Whether traveling for business, pleasure, or cultural enlightenment, you may easily find yourself in the West Texas city of Lubbock. This charming city boasts the Museum of Texas Tech University and the birthplace of music legend Buddy Holly, all while celebrating its ranching heritage.
Culture and progress have created a Lubbock dining scene that rivals any larger city in North America. You’ll find dozens of restaurants to try after exploring the museums, the Buddy Holly Center, and the West Texas Walk of Fame.
Our guide to the best restaurants in Lubbock covers everything from a casual meal to an upscale dining experience.
1. Cast Iron Grill
$ | 806-771-7690 | WEBSITE
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The Cast Iron Grill is a homegrown hotspot for breakfast and lunch. Open since 2007, it serves Southern-inspired dishes like fried chicken and fried steak with side options of mac n’ cheese, mashed potatoes, and fried okra. A full menu of mains, burgers, and sandwiches is also offered.
The biggest draw to the Cast Iron is breakfast. Patrons come for the country fried steak and huevos rancheros. Almost as popular are the specialty desserts such as Jack Daniels-infused pecan pie, coconut cream pie, and blueberry banana split pies.
Eat at the Cast Iron after visiting the Buddy Holly Center located across the street.
2. La Diosa Cellars
$$$ | 806-744-3600 | WEBSITE
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La Diosa is a Spanish Bistro with an extensive selection of tapas, wine, and perfectly mixed sangria. These artisan appetizers include tantalizing choices like broiled Spanish sardines in roasted butter-garlic and spices with a splash of sherry. Or go for a classic gazpacho served with aged cheese and graved salmon.
The bistro’s decor is as artsy as the food. Designed by the owner, a former interior decorator, it features plush chairs, electric music, and a wall filled with eclectic art.
Dining here is a sophisticated, intellectual experience.
3. Triple J Chophouse & Brew
$$ | 806-771-6555 | WEBSITE
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Triple-J is a traditional Texas steakhouse and brewery with the juiciest steaks in town, along with wood-fired pizzas and specialty sandwiches like the green chili burger and the naked salmon sandwich. Everything is made from scratch using only the best ingredients.
In addition to fantastic food, Triple J is also Lubbock’s only brewpub. Find the latest beer tastings on their website.
Triple J is a laid-back restaurant with a schedule of live music by local artists. Go for lunch and order from the Pony Express menu or enjoy a full dinner with dessert.
4. 50th Street Caboose
$$ | 806- 96-2240 | WEBSITE
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Great food is dished up alongside lots of fun at the 50th Street Caboose. The menu features classic American and Mexican cuisine for lunch or dinner and a midway with over 100 games including pool tables.
Create your own Mexican combo from an assortment of tacos, enchiladas, chalupas, and Rellenos. Or go for West Texas favorites like charbroiled top sirloin or smoked baby back ribs. The Caboose also has hot wings with an extensive selection of tasty sauces.
The huge variety of food and games makes the Caboose the perfect choice for parties.
5. Las Brisas
$$$$ | 806-687-6050 | WEBSITE
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For elegant dining and excellent food, Las Brisas is hard to beat. Serving brunch and dinner, Las Brisas offers melt-in-your-mouth steaks, Southwestern fare, and seafood entrees like Chilean sea bass and blackened salmon.
The all-natural premium Angus steaks are sourced from a humane U.S ranching operation and fresh seafood is flown in three times a week. All of the produce is locally sourced.
The second secret to La Brisas’ incredible flavors is cooking the steaks in a 1,800-degree oven. La Brisas is the perfect choice for a romantic dinner for two or for meeting clients for cocktails.
6. Burklee Hill
$$$ | 806-993-1195 | WEBSITE
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Burklee Hill is a popular family-owned vineyard, winery, and bistro serving brunch, lunch, and dinner. The bistro and tasting room are located in the heart of downtown Lubbock.
For breakfast or lunch, choices include breakfast platters, breakfast pizzas, and burgers made with eggs your way. Lunch brings a variety of sandwiches and sharables such as hummus and artichoke schmear. Evening entrees like pasta florentine and miso-glazed salmon will delight the palate.
This is a very popular eaterie, so make reservations early. Be sure to sample the flavors in the wine tasting room.
7. The Nicolett
$$$ | 806-993-0144 | WEBSITE
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Experience the regional flavors of West Texas at The Nicolett. This new fine-dining restaurant’s chef has trained in Paris and the Napa Valley. His goal was to impart his training to the local flavors of Texas. Both brunch and dinner are served at Nicolett.
