The 12 Best Places to Eat in Amarillo (According to a Texan) - Roaming Texas (2024)

Whether you’re just driving through or you’re a long-time Amarillo local, everybody’s gotta eat!

That’s why today, I’m sharing all my favorite restaurants in Amarillo.

If you’re looking for legendary BBQ, high-quality pizza, a solid wine bar, or even some seriously underrated Thai or Indian food, Amarillo can deliver!

Check out my 12 best places to eat in Amarillo.

Map of the best places to eat in Amarillo

The most legendary restaurant in Amarillo: Coyote Bluff Cafe

Coyote Bluff might be the most iconic restaurant in Amarillo. It’s a tiny little hole in the wall in a tiny little building, and there’s usually a line of people out the door waiting to try their legendary food.

But boy, is that wait worth it. Their steamed burgers are probably the best in town, which is why Coyote Bluff has been featured on tons of TV shows.

Yes, I said steamed burgers – during the cooking process, they cover these bad boys with metal bowl, in order to make sure the cheese is extra-gooey and all that flavor is locked into the pattie. The result is one of the cheesiest, most delicious burgers you’ll ever bite into.

Oh, and speaking of cheese, Coyote Bluff is also famous for their Cheese Fries. They’re the biggest, cheesiest things you’ve ever seen, and they taste just as good as they look.

For some entertainment, here’s Adam Richman from Man vs. Food taking on The Burger From Hell:

• Address: 2417 S Grand St, Amarillo, TX 79103
• Website: Coyote Bluff

For the classic tourist experience: The Big Texan

The Big Texan is that one restaurant I just had to put on the list, as evidenced by the massive collection of cars always sitting in its even more massive parking lot. Not to mention the endless features on everything from The Travel Channel to The Food Network.

A lot of people think it’s cool to knock The Big Texan as a tourist trap, but I actually have a different opinion. Yes, it’s obviously touristy, but that’d be overlooking the simple fact that this is also one of the most fun dining experiences around. And… the food is pretty solid!

While it’s not my personal pick for the best steakhouse in Amarillo, I do have to admit it’s probably one of our town’s must visit restaurants.

• Address: 7701 I-40 East, Amarillo, TX 79118
• Website: The Big Texan

The most popular BBQ: Tyler’s Barbeque

Barbecue and Texas go together like, well… barbecue in Texas. So you definitely can’t go wrong going with BBQ in Amarillo.

Tyler’s Barbeque is a legendary place for Amarillo BBQ. Pitmaster Tyler has a long history of catering BBQ all over the country (and winning championships along the way). So back in 2010, when he first opened his Amarillo BBQ joint in a tiny shack of a building, there was already a long line of locals ready to try his ‘que.

And those BBQ fans were not disappointed. Since then, Tyler’s has been featured in too many of those “Top BBQ Spots in Texas” to list.

Tyler’s has since moved out of the tiny building into something a little larger, but the legendary BBQ is just as delicious as ever.

The ribs here are legendary and award winning. And on more than one occasion, Tyler himself has recommended the Chopped Brisket Sandwich (with Sausage) to me, and I can confirm that it might be the best of its kind in Texas.

• Address: 3301 Olsen Blvd, Amarillo, TX 79109
• Website: Tyler’s BBQ

The local’s favorite BBQ: Spicy Mike’s Bar-B-Q Haven

While the locals definitely love Tyler’s Barbeque above, there’s another more under-the-radar spot that has an equal cult-like following.

Keeping up the tradition of Amarillo BBQ joints, Spicy Mike’s started in a tiny little shack of a building, and has since gotten so popular that they’ve moved into a full-sized restaurant space.

Spicy Mike’s now sits a few minutes south, near the outskirts of Amarillo. But there, you’ll find some absolutely unbelievable barbeque.

Personally, I think Spicy Mike’s has the best ribs in West Texas. Don’t miss their spicy BBQ sauce either, which you know has to be fantastic at a place called Spicy Mike’s. (It’s just as good, or better, than you’d expect!)

• Address: 6723 S Western St, Amarillo, TX 79110
• Website: Spicy Mike’s

My favorite pizza: 575 Pizzeria

In my article about the best pizza in Amarillo, I called 575 “The Local’s Favorite” and that is absolutely true.

