Red Herring Restaurant & Bar

My husband and I were visiting Waco, we wanted to go to a nice restaurant for dinner and I found Red Herring Restaurant & Bar online. The food , atmosphere, service were amazing. If you are into plants (like me) they have so many real plants all throughout the restaurant. The only downside was it wasn’t very cool inside so we were getting warm towards the end of our meal after a few drinks.

If you’re considering dining here, be prepared for small portion sizes—yes, even the medium and large plates lean on the modest side. A good way to tell what size you're working with is to glance at the plates arriving at nearby tables before you order. There was some confusion at the start: bread and Caesar salads were brought to our table, and we initially assumed they were complimentary. Turns out, both belonged to the table next to us. It wasn’t our server’s fault, as different staff members deliver the food, but it was a little awkward. Now, on to the food: we ordered the dressed oysters, pork belly skewers, and crab cake. All three were delicious—flavorful, well-prepared, and nicely presented. Again though, portions were on the smaller side. The dress code is best described as business casual. While we saw a few diners in shorts and flip-flops, most were dressed a bit more upscale. I wore distressed (holely) capri jeans with wedge sandals and still felt slightly underdressed. Reservations are a good idea, though you can hang out at the bar while waiting for a table. The atmosphere is stylish yet welcoming, and the staff was friendly and professional throughout our visit. This is a Mediterranean-inspired menu with prices ranging from $9 to $45. Overall, it was a great experience with high-quality food and service—just don’t expect to leave full unless you’re ordering multiple dishes.

This place brings something different to Waco which I love. Their style of serving smaller portions meant to be shared around the table is also great. It’s something very common in other countries. The service was top notch. Some of the best I’ve seen in a while. I highly recommend the focaccia and the crispy potatoes. They have a lot of vegetarian options, and there’s really something for everyone here without the menu being too overwhelming. I liked the ambience, but did feel like it was a little overly dark. Overall nice good addition to Waco’s food scene.

Amazing solo dine-in experience at Red Herring. The service and the foods are top notch. I had Keith as my server, and he was really friendly (and he also recommended really good food on the menu). Definitely come back for my next trip to Waco. P/S: Really sorry for the confusion when I was ordering by the way. You guys are amazing💯

Stopped in for an evening cocktail on a Tuesday night. Boyfriend had the old fashioned and I had the Kiss Kiss - both were great. The restaurant decor and atmosphere is stunning - beautifully designed and a nice place for a low key drink. We sat at the bar and the bartender was very nice to us and the rest of the patrons. Happy we stopped in, this was a real treat and the rest of the hotel grounds a fun to walk around - check out Lucky Bucks rooftop bar upstairs for a more casual vibe and cheaper drinks too (A+ espresso martini frozen)

This has to be the most beautiful restaurant in all of Waco. The food here is phenomenal and the service is amazing. I enjoyed everything that I ordered here - the Wagyu skewers and the Crudo are a must! The carrots and meatballs are also really good. Super affordable compared to Austin. Seriously, such a lovely place and I would definitely come back.

Please don't listen to negative reviewers. When someone says "my tartare was cold and undercooked", you understand why excellent restaurants like Red Herring struggle in Waco. This is without a doubt the best upscale restaurant in Waco. The ambience, design, and decor alone put this place at the top. The only negative I have is that it sometimes felt like it was trying to bite off more than it could chew. Don't get me wrong, everything was still good but not everything we ate was excellent. There are lots of great restaurants in Waco but this is the closest thing we have to actual fine dining. Really happy it's here.

Absolutely the Best Food and Service Ever! From start to finish, our experience was beyond amazing. The food was absolutely delicious—fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. Every bite was better than the last! We enjoyed the fish, lamb, chicken, hummus, and finished with an amazing dessert! What truly sets this place apart, though, was the outstanding service. Our waiter, Pierce and manager, Chris were warm, attentive, and went above and beyond to make sure everything was perfect. They made us feel genuinely welcome and taken care of. If you’re looking for exceptional food paired with top-notch service, look no further. This place exceeded every expectation. Highly recommend!

Gorgeous decor. Variety of seating options. Fantastic service. Helpful. Personable. Absolutely delicious food. Small servings with great satisfaction. Great for a date with your honey.

My husband and I love this restaurant but after tonight's experience we may not return. The service from our server McKayla was horrendous. She couldn't have cared less if she was there and at one point disappeared for 20 mins. When we saw her again, she was coming inside from the front door and did not even come to check on us. She forgot my cocktail and gave no apology at all. She had a very poor attitude, and it will only hurt the rest for the future.

