Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in Tyler

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighborhood gems in Tyler? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Heritage East at Culture ETX

4.9

4.9 (526)

$50 and over

Contemporary Southern

Tyler

About the restaurant

Newly relaunched on 10/29/24 as "Heritage East," on the beautiful square in Downtown Tyler.

Modern East Texas cuisine by award winning (Cochon 555 "Prince of Pork," Texas Bucket List "Bite of the Season") and Food Network featured Chef Lance McWhorter. Locally raised steaks, chops, chicken, wild game, seafood, handmade pastas served from a kitchen that is right in the dining room! Lunch (Tues-Fri, 11-3) is standard fare, no reservations accepted. Brunch is 10-3 Saturdays and Sundays, reservations available.

We have an exceptional sommelier driven wine program, and our speakeasy bar The Plaid Rabbit is open to the public, happy hour is 5-7. Check in with host to access.

Patio seating available for reservations, indoor replacement seating may not be available for reservations interrupted due to inclement weather. Reserve at your own risk. Due to the small size of our dining room, no high chairs or room for strollers is available.

Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business (SDVOB)

Top review

AshleyVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Always a good time. Food is so good. Kyle always takes such good care of us and James is always spot on with his wine suggestions. Looking forward to next time!

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Deep Fried Bread Pudding

Native Son Family Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (68)

$30 and under

American

Canton

About the restaurant

Step into Native Son Family Restaurant in Historic Downtown Canton, TX. Fresh off the success of the award-winning "Feathered Friend Chicken", Ryan & Maxine Sumner introduce their "Love Letter to East Texas." Native Son comes to life through authentic Southern, Cajun, & Texan Food. Our menu captures the essence of the East Texas Region, from the Southeast Texas Gulf, through the Piney Woods, to the Post Oak Savannah in the North; offering unique dishes rooted in family recipes that celebrate East Texas' rich cultural tapestry. Alongside these heartfelt meals, discover a full bar with late night hours: We proudly serve craft cocktails alongside a thoughtful & intentional selection of fine beers, spirits, and wines; ensuring your evening can continue as long as you desire. Whether you're grabbing a Burger & a Lone Star at the bar, an intimate date, or family dinner; experience the convergence of tradition & taste with a plate of legit East Texas Food at Native Son.

Top review

WillieVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Very awesome place with great food, drinks And vibe

Rick's on the Square

4.8

4.8 (188)

$30 and under

Comfort Food

Tyler

About the restaurant

Rick's menu is a culinary variety you'll find nowhere else!
Certified Angus Steaks; Market Fresh Seafood; down Home Comfort Food; House Made Desserts; Vintage Wine. Premium Cigars on our beautiful open air Patio.
Full Menu served until closing.
Best Steaks in Town and a Fresh 8 oz. Certified Angus Beef Burger to die for. Fresh Salmon; Redfish; Shrimp; Oysters on the Half Shell; Calamari and more. Fried Chicken; Chicken Fried Steak; Meatloaf; Turnip Greens; Purple Hull Peas; Mashed Potatoes and more. House Made Soups, Salads and Sandwiches.
Over 40 items under $20.
Happy Hour Monday through Friday.
Free Secure Wireless Internet.
Rick's is over 20,000 square feet with Private Meeting Rooms with LCD Projectors and screens available for up to 200 guests.
Complimentary Valet Service.
Live Music Thursday through Saturday on our Patio.
Catering on and off premise.

Top review

Joanna

Dined 5 days ago

Great food and fun atmosphere. Live music outside is a bonus!

The Grove

4.7

4.7 (1682)

$31 to $50

Southern

Tyler

About the restaurant

The Grove Kitchen & Gardens is a brand new concept located in Tyler, Texas about one-hour East of Dallas. Out here you will find rolling hills, wide open pastures and warm, and neighborly locals! The Grove was built on one key ingredient: a strong passion for family and food. Come join us at The Grove and be one of the first to put down their roots in Tyler!

Top review

Cheryl

Dined 4 days ago

We had a great time celebrating our anniversary. Our waiter, Quinton, was great and made sure our date was special! The food and drinks were amazing!

