Looking for the best places to eat in Amarillo while visiting the Texas panhandle?
Discover amazing bbq, burgers, steak, and more in this guide to the best restaurants in Amarillo, TX.
Amarillo is located in the Texas panhandle, and is the largest city in the region.
It has many attractions including the famous Cadillac ranch which features half-buried Cadillacs in the ground.
Amarillo is also home to many museums, theaters, and other fun places to explore.
However, Amarillo’s major claim to fame is its location on Historic Route 66!
Most visitors to Amarillo come here as a part of a road trip on the Mother Road.
Needless to say, Amarillo TX food scene is large and diverse and easily caters to the many road trippers!
More Amarillo Travel Guides:
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From restaurants serving classic American dishes to sushi bars and Thai food, Amarillo has it all.
For those seeking familiar chains, there will be plenty of those as well, providing great service and familiar food in comfortable surroundings.
Whether you are looking for a relaxed atmosphere or a hole in the wall place, here’s your ultimate guide to Amarillo TX food.
Best Places to Eat in Amarillo
The best places to eat in Amarillo are scattered all around the sprawling city.
The Downtown Amarillo restaurants are more popular with those who want a quick bite before heading back to Route 66.
However, we also recommend checking out the best restaurants in Amarillo that are further away from the popular areas if you have the time.
Whether you are visiting Amarillo for its attractions or simply passing through, there are plenty of restaurants to try out.
Best Breakfast in Amarillo
Let’s start with the best breakfast Amarillo restaurants.
Ye Olde Pancake Station
If you want good old pancakes or waffles, Ye Olde Pancake Station is the best choice in Amarillo for breakfast.
Located close to Route 66, this family-owned restaurant has an amazing menu of pancakes, waffles, French toast, omelets, skillets, and much more.
They are famous for their giant cinnamon rolls.
Their delicious, if simple food, is much appreciated early in the morning.
Calico County Restaurant
At the popular Calico County restaurant, you will find excellent southern food.
You can enjoy classic breakfast items like biscuits and gravy, omelets, grits, or chicken and waffles.
The best part – they serve breakfast all day!
Girasol Café and Bakery
Girasol is the perfect place to grab quick bites for breakfast.
Located behind the gas station and easy to miss, Girasol is a Hidden Gem in Amarillo.
It serves everything – muffins, French toast, breakfast burritos, sausages, pancakes!
Youngblood’s Stockyard Café
Youngblood’s is the perfect road trip stop along Route 66 in Amarillo.
Sporting classic Texan décor and a welcoming atmosphere, the café is a hit with visitors.
You can order Classics such as chicken fried steak, breakfast burrito, omelets, catfish, and burger.
Best BBQ in Amarillo TX
BBQ lovers will want to try out one of these amazing Amarillo TX bbq restaurants.
Amarillo is home to some of the best Texas bbq in the country!
Check out these mouthwatering, succulent barbecue joints that are serving up some high-quality meat in Amarillo.
Tyler’s BBQ
Tyler’s is famous not just in the city but throughout the Lone Star State for its delicious bbq beef brisket!
Not a brisket fan? You can also choose between slow cooked pulled pork, generous smoked chicken portions, and thick cut beef ribs!
Or order the 3 plate meta combo and try them all!
The expertly cooked fall off the bone melt in your mouth barbecued food will keep you coming back for more.
The restaurant also has a wonderful and relaxed atmosphere.
Dyer’s Bar-B-Que
Dyer’s is another Amarillo restaurant that is famous for its yummy barbecued meats.
You can also wash down your meat with an ice cold beer to complete the whole BBQ experience!
Brisket, ribs, chicken are all on the menu at this BBQ joint.
Doug’s Hickory Pit
An unexpected treat among all bbq restaurants is Doug’s Hickory Pit.
This humble Amarillo TX restaurant is famous for its classic American food that is cooked to perfection, including some serious BBQ beef ribs!
Be forewarned that the space gets crowded quickly.
Spicy Mike’s Bar-B-Q Haven
Spicy Mike’s is another great place to visit for good bbq.
This Texas treasure has been around for many years serving Amarillo the best smoked brisket, ribs, and chicken!
If you’re looking for a perfect balance of sweet and spicy flavors, make sure to try their unique sauce.
Best American restaurants in Amarillo
Amarillo is definitely not short on American restaurants!
Here are the best Amarillo burgers, steaks, chicken wings, and traditional sides.
Big Texan Steak Ranch – Best Steakhouse in Amarillo
No list of best places to eat in Amarillo, Texas can be complete without the Big Texan!
The Big Texan Steak Ranch is an Amarillo icon well known to locals and visitors alike.
They serve up thick steaks with all the trimmings in a rustic nostalgic western environment!
They are most famous for the 72 oz steak challenge.
Coyote Bluff Café
Looking for the best burgers in Amarillo? Head to Coyote Bluff Café.
This Amarillo TX restaurant serves up an American-style cuisine in a comfortable diner atmosphere.
You can’t go wrong with their delicious burgers and hefty portions of crispy fries.
For those looking for more than just a burger, there are also tasty salads and sandwiches to try!
Golden Light Café
Golden Light, an American restaurant, has the honor of being the oldest restaurant in the city.
This classic American food joint is known for its Southwestern servings.
When you are craving some familiar American dishes, stop by Golden Light Cafe.