We were immediately seated and enjoyed a really nice dinner in a mostly empty restaurant. Very eccentric decor. Got a Gatsby vibe for some reason. My wife and I received very good service. We ordered oysters appetizer, then the salmon and pork chop. The food was very good, and the server was very attentive and kind. It was also noticeable to us that the chef was interested in how we liked the food as it came out. Even though it was a slow evening, you could see that there was caring and concern for the patron's experience. We would highly recommend this restaurant.

I loved the atmosphere and style of the restaurant. Very cool vibe. I was not aware before going that the dishes are served tapas style. We had plenty of small plates but I did not take pictures because they were so good that they just disappeared. The highlights were the crudo, meatballs, and mixed green salad. I did not try everyone's pasta dishes. The cocktails were on point! Their presentation was fantastic. The kiss kiss was delicious. Our waiter was very knowledgeable and had some great recommendations. I would definitely recommend for a date night!

Phenomenal! Start to finish this meal was fantastic. Started with focaccia with whipped butter. The slight crisp on the outside and airy inside cannot be beat. Caesar salad has a punch and we like our dressing strong. Red fish with shawarma is flavorful, flaky, and amazing. Meatballs have amazing texture, flavor and the marinara is oh so good. We will make a special trip back just to eat here again. Don't miss out! Outstanding service as well as the ambiance. Gorgeous detail.

Everybody needs to go to Waco, Texas and try this restaurant. I remember the waiter telling us that it's a mix of Mediterranean and South African fare. There's another one in there, but I forget.. Guys, the decor in this place was something that put some of the most expensive restaurants I've been to, to shame. The service was wonderful - we had the most friendly and sincere waiter. The food was to die for- it's small plates with bold flavors. The drinks are delicious. The vibe is intimate and sexy. Just do yourself a favor and go. My husband and I actually said that we would come back to Waco just to have dinner here.

Beautiful restaurant and great food. Good service and great selection in menu items. Remodeled old bldg now adjacent to hotel.

Loved everything. Atmosphere is on par, service was all on point and friendly. Plates are tapas style so order accordingly. The oysters were delicious! Lamb skewers were yummy and the hummus and cucumber salad with it was perfect. Mixed greens salad has a perfect dressing and crispy bacon. Daughters had lumache and it was delish! Smoky flavor to the vodka sauce. I had seared tuna but it wasn't my fave. Not the sweet typical yellow fin flavor and only 4 oz. Otherwise all was perfect.

We didn't take pictures because we were just overjoyed with everything and everyone here. The service- EXCELLENT The food- so.many.delicious.flavors. The ambiance- very very cool. My creative brain was overjoyed to be dining in such a wonderful place We will DEFINITELY be back. You should go. Get reservations and go.

Our server was Pierce. He was outstanding. Great dining experience. You must order the duck.

Okay the ambiance, and presentation of everything is amazing. Staff is extremely attentive, friendly and professional. My drink was okay, love the idea behind the combination of flavors but a tad on the sweeter side tasting like a lemon lime soda vs a crafter cocktail for what I like personally. The food was unfortunately disappointing. My pork belly skewers were just strait fat with no meat whatsoever, the flavor potential is absolutely there and I understand pork belly is typically fatty but there wasn't even a bite of meat in any of the skewers. Fortunately for me I like the fatty pieces too but some balance would be nice. My hamachi crudo was more of a thick sashimi cut of fish as opposed to a thinner cut and the fish taste came out on the fishy side as opposed to the fresher side, the flavors were amazing though with the oregano and truffle and citrus with a hint of spicy with Serrano. I prefer a fresher cut of fish and softer mouthfeel when eating crudo with thinner cuts. However, I would also say I'm a bit of a sushi snob.

My husband and I sat at the Chef's Table yesterday evening for dinner. It was our first time at Red Herring. The Chef's Table is a great way to sample the food offerings. Went on a Tuesday to avoid the crowds. First of all, the restaurant is beautiful. Original warehouse brick walls mixed with imported vintage light fixtures including a huge chandelier from France. Lots of greenery and gorgeous seating arrangements. Our server Angelina was the best and made the whole evening fun and enjoyable! The food was delicious. No complaints at all. We highly recommend and will be back!

