Texas boasts some of the best restaurants in the U.S. Here’s the 2025 NYT list
Four Texas restaurants made The New York Times’ 2025 Restaurant List — and none of them are barbecue or Tex-Mex.
The list compiles the top 50 best restaurants in the U.S. based on 14 Times reporters’ opinions and reviews. They flew to 33 different states and tried more than 200 meals. Like the Michelin Guide, the reporters showed up to each restaurant unannounced and paid for each meal to ensure neutrality.
“We eat like you do, with the same hope for a meal to remember, to be welcomed and delighted,” said Brian Gallagher of the New York Times. “These are 50 places where we found just that.”
Twenty-nine states are highlighted on the list. California ranked highest, with six restaurants. New York and Texas both follow with four. There is no particular type of genre or price range — you’ll notice a Kansas City turkey leg shack all the way to Michelin-rated fine dining.
Here are the Texas restaurants that made the list.
ChopnBlok in Houston
ChopnBlok is a West African restaurant that serves bowls and salads with frozen drinks. Plantains, jambalaya and curry are all common occurrences on the menu. Chef Ope Amosu got his start at the Houston Post Market and then moved into his own Nigerian-inspired restaurant.
- Houston — 401 Franklin St. Suite A.
- $20-$30 per person.
- West African Cuisine with bowls, salads and meat skewers. Cocktails, beer and wine too.
- Chef Amosu was a finalist for the James Beard best chef award in Texas. The restaurant was also noted as one of the 20 best restaurants in the South by Southern Living.
- Make reservations here.
Isidore in San Antonio
Isidore is an elevated Texan cuisine located in San Antonio. The menu features wagyu beef cuts, oysters, red snapper and a pork rib chop. A tasting menu features flavors of pecans, buttermilk and blueberry paired with Texas high plains wines.
- San Antonio – 221 Newell Ave.
- $50 to $100 per person.
- Elevated Texas cuisine that serves dinner only with cuts of fish, beef, pork and chicken. Cocktails, wine and dessert menus as well.
- Noted in the Wine Spectator Restaurant Award of Excellence for its wine list.
- Make reservations here.
Lao’d Bar in Austin
Lao’d Bar is a Lao-American fusion restaurant. Classic Lao dishes like papaya salad and bao buns appear on the menu alongside a smash burger and sausage dog. Coconut, herbs, chile spices and citrus shine through the Texas ribeye and pork skewer.
- Austin – 9909 FM 969 Building 4.
- $20 to $30 per person.
- Lao flavors with American meats. The traditional papaya salad, noodles and sticky rice are served with angus beefs.
- Semi-finalist for James Beard Award for best new restaurant and featured on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.
- Make reservations here.
P Thai’s Khao Man Gai & Noodles in Austin
P Thai’s Khao Man Gai & Noodles comes from Chinese immigrants who lived in Thailand. The menu features buttery chicken cooked in two-year-old broth and Chinese BBQ pork. Of course, fried pork belly, noodles and wontons also make an appearance.
- Austin – 4807 Airport Blvd.
- $20 to $30 per person.
- Thai and Chinese fusion.
- 2024 Austin Eaters Awards.
- No reservations. Walk in and order at the counter.