Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Central Texas

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies in Central 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!

Primrose Path Wine Bar

4.9

4.9 (692)

$31 to $50

Contemporary European

College Station

About the restaurant

From the executive chef & owner of The Republic Steakhouse, Primrose Path is a Spanish & Italian style restaurant specializing in tapas, wine, & cocktails. Stunning industrial-chic decor and a lively courtyard patio scene with impeccable service is accompanied by some of the finest and most innovative food & cocktails in the region.

Top review

ChipVIP

Dined on Jun 9, 2025

Always a comfortable and enjoyable experience. Tapas selection is excellent.

Casa Do Brasil - College Station

4.8

4.8 (2485)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

College Station

About the restaurant

Casa do Brasil is an upscale Brazilian Steakhouse in South College Station serving fire-roasted cuts of USDA Prime Aged Beef, Chicken, Lamb, and Pork served tableside by our Gaucho Chefs. Our Salad Bar features over 50 seasonal dishes, including fresh vegetables, homemade salads, cured meats, imported cheeses, seafood, soup, and more!

Visit our Bar & Patio for Happy Hour specials and a la carte entrée dining. And every Sunday, we offer an unlimited brunch that is family-friendly!

We offer private dining space, catering, and butcher cuts to go through our online ordering system. Visit our website to enquire about private event space or catering.

Top review

Janella

Dined 2 days ago

My experience is always great. The food was delicious the service is always welcoming and very attentive.

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4.8

4.8 (1282)

$31 to $50

American

College Station

About the restaurant

Gate 12 Bar & Grill is the sister restaurant to J. Cody’s Steaks and BBQ. It is a full service steakhouse with a few pasta dishes, seafood plates and chicken offerings and a full bar to round out the menu. There is a private dining room for events of approximately 50 or less.

Top review

EmilyVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Good food with great service. Will be back when in College Station.

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BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse - Waco

4.7

4.7 (62)

$30 and under

American

Waco

About the restaurant

Time counts at BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse. Since our humble beginnings back in 1978, we've continued to refine our brewhouse experience to make BJ's a place where you can make the most of any meal. We want BJ's to be a place where the moment you leave is the moment you plan on coming back. We pride ourselves in our craft and attention to detail. Our guests come here for our award-winning handcrafted beer. They come here for the Southern California twist we've put on the Chicago-style deep dish pizza. And they come here for our Pizookies®, our world-renowned dessert. But above all we know people come here to make their good times better. So in many ways we haven't just crafted a brand, but a mindset. And our guests are the reason for this. And it's because of them we're continually striving to make sure every moment they choose to spend with us counts. Welcome to BJ's, a restaurant with a Brewhouse soul.

Top review

Dee

Dined 3 days ago

The food was excellent the service was great at the beginning until the end and we could never get her to come back and give us our check. It’s like she disappeared we could not find her anywhere we waited 15 minutes she was not in the restaurant at all

De Baca Steakhouse

4.7

4.7 (27)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

College Station

About the restaurant

De Baca Steakhouse is now open in South College Station, offering an upscale dining experience with a beautiful view and welcoming atmosphere. Known for its evolving culinary and bar programs, De Baca blends classic steakhouse favorites with creative seasonal dishes and innovative cocktails. Every detail—from the menu to the ambiance—is designed to provide a refined yet approachable experience. We’re committed to exceptional, service-oriented hospitality, where every guest feels valued. Whether for a special occasion or a casual night out, De Baca delivers comfort, care, and quality.

More than just a restaurant, De Baca Steakhouse is a place to gather with friends and family, celebrate special occasions, and create lasting memories. Experience fine dining with a touch of adventure at De Baca Steakhouse.

Top review

Frank

Dined 4 days ago

Great food accompanied with great service. It will result in our dining there again in the future.

