Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Central Texas

OpenTable

Updated 05 December 2024

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes 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

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.

Elia Cafe Tapas Bar

4.8

4.8 (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.

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

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.

1860 Italia

4.6

4.6 (1039)

$31 to $50

Italian

College Station

About the restaurant

Choose from one of our specialty pizzas or select your own ingredients. Our Italian restaurant is a dine in or takeout with a choice farm fresh ingredient menu serving the Navasota, Bryan, College Station area.

Top review

Cassidy

Dined 1 day ago

The steaks were cooked to perfection! Probably the best steaks in town. Pepperoni fondue, pizza, lasagna…it was all incredible! Great service, great value, and fun atmosphere.

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Popular dish

Lobster and Truffle Carbonara

Popular dish

Calamari

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.

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!

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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

KyleR

Dined on 30 Nov 2024

Made reservations for a very busy night on game day weekend and were seated immediately. We did have to flag down a waiter but he did a fantastic job of taking care of us even though he was not assigned our table. Beef fajitas were amazing!! Cocktails were meh. Overall a fun atmosphere. Definitely recommend!

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

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