Day-by-day eating plans for Fort Worth. weekend classics, family routes, vegan plans, on-a-budget editions.

Day-by-day plans

Fort Worth weekend: Stockyards, BBQ, and Tex-Mex ★ 4.5

First-time visitor, two days2 days

A weekend built around Fort Worth's Stockyards heritage, the city's best BBQ pits, and a closing dinner at Joe T. Garcia's legendary Tex-Mex patio.

  1. Day 1: Saturday: Exchange Ave, BBQ lunch, Cattlemen's dinner

    Morning
    Start at Esperanza's on North Main Street at 07:00 for pan dulce and a breakfast burrito. Walk up to the Stockyards and White Elephant Saloon for a cold Lone Star by mid-morning.
    Afternoon
    Lunch at Heim Barbecue on White Settlement Road: brisket, pork belly burnt ends, and beef ribs. Walk the Exchange Avenue boardwalk and the livestock pens before the 16:00 cattle drive.
    Evening
    Dinner at Cattlemen's Steakhouse on N Main Street, open since 1947. Order the ribeye. Walk to Billy Bob's Texas for live country music after 21:00.

  2. Day 2: Sunday: Magnolia brunch, BBQ lunch, Joe T. Garcia's patio

    Morning
    Sunday brunch at Avoca Coffee on Magnolia Ave at 08:00, then a table at Paris Coffee Shop for the migas plate with flour tortillas and house salsa.
    Afternoon
    Lunch at Panther City BBQ on Hattie Street for the brisket elote and smoked sausage. Browse the Near Southside before heading to Joe T. Garcia's.
    Evening
    Dinner at Joe T. Garcia's patio on North Commerce Street. Cash only; no reservations; order the cheese enchiladas with chili gravy and a pitcher of margaritas.

Magnolia Avenue food crawl: morning to night ★ 4.3

Food-focused day trip1 day

A single-day circuit covering the Near Southside food corridor from morning espresso at Cherry Coffee through dinner at Ellerbe Fine Foods.

  1. Day 1: Magnolia Ave from 07:00 to 21:00

    Morning
    Cherry Coffee at 1121 W Magnolia Ave opens at 07:00 with rotating single-origin espresso. Walk to Brewed at 801 W Magnolia Ave for a biscuit and seasonal scone.
    Afternoon
    Lunch at Nonna Tata for hand-rolled pasta and house-made ravioli at 1400 W Magnolia Ave. Melt Ice Creams next door for a small-batch scoop after.
    Evening
    Dinner at Ellerbe Fine Foods at 1501 W Magnolia Ave: seasonal tasting menu with local sourcing. Wine and small plates at Neighborhood Wine after dinner.

Fort Worth craft beer and fine dining circuit ★ 4.2

Beer enthusiast, weekend2 days

A weekend covering Fort Worth's growing craft brewery scene on Saturday and a fine dining and cocktail circuit on Sunday.

  1. Day 1: Saturday: taprooms from Near Northside to the Stockyards

    Morning
    Start at Martin House Brewing on S Sylvania Ave when taprooms open at 11:00. Order the Dino Sauce IPA or the rotating pastry stout; the 6,000 sq ft space handles a crowd.
    Afternoon
    HopFusion Ale Works on Commerce Street for the Feisty Blonde and a cheese board. Wild Acre Brewing beer garden at 1734 E El Paso Street by 15:00.
    Evening
    Dinner at Lonesome Dove Western Bistro on N Main Street for Texas wild boar ribs or the rabbit-rattlesnake sausage and a house cocktail. Second Rodeo Brewing in the Stockyards for a late pint.

  2. Day 2: Sunday: fine dining tasting menus and cocktail bars

    Morning
    Start at Proper cocktail lounge on W Magnolia Ave from 11:00; the bar takes walk-ins and the weekend cocktail menu is strong. Refinery 714 downtown opens at 15:00 and makes a solid late-afternoon stop before dinner.
    Afternoon
    Walk the Cultural District and stop at Clay Pigeon Food and Drink at 2731 White Settlement Rd. A light afternoon plate, a glass of natural wine, and the patio is one of the city's best.
    Evening
    Dinner at Grace Restaurant at 777 Main Street for the chef's tasting menu. Reserve 4 weeks in advance; pairs the best with the sommelier's Texas wine selection.
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