High Hill Farm

4.7

4.7 (100)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Tyler

About the restaurant

High Hill Farm's secluded location makes it perfect for a Romantic Fine Dining experience. Our contemporary restaurant filled with local art will delight you with fresh farm-to-table creations, some from our garden just steps from the kitchen. Each item on the menu is designed to both entertain your palette and satisfy your hunger. With our cocktail creations and extensive wine list, you're sure to find the perfect pairing to your meal. Indulge your taste buds with wine from our vineyard and a unique dish designed by Executive Chef Ryan Dove.

Top review

CarlVIP

Dined 4 days ago

A little gem hidden away in the piney woods. Excellence all the way around.

Blackhawk Creek Grill

4.6

4.6 (49)

$31 to $50

American

Tyler

About the restaurant

At Blackhawk Creek Grill, we serve fresh-to-table classic dishes. Our passion lies in creating a unique culinary culture carefully crafted from the freshest ingredients. Our full menu can be enjoyed in our indoor dining room, full bar, or the outdoor porch seating that overlooks the stage.

Don’t forget to look in the viewing window at our Aquaponics system, and browse our General Store featuring local artisans and treats. Come and experience the blend of local charm, traditional flavors, and fresh ingredients. Your table is waiting, and we can’t wait to serve you at Blackhawk Creek General Store and Grill.

Reservations are highly recommended for Friday and Saturday nights!
An event calendar can be viewed on our Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/blackhawkcreekgrill

Top review

Tameka

Dined 5 days ago

We ordered the ribeye. It was delicious...cooked as desired and very flavorful. The cocktail of the month was very refreshing also. We will definitely come back and maybe try the salmon or pork ribeye.

Javi's

4.6

4.6 (80)

$30 and under

Mexican

Tyler

About the restaurant

Award winning margaritas and the best TexMex in Texas!

Top review

Hank

Dined 5 days ago

This was our second visit and it was - again - a very nice experience. We can't get over the quality of the place, the excellent staff and fantastic food value for the money. Great drinks at the bar and we are already planning our next visit. It's a little over an hour away for us but worth the trip!

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Experience

Chocolate Piñata!

Dakotas Prime Steak & Chop House - Tyler

4.5

4.5 (1237)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Tyler

About the restaurant

Dakotas Steak House is ranked one of America’s #1 steakhouses and for good reason. Our steaks are USDA prime, our portions are big and our drinks are stiff. We’ve been in the same location in Tyler for over 10 years. Our servers are experienced and professional. Our wine list is carefully designed, and the drinks are well prepared.

Top review

Laura

Dined 3 days ago

Wonderful as always. Service was fabulous. Love the avocado shrimp.

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4.5

4.5 (116)

$30 and under

American

Tyler

About the restaurant

Modern American dining in a relaxed setting with a notable selection of wines, beer, and cocktails.

Top review

Jade

Dined 6 days ago

Service was awesome! Food was so yummy! Will be back for sure!

Villaggio del Vino

4.2

4.2 (426)

$30 and under

Italian

Tyler

About the restaurant

Villaggio del Vino is Tyler's modern Italian bistro. We offer a very comprehensive menu of traditional and nouveau Italian dishes with distinctive and delicious appetizers, salads and, of course, pasta entrees. We also offer a lunch menu and a Saturday brunch. Join us for our weekday happy hour, Martini Tuesday and Wine Down Wednesday.

One of our most unusual features is our wood-fired brick oven pizza, made in Italy and installed on site by skilled artisans. Cooked at 900 degrees, our homemade pizza crust is crisp, light and absolutely delicious.

We have two indoor dining areas with a hip, West Coast-style ambiance, as well as two outdoor patio dining areas. Our atmosphere will make you feel like you're far from home, even though you're right here in Tyler.

We have also been awarded the 2022 Diner's Choice award by Open Table. Please join our incredible journey to redefine the polished-casual dining experience revolving around a European-style menu with Neapolitan pizzas!

Top review

Robin

Dined on Jun 15, 2025

Exceptional service and excellent food will definitely be back

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Experience

Weekly Happy Wine and Cocktails Happy Hour!

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