Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Central Texas

OpenTable

Updated 05 December 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies 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!

Primrose Path Wine Bar

4.9

4.9 (645)

$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

SandieVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Great venue for 5 friends to share dinner. Waiter was knowledgeable and professional.

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

Casa Mangiare

4.8

4.8 (520)

$31 to $50

Italian

College Station

About the restaurant

We pride ourselves on our commitment to authentic Italian cuisine. Our team brings together the freshest and finest ingredients to craft a menu showcasing Italy's rich and diverse flavors. From handmade pasta dishes to succulent seafood and mouthwatering grilled meats, each plate is a masterpiece that tantalizes the senses and satisfies even the most discerning palate.

Our extensive wine list features a carefully curated selection of Italian wines, ranging from well-known classics to hidden gems from small, family-owned vineyards. Our sommeliers are on hand to guide you through the choices, ensuring a perfect pairing that enhances your dining experience.

Top review

HoganVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Great good! Great service! Definitely will be back!

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Popular dish

8oz Prime Filet Mignon

4.7

4.7 (1191)

$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

Robert

Dined on 11 Dec 2024

Always a great pleasurable dining experience with great food. We will be back.

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Popular dish

Cobb Salad

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.

Red Board Tavern & Table

4.6

4.6 (200)

$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

OpenTable Diner

Dined 2 days ago

This was the perfect pre-Christmas meal with my family. It was fancy with white table cloths but had a home town feel that was cozy and warm. The live music really added to the Christmas spirit. But most of all, the chili with pupusas was incredible. 10/10 recommend.

Poché's Seafood Shoppe & Restaurant

4.6

4.6 (109)

$30 and under

Seafood

College Station

About the restaurant

Poche's Seafood Shoppe & Restaurant serves up freshly prepared seafood specialties and retailing fresh seafood in College Station, Texas.

Top review

Randall

Dined on 30 Nov 2024

This restaurant is highly recommended. The food is amazing. The service is first class.

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

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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