Best Restaurants in Fort Worth (2025)
Don Artemio Restaurant
Mexican restaurant · Cultural District
A refined tribute to Northern Mexico from the Cárdenas family, Don Artemio pairs architectural drama with cabrito, cactus tacos, and a deep Mexican wine list. James Beard Awards named it a Best New Restaurant finalist, and local critics still rave.
Le Margot
French restaurant · Tanglewood
Felipe Armenta and Graham Elliot’s playful French brasserie lands big flavors—perfect onion soup, steak frites, and the cheeky Royale with Cheese. Texas Monthly spotlighted it among the state’s best new restaurants, and it’s become a citywide date-night standard.
61 Osteria
Restaurant · Downtown
Grace’s Adam Jones and chef Blaine Staniford channel Italy with graceful service and dishes like the ricotta-stuffed Serpente. Lauded by Texas Monthly and covered by local reporters, it now focuses on dinner service with expanded private dining.
Clay Pigeon Food & Drink
New American restaurant · Linwood
Marcus Paslay’s flagship remains a benchmark for seasonal, from-scratch cooking—think bone marrow, house pastas, and expertly cooked steaks. A recent refresh, widely noted by local media, kept the room lively while preserving its neighborhood-fine-dining soul.
Ellerbe Fine Foods
Southern restaurant (US) · Hospital District
Chef Molly McCook’s Magnolia pioneer champions local farms with Gulf-accented, seasonal menus. A longtime critic favorite, it helped define Fort Worth’s modern dining scene and still delivers gracious service and thoughtful Southern-leaning plates.
Panther City BBQ
Barbecue restaurant · Hospital District
Southside smoke with personality: peppery brisket, pork-belly poppers, and brisket elote. Recognized by the Michelin Guide and celebrated in statewide rankings, it blends Central Texas technique with Fort Worth flair. Arrive early or expect a line.
Smoke A Holics Bbq
Barbecue restaurant · Morningside
Pitmaster Derrick Walker weaves soul-food sides into textbook Texas barbecue—don’t miss the loaded cornbread or rib tips. A Top 50-level reputation among Texas barbecue hounds and steady praise from local writers keep lines moving and plates full.
Hatsuyuki Handroll Bar
Sushi restaurant · Cultural District
Chef Jun Mo Yeon’s intimate counter specializes in pristine hand rolls and nigiri that spotlight exceptional fish. Featured among Yelp’s top sushi spots in the U.S. and praised by local critics, it’s first-come, first-served—and worth the wait.
Waters Restaurant
Seafood restaurant · Uptown
Chef Jon Bonnell’s downtown anchor serves sustainably sourced seafood—gulf oysters, seasonal fish, and polished sides—under the banner of Fort Worth Fancy. It’s a go-to for celebrations and business dinners, with a strong bar and patio.
Café Modern
Restaurant · Cultural District
Inside the Modern Art Museum, Chef Jett Mora delivers Texas-rooted, globally influenced menus with an artful touch. Frequently highlighted by local publications, it’s a serene lunch, brunch, or Friday dinner with reflecting-pool views you won’t forget.
Paris 7th Restaurant Français
French restaurant · Cultural District
A refined French dining room continuing a West 7th legacy with classics like Dover sole, foie gras, and caviar service. It remains a favorite of local critics and regulars for white-tablecloth hospitality without pretense.
Lonesome Dove Fort Worth
Steak house · Stockyards
Tim Love’s Stockyards original still defines urban Western cuisine—elk, rattlesnake-rabbit sausage, and big-flavor steaks—served with swagger. A perennial media favorite, it remains one of the city’s most distinctive dining experiences.