The 14 Best Restaurants in Waco, Ranked

By Rebecca Thompson

Waco’s food scene has undergone a makeover in recent years. What was once seen by some as a pitstop on the I-35 corridor where the dining options seemed permanently stuck in the fast-food lane is now brimming with restaurants that feel like they belong to a city twice its size.

This is no longer just a place for Magnolia pilgrims or Baylor homecoming crowds. It’s a place where you can find a knockout brisket taco one day and a life-changing croissant the next. Here’s my take on the best Waco restaurants, ranked with all the critical authority of someone who’s ordered way too many sides in one sitting.

Milo All Day

1. Milo All Day

At Milo, the vibe is "modern barn chic," which I didn’t know was a thing until I sat down here. Located on Franklin Avenue, the restaurant delivers Southern comfort food with surprising twists. The Dr. Pepper-braised short ribs feel like a subtle nod to Waco’s most famous export, and the smoked pork hash is everything a brunch dish should be: messy, flavorful, and slightly life-affirming.

2. Harvest on 25th

This little café is what you imagine when you think of farm-to-table—but without the eye-roll pretentiousness. Everything at Harvest on 25th is fresh, wholesome, and utterly delicious. Their sweet potato hash with turmeric tahini sauce is the kind of dish that makes you wonder if you’ve been eating sweet potatoes wrong your whole life.

3. Guess Family Barbecue

There are barbecue joints that try to dazzle you with weird rubs and exotic wood chips. Not Guess. They stick to the basics, doing Central Texas barbecue so well it’ll make you a little emotional. The brisket has that perfect bark-to-meat ratio, and their jalapeño cheese sausage is a spicy, cheesy revelation. And the double smash burger that’s so cheesy it oozes down the sides, it’s on special on Wednesdays, with waffle fries and a drink for only $15.

4. BRÛ Artisan Coffee Works

BRÛ is where I’d want to spend every morning if my life were more aspirational. Their pour-over coffee is so smooth it could probably talk you out of a bad decision, and the almond croissant has layers so flaky it should come with a warning.

5. Southern Roots Brewing Co.

This isn’t just a brewery—it’s a pizza joint that happens to make great beer. The wood-fired pies at Southern Roots Brewing Co. are the real draw, with toppings like spicy honey and fresh basil. If you’re smart, you’ll pair it with their flagship blonde ale, which tastes like sunshine in a glass.

6. Dichotomy Coffee & Spirits

This downtown spot pulls double duty as a coffee shop by day and a cocktail bar by night. Dichotomy’s affogato feels like an indulgent afternoon pick-me-up, but come evening, their Old Fashioned is arguably one of the best in the city.

7. Vitek’s BBQ

Locals will tell you to order the Gut Pak, a ridiculous pile of Fritos, brisket, sausage, beans, and cheese that’s part nacho, part barbecue feast. It’s a mess, but a beautiful one. It’s also representative of what they do best at Vitek’s, take classic BBQ flavors and reinvent in the best ways.

8. Alpha Omega Grill & Bakery

If you like gyros (and if you don’t, I’m not sure we can be friends), Alpha Omega is where you go. The tzatziki sauce is thick and tangy, and the baklava might make you rethink your life choices.

9. Common Grounds

Technically a coffee shop, Common Grounds makes the list because their frozen Cowboy Coffee (a blend of coffee, ice cream, and cinnamon) is the kind of decadent treat you didn’t know you needed in Waco’s sweltering summers.

10. Clay Pot

Waco doesn’t have a ton of Vietnamese restaurants, but Clay Pot more than makes up for it. Their pho is deeply flavorful, the kind of soup you crave on cold days—or after one too many beers at Southern Roots.

11. Moroso Wood Fired Pizzeria

This is the kind of pizza that makes you close your eyes for a second after the first bite. The crust at Moroso is perfectly blistered, the mozzarella creamy, and the toppings never overdone. It’s pizza the way Italians meant for it to be.

12. Health Camp

A Waco institution since 1949, Health Camp is the least healthy thing about Waco, but that’s the point. The burgers are greasy perfection, the fries are golden and crisp, and the milkshakes should come with a medal.

13. The Blasian Asian

This food truck-turned-brick-and-mortar serves up Asian fusion dishes that hit all the right notes. The Blasian’s orange chicken, crispy and lacquered in a sweet and spicy glaze, is exactly what you didn’t know you needed in your life.

14. Baris

Baris has been around forever, and there’s a reason people keep coming back. The garlic rolls are addictive, and their BYOB policy makes it feel like you’re eating at your Italian aunt’s house. If you don’t have an Italian aunt, this is close enough.