Fort Worth Restaurants: Michelin BBQ, Steakhouses and Tex-Mex Classics

Fort Worth restaurants have had a big year. On October 8, 2026, the Michelin Guide awarded the city its first star, to a barbecue joint called Goldee's Bar-B-Q, and the city already had a long list of landmark steakhouses, Tex-Mex institutions and old-school delis. This guide helps you decide where to eat in Cowtown, with addresses, what each place is known for and the planning tips that save time.

Everything here comes from published sources: the Michelin Guide announcements, CultureMap Fort Worth's 2026 Tastemaker Awards, local magazines and the restaurants' own history. We did not eat at these places ourselves, so please confirm hours, menus and payment rules before you go.

Quick Picks at a Glance

If you only have time for a few meals, start with this short list. The recognition shown comes from the sources linked in this guide.

Top picks card showing Michelin and award recognition for Cowtown eateriesTop picks and their recognition in 2026

RestaurantStyleWhy go
Goldee's Bar-B-QBarbecueMichelin one star, 2026
Panther City BBQBarbecueMichelin Recommended
Birrieria y Taqueria CortezMexicanMichelin Recommended
Cattlemen's Steak HouseSteakhouse2026 Restaurant of the Year
Joe T. Garcia'sTex-MexFamily-run since 1935
Bonnell'sTexas cuisineChef Jon Bonnell's flagship
Carshon's DeliDeliBest Sandwich 2026

Michelin-Recognized Fort Worth Restaurants

Michelin introduced its Texas guide in 2024, and for two years Fort Worth had only a handful of mentions. The 2026 edition, announced October 8, changed that: Michelin promoted Goldee's Bar-B-Q to One Star, the first Michelin star for Fort Worth, according to the guide's announcement. Goldee's had held a Bib Gourmand, which Michelin gives to good-value restaurants, in the earlier editions.

Timeline of Fort Worth in the Michelin Guide from 2024 to 2026How Fort Worth's Michelin recognition has changed

Goldee's Bar-B-Q is at 4645 Dick Price Road in south Fort Worth. PaperCity reports it topped Texas Monthly's list of the state's best barbecue joints in 2020. PaperCity also suggests trying the "Goldee Foldee" sandwich and the Kennedale Stew. A co-owner told Texas Monthly the restaurant got a lot busier after the announcement, so plan for lines.

Panther City BBQ (201 E. Hattie Street) and Birrieria y Taqueria Cortez (2220 E. Rosedale Street) kept their Michelin Recommended status in 2026, according to Fort Worth Inc. Both have appeared in the guide since 2024. Cortez is a birria specialist, so it fits a taco-focused meal.

Steakhouses and Cowboy Classics

Cattlemen's Steak House

CultureMap Fort Worth named Cattlemen's its 2026 Restaurant of the Year. The Stockyards steakhouse opened in 1947 and was bought by Fort Worth native and television producer Taylor Sheridan in 2023. CultureMap says he reinvented the restaurant with a new patio, music stage and bars, and that steaks now come from his Four Sixes Ranch. It is a good choice for a special dinner on a Stockyards visit.

Bonnell's Fine Texas Cuisine

Chef Jon Bonnell opened his namesake restaurant in 2001 with a wild game-focused menu that highlights local farmers and ranchers, according to CultureMap. He was named 2026 Chef of the Year and also runs Waters, Buffalo Bros. and Jon's Grille. OpenTable's Diners' Choice list in April 2026 also showed Waters among the highest-rated restaurants downtown.

Tex-Mex and Neighbourhood Favourites

Joe T. Garcia's (2201 N. Commerce Street) began as a barbecue place on July 4, 1935, according to Fort Worth Magazine, and became the family's Tex-Mex institution. Many guides describe a huge garden patio and long lines. Dallas-area guides report that it is cash only, so bring cash and confirm before you go.

Carshon's Deli (3133 Cleburne Road) has roots back to 1928 and won CultureMap's 2026 Best Sandwich award. Try the Rachel, a corned beef and turkey melt on rye, and note that CultureMap says it is one of the few cash-only restaurants in town.

Rex's Bar & Grill (1501 S. University Drive) was named Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year for 2026. CultureMap also named Cocodrie's Bayou Kitchen in nearby North Richland Hills its Best New Restaurant, if you want to add a Cajun meal.

Sweets and Coffee

CultureMap's 2026 winners include FunkyTown Donuts & Drafts at 132 E. 4th Street in Sundance Square for dessert, and Buon Giorno Coffee at 500 W. Seventh Street for espresso and baked goods. Both are easy to add to a downtown walk.

What Are You Craving?

Use this quick guide to match your mood to a restaurant.

Craving guide matching food types to Fort Worth restaurantsA quick way to pick where to eat

Fort Worth Restaurants by Area

  • Stockyards and North Side: Cattlemen's Steak House and Joe T. Garcia's are the classic Cowtown meals.
  • Downtown and Sundance Square: OpenTable's April 2026 ratings listed Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse and Waters here, and FunkyTown Donuts is nearby.
  • Cultural District and TCU: OpenTable listed Café Modern in this area with a 4.8 rating, and it also shows Bonnell's here.
  • South and East Fort Worth: Goldee's Bar-B-Q and the east-side barbecue spots draw people who plan meals around the pit.

A Simple Food Day in Fort Worth

This is our suggestion, not an official itinerary.

  • Morning: Coffee and a pastry at Buon Giorno, then a walk downtown.
  • Lunch: Carshon's for a sandwich, or Goldee's if you want to wait for brisket.
  • Evening: Cattlemen's in the Stockyards, or Joe T. Garcia's for tacos and a patio.

Planning Tips

Dining checklist with eight reminders for eating in Fort WorthA quick planning checklist for Fort Worth meals

  • Bring cash for places reported as cash only.
  • Arrive early at busy barbecue joints and check opening hours.
  • Reserve sit-down steakhouse dinners where possible.
  • Confirm menus and prices on each restaurant's official site.

More USA Travel Guides

Eating well is part of any road trip. Our guide to the best things to do in the USA for a family vacation has more destinations, and the list of the top 10 places to solo travel in the USA is useful if you travel alone. For couples, see the 10 most romantic destinations in the US, and for another food-focused guide, read our affordable buffet in Las Vegas post.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best Fort Worth restaurants?

Good starting points are Goldee's Bar-B-Q, Panther City BBQ, Cattlemen's Steak House, Joe T. Garcia's, Bonnell's and Carshon's Deli, based on Michelin and CultureMap Tastemaker recognition.

Does Fort Worth have a Michelin-starred restaurant?

Yes. The 2026 Michelin Guide Texas, announced October 8, 2026, awarded one star to Goldee's Bar-B-Q, the first Michelin star for Fort Worth.

Where should I eat in the Stockyards?

Cattlemen's Steak House is the landmark steakhouse there, and Joe T. Garcia's is nearby on the North Side for Tex-Mex.

Is Joe T. Garcia's cash only?

Dallas-area guides describe it as cash only, but payment rules can change, so confirm with the restaurant before you go.

Which Fort Worth barbecue joints are recognized by Michelin?

Goldee's Bar-B-Q has one star, and Panther City BBQ is listed as Recommended in the 2026 guide.

Where can I get a good sandwich in Fort Worth?

Carshon's Deli won CultureMap's 2026 Best Sandwich award, and the Rachel is one of its well-known sandwiches.

What was the best new restaurant in Fort Worth in 2026?

CultureMap's readers chose Cocodrie's Bayou Kitchen in North Richland Hills as the Best New Restaurant in its 2026 Tastemaker Awards.

This guide was checked on October 31, 2026. Please confirm all details before you visit Fort Worth restaurants.