The menu changes with the seasons at Nicolett to bring diners the freshest ingredients. For example, the fall menu features delights like triple-seared Denver steak or quail baked in brioche.
With outdoor dining in a vine-covered greenhouse or indoor dining in a historic home, The Nicolett is the place to impress your dinner guests.
8. The Farmhouse Restaurant Lubbock
$$ | 806-746-2075 | WEBSITE
No matter the length or reason for your visit, be sure to treat yourself to the best breakfast in Lubbock at the Farmhouse. Breakfast is served until 2 pm every day. The owners want to be home in the evenings, so breakfast is their specialty.
The menu features eggs any style, including Benedicts and omelets. Try the traditional breakfast with your choice of meat, hash browns, and toast. Or get “stuffed” on the stuffed French toast filled with sausage, eggs, cheese, and hash browns on the side.
The ambiance at the Farmhouse is as warm and inviting as the food.
9. One Guy From Italy
$$ | 806-747-1226 | WEBSITE
One Guy is hands down the best pizza in Lubbock. As the name suggests, the founder was born in Italy and raised in Texas. So you can be sure the pizza is authentic and delicious.
One Guy also prepares and serves pasta dishes and the calzones are famous all over town and beyond.
Yes, One Guy delivers, but the crowd is usually here for Tech football games and other events. Drop in and mingle for a good time.
10. Abuelo’s Mexican Resturant
$$ | 806-794-1762 | WEBSITE
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Texas is a border state, so it stands to good reason that authentic Mexican food is plentiful in Lubbock. Abuelo’s has been serving the best flavors of Mexico since 1989.
Using made-from-scratch standards, the authentic recipes reflect both interior and coastal Latino flavors. The BBQ shrimp fajitas come highly recommended. Or try the tacos, enchiladas, or chile Rellenos.
Abuelo’s is the perfect choice for parties and gatherings. Dine inside or under the sky, out in the courtyard.
11. The Lost Cajun
$$ | 806-993-3474 | WEBSITE
The Lost Cajun is from Louisiana and the founder of this unique restaurant where Cajun food is featured on an extensive menu. Feast on delicious Louisiana-inspired dishes like Cajun Fish or Chicken Pasta and Blackened Fish Stir Fry. Genuine Lousiana Gumbo, Seafood Gumbo, and Red Beans and Rice keep customers returning.
The appetizers and sides are definitively Southern with items like fried okra, sweet potatoes, hush puppies, and cole slaw.
The atmosphere is down-home Southern hospitality with an open kitchen and rustic wooden tables. Domestic and imported beer and wine are available at “Da Bar.”
12. Double Nickle Steak House
$$$$ | 866-792-0055 | WEBSITE
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The Double Nickle is the place to go for an upscale dining experience without dressing up. Wear your jeans and cowboy boots and fit right in the casual, laidback atmosphere.
The saloon-style restaurant’s food is anything but casual, with well-crafted steaks including ribeyes, filets, and au Poivre. The appetizers and sides are classy too, with items like Tomato Caprese, Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp, Spinach Rockefeller, and Sauteed Mushrooms.
Enjoy a signature cocktail or fine wine with your meal. Reserve a private table for your next event with seating for 10-100 guests and get first-class service.
13. Midnight Shift
$$$ | 806-758-5800
Located inside Cotton Court House Hotel, Midnight Shift Restaurant & Bar features international dishes with a creative twist. The cuisine is officially Texas-American fusion with delicious eats like Flat Iron Steak, Quinoa & Calabacitas, and Coconut Curry Prawns.
The food at the Midnight Shift is made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients, the beers are locally brewed, and the cocktails are hand-crafted.
Mingle with friends and relax with great eats and excellent cocktails. Live music is featured on the weekends.
Dog owners can bring their pets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5 pm to 7 pm through September for Barks & Brews.
Summary
Visitors to Lubbock are pleasantly surprised to find a fantastic and extensive foodie scene in this West Texas town. You’ll find Southern-inspired dishes, international cuisines, and upscale steak dinners in a variety of settings and price ranges. Experience local flavors and fusions in unique dishes along with locally brewed beers, fine wines, and cocktails.
Hayden has been a digital director for years. He has five years of experience editing and writing about food, restaurant, and recipe review content. At Birch Restaurant, he’s in charge of scouting, showing up unannounced in different restaurants, and writing a thorough food guide!
