Fort Worth, Texas has a wealth of options for the gastro-minded, and an array of cuisines that could each have a deep dive on their own. However, when it comes to the best restaurants in Fort Worth in 2022, there are a handful that reign supreme no matter their category.
For the sake of keeping things Fort Worth-specific, big chain restaurants, no matter how delicious, have been omitted from this list.
The following are Fort Worth Key‘s picks for the best restaurants in Fort Worth in 2022.
Image c/o B&B Butchers & Restaurant
B&B Butchers & Restaurant
An upscale steakhouse and traditional butcher shop specializing in high-quality meats and elevated customer service.
Neighborhood: Clearfork
Good For: A highly selective meat eater, people who talk about the “notes” and “legs” of wine, a special occasion, a highbrow date, your discerning father in-law coming to town from New York.
Dress: Hippo boots from M.L. Leddy’s, smart blazers, driving shoes, double-cuffed dress shirts, sheaths, sensible pumps.
Try: Caviar service, Carpet Bagger on the Half Shell, Japanese Wagyu Ribeye, Berry Butter Cake
$$$
Mon.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Sun. 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
The Butcher Shop: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. daily
5212 Marathon Ave. Fort Worth, TX 76109
817-737-5212
Reservations | Menu/Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
Café Modern
Creative, seasonal menus made with Texas ingredients.
Neighborhood: Cultural District
Good For: Art aficionados, museum marathons, the highbrow and discerning diner, grandma’s birthday, ladies who lunch, vegan friends, a calm environment, brunch
Dress: Neiman Marcus’ finest: button-downs, slacks, driving loafers, smart blazers, cardigan sets, pearls, Dries Van Noten, and Off-White c/o Virgil Abloh (RIP). This is a modern art museum, lest ye forget.
Try: Skillet cornbread, homemade pasta pappardelle, crispy grain bowl, local grind burger
$$
Lunch: Tues.-Sat. 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Brunch: Sun. 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Coffee & Cocktails: Tues.-Thurs. & Sat.-Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Fri. 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Dinner: Fri. 5-8 p.m.
3200 Darnell St. Fort Worth, TX 76107
817-840-2157
Reservations | Menu/Website | Instagram | Facebook
Image c/o Cattlemen’s Steak House
Cattlemen’s Steak House
A relaxed steakhouse with classic meat and potatoes done right since 1947.
Neighborhood: The Stockyards
Good For: Fair prices, authentic historical Stockyards experience, dinner before a show at Billy Bob’s, photos in front of a legendary marquee
Dress: Ten gallon hats, Cavender’s boots, denim creased within an inch of its life, pearl snaps, stacks of turquoise jewelry, embroidery, fringe
Try: The ribeye seared to perfection using only oil, salt, and pepper, baked potato, house salad with fresh grated cheese and homemade croutons, yeast rolls
$$
Mon.-Thurs. 10 a.m.-11 p.m.
Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Sun. noon-9 p.m.
2458 North Main St. Fort Worth, TX 76164
817-624-3945
Menu/Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
Don Artemio
An upscale, absolute love letter to Mexican heritage cuisine. In every sense Don Artemio is an homage to Northeastern region of Mexico: from the plant pots outside to the 20,387 bricks in the wall to the art hanging on it, everything you see in the restaurant came from Saltillo, Mexico. Plenty of wines and tequilas come from the region too, along with many ingredients that are mixed in with local Fort Worth foods. Chef Juan Ramón Cárdenas has created an indulgent unicorn.
Neighborhood: West 7th
Good For: Anniversaries, big birthdays, special occasions, impressing foodies
Dress: Dresses, slacks, button downs and, you guessed it, boots.
Try: Allende (cocktail), Nopalitos Fritos para Tacos, Enchiladas Queso Queso, El Famoso “Chile Hojaldrado,” and anything, I mean anything, they have on special for a limited time.
$$$$
Sun.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
3268 W. 7th Street, Fort Worth, TX 76107 (valet available)
817-470-1439
Menu | Reservations | Website | Instagram | Facebook
Grace
Upscale, modern American fare locally owned and operated since 2008.
