H3 Ranch serves up a tasty spread of steaks, potatoes and corn on the cob.
Sally C. via Yelp
No visit to Texas is complete without a trip to The Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District. The spirit of the Lone Star State is in full force at the unique destination, which boasts a year-round rodeo, cattle drives, live music, and unique shops that attract visitors, Texas natives, and locals alike.
While Texas certainly knows how to entertain, its reputation for exceptional food is equally well-earned. The Stockyards, a spot bursting with can’t-miss restaurants, is no exception. You’re bound to find your fair share of steaks and barbecued meats, but that’s only just the beginning of the neighborhood’s world-class cuisine. Feeling adventurous? Try menu items ranging from rabbit and rattlesnake sausage to a menu focused solely on fresh biscuits and tater tots.
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Keep reading to find out which restaurants are worthy of a visit on your next trip to Fort Worth, many of which will make you want to plan your next trip ASAP.
97 West Kitchen & Bar
Since opening in 2021, 97 West Kitchen & Bar has quickly earned a reputation as one of the best restaurants in the Fort Worth Stockyards. Located within Hotel Drover, Autograph Collection, chefs at 97 West Kitchen & Bar prepare breakfast, lunch, and dinner in an open-concept kitchen, adding dramatic flair to the dining experience. Outdoor seating is also available on the patio overlooking the lush landscape of The Backyard at the hotel.
The menu ranges from casual fare like burgers to signature entrees like a smoke-fried half pheasant and a 34-ounce tomahawk steak so tender you can cut it with a butter knife. If you’re celebrating something special, the chef’s table can be reserved in advance for a custom, multi-course tasting menu complete with beverage pairings. The experience is available inside, in front of the kitchen, or outdoors in the garden. Reservations are recommended.
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Find it: 97 West Kitchen & Bar, 200 Mule Alley Drive, Fort Worth, TX 76164; 682-255-6497
Ático
Chef Tim Love’s Ático was inspired by his travels to Barcelona. The menu focuses on flavorful flatbreads, spreads, and dishes such as grilled sardines and wood-roasted whole branzino. Ático is also known for its generous selection of smoked and cured meats.
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Located on the rooftop of Springhill Suites Fort Worth Historic Stockyards, dazzling views of the Fort Worth skyline accompany every bite. The restaurant’s garage-door-style windows can be opened on pleasant days and closed in inclement weather.
Find it: Ático, 2315 N. Main St., Fort Worth, TX 76164, 682-255-5112
Caterina’s
There are two things you should know before you enjoy a meal at Caterina’s. First: Men are required to wear a jacket for dinner. Second: The restaurant has a no-cell-phones-allowed policy, and you’ll be asked to put your phone into a locked bag.
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Celebrity chef Tim Love created an intimate ambiance in this space, where people connect with food and each other rather than their electronics. The menu focuses on Italian classics sourced with the freshest ingredients, so the natural flavors of each dish burst through. Don’t miss the chance to try the rigatoni alla vodka. The pork chop alla piccata and escolar crudo are also outstanding.
Caterina’s is open for dinner every day of the week. Reservations are recommended. They also serve a no-jacket-required lunch on Fridays.
Find it: Caterina’s, 128 E. Exchange Ave., Suite 620, Fort Worth, TX 76164; 682-267-0812
H3 Ranch
Located onsite at the historic Stockyards Hotel, H3 Ranch oozes cowboy culture from every corner. Taxidermy adorns the walls, barstool seats are fashioned from saddles, and an antler chandelier dangles from the ceiling. The menu is distinctively Texas, with an emphasis on steaks, ribs, rainbow trout, and spit-roasted pig. Sides include classics like loaded baked potatoes and corn on the cob. They also offer complimentary valet parking to guests. After dinner, be sure to stop off for a spicy serrano pepper Anita-Rita Margarita at Booger Red’s Saloon.
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Find it: H3 Ranch, 105 East Exchange Ave., Fort Worth, TX 76164; 817-624-1246
Lonesome Dove Western Bistro
The aforementioned celebrity chef Tim Love owns nine restaurants in Fort Worth and the Stockyards, the most famous of which is Lonesome Dove Western Bistro. Situated above Marine Creek, Lonesome Dove’s cuisine is creative yet faithful to Texas traditions, with an emphasis on wild game and fresh seafood.
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Dishes include a wild game fettuccine with duck and rabbit-rattlesnake sausage, elk foie gras sliders with blueberry jam, and a Wagyu tomahawk rib-eye served with grilled langostinos and a wild mushroom-truffle orzo. Lunch is served only on Fridays and Saturdays. Lonesome Dove Western Bistro deserves a spot on your restaurant bucket list. Reservations are recommended.
