Seafood$$$downtownSun-Thu 11:00-21:00, Fri-Sat 11:00-22:00
Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen on West Fwy in Fort Worth is a festive Cajun seafood house known for generous Gulf Coast plates and lively happy hours.
Order: Blackened catfish, crawfish etouffee, fried alligator bites.
Tip: Happy hour Monday through Friday 15:00-18:00 offers discounted appetisers and cocktails. The crawfish etouffee is the kitchen's top dish.
Cafe$magnolia-avenueMon-Sun 07:00-15:00
Brewed on Magnolia Ave in Fort Worth is a popular neighbourhood cafe offering craft coffee, rotating local beers on tap, and an all-day breakfast menu.
Order: Avocado toast with local egg, house-roasted drip coffee, biscuit sandwich.
Tip: Beer on tap from local Fort Worth breweries is poured from 10:00 onwards. The 11:00-15:00 window is the quietest time to visit.
Thai$$berry-streetMon-Thu 11:00-21:30, Fri-Sat 11:00-22:00, Sun 11:00-21:00
Thai Select on SW Loop 820 in Fort Worth is a neighbourhood Thai restaurant celebrated for consistent panang curry and pad see ew served at fair lunch prices.
Order: Pad see ew, panang curry with beef, sticky rice mango dessert.
Tip: Lunch specials 11:00-15:00 include soup and a spring roll with every entree. The pad see ew is the kitchen's most consistent dish.
Texas Bbq$$near-northsideFri-Sun 11:00-15:00
Goldee's Barbecue in Fort Worth is a Michelin-recognised pitmaster destination open only Friday through Sunday, and sells out early most days.
Order: Brisket, pork ribs, house-made sausage links, banana pudding.
Tip: Arrive at opening or call ahead. They sell out most Fridays by 13:00 and do not restock once the pit is empty.
Mexican$south-mainSun-Thu 06:30-21:00, Fri-Sat 06:30-22:00
Esperanza's Park Place in Fort Worth is a second outpost of the family-run Mexican bakery-cafe, with breakfast tacos and fresh pan dulce near the Southside.
Order: Breakfast tacos, tamales, freshly baked pan dulce from the bakery counter.
Tip: The Park Place location has slightly later evening hours than the Main St branch. A great spot before or after a visit to the Botanical Garden.
Texas Bbq$$cultural-districtSun-Thu 11:00-21:00, Fri-Sat 11:00-22:00
Heim Barbecue in Fort Worth serves celebrated bacon burnt ends and slow-smoked brisket from a full bar and dining room on White Settlement Road.
Order: Bacon burnt ends, beef brisket by the pound, smoked jalapeño cheddar sausage.
Tip: Happy hour runs Monday through Friday 14:00-18:00. Go early on weekends for the best cut selection.