Drinks are 10 out of 10! We've visited this place multiple times at different times of the day and every time the drinks are spot on. If you're looking for nonalcoholic drinks, which in my case, they're so good! My husband enjoyed the old fashion and other drinks. We sat at the lounge. We had the oysters, so good, hummus and pita both could use some salt but overall good. We also had the lamb kafta and the whole fish. We shared these items and it was plenty. We thoroughly enjoyed the shareables and will definitely go back. The ambiance is amazing, especially for Waco. Think big city feels...Waco needed this place. Service is good, it can be a little confusing as to who your server is BUT I think it's because you're in the lounge. Either way, the wait isn't bad and definitely worth a try.

Trent, our bartender/server was great! They were accommodating to our food allergies however they did not have a lot of gluten free to choose from. Sourdough focaccia was incredible and the chicken skewers were adequate. The crispy potatoes were a bit over seasoned. The ambiance of the restaurant is lovely and employees were great.

We were looking for a place to eat that was relaxing, and had atmosphere, this place truly hit that very well. The waiter was very eager friendly and provided us instructions on how to order to make our experience enjoyable. Diverse menu of tapas. Food was tasty and filling. The only thing I will say is the bathroom was incredibly dark so don't wear sunglasses. There seems to be a lot of cool shops just outside, but they were all closed early. I guess it was the wrong day to swing by. We will definitely go by again on our next trip to Waco.

Came for magnolia market and was completely surprised by this gem . Food was great -- service was on point . Perfection .

I can't give a good rating because I never even got seated. I showed up at roughly 6:50 with my fiancée, and we were told the wait would be "45 minutes, maybe an hour." No problem. 1 hour and 10 minutes later, however, we came back in to ask for an update. The hostess said a table was being cleared and that we would be contacted after a few minutes. We never got another update, and we decided to go elsewhere. It's quite disappointing because my fiancée helped to decorate and maintain the greenery within the restaurant during the first few months of its opening. I know this is something that the restaurant receives a lot of positive reviews about. She was excited to experience as a customer the ambience which she had helped to create. It's hard to see us wanting to come back any time soon.

I cannot say enough good about Red Herring. Anything less than 5 stars is just absurd. The service was incredible. I saw them accommodate two different groups that asked for new seats. Our waitress (and others!) were helpful and warm. The vibes were great. Such a fun aesthetic. We missed live music but the piano in the middle of the room tells me you can catch it at the right time. My husband had a cocktail, I had a glass of wine. Both great! We got the Mixed Greens salad and I can safely say it was the first time I've used the phrase "I could lick the bowl," on a salad. The goat cheese and date "dressing" was incredible. We shared the crab cake (the best I've ever had), wagyu meatballs, pork skewers, and potatoes. The potatoes were the best thing we ate, 12/10. The garlic sauce and Sicilian Pesto on them *chef's kiss*. The skewers were the "worst" and they were still a 9.5/10. Just a well done, nothing crazy, pork belly. We rounded it out with the cannoli mouse and an affogato and were floored at how well they ended the night. Like I said before, I cannot say enough good about this place. I've eaten at multiple Michelin restaurants and this rivals a couple of them. Sound dramatic? It's just true. Very well done to the team here.

I thought the entire place was fun and eclectic- from the architecture of the host stand, to the attention to detail at the bar, to the spices and presentation of the food! I went with a group of 4 people so we were table to taste 6 different dishes and highly recommend that execution of the menu. Slightly disappointed on "their take" on tiramisu for dessert, but otherwise a really fun restaurant to add to downtown!

Enjoyed the pre-fixed menu for Valentine's Day and the menu flow was exquisite. They make all their pasta from scratch and grill over oak wood. The New York steak was a favorite followed by seared scallops. Wine pairings were great. The restaurant itself is a site to see, large open floors, comfortable seats, and the attention to detail in the design is something any lover of great food and hospitality should experience.

All around amazing experience. The vibe was killer. Couldn't feel cooler walking through this throwback. The way everything is set up is amazing. From the piano, to the plants, to the raw bar.... The drink Menu was great. Classics mixed with unique house specialties. Appetizers were on point. We had a table of 6, and we each ordered an app, and kind of shared family style as our server suggested. I've seen complaints about portions, but we had none. It's not meant to be what makes you full. Take your time, enjoy the conversations, savor the food. It's prepared so well. Everyone was thrilled with their choice on the main courses. From the rack of lamb and the Pork Chop to the Squid Ink Pasta, we were thoroughly impressed. There's a lot of good spots to grab something sweet in Waco, but we tried the desserts here and were not disappointed. The Mousse, the cheesecake and the tiramisu were the winners for us. Capping this night off with great service from our server and a manager walking around, and I have to say, this was our best dining experience here in Waco.