Neighborhood: Sundance Square
Good For: Wine connoisseurs, private events, impressing know-it-all diners, anniversaries and other tablecloth-worthy occasions
Dress: Suits without a tie, tasseled loafers with no socks, simple, well-tailored sheaths, tasteful fine jewelry
Try: Texas quail, strawberry and watermelon gazpacho, your preferred cut of beef with espresso horseradish sauce on the side, daiquiri asada, butterscotch pudding, whatever sommeliers Tony or Junior recommend
$$$$
Mon.-Sat. 4-9:30 p.m.
Sun. 4-8 p.m.
777 Main St. Fort Worth, TX 76102 (valet available)
817-877-3388
Reservations | Menu/Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
Hurtado Barbecue
Slow-smoked central Texas style barbecue with a Tex-Mex twist.
Neighborhood: Near Southside
Good For: Award-winning barbecue (a Texas Monthly Top 50 BBQ Joint 2021), messy eating at a picnic table, on-brand Texan wedding catering, pit tours, food truck-turned restaurant cred
Dress: Whatever you just wore on your bike ride or to church. It doesn’t matter.
Try: Texas Twinkies, elote, house sausage, prime brisket, spare ribs
$$
Tues.-Sun. 7 a.m.-sold out
1116 8th Ave. Fort Worth, TX 76104
Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
Hurtado Barbecue’s Arlington location just 15 miles east:
11 a.m.-sold out daily
205 E. Front St. Arlington, TX 76011
682-323-5141
Joe T. Garcia’s
Family-owned and operated since 1935 and home of the best margarita/ patio situation Fort Worth has to offer.
Neighborhood: The Stockyards
Good For: An unparalleled patio ambiance, big parties like graduations and rehearsal dinners, birthdays, families, entertaining out-of-towners, history buffs, margarita lovers, inebriated Greek life from TCU
Dress: Casual. You’ll see everything from sundresses and cowboy boots to T-shirts and shorts. Blazers, cocktail dresses, and heels for special celebrations don’t look out of place, either. The Garcia family welcomes you just as you are.
Try: The house margarita, the appetizer nachos (tostada shell with freshly grated melted cheese and green chiles on top- simple perfection), the underrated lunch menu, guac, a second house margarita, a third house margarita
Fun Fact: While it’s less about the food and more about the ambiance, Joe T.’s is a can’t-miss. The legendary Tex-Mex restaurant began in the Garcia family home, which still acts as an entry to the restaurant. The family pool, however, is a different story. Because too many over-enthused imbibers were taking liberties, the family filled it in sometime in the 90s. Water-based liabilities are such a buzz kill.
$$ – CHECK OR CASH ONLY
Mon.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. & 5-10 p.m.
Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Sun. 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
2201 N. Commerce St. Fort Worth, TX 76164
817-626-4356
Menu/Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube
Image c/o Kincaid’s Hamburgers
Kincaid’s Hamburgers
Charles Kincaid’s Grocery and Market opened in 1946, and the head butcher began making burgers with the best cuts of meat and freshest produce. “Fort Worth’s Favorite Hamburger” was born.
Neighborhoods: Arlington Heights (original location), Hulen, Alliance
Good For: Quick and casual lunch, an old school and distinctly American vibe, simple and delicious burgers and fries
Dress: You’ll see jeans, T-shirts, sneakers, families, and 9-5s in business casual grabbing lunch or takeout dinner.
Try: Cowtown Deluxe (mayo, bacon, pimento cheese, grilled jalapeños, and onions), homemade onion rings, chocolate malt, banana pudding
$
Arlington Heights Location (Original Location, Recommended):
Mon.-Sat. 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Sun. 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
4901 Camp Bowie Blvd. Fort Worth, TX 76107
817-732-2881
Hulen Location (South Fort Worth):
Mon.-Sat. 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Sun. 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
4825 Overton Ridge Blvd. Fort Worth, TX 76132
817-370-6400
Alliance Location (North Fort Worth):
Mon.-Sat. 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Sun. 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
3124 Texas Sage Trl. Fort Worth, TX 76177
817-750-3200
Menu | Website | Instagram | Facebook
Lonesome Dove Western Bistro
A modern menu influenced by ingredients and cultures along the Goodnight-Loving and Chisholm Trails, conceived by local darling chef Tim Love.
