Known for its wide-open spaces, fantastic sunset, and western heritage, Amarillo is also one of the largest cities in Texas. Food is another excellent subject you want to focus on when visiting Amarillo.
Whether you’re an all-time Tex-Mex fanatic seeking authentic Mexican dishes, or looking to sample some classic American meals, Amarillo restaurants don’t disappoint.
With so many options to choose from, finding the right restaurant for you and your family can be a daunting and overwhelming prospect.
That is why you may want to check this list of the 12 best restaurants in Amarillo, TX, to help you make a wise decision.
Tyler’s Barbecue
$$$ | (806) 331 2271 | WEBSITE
If you live in Texas, you probably know that good Texas eats aren’t complete without some great barbecue only served best at Tyler’s. The restaurant doesn’t incorporate a secret or magical ingredient.
What you get is pulled pork, ribs, brisket, and everything else slowly smoked into a soft, smokey, and tasty barbecue. Tyler’s is the only restaurant that will serve a platter full of assorted meats and sides to feast on to your satisfaction.
For the less hungry, there is a wide selection of sandwiches filled with all types of meat, including pork chops, sausages, and chicken.
If you’re planning to visit Tyler’s, you may want to go early as Tyler can close early if all the meat is sold out before closing time. The restaurant does not open on Sunday and Monday.
Once there, don’t forget to purchase the legendary Tyler’s barbecue sauce for all your barbecue needs.
Jorge’s Tacos Garcia
$$$ | (806) 371 0411 | WEBSITE
If you’re craving some tasty Tex Mex or just any authentic Mexican cuisine, Jorge’s tacos Garcia is the perfect spot. Sitting in the middle of Amarillo’s art district, Jorge’s tacos has been serving Texans for over 60 years.
They have mastered the art of great food and feature a wide variety of great Mexican items to choose from. The menu includes burritos filled with rice and beans, tacos, fajitas, and egg dishes like rancheros and chipotle sausages.
Jorge’s Tacos Garcia is ranked the fifth most popular restaurant in Amarillo by its savvy visitors.
The GoldenLight Cantina
$ | (806) 374-9237 | WEBSITE
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Formed in 1946, GoldenLight Cantina has managed to remain true to its original roots. They claim to be the oldest restaurant in Amarillo.
Apart from serving some of the classic American dishes, the restaurant hosts a number of great local artists and musicians to improve your dining experience.
Their comprehensive menu accommodates everyone, including children and vegetarians. You will also appreciate the fact that their food is quite affordable, with sandwiches going for as low as $3 and burgers going for $6.
Whether you come with some company or not, you will surely enjoy GoldenLight Cantina’s good food, good music, and great company.
Ohm’s Café
$$$$$ | (806) 373-3233 | WEBSITE
The Small Cozy Ohm’s café gives you that homely, naturally comforting feel every time you walk in to dine there.
This self-styled, upmarket restaurant serves delicious food and great drinks that you can enjoy while seated near a fireplace and soaking up in the Texas warmth.
The menu takes locally sourced ingredients to the next level with classic dishes like pork ribs paired with rice and seasonal veggies, beef with herb salsa verde, and elk with risotto.
The chicken tenderloin pairs so well with jalapeno gravy that you will want to take some home. While dishes here are slightly pricier than other restaurants, get prepared to spend some extra bucks, and you will likely find it all worth it.
We also can’t ignore the serene ambiance and the comforting hospitable care of the owner and sommelier, Edmund.
Coyote Bluff café
$$ | (806) 373 4640 | WEBSITE
Coyote Bluff Café is an excellent restaurant with innovative tasty patty and bun combinations. If you’re not careful enough, you might miss its white-washed walls, slate roof, and green woodwork.
This place offers some of the best burgers in town. Their website looks somewhat creepy, but it is well-detailed to provide you with all the information you need to get a delicious meal.
Their menu features Howling Hunger stoppers, Prairie Patties, Kid Stuff, and Other Stuff. They don’t provide prices as they are subject to change.
Some of the great items to try include the Burger from Hell, the bacon cheeseburger, and the California Burger.
Macaroni Joe’s
$$ | (806) 358-8990 | WEBSITE
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Macaroni Joe’s offers authentic Italian food. The low-lit restaurant is an excellent place to relax if you’re looking for some little change in the Amarillo restaurant scene.
