Diners' Choice: Hot spot restaurants in Central Texas

OpenTable

Updated 05 December 2024

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

The Republic Steakhouse

4.9

4.9 (2413)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

College Station

About the restaurant

The only AAA Four Diamond rated restaurant in College Station, The Republic Steakhouse is known as the best fine dining steakhouse in central Texas. The Republic specializes in steak and seafood with a Wine Spectator award-winning wine list, stunning handcrafted cocktails, and one of the largest whiskey selections in Texas. Impeccable service along with timeless steakhouse decor, The Republic is a steakhouse at its finest.

Top review

Bryan

Dined 4 days ago

Always an excellent visit. Stunning interior appointments. Numerous dining rooms keep it intimate and quiet. Wait staff all trained well and very knowledgeable of their offerings. It continues to be our special place for important celebrations.

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Popular dish

Creole Shrimp & Grits

Popular dish

Chicken Fried Filet Mignon

Popular dish

Texas Fried Shrimp

Casa Do Brasil - College Station

4.8

4.8 (2401)

$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

Lisa

Dined 4 days ago

My husband and I were celebrating our 41st anniversary and although I’m on monjaro and thus can’t eat very much food I felt that the quality of the meal farther past any concerns I had there. The weight stuff was great the cocktail my husband ordered was delicious and they were overall very accommodating.

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USDA Prime Aged Filet Mignon

Luigi's Patio Ristorante

4.7

4.7 (1478)

$30 and under

Italian

College Station

About the restaurant

A family legacy brings you the most authentic Italian dining experience in the BCS. With nightly live music, a select Wine and Cocktail list, friendly yet polished service, and your favorite made-from-scratch recipes, you'll be sure to come savor the moment with us time and time again.

Top review

HaroldVIP

Dined 7 days ago

Enjoyed brunch today at our favorite neighborhood restaurant. Again, another great visit and meal.

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Popular dish

Calamari

Magnolia Table

4.7

4.7 (4724)

$30 and under

American

Waco

About the restaurant

Magnolia Table offers seasonal, nostalgic dishes made to nourish. Our menu includes both new recipes and family favorites for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Whether you come to savor a meal, or shop around the Take Away + Market, remember you’re always welcome at our table.

Magnolia Table is an 8-minute drive from the Silos property.

Top review

Erin

Dined 4 days ago

Everything was great! Portions are HUGE, the biscuits and butter flight are a must.

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A photo of Jo's Buttermilk Biscuits with Strawberry Butter of a restaurant

4.7

4.7 (120)

$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

Greg

Dined 7 days ago

Great experience! Tapas were great for two people to share.

Porters Dining + Bar

4.6

4.6 (1257)

$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

AllysonVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Service staff was wonderful and attentive to detail. Cocktails were perfect as were salads and sides. The salmon was wonderful but the filet was dry. This was not mentioned to the staff as the restaurant was slammed with banquet business and wasn’t important. We would return on a less busy night.

Pivovar

4.5

4.5 (501)

$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

Anne

Dined 3 days ago

The beer was exceptional - the food was good too. But if I went again, I’d go for the beer!

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Texas Pocket Schnitzel

Juanita's Tex Mex Cantina

4.5

4.5 (99)

$30 and under

Mexican

College Station

About the restaurant

~ 2023 OpenTable Diner's Choice Award Winner ~

Juanita’s Tex-Mex Cantina is a boutique culinary experience born out of diverse parts of Mexico where authentic recipes and creativeness meet familiar Tex-Mex dishes served in our Lone Star state. Our central location at the heart of Aggieland gives you access to the posh shopping around Century Square, superb accommodations right next to The George Hotel, and is within walking distance to Texas A&M University. From private events and caterings to birthday fiestas and social hours, Juanita's is an upscale and lively cantina where our Tex-Mex roots and culinary expertise will make your experience memorable. And if you prefer to stay in, we partner with DoorDash to bring the fiesta to you.

Top review

BrendaVIP

Dined on 30 Nov 2024

Our server, Ryland as amazing! He deserves a raise!!!!!

Ronin

4.4

4.4 (1394)

$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

JamieVIP

Dined on 12 Dec 2024

We had a party of 15 there to celebrate my son’s gradu

Campfire at The Stella

4.3

4.3 (330)

$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

Charli

Dined 1 day ago

Service was very good. Meal was very good. Would dine here again.

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