Neighborhood: The Stockyards
Good For: A refined dining experience true to Fort Worth’s roots, impressing parents, popping the question, see/be seen, Fortune 100 lunches
Dress: You’ll see Lucchese custom boots, Brunello Cucinelli button downs, and the quintessential, immaculately turned out Fort Worth woman wearing Texan designers like Brandon Maxwell or Tom Ford.
Try: Texas red chili, rabbit-rattlesnake sausage, wagyu tomahawk ribeye, house-made gnocchi, white truffle mac & cheese, warm ancho chili chocolate cake, The Willie (cocktail)
$$$$
Mon.-Thurs. 5-10 p.m.
Fri.-Sat. 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. & 5-11 p.m.
Closed Sun.
2406 N. Main St. Fort Worth, TX 76164 (valet available)
817-740-8810
Menu | Reservations | Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
Los Vaqueros
True blue, quality Tex-Mex in a historic Stockyards building, owned and operated by the Cisneros family since 1983.
Neighborhood: The Stockyards
Good For: Tex-Mex done right, heirloom recipes, live music, big rehearsal dinners and receptions, graduation celebrations, hallmark birthdays, going out with your adult children, banquets, catering, a lush garden you can book for events
Dress: Casual. You’ll see folks eating in every day casual clothes on weekdays, and maybe a touch dressier on the weekend for a pre-honky-tonk dinner. Whether dressed up or down, denim is always a go here.
Try: Tamales in the shuck, Sonya’s Special: an enchilada, taco, and tostada, cowboy enchilada omelette (brunch only), sopapillas, Vaqueros Skinny Margarita
$$
Tues.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Sun. 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m. (Brunch 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m.)
Closed Mon.
2629 N. Main St. Fort Worth, TX 76164
817-624-1511
Menu | Reservations | Website | Instagram | Facebook
Press Cafe
Modern, casual mix of fresh salads, sandwiches, cocktails, great coffee, and weekend brunch.
Neighborhood: Clearfork
Good For: Outdoorsy types, healthy options, hanging out with your dog, outdoor dining, quality coffee, rooftop drinks, a water view, solid brunch
Dress: You’ll see everything from sweaty athleisure to sundresses and chinos.
Try: Caramelized brussels sprouts, trailhead chicken salad, café burger, baked to order cookie à la mode, chicken & waffles (brunch only)
$$
Sun.-Tues. 7 a.m.-9 p.m.
Wed.-Sat. 7 a.m.-10 p.m.
Breakfast Mon.-Fri. 7-11 a.m.
Brunch Sat.-Sun. 7 a.m.-2 p.m.
4801 Edwards Ranch Rd. #105 Fort Worth, TX 76109
817-570-6002
Menu | Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
Reata
Legendary Texas cuisine in the heart of downtown Fort Worth, named after the ranch in the Texas-based 1950s epic Giant.
Neighborhood: Sundance Square
Good For: Meeting the parents, big birthdays, rehearsal dinners and wedding receptions, special occasion dinners, brunch, a great rooftop patio, business luncheons, gluten-free menu
Dress: Casual elegance, AKA put together. You’ll see blazers and cardigans, cowboy boots and ballet flats, dresses and nice denim, and someone’s mom in capri pants with a coordinating blouse. You’ll also see people in cocktail attire headed to the roof.
Try: Jalapeño and cilantro soup, 16 oz. cowboy bone-in ribeye with cook’s butter, carne asada topped with Reata’s cheese enchiladas, Clearfork Cherry Vodka Limeade, West Texas Pecan Pie, stuffed French toast (brunch only)
$$$
Sun.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. & 5-8:30 p.m.
Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. & 5-9:30 p.m.
310 Houston St. Fort Worth, TX 76102
817-336-1009
Menu | Reservations | Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube
What’s your vote for the best restaurant in Fort Worth in 2022? If you don’t see your favorite on this list, tell us about it in the comments.
Happy dining!
