Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Central Texas

OpenTable

Updated September 05, 2024

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!

Christopher's World Grille

4.9

4.9 (3126)

$31 to $50

Continental

College Station

About the restaurant

Christopher's World Grille, in the historic and restored Andrews House, features an innovative, eclectic menu that reflects the world travels of Certified Executive Chef, Christopher Lampo. Our Banquet rooms makes Christopher's the ideal facility for family gatherings, engagement parties, rehearsal dinners, and wedding receptions lavishly decorated in a rich, New Orleans style with state-of-the-art audio/visual equipment, elaborate chandeliers and decor, private guest entry, fireplace, and wrap-around porch.
Not only has Christopher's been voted 1st Place for Best Fine Dining four years in a row by the Best of the Brazos Valley, and won several awards for Best Fine Dining and Most Romantic by the Eagle's Reader's Poll, Christopher's has recently been featured in Texas Monthly magazine.
Reservations are recommend but Christopher's also welcomes walk-ins.

Top review

Kenneth

Dined 3 days ago

Normally it is a quiet restaurant. There was a large table with a bit of rowdy group in the section we were sitting. Not the restaurants fault.

Discover more

Primrose Path Wine Bar

4.9

4.9 (622)

$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

Leslie

Dined on Sep 9, 2024

I sat at the bar and the server was great! The food was fantastic too. I recommend Primrose Path for a night out in College Station. ☺️

Gate 12 Bar & Grill

4.8

4.8 (1135)

$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

Ericavip

Dined 7 days ago

Amazing views of sunset and lots of planes coming in and taking off. We loved the menu and service, too.

Discover more

Popular dish

Cobb Salad

Elia Cafe Tapas Bar

4.8

4.8 (96)

$31 to $50

Tapas / Small Plates

Bryan

About the restaurant

Join us for a culinary journey through Spain at Elia Cafe Tapas Bar. Our delectable tapas, paella, sangria, and mouthwatering dishes will transport you to the heart of Spain. Enjoy a glass of wine from our distinctive wine selection to bring out the flavors in every bite. Located in the beautiful Old Bryan Marketplace, Downtown Bryan's historic building dating back to 1910, the warm ambiance and relaxed elegance of our restaurant will have you feeling right at home. And, to make your experience even more special, we offer live music every weekend. Come for the food, stay for the music, and leave with unforgettable memories.

Top review

Jasonvip

Dined 6 days ago

We stopped here for a nice date on a much longer trip. The decor was nice, and the live piano was an added bonus. There was a wedding rehearsal in a split-off room, but with open ceiling, it could get noisy at times. Our waiter was good although could have checked in a little more often. The food was great, although I felt it was a little light on seasoning. We tried 6 different tapas and found the croquettes to be our favorite although none were bad. Was it the best of any of the dishes I've had, no. However, overall, the food was well done, and I felt the pricing was spot on for what we received. We've already recommended it to some Aggie friends who are in that area more often, and we may just stop back in if it makes sense in our travels and timing.

Casa Do Brasil - College Station

4.7

4.7 (2352)

$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

Connie

Dined 1 day ago

This was our first time here. We were celebrating our birthdays and wanted to select a place that was quiet, romantic, has exceptional food and service. Casa Do Brazil did not disappoint. Loved the time together, the atmosphere, the service, and the full experience. It had been so long since we had a date night and so appreciated this opportunity. We will definitely return to this place.

Discover more

USDA Prime Aged Filet Mignon

Pivovar

4.7

4.7 (477)

$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

Rickvip

Dined 6 days ago

Food, beer and service were all excellent. The renovated building was well done creating a unique ambiance.

Red Board Tavern & Table

4.6

4.6 (188)

$31 to $50

American

College Station

About the restaurant

We're happy to serve the Downtown Navasota Railroad District. Red Board Tavern & Table is led by Executive Chef Craig Schmidt, a Northern Californian who went on to acquire a Culinary Arts Degree from San Joaquin Delta College. Then, Chef Craig added additional degrees in Baking and Pastry at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY. Chef's many years of expertise has aided in his selection of food pairings for our guests to enjoy.

Top review

Elisevip

Dined on Sep 7, 2024

The food was very yummy but service was slow and not very attentive.

Porters Dining + Bar

4.5

4.5 (1236)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

College Station

About the restaurant

Porters Dining & Butcher features a wood-fired grill and premium cuts of meat, along with an extensive wine list and cocktail menu. Enjoy a drink at the bar or on the patio. Porters is open for lunch and dinner daily, as well as brunch on Saturday and Sunday. Private Dining available contact: portersdiningbutcher@gmail.com

Top review

Jodyvip

Dined 4 days ago

Food was excellent…every bite!! Service was second to none!

Ronin

4.5

4.5 (1379)

$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

Rayvip

Dined 2 days ago

Awesome experience! Always love celebrating at Ronin

Campfire at The Stella

4.3

4.3 (306)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Bryan

About the restaurant

Embracing the best seasonal ingredients of Central Texas in a warm and inviting dining atmosphere. All paired with crafted cocktails, local brews and a thoughtful wine list. As we embrace the seasonal ingredients, our menus will change with best produce available.

Reservations are strongly recommended.

Top review

Letty

Dined 6 days ago

This place has potential. Not sure how long it’s been around but it seemed like the servers were still learning how to run the place. We waited about 20 minutes after ordering our drinks to be checked on. Even the manager came by to check on us, probably because of our confused looks. Then our server (and her trainee) came by and told us they were having problems with the computer/server and had to hand write everything (!). Fine, we can understand that, but *communicate* it to your guests! We are happy to extend grace in that situation. Don’t just ignore us. Anyway, food was pricey, as others have mentioned, and portion sizes moderate to small. The one cooked cherry tomato plated next to the pork chop or steak was almost comical. Sides were good- we had the mac n cheese and the Parmesan fries. The s’mores dessert was really fun and a nice ending. The best thing about the place was the ambiance, and finding a part of C-Stat that seems to be newly developing around a nice little lake. Parking was a little confusing when we arrived though- numbers on the parking spaces that apparently don’t mean anything, according to the restaurant host. lol

Explore Diners' Choice best of Central Texas

Explore more Diners' Choice lists