Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in Central Texas

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighborhood gems in Central Texas? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Christopher's World Grille

4.9

4.9 (3184)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

College Station

About the restaurant

Set in a 115 year old Texas Ranch House, just 2 miles from Kyle Field, Christopher’s World Grille is the most nationally and locally awarded restaurant in Central Texas including Top 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in the USA, AAA Four Diamond Award, and Open Table Diner’s Choice Awards. In an elegant New Orleans atmosphere, Certified Executive Chef, Christopher Lampo offers a menu of prime steaks, fresh seafoods and pastas. His signature dish is the House Filet with creamed spinach, fried potatoes, béarnaise sauce, crawfish tails, and Port Wine Sauce. Elegant outdoor dining with a wrap-around porch and covered Terrace with cozy fire pits. Highlights include Fresh Seafood, Great Steaks, Charcuterie Boards, Blackened Shrimp Fondue, Almond Crusted Brie, Spicy Shrimp Bisque, French, Italian, Louisiana and Latin American-inspired menu, Craft Cocktails and a Distinctive Wine List. Private Rooms Available.

Top review

Cassie

Dined 1 day ago

Another wonderful experience at Christopher's! Service and food were both excellent.

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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 3 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 6 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 6 days ago

Enjoyed brunch today at our favorite neighborhood restaurant. Again, another great visit and meal.

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Popular dish

Calamari

Magnolia Table

4.7

4.7 (4723)

$30 and under

American

Waco

About the restaurant

Magnolia Table offers seasonal, nostalgic dishes made to nourish. Our menu includes both new recipes and family favorites for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Whether you come to savor a meal, or shop around the Take Away + Market, remember you’re always welcome at our table.

Magnolia Table is an 8-minute drive from the Silos property.

Top review

Natalie

Dined 2 days ago

Went for lunch for my birthday. The food was excellent, the server was wonderful. Overall, a great experience!

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A photo of Jo's Buttermilk Biscuits with Strawberry Butter of a restaurant

Alexander's Craft Cocktails & Kitchen

4.6

4.6 (915)

$30 and under

American

Salado

About the restaurant

Alexander's Craft Cocktails and Kitchen was named after the distillery located on the grounds from 1861-1865, which washed away in a flood (historic marker located between the restaurant & The Manor).

The newly renovated main bar is located on 1st floor, and opens onto expansive wrap-around, creekside porches. Just a few steps down from the porches is an open deck situated beneath gracious Live Oak canopies.

The warm aubergine & copper walls of the third floor lounge contrast the amazing art representation from local galleries. The stunning view of Salado Creek as well as the grounds of the neighboring estate provide the perfect spot to enjoy your favorite beverage. Patrons choose from a variety of entree selections, appetizers, and adult beverages.

Top review

Molly

Dined on Dec 13, 2024

Charming restaurant! Excellent dining. Highly recommend!

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 1 day 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!

https://www.toasttab.com/pivovar-restaurant-brewery-320-s-8th-st/marketing-signup

Top review

Anne

Dined 2 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

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 Dec 12, 2024

We had a party of 15 there to celebrate my son’s gradu

One Thirty Five Prime

4.4

4.4 (693)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Waco

About the restaurant

For over a decade One Thirty Five Prime has been a place for fine dining in a casual atmosphere. Our commitment is to serve the finest beef, seafood, and farm-to-table produce.

Top review

Gannon

Dined 2 days ago

Incredible service, amazing food, knowledgeable and attentive staff, beautiful location and interior, One Thirty Five is the number one place for fine-dining in the Waco area. Christopher, the Bar Manager, was wonderfully knowledgeable of their wine and pairings, and personally curated a dinner and its pairings for me and my girlfriend’s date. Truly, it was an amazing experience all around and made for a very special night. I would HIGHLY recommend One Thirty Five to anyone who is looking for the perfect place to impress your significant other, or who are looking for the best upscale dining in Waco. Thank you so much One Thirty Five for an unforgettable evening!

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Popular dish

Pecan Crusted Chilean Sea Bass

Popular dish

Key Lime Pie

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