in the Mermaid Lounge. Frequently recommended by local editors for date night, with live music adding neighborhood charm.

Downtown’s daytime institution for chicken‑fried steak, breakfast tacos, and famous pies that sell out before close. Featured by Southern Living for its pies, it’s a bustling snapshot of West Texas hospitality steps from the Buddy Holly Center.

Family‑owned since 1972, Montelongo’s draws regulars for menudo, tamales, and hearty breakfasts. With decades of community roots and a proudly homespun menu, it remains one of Lubbock’s most enduring Mexican kitchens.

From the West family of The West Table fame, Dirk’s serves crisp fried chicken, oysters, and jalapeño‑bacon gravy in a space lined with Dirk West cartoons. Featured on The Texas Bucket List, it’s a lively downtown hangout.

A longtime neighborhood favorite for fragrant curries and standout pad thai, cooked to order with a loyal local following. Limited hours keep quality tight; expect consistently fresh, balanced flavors at friendly prices.

Since 1989, Café J has blended Southwest touches with bistro classics, an artsy setting, and live music late on weekends. A stalwart of Lubbock dining, it’s praised by regional guides for dependable, date‑night friendly plates.