Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in East Texas

OpenTable

Updated July 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes in East Texas? 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 (527)

$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

BrianVIP

Dined 2 days ago

What an incredible experience. We are now Big Fans. When in Tyler, you have to make time for this incredible experience. Enjoy!

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Native Son Family Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (73)

$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

Carrie

Dined 2 days ago

We were celebrating my husband’s birthday. The hummus was so good! Ask for extra bread because it’s delicious and they give you a lot of hummus. All of our meals were so good. My husband had the pork chop, airline chicken for me, my son had the muffelata and he loved it. He could only eat half so he brought the other half home. My daughter in law got the cheeseburger and she loved it and ate every bite along with the delicious fries. We were all stuffed but my husband and I couldn’t pass up the banana pudding so we brought some home and we are so glad. So good!!! This is the perfect little place in canton especially for a special occasion. We grew up here and moved back a couple of years ago so we’ve eaten at a lot of nice places in the metroplex and this rates right up there with them. So glad to have them in town.

III Palms

4.8

4.8 (236)

$30 and under

Steakhouse

Tyler

About the restaurant

Upscale restaurant offering steaks, cocktails, and live music in a cozy setting.

Top review

JonVIP

Dined 6 days ago

3rd try at III Palms. Best experience yet. Food was great. Drinks were great. Our server Logan was great.

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Experience

Celebration Cake Experience

Experience

Wine & Martini Happy Hour at III Palms

The Grove

4.7

4.7 (1688)

$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

Nancy

Dined 4 days ago

One of our favorite places to dine and always enjoy the food and atmosphere

Rick's on the Square

4.7

4.7 (190)

$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

Arlene

Dined on Jun 28, 2025

Food was exceptional. Service was impeccable. Enjoyed the experience

X Bar Steakhouse

4.5

4.5 (623)

$30 and under

Steak

Texarkana

About the restaurant

When we set out to bring X- to Amarillo, we made sure that quality and excellence would be at the core of everything we do. With each bite, each drink, and each smile you will experience the X- way. It is something you can expect every time you join us and dine as our guests!

Top review

Elizabeth

Dined 2 days ago

We always have the best food at X Bar! Service is spot on, friendly, courteous, and helpful. We recommend X Bar to everyone.

Twelve

4.5

4.5 (118)

$30 and under

American

Tyler

About the restaurant

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