Blue Sky
Looking for a quick bite while in Amarillo? Try Blue Sky!
Blue Sky freshly prepares all their food including burger buns, veggies, and even the fresh cut fries!
Need a little pick me up? Opt for the crunchy bacon topped cheesy fries instead!
We especially love their burgers: they come with a tasty patty and the hand battered onion rings.
Feeling extra hungry? Order some of the organic ice cream or specialty milkshakes!
Ohm’s Cafe & Bar
This upmarket bistro in downtown Amarillo is a hit with all age groups.
Ohm’s serves high quality meals and even has gluten free options on the menu.
Choose from their famous steak, elk loin, sichuan style lamb chops, duck, or salmon.
Top it off with unique sides such as stir fried winter vegetables, smoked yams, or carrot and potato hash!
Ohm’s offers the perfect cosy corner to enjoy a date night in Amarillo.
Best Mexican restaurants in Amarillo, TX
When it comes to the best Mexican food in Amarillo, you are spoiled for choice.
Here are our favorite Mexican restaurants in Amarillo.
The Plaza Restaurant
Plaza is popular with locals and tourists alike.
Diners here are greeted with fresh chips and salsa for the table!
You can choose between excellent Tex Mex options such as burritos, fajitas, enchiladas, sopapillas, and more.
Their margaritas are also excellent!
The portions are generous and the service is friendly, making it a great place to check out on your trip to Amarillo.
El Bracero Mexican Grill
El Bracero is a great place to try some delicious and authentic Mexican food.
Not only do they have some of the best margaritas in Amarillo, their iconic molcajete is also worth a try!
Other great options are fish tacos, shrimp fajitas, and cabrito.
Their portions are generous and you can taste the freshness of the ingredients used.
Jorge’s Tacos Garcia
Jorge’s tacos is another great option when it comes to the best Mexican food in Amarillo.
The restaurant offers authentic Tex Mex options such as fajitas, quesadillas, nachos, and more!
Their prices are very reasonable too!
Italian Restaurants in Amarillo
Looking for some yummy pastas, pizzas, and pies? Amarillo has many options for Italian food lovers.
Macaroni Joes
Macaroni Joes is a fine dining romantic restaurant with a menu that originates in the wonderful Italian region of Tuscany!
This is the best restaurant in Amarillo for anniversaries, date nights, and other special occasions.
The restaurant’s Tuscan roots are visible in the Italian villa style décor and great authentic dishes like seared scallops, steak, and smoked duck.
Eddie’s Napoli’s V
This Italian restaurant has many pasta options, but what shines are their delicious build your own pizzas!
They also have live music and excellent happy hour prices on lots of items.
Pescaraz Italian Restaurant
This traditional restaurant has friendly staff and delicious food.
They use fresh ingredients to make popular items such as ravioli and lasagna.
Visitors to Amarillo should definitely try the spicy Vesuvius spaghetti.
Pescaraz is also famous for its yummy desserts like the Tiramisu, Cheesecake, and chocolate molten cake.
Chinese restaurants in Amarillo, TX
Here are your best bets for Chinese food in Amarillo.
Pacific Rim
Pacific Rim in Amarillo is a favorite of the locals thanks to its fresh tasty dishes!
The restaurant is decorated in a cheerful and relaxed manner. The waiters are also very friendly and the service is fast.
Pacific Rim offers delicious sesame chicken, orange beef, kung pao chicken, and even crab Rangoon!
China Star
Chinese Star has a good buffet with many options and you can eat as much as you want!
Their food is delicious and they have a lot of great dishes such as noodles, dumplings, as well as American options such as mashed potatoes.
Lin’s Grand Buffet
Another choice for those who want a Chinese buffet.
Their food is delicious and they have a lot of great dishes such as the famous Chinese dumplings, steamed bun combinations, and vegetable dumplings.
Best Pizza in Amarillo
Yearning for a slice of pizza while in Amarillo? Here’s the dough!
Fire Slice Pizzeria
Fire Slice Pizzeria is famous for their deep dish crispy crust.
The restaurant also offers gluten free, vegetarian, and even vegan pizzas!
Their menu features tasty classics like the supreme pizza along with interesting options such as The Big Texan Pizzetta, which is topped with grilled steak pieces, beef brisket chili, hatch green chiles, and cilantro.
575 Pizzeria
The 575 Pizzeria is a great restaurant in Amarillo to drop into if you are looking for tasty Italian food.
Their wide range of pizzas, pastas, and salads will leave you satisfied!
The 575 Pizzeria also has delicious desserts such as the decadent warm chocolate cake topped with vanilla gelato or the fresh fruit tart!
Other best restaurants in Amarillo, Texas
Here is a list of other Amarillo best restaurants serving a variety of cuisines.
It’s a Punjabi Affair
Love Indian food? Be sure to visit It’s a Punjabi Affair.
This restaurant offers generous portions of delicious Indian dishes such as Butter Chicken and Saag Paneer.
Sakura
The Japanese steakhouse and sushi bar is a great place to go if you want a break from the BBQ and burgers on the road.
Drink a glass of sake and enjoy the fresh seafood in the panhandle on your Amarillo trip.
We hope you liked our guide to the best food in Amarillo, Texas.
Did we miss any place that should be on our Amarillo best restaurants guide? Let us know in the comments!
Further Reading: Texas Panhandle Travel Guides
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