Tasting menus, Michelin stars and the chefs redefining Fort Worth.
Tasting menus, Michelin stars, and the kitchens redefining what fine dining means in Fort Worth.
Don Artemio in Fort Worth brings refined northern Mexican cuisine to W 7th St, a 2023 James Beard finalist celebrating heritage dishes of northern Mexico.
Order: Birria de res, chiles en nogada, traditional mole negro with duck.
Tip: Sunday brunch 10:00-15:00 is the most relaxed seating. The mole negro takes three days to prepare and is not always available.
Lonesome Dove Western Bistro in Fort Worth is Tim Love's flagship Stockyards restaurant with inventive game meats and ranch-driven tasting menus.
Order: Texas wild boar ribs, rabbit-rattlesnake sausage, Idaho rainbow trout with sweet potato-chorizo succotash.
Tip: Reservations are essential on weekends. The chef's tasting menu showcases rotating seasonal Texas ingredients and pairs well with the whisky list.
Ellerbe Fine Foods in Fort Worth is a farm-to-table destination on Magnolia Ave showcasing seasonal Texas ingredients with genuine craft technique.
Order: Pan-roasted quail, daily fish special, Texas peach upside-down cake.
Tip: The menu changes weekly based on what is fresh. Call ahead to ask about specials. Resy reservations are recommended on Fridays and Saturdays.
Clay Pigeon Food and Drink in Fort Worth is a polished neighbourhood bistro on White Settlement Rd offering carefully crafted seasonal plates.
Order: Steak frites on Monday nights, seasonal snapper, house charcuterie board.
Tip: Monday is Steak Frites Night, offering the kitchen's best value. Complimentary valet parking is available every evening.
Wicked Butcher in Fort Worth is a modern steakhouse inside the Sinclair Hotel on Main St, focused on dry-aged prime beef and seasonal sides.
Order: Dry-aged prime ribeye, bone marrow with toast, duck fat fries.
Tip: The lobby bar opens at 06:30 daily and is a strong spot for pre-dinner cocktails. Valet is available through the hotel.
Reata Restaurant in Fort Worth returned to its original Throckmorton St home, serving the celebrated West Texas ranch cooking that made it famous.
Order: Tenderloin tamales, cowboy ribeye, tres leches cake.
Tip: Lunch is a great-value way to sample the kitchen. The rooftop terrace has sweeping downtown views, ideal in cooler months.
Toro Toro in Fort Worth is a pan-Latin steakhouse on Main Street where South American churrasco, Peruvian ceviche, and Brazilian picanha share the menu.
Order: Pan-Latin churrasco, ceviche flight, Brazilian picanha with chimichurri.
Tip: Happy hour Monday through Thursday 16:00-19:00 offers half-price cocktails and discounted small plates at the bar.
Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse in Fort Worth occupies a dramatic mahogany-lined downtown space serving USDA prime aged beef and seafood.
Order: Double Eagle bone-in ribeye, cold-water lobster tail, aged prime NY strip.
Tip: The wine list exceeds 1,200 selections. Request an upstairs table for a quieter experience. Valet parking available on Main St.
Grace in Fort Worth is a refined downtown restaurant at 777 Main St celebrated for seasonal American cuisine and an outstanding curated wine programme.
Order: Pan-seared scallops, dry-aged duck breast, chocolate fondant with bourbon ice cream.
Tip: The bar opens at 16:00 and is quieter early in the evening. Ask for the cheese cart selection, which changes weekly.
Bonnell's Fine Texas Cuisine on Bryant Irvin Rd in Fort Worth is the city's premier destination for wild Texas game cookery sourced from Hill Country ranches.
Order: Wild game mixed grill, pan-seared axis venison, pecan-crusted redfish.
Tip: Ask the server about wild game specials, which change seasonally with elk, boar, and venison sourced from Texas ranches.
Cafe Modern in Fort Worth is the elegant restaurant inside the Modern Art Museum, serving creative Texas-sourced menus led by Executive Chef Jett Mora.
Order: Seasonal tasting plate, Texas cheese board, Cafe Modern burger at weekend brunch.
Tip: Museum admission is not required to dine. Friday evening seatings are intimate and include views of the Tadao Ando building at dusk.
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.
Panther City BBQ in Fort Worth is a Michelin-listed neighbourhood smokehouse celebrated for its creative brisket tacos and sausage programme.
Order: Smoked brisket tacos, chorizo sausage, peach cobbler.
Tip: The bar stays open until midnight Wednesday through Sunday. Try the smoked beef tallow fries alongside the brisket.
Woodshed Smokehouse by Tim Love in Fort Worth sits on the Trinity River, blending live-fire cooking techniques with a lively outdoor riverside patio.
Order: Beef brisket, smoked chicken, wood-roasted oysters, house-made sausage.
Tip: Weekend brunch begins at 08:00 with wood-smoked eggs and cocktails. The riverside patio is best on weekday evenings.
Righteous Foods on W 7th St in Fort Worth is a clean-eating all-day cafe near the Cultural District serving wholesome grain bowls and avocado toast.
Order: Grain bowls, avocado toast with farm egg, house-pressed cold juices.
Tip: Sunday brunch ends at 15:00 and fills quickly. The grain bowls are fully customisable and a favourite with the museum district crowd.
Editor picks in Fort Worth include Don Artemio, Lonesome Dove Western Bistro, Ellerbe Fine Foods, plus the full fine dining chapter on TableJourney.