Waco Spots

Waco Spots

Leigh McBride
My waco love list !! All the places that helped me survive law school and made it a sweet little place to come back to.
Updated ago
1
Share

Casual Breakfast

El Charro Cafe
@leighmcbride
Hangover-approved, cheap, and authentic Tex-Mex
Add to
Details
Cafe Cappuccino
@leighmcbride
Waco-Famous, Pancakes the size of your face, probably going to wait on the weekends, no alc
Add to
Details
Lolita's Restaurante
@leighmcbride
Best breakfast burritos in waco
Add to
Details
George’s Restaurant Bar & Catering
@leighmcbride
A Waco MUST - best bar food in waco, hearty breakfast, kick-ass bloody Marys, giant beers, perfect for watching football any time of the day
Add to
Details
Our Breakfast Place
@leighmcbride
Cute little place with good food on the south side of Waco near my old apartment
Add to
Details
Fuego Tortilla Grill
@leighmcbride
If you need to drive through for breaky or lunch you must drive here (also open at 2am)
Add to
Details
Mamaka Bowls
@leighmcbride
Healthy bowls, so fun to sit outside by the river on a nice morning
Add to
Details

Nice Brunch

J.S. Barnett's Whiskey House
@leighmcbride
Unbelievable brunch, great cocktails, but you’ll smell smoky after
Add to
Details
Cafe Homestead
@leighmcbride
Cute lil country breakfast, but a little outside of town
Add to
Details
Magnolia Table
@leighmcbride
The place where you wait 2 hours to take a picture and show people you visited Waco
Add to
Details
MOROSO Italian Ristorante
@leighmcbride
One of my fav places in waco!!! Amazing vibes, perfect for guests, parents, the girls, or a date. Weekend brunch only, but so great
Add to
Details
Milo
@leighmcbride
All around best restaurant in waco - close by, good drinks, small menu
Add to
Details
Collin Street Bakery I-35 Waco
@leighmcbride
Little coffee and pastry action
Add to
Details
The Olive Branch
@leighmcbride
Cute little healthy-ish place to take your grandmother
Add to
Details

Casual Lunch

Shorty's Pizza Shack
@leighmcbride
The Baylor law school college pizza and beer place - Waco staple
Add to
Details
Health Camp Burgers and Shakes
@leighmcbride
Anything but healthy ;) cheat day only
Add to
Details
Jakes Texas Tea House
@leighmcbride
It’s giving Radiator Springs but awesome southern comfort food
Add to
Details
Cupp's Drive Inn
@leighmcbride
Pretty sure this place has been open for like 100 years and there’s a reason it still exists - old school burgers right by Baylor campus
Add to
Details
Teriyaki Park
@leighmcbride
Mediocre sushi but great lunch specials for broke law students
Add to
Details
J-Petal & Poke’ Waco
@leighmcbride
I could eat this every single day - this was my go to lunch before a final!! Healthy and not over priced
Add to
Details
Torchy's Tacos
@leighmcbride
You all know how i feel about this place - the Waco torchy’s has a full bar ;)
Add to
Details
Schmaltz's Sandwich Shoppe
@leighmcbride
Think scholtzky’s but 10 million times better. I could also eat this every single day
Add to
Details
Fuego Tortilla Grill
@leighmcbride
If you need to drive through for breaky or lunch you must drive here (also open at 2am)
Add to
Details
Alpha Omega Grill & Bakery
@leighmcbride
My first Greek experience - a waco lunch staple
Add to
Details

Nice Lunch

Milo
@leighmcbride
All around best restaurant in waco - close by, good drinks, small menu
Add to
Details
Union Hall - Waco
@leighmcbride
A food court you could literally make sure everyone gets whatever they want
Add to
Details
The Olive Branch
@leighmcbride
Cute little healthy-ish place to take your grandmother
Add to
Details

Casual Dinner

Union Hall - Waco
@leighmcbride
A food court you could literally make sure everyone gets whatever they want
Add to
Details
Poppa Rollo's Pizza
@leighmcbride
Waco staple, the locals love it! Speak easy in the back behind a phone booth for pizza and beer
Add to
Details
Cathay House
@leighmcbride
The ultimate trashy Chinese takeout when you want to sit at home and watch tv
Add to
Details
Tejun The Texas Cajun- Robinson
@leighmcbride
Crawfish is elite and cute little patio on a pond - doesn’t feel like waco
Add to
Details
Guess Family Barbecue
@leighmcbride
Best barbecue in Waco for sure
Add to
Details
Bangkok Royal
@leighmcbride
Another trashy Asian takeout place to bring home and have a movie night
Add to
Details
Baris
@leighmcbride
Waco local favorite - HUGE portions for EXTREMELY CHEAP. Restaurant is BYOB !!! I could eat this every day
Add to
Details
Wako Roll
@leighmcbride
Mediocre sushi but it’s cheap and fast
Add to
Details
Twisted Root Burger Co.
@leighmcbride
Fun place, great atmosphere, good burgs
Add to
Details
Clay Pot Restaurant
@leighmcbride
Pho is my go to when I was sick - i swear it had special healing power
Add to
Details
Slow Rise Slice House
@leighmcbride
Super fun place to get a drink and eat pizza on a doc by the river! People can get takeout on their boats
Add to
Details

Fine Dining

DiamondBack's
@leighmcbride
Great for bringing your rich parents or a date - steak, salmon and fried rice, sushi, etc is yum
Add to
Details
1424 Bistro
@leighmcbride
Not the best for dinner, but okay. Only 1 of 3 nice places in waco
Add to
Details
One Thirty Five Prime
@leighmcbride
Stupid expensive but pretty good if you want to go blow some cash
Add to
Details

Semi-Nice Fun Dinner

Ichiban Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar
@leighmcbride
Best sushi and habachi in waco, but bar is also VERY nice for a drink and sushi. Very upscale but can still dress casual if you want
Add to
Details
Ninfa's Mexican Restaurant
@leighmcbride
Fun and casual, in the heart of downtown if you’re feeling Waco-y
Add to
Details
Di Campli’s Italian Ristorante
@leighmcbride
A little outside of Waco, but the food and atmosphere is unbelievable!!!!! Take your parents or a date here to impress
Add to
Details
Hecho En Waco Mexican Cuisine
@leighmcbride
Food is alright, but great atmosphere and great drinks! Much better for apps and Mexican martinis than actual meal
Add to
Details
MOROSO Italian Ristorante