This is a gem in Waco. Food you can't find anywhere else, and executed at a level no other restaurant is doing in Waco. This is hopefully going to set the tone for chefs in Waco to realize that high class food, presentation, and flavor development are important! We loved every minute of our meal, the atmosphere, and small touches that made this meal the best in Waco! This is a Michelin star caliber meal. You have all the eclectic ingredients, and the talent to reach the upper echelon of restaurants. I enjoyed every part of this meal, and the little touches like decor, silverware, and drink ware were unparalleled. It felt like New York City in Waco Texas and I am in love. Keep pushing the envelope with your menu, and I can't wait to come back as well as see where you go!

We absolutely love this restaurant! The atmosphere is spectacular! Our waiter Keith was so cordial and knowledgeable about the menu! He also kept our water glasses topped off. The food does come in small portions but with bold flavors that were so delicious! Definitely will be back!

Two friends out for dinner. Easy to make reservations on Resy. Nice atmosphere but eclectic style. Attentive waitress. Lots of liquor choices and expensive (to me) wines. Enjoyed the duck/hummus/pita dish and were offered extra pitas which were needed (but not the Hamachi Aquachile- tiny portion and not that exciting). Berry tiramisu was ok, on the sour side due to lemon mascarpone.

New menu is good again! Get the calamari, focaccia, whatever meat you want and the crab cakes you're set. 4 stars very good

We discovered this spot while driving through the neighborhood. We opted for the lounge and bar menu as no regular tables were available. That menu offers many delightful choices. We enjoyed the cocktails and ambiance while we were there along with their food offerings. We're planning of returning to stay at that hotel and afford ourselves the full dining experience.

Our waitress was so sweet and explained everything very well. Food was very good and a new experience. The ambiance was lovely, felt like we stepped back in time (1920's). Loved the decor!

Food was below average. The server apparently worked for IHOP at one time. Forgot we were there..

I'm pretty traditional, so I'm not always a fan of restaurants with "small plates". But I love Red Herring. My wife ordered the mixed salad to start and loved it. She gave me a generous sample and it was wonderful. I had the bruschetta, which was excellent. She had chicken skewers as her entree, and liked it very much. I ordered the sweet potato gnocchi with scallops, and it was the best dish I've had in a very long time. Our waitress, Stevie (who was friendly and extremely knowledgeable) said it was not a huge portion, but with a couple of bites of salad and the bruschetta, it was perfect. We had a very nice bottle of Pinot Grigio for $52, which was very reasonable. The manager, Jeremy, made a point of checking in to see if we were happy, which went above and beyond in my eyes. All in all, a wonderful experience!

Food was good not nothing was amazing. Service could have been improved a bit, our plates and drinks would sit empty for a while before they were taken away. Also a bit annoying that they can't time out the order that the plates come out so you can have everything together. No gluten free bread or pasta and server was not very knowledgeable about allergies.

We had a big big city dining experience and atmosphere at Red Herring. Mallory got us in on a busy night and Nolen served with excellence. Focaccia bread was unforgettable. We ordered multiple tasty plates and shared family style. Yum!

Fabulous service, food, ambiance. Loved every part of our dining experience there! We had a variety of dishes and shared them among us, which made it all the more fun!

Stopped in for drinks. Great selection. Craft cocktails. Espresso martini is amazing. Great, friendly staff.

Hands down best restaurant in Waco. 10/10 food, ambiance, and service. You don't feel like you're in Waco eating here. Our waitress was very knowledgeable of the menu items and gave us lots of great recs to try. Everything was so good. The pesto was out of this world. A must try if you're in Waco!!!!!

We did the chefs counter today. I can't express how amazing this was, the food was incredible and the service. The atmosphere of this restaurant is always amazing!

Reasonable prices, Delicious food, drinks are awesome, friendly staff, and beautiful interior. What else could you want in a restaurant!! We celebrated our 1 year anniversary here. Possibly making it a tradition spot.

This new restaurant in Waco is definitely a place to try. The waiter was very helpful around the menu and suggested some very solid options. The restaurant is very nicely decorated and the music was just right. Would definitely recommend and go back again maybe for some drinks as well

Amazing food. One of the best places I've been in Waco with the overall experience. Great service and atmosphere, will certainly be returning.

My biggest complaint is the concept of family sharing with tapas portions is confusing and quite frankly frustrating. We have had it described to us both ways. The amount of items on the menu and price does not reflect traditional tapas restaurants. The serving size most definitely does not reflect family sharing. This concept should be honed in. If it's tapas, there should be a MUCH larger menu, with items being less expensive. If it's family share, then I better have more than two meager sized kaftas on my plate. The ambiance is remarkable. This is a stunning restaurant - truly beautiful. Please don't be a tourist trap where a revolving door of customers is expected. As a local, I want a nice date night place I can have on repeat.

