Its wide-open spaces, its western heritage, and its purple sunsets are what come to mind when you think of Texas. Doesn’t that make you want some great Tex-Mex food? Do you want to see the beautiful Palo Duro Canyon for free? If so, you should surely visit Amarillo.
Amarillo is one of Texas’s treasures, in addition to its impressive open spaces, western heritage, and stunning sunsets. So even though you appreciate the scenery, you’re bound to get hungry as well.
Amarillo restaurants offer a wide variety of dining options, whether you seek authentic Mexican dishes, Indian food, juicy burgers, or classic American meals. Also, there are plenty of free activities and attractions that are fun for the whole family.
If you visit Amarillo for its western heritage, prepare to stay for its fantastic restaurants. There are so many great restaurants in Amarillo that it would be nearly impossible to name all of them. But I’m about to list the ones I’ve experienced during my first visit that I would happily return to on my second.
Here is a list of some of my favorite places in Amarillo that serve up some of the most delicious food!
My Top 3 Picks of Amarillo, Texas Restaurants
| Restaurant | Top Pick | Our Rating |
| Ohm’s Café | Elk Tenderloin | 5/5 |
| Jorge’s Tacos Garcia | Chipotle Sausages | 5/5 |
| Goldenlight Cafe & Cantina | Green Chile Cheeseburger | 5/5 |
The 6 Top Restaurants In Amarillo, Texas
Jorge’s Tacos Garcia
1100 Ross St, Amarillo // +18063710411
If you’re in search of some seriously delicious Tex-Mex, look no further than Jorge’s Tacos Garcia, who chairs the middle of Amarillo’s art district.
The restaurant has been around since 1957, so it’s an oldie but a goodie. Today’s patrons have a wide variety of menu items to choose from at Jorge’s, which was first established to serve cattlemen.
They serve great food using quality ingredients, so it’s no wonder they’re among the best in Amarillo! Their menu includes burritos filled with rice and beans, fajitas, tacos, and dishes like eggs rancheros (Mexican-style eggs with beans) or chipotle sausages (topped with potato bites).
This restaurant is also ranked the fifth most popular restaurant in Amarillo, and for savvy visitors, this bustling lunchtime spot offers a delectable insider secret.
The host warmly welcomes guests and leads them to a table that they can share with friends or strangers. Nothing can beat the pair of good food and good service!
Regardless of their choice, arriving guests will quickly realize that they are in for a marvelous dining experience – one that encompasses mouthwatering, succulent Tex-Mex dishes.
Ready for more Mexican cuisine? Take a look at our ‘Best Mexican in Amarillo‘ article to uncover the city’s top spots for authentic Mexican flavors!
Ohm’s Café
619 S Tyler St, Amarillo // +18063733233
Ohm’s Café is one of the best Amarillo restaurants – a place well worth a visit. It’s small and cozy, with a natural, homey feel.
For the food, you can find a fairly reasonable price. The Southwestern menu includes a variety of locally sourced items, so dining there supports the local economy.
Main courses include Sichuan-style lamb chops with stir-fried winter vegetables and delicious Seared Organic Elk Tenderloin with carrot and potato hash and red wine demi-glace. The Elk Tenderloin was a praised recommendation from my waitress, and I’m glad I gave it a try.
I do not have much of a sweet tooth, but still, I decided to try their Espresso Creme Brulee. So, coffee lovers, keep some space for this heavenly dessert. And in addition to the delicious food and great service, Ohm’s offers customers a warm and inviting environment.
The outdoor patio at Ohm’s was equally cozy, offering the opportunity to sit near a fireplace and soak up the Texas warmth.
Ohm’s Café is adjacent to the town square, and it’s the perfect place to while away a few hours over good food and wine, sitting back in deep maroon armchairs.
An interior consisting of large prints on the walls depicting abstract landscapes creates a serene and unforced ambiance. It’s hard to beat the warm and hospitable care from the owner and sommelier Edmund.
Macaroni Joe’s
1619 S Kentucky St, Amarillo // +18063588990
Macaroni Joe’s is the place to be for authentic and delicious Italian food in Amarillo. This family-owned and operated restaurant takes guests on a culinary journey through Italy itself and simply could not disappoint.
Dishes include pasta, veal, steak, and seafood — all cooked to suit various tastes. The prices are affordable, and there are spectacular daily deals that delight customers throughout the week.
Macaroni Joe’s also serves various appetizers such as fried calamari, shrimp cocktail, soups and salads, and garlic bread.
Most Italian restaurants have something romantic about them, and Macaroni Joe’s is no exception. Amarillo’s majestic décor and candles will make you feel like you’re on a date in Italy, and with the same great service!