Find it: Lonesome Dove Western Bistro, 2406 N. Main Street, Fort Worth, TX 76164; 817-740-8810
The thin batter is the secret behind Love Shack’s Crazy Good onion rings.
Courtesy of Tamara Gane, Special to Chron.
Love Shack
It’s possible to have a meal from one of Tim Love’s restaurants for under $10. The prime brisket/tenderloin burgers at Love Shack start at under $6. The menu also features casual options like hot dogs and nachos. Whatever you order, be sure to accompany it with the Crazy Good onion rings, which come thinly battered so that the onions themselves shine through. In addition to the delicious, reasonable food, Love Shack has a fun atmosphere with decks at various elevations and live music every day.
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Find it: Love Shack, 110 E. Exchange Ave., Fort Worth, TX 76164; 817-624-8273
Cheddar and charred onion enchiladas with chili con carne sauce at Paloma Suerte in Fort Worth, Texas.
Josh R. via Yelp
Paloma Suerte
Another Tim Love establishment, Paloma Suerte focuses on Tex-Mex dishes with fresh, local ingredients. This is the place for margaritas and cocktails, available by the glass or pitcher. Perhaps the most beloved item on the menu is the fresh-made queso, which can be personalized at your tableside with additions like duck birria, king crab, or avocado. Entrees include crab-stuffed grilled shrimp along with traditional options like fajitas and enchiladas.
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The tables on the outdoor patio overlooking Marine Creek are one of the hottest lunch spots in the Stockyards. Paloma Suerte is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late nights and serves breakfast at its bar on weekends.
Find it: Paloma Suerte, 122 E. Exchange Ave., Suite 280, Fort Worth, TX 76164; 682-267-0414
Provender Hall
Open for breakfast and lunch, the menu at Provender Hall centers around comfort foods with a Texas twist. The food is prepared in an open kitchen with a smoker and a wood-burning grill. Popular dishes include pimento cheese with Southern crackers, oysters on the half shell, grilled romaine salad with smoked chicken breast, and chicken-fried steak with peppered cream gravy, mashed potatoes, and braised collard greens. The atmosphere is upscale yet casual, with a two-story lofted interior including elements of brick and wood. Try to save room for dessert; the banana pudding is delicious.
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Find it: Provender Hall, 122 E. Exchange Ave., Fort Worth, TX 76164; 817-782-9170
Philly with everything on it plus sides at Second Rodeo Brewing in Fort Worth, Texas.
Laurent M. via Yelp
Second Rodeo Brewing
It’s hard to walk past Second Rodeo Brewing without wandering inside. The indoor-outdoor space is large, open, and inviting. The seating is mostly colorful retro patio chairs, injecting an element of whimsy and fun. At the far edge of the property, you’ll find tables cleverly styled on top of pickup truck beds.
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Second Rodeo Brewing features live music throughout the day, starting at noon. Arrive early if you want to beat the crowds on Friday and Saturday nights. The food menu is simple, focusing primarily on creative chicken wing flavors (think cherry cola, peanut butter, bacon, and jalapeno). It’s the ideal pairing for live music and a cold pint of freshly brewed beer.
Find it: Second Rodeo Brewing, 122 E. Exchange Ave., Suite 340, Fort Worth, TX 76164; 817-240-4959
The Hoss biscuit from The Biscuit Bar.
Alex W. via Yelp
The Biscuit Bar
Located in Mule Alley, The Biscuit Bar elevates basic sides like biscuits and tater tots into entree-worthy dishes. To be fair, The Biscuit Bar offers salads, too, but the tater tots and biscuits are the real stars of the establishment. Open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late nights on weekends, the sweet Southern-style biscuits are made from scratch every day and should not be missed.
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Inspired offerings include a pan-fried, French toast-inspired biscuit dipped in vanilla custard, a steak and egg biscuit, and a Nashville hot chicken biscuit. Meanwhile, crispy tater tots are topped with selections such as bacon and sunny-side-up eggs, or with freshly prepared taco fixings. It’s best to bring a friend so you’ll have an excuse to try a little of everything.
Find it: The Biscuit Bar, 128 E. Exchange Ave., Suite 640, Fort Worth, TX 76164; 817-912-5922
This story was edited by Hearst Newspapers Managing Editor Kristina Moy; you can contact her at kristina.moy@hearst.com.