The food was awful! The risotto had zero flavor! The shrimp cucumber appetizer was soupy and had barely any shrimp bits. They don't have cocktail sauce for the oysters. Great space and decor but food was not good and not a lot of options.

Husband and wife, dinner for two. Came to Waco to try all the restaurants as we've been hearing good things. We ordered: Local lettuce, fried cauliflower pork ribs, hangar steak, cheese cake and tiramisu. Amazing Ambiance, a real throw back to the 40's & 50's. It truly is beautiful. Great service, the hostess was well put together and friendly. The wait staff were courteous and knowledgeable about the menu. The food quality was high end and our items were cooked perfectly. The reason for the three stars; - the lettuce was beautiful, but it was drenched in dressing. There was so much it was sopping. - the cauliflower was excellent, but the portion was three tablespoons - the ribs were cooked perfectly and the portion was perfect, but it had no rub no seasoning, not even salt & pepper that could be tasted - the hangar steak was excellent all around - the cheese cake was dry as a bone and had literal espresso grounds en masse. - the tiramisu was odd. It had a berry filling layer. All of which was ok, but it was clearly made a day or two in advance and kept a little too cold. The center was bitter cold, border line frozen I loved this place and perhaps it was an off night. I do recommend it, but ask questions about how things are prepared.

the most beautiful restaurant! such a nice addition to waco. staff was friendly and the food was amazing. i will definitely come back next time i'm in town!

My new favorite restaurant! I love the "Local Lettuce" almost as much as the fun atmosphere. Expect a leisurely, relaxed meal with food that's elevated well above most of the restaurants around. The service is attentive but never intrusive. It's a great place for a special occasion, but it's also nice for a date. Try the pasta!

I completely forgot to take pictures because I was to busy enjoying myself and so was my husband. The decor is so beautiful and the music wasn't too loud or too low, the temperature was perfect!! I dread a restaurant that is so cold you can't enjoy your food. From the minute you walk in the host was super kind . We sat in the bar area (super cozy for a bar area ) I wish I had pictures. Then we meet our waiter !!! So sweet and informative. I had the Kiss Kiss (drink) absolutely delicious. we ordered the Sourdough Focaccia and whipped butter and the salmon . For our dinner we had ribs and chicken skewers . I wanted a glass of wine and the waiter recommended a French wine because I usually just drink a house cab . The wine was perfect. Our waiter suggested everything we ordered and we were not disappointed!!

New but needs major improvements with service and food. Flavors were almost there, but a few things were off. For instance one of the chicken pieces on the skewer was not fully cooked. The chips served as part of the chip n dip were chip crumbles like that at the bottom of the bag. When asked if this was how it was intended to be served we were told yes so we had to ask for reassurance that crumbs are to be eaten by hand to dip?! Upon further examination our server decided it was best to bring out bigger pieces of chips. The hummus serving was incredibly small, actually most dishes were very small but the prices were not. We were still hungry after ordering more than half the menu. I can appreciate the new addition to the city which is growing and trying to be a vibrant one but the food and service do not match the vibe of the establishment. Hopefully they will work out the kinks and improve...I will give it another shot next time I'm in town.

This is the best new place in town. The restaurant is beautiful and feels intimate while still enjoying a big place. The food is served in portions for sharing. Very "girl dinner". Everything we had was delicious. Taylor in the bar knows what's she's doing. She is very good at her job and not only makes great drinks but keeps up with the busy pace. Colleen serviced us well at the table, making great recommendations and took good care of us. I highly recommend this place!

Best place for vibes in Waco. Order a few different things and take it slow. Go on the weekends for live music, it's great.

Excellent food, exceptional service. Our server was Angelina and she was sweet and knowledgeable. We had the squid ink pasta, lamb chops, green salad, focaccia, and calamari. Three of us shared them all and they were all fantastically flavored and beautifully presented. This is a true gem of a restaurant to Waco. We leave Thursday so we already made another reservation (resy.com) for tomorrow. Oh-and the setting and ambiance is very special!

Reservations needed, we called at lunch time on a Friday and were told no need to RSVP. Arrived to find we did need one, but they sat us in bar where the had nice seating just small tables. Food was delicious. Service by bar staff not as good as dining staff. Food arrived in strange order.