The food is kept warm by little heaters above the plates, keeping them warm and full of flavors the whole time, which is an excellent feature.
If you’re craving some authentic Italian food, this restaurant is an excellent choice!
Interested in exploring Amarillo’s Italian cuisine? Be sure to read our ‘The Best Italian Food in Amarillo‘ article!
The Big Texan Steak Ranch & Brewery
7701 I-40 East, Amarillo // +18063726000
The Big Texan is in the heart of Amarillo, just off of I-40. Owing to its quirky nature, it has become a hugely popular place amongst tourists and locals, so I recommend reserving a spot.
The Big Texan offers a full menu including some of the best burgers, ribs, and steaks. Kids can even eat steaks that are kid-sized! It’s a pleasure to dine at Big Texan because it serves good food in sumptuous surroundings. It’s great for families. It’s also worth getting to the Big Texan at least thirty minutes in advance to claim a seat.
Win or lose, though; it’s not just the steak that makes Big Texan a fantastic place. The staff is super friendly, and they deliver on their motto of serving up “great food, great people, and a great time.”
In addition to offering a family-friendly environment, Big Texan also accommodates events and great cocktails, so you can take advantage of their facilities and host an evening out with friends.
If steaks are on your mind, our ‘Best Steakhouses in Amarillo‘ article is a must-read to discover the city’s top destinations for the finest cuts and flavors!
The Drunken Oyster
7606 SW 45th Ave #100, Amarillo // +18064186668
The Drunken Oyster, one of the best seafood restaurants, is located in Downtown Amarillo, and has a beautiful ambiance that includes an elegant dining room, a full bar, and a heated patio for dining along with a full menu and daily specials.
The Drunken Oyster serves fresh seafood, various Cajun-Creole dishes, and great daily specials. Dating back from 1997, this is one of the oldest seafood restaurants in the city.
This restaurant is all about southwestern charm, attentive service, and sumptuous seafood dishes, such as freshly shucked oysters Rockefeller with spinach, bacon, and Parmesan cheeses.
The Drunken Oyster also offers favorites like flounder Pontchartrain with creamed spinach risotto topped with crab meat and certified aged Angus beef.
Goldenlight Cafe & Cantina
6014 S Western St, Amarillo // +1 806-374-9237
When you’re looking for a great night out with friends, nothing can beat a meal at Amarillo’s best restaurants. But, if you love fine food and beverages, then one of the finest historic restaurants in town is the most fantastic option; the Goldenlight Café & Cantina has a menu that offers everything from a southern chicken skillet to prime rib.
They also have excellent burger options, vegetarian options, and desserts made by their expert chefs. No wonder everything was spectacular in terms of taste; the place has operated since 1946 and is the oldest restaurant in Amarillo.
The atmosphere is lively, with different local bands performing on the weekends, and you can easily follow the agenda on their website.
I am concluding this list of the best spots in Amarillo by stating that their Green Chile Cheeseburger with crunchy, crisp fries will have me swing by every time I pass through Texas. It even might be the best burger I’ve tried in a while!
Foodies Also Ask:
What food is Amarillo famous for?
Amarillo city is best known for steaks and barbeque, thanks to its cattle ranch history and also the famous Tex-Mex.
What are the most popular restaurants in Amarillo?
According to our experience, “The Big Texan Steak Ranch & Brewery” and “The Drunken Oyster” are one of the most popular restaurants in Amarillo.
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Summary Of The Top Six Amarillo Restaurants
Amarillo is a lovely western town with plenty of museums devoted to Texas history and culture, offering its residents and visitors countless things to do. And once you’ve got your way through all its major attractions, Amarillo will have you covered with unique places to eat.
While it can be challenging to identify the best restaurants based on your time constraints, you should definitely try as many of them as you can. Most of Amarillo’s history has been associated with one type of food, beef. This region produces 30 percent of all beef in the US and 90 percent of all beef in Texas. However, cows no longer solely determine local menus. Today, these Amarillo restaurants are full of different flavors and creations, be it comfort food or a fine-dining option.
There are dozens of places I plan to visit and try out, but I’ll leave them for my second Amarillo food hunt. These seven are fully approved with my foodie stamp and won’t fail to satisfy you.
Not in the mood to go out to eat tonight? Click here to have Grubhub deliver directly from the best restaurants in town to your doorstep.
Igor Jovanovski is an aspiring digital nomad, travel blogger and graphic designer who really loves food. He also has a creative side, and he works as a freelance graphic designer in his spare time. He has traveled across Europe quite a few times since he was young and recently started his mission to visit every country in the world! Igor’s favorite thing about traveling is the way he gets to know new people, food, places and cultures.
This exciting experience helps him create his own stories and make memories that will last forever