Ronin

4.6

4.6 (1436)

$31 to $50

American

College Station

About the restaurant

Ronin features elgant farm cuisine with a constantly evolving menu. Set in the beautiful, newly-renovated historic Ice House on Main in downtown Bryan, our restaurant shares an open-air kitchen with our dining room, floor to ceiling exposed brick, and hand-built, suspension tables made from wood salvaged during renovation.

Our menu is updated daily, based on what we have harvested from our garden during that given week. Our farm is located just seven miles from our restaurant. The climate and changing seasons play a major role in what we serve. It is our intention to always provide a variety of menu options and to accommodate any dietary needs.

Top review

DavidVIP

Dined on May 21, 2025

Extra- Ordinary in every category, as always. Incredible family - true loving givers.

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Popular dish

Texas Wagyu Chicken Fried Steak

Pivovar

4.6

4.6 (545)

$31 to $50

Brewery

Waco

About the restaurant

Pivovar features a brewery, restaurant, beer garden, hotel and beer spa. The main floor showcases a traditional Czech brewery specialized for bottom fermented Czech Pilsner lagers. Pivovar is cutting-edge facility implemented in the historical building “New Katy hotel” located in Downtown Waco, immediately next door to the famous Magnolia Silos. Our fusion of Czech and American food makes Pivovar a new cultural pillar to Waco that you are sure to enjoy. Want more Pivovar sign up today to stay in the know!

https://www.toasttab.com/pivovar-restaurant-brewery-320-s-8th-st/marketing-signup

Top review

Deborah

Dined 3 days ago

You can’t go wrong with dining at Pivovar’s. Nice selections to chose from off the menu - we enjoyed one of the best salmon, and fish/chips meal to be found in Waco. Definitely too it off with the cheesecake 👍🏼 Na zdravi!

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Texas Pocket Schnitzel

Alexander's Craft Cocktails & Kitchen

4.5

4.5 (951)

$30 and under

American

Salado

About the restaurant

Alexander's Craft Cocktails and Kitchen was named after the distillery located on the grounds from 1861-1865, which washed away in a flood (historic marker located between the restaurant & The Manor).

The newly renovated main bar is located on 1st floor, and opens onto expansive wrap-around, creekside porches. Just a few steps down from the porches is an open deck situated beneath gracious Live Oak canopies.

The warm aubergine & copper walls of the third floor lounge contrast the amazing art representation from local galleries. The stunning view of Salado Creek as well as the grounds of the neighboring estate provide the perfect spot to enjoy your favorite beverage. Patrons choose from a variety of entree selections, appetizers, and adult beverages.

Top review

maryanne

Dined 3 days ago

Everything was delicious and Mark our server was outstanding. He made great recommendations and timed everything perfectly.

Casa Do Brasil- Waco

4.5

4.5 (64)

$31 to $50

Brazilian Steakhouse

Waco

About the restaurant

Casa do Brasil is an upscale Brazilian Steakhouse in Waco, TX serving fire-roasted cuts of USDA Prime Aged Beef, Chicken, Lamb, Pork, and Shrimp served tableside by our Gaucho Chefs. Our Salad Bar features over 50 seasonal dishes including fresh vegetables, homemade salads, cured meats, imported cheeses, seafood, soup, and more!

Visit our Bar & Patio for Happy Hour specials and a la carte entrée dining. And every weekend we offer an unlimited brunch that is family-friendly!

We offer private dining space, catering, and butcher cuts to go through our online ordering system.

Top review

CYNTHIA

Dined 2 days ago

I love this restaurant, I'm always pleased every time I go there which has been 3 times within the last month. The managers and staff are excellent professionals and very attentive to your needs and preference.

The Dean

4.3

4.3 (35)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Bryan

About the restaurant

Our journey began with a vision to blend traditional pan European continental cuisine with innovative techniques, resulting in dishes that delight the senses and ignite the palate.

Top review

Dale

Dined on May 28, 2025

We celebrated our wedding anniversary at the Dean and our hostess Sarah made our visit very memorable.

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