At 575, Head Chef Brian Kelleher serves some truly incredible, chef-driven pizzas. They’ve got unique combinations and even better flavors.

I can’t ever write about 575 without mentioning the meat and mushroom “Omni” pizza, which Urbaspoon once rated the best overall pizza in America.

• Address 1: 7710 Hillside Rd #700, Amarillo, TX 79119
• Address 2: 2803 Civic Circle, Amarillo, TX 79109
• Website: 575 Pizzeria

A great local sports bar: Texas Firehouse

If you’re looking for a place with solid food and tons of TVs to watch the game, Texas Firehouse is probably my favorite sports bar in Amarillo.

Here I’ve always found great service, tons of beer options, and some surprisingly good food. The pizzas are probably their most popular, but I come here for the “Philly Sandwiches” section of the menu. My favorite is the Firehouse Philly, a delicious mix of beef philly meat and provolone cheese, topped with a perfect kick of jalapenos and spicy ranch. (It even has sweet caramelized onions to balance that heat!)

• Address: 3333 S. Coulter, Amarillo, TX 79106
• Website: Texas Firehouse

The best Indian food restaurant: It’s a Punjabi Affair

At the time of this writing, It’s a Punjabi Affair has an astounding 5-star Yelp Rating with over 400 reviews. And while I don’t always trust the Yelpers, this is one instance where they’ve definitely got it right.

You might not expect it, but I’d put this little Amarillo joint’s Butter Chicken, various Paneers, and Curries against any of the most popular Indian restaurants in Texas’s biggest cities. Make no mistake, It’s a Punjabi Affair serves some absolutely legit Indian food.

• Address: 4201 Bushland Blvd, Amarillo, TX 79106
• Website: It’s a Punjabi Affair

My favorite Thai food restaurant: Thai Thai

Surprisingly, Amarillo has several different options for Thai food, but my personal favorite is Thai Thai.

I judge a Thai place on its Pad Thai, and Thai Thai makes theirs just like I like – nice and saucy, with that perfect balance of sweet, sour, spicy, and salty.

• Address: 2515 S Grand St, Amarillo, TX 79103
• Website: Thai Thai

Best for healthy food: FAVs

If you’re burnt out on steak and BBQ and want to go with something a little more friendly to your body, FAVs is an awesome little smoothie bar with some great health-conscious food.

FAVs has dozens of fantastic salads, wraps, smoothies, and juices. And if you’ve got dietary restrictions of any kind, this is definitely one of the best places in town for vegan, glutten free, or just generally more nutritious options.

• Address: 706 SW 16th Ave, Amarillo, TX 79101
• Website: FAVs

The most popular brew-pub: Six Car Pub & Brewery

If you’re looking for an awesome brewery experience with good food, Six Car is the newest, trendiest spot in town that you don’t want to miss.

This downtown spot is housed in a beautiful space that includes plenty of room inside and out, including one of Amarillo’s best patios. (On a rooftop!) They brew their own beer and also have really good pizzas that made our cut for some of the best pizza in Amarillo.

• Address: 625 S Polk St, Amarillo, TX 79101
• Website: Six Car

For fantastic Cajun food: The Lost Cajun

New Orleans quality gumbo, jambalaya, and even beignets… in Amarillo?

It’s true. The Lost Cajun serves Cajun food so good that it will transport you from West Texas to the Louisana Bayou in one bite! My favorite is their Seafood Gumbo, which comes out a rich, dark-brown color indicative of a high-quality roux. And of course, I always have to finish with their Fried Beignets – one bite into that powdered sugar explosion, and I’m in heaven.

• Address: 2401 I-40 Frontage Rd, Amarillo, TX 79109
  
• Website: The Lost Cajun

For a solid, classic sit-down experience: Crush

Crush is located in Amarillo’s downtown area, and it’s a great bet if you’re looking for a quality sitdown experience. They have one of the best wine selections in town. Food wise, everything from the crab cakes, to the salads, to the chicken and fish entrees, and even burgers or steaks are done right.

When the weather’s right, Crush even has a nice outdoor patio where you can take in downtown Amarillo.

• Address: 627 S Polk St, Amarillo, TX 79101
• Website: Crush Amarillo