Whether you want to eat or drink, Macaroni Joe’s promises to take your Italian dining experience to another level. The menu features a variety of steaks, pasta options, and seafood, which come at a reasonable price.
Whether you want to taste authentic chicken florentine, lasagna, or twists like the chicken with squash and green chili farfalle. Like any Italian restaurant, Macaroni Joe’s has something romantic to add to your dining experience.
The majestic décor and candles provide the right atmosphere for dining with a loved one.
The 806
$ | (806) 322-1806 | WEBSITE
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806 is not your ordinary coffee place. Apart from their great coffee, tea, and other beverages, 806 is also known to serve some of the best American dishes in Amarillo.
While coffee wins any day anytime here, you might want to try some of the items on the menu, like the quesadilla, blue corn nachos, hummus made from scratch, and some bagel or pita pizza.
If you plan to visit at night, you can catch some of the greatest artists performing live twice every month.
When it comes to coffee, you don’t want to leave without tasting the black mamba, a thickly iced espresso, and the juju– a rich chocolatey espresso with spice.
The Big Texan Steak Ranch & Brewery
$$ | (806) 372 6000 | WEBSITE
The big Texan is a popular place among tourists and locals due to its quirky nature. It is known to serve big steaks, burgers, and ribs.
The Big Texan is also the venue for the 72-ounce steak challenge that allows candidates to eat 72 ounces of steak in an hour. If you lose, you pay $72 for the meat.
You can participate in this challenge anytime. The restaurant also serves handcrafted beer from their brewery and has taken the dining and entertainment to the next level by hosting big-time country concerts.
In addition to offering a family-friendly environment, the restaurant also accommodates events for friends and families.
The Drunken Oyster
$$$ | (806) 418 6668 | WEBSITE
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Located in the city’s downtown, the Drunken Oyster is the only seafood restaurant in Amarillo. It features a fantastic ambiance that includes a full bar and elegant dining room, and a heated patio along with daily specials, and a full menu.
They serve fresh sumptuous seafood dishes such as lobsters, shrimp, oysters, fish, crabs, and mussels.
You can enjoy delicious seafood dishes like the smoky Cajun mussels, jalapeno bacon-wrapped shrimp, Mediterranean salad, and shucked oysters.
Don’t forget to try their Pontchartrain with creamed risotto topped with certified aged Angus beef and crab meat.
Their bar offers over 30 varieties of liquor to choose from and is home to some of the best mixologists that help create perfect cocktails.
Blue Sky
$ | (806) 355-8100 | WEBSITE
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Voted for the best burger since 2003, Blue sky has maintained an excellent track record of high-quality burgers for the longest time. They have shared how they prepare everything to ensure it is done to perfection on their website.
For instance, they prepare their burgers from non-frozen ingredients, ground chuck steak, hand-cut fries from Idaho potatoes, freshly baked buns, and hand-battered onion, jalapeno, and Chile sticks.
Their tasty burgers have remained the best in Amarillo. Residents have voted the restaurant as the best every year since it started in 2003.
They also have unique shakes, blue plate specials, and wine. Children under 12 have a menu that includes less spicy meals.
Yellow City Street Food
$$ | (806)-353-9273 | WEBSITE
Yellow City Street food is not your ordinary street food restaurant. Owned and operated by a chef since 2013, Yellow City focuses on experience and uniqueness.
This street food-inspired restaurant has plenty of delicious meals for everyone, including vegetarians and kids. They also have daily specials for regular and vegan diners.
You can enjoy the grass-fed burgers featuring pepper jack, pulled pork, onions, and spicy aioli. Other country-wide street food fixtures include overloaded tacos, specialty burgers, and vegan jack dishes like quinoa cakes.
El Manantial
$ | (806)383 1852 | WEBSITE
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The El Manantial Mexican restaurant can quickly become your favorite if you enjoy discovering Mexican dishes.
Having been in the industry for more than ten years, the restaurant has mastered the importance of making great food using quality ingredients.
They also have a collection of drinks for your everyday needs. Their chips come with three kinds of salsa, and their handmade tortillas are regarded as the best in Amarillo.
When it comes to dessert, be sure to try the absolutely sweet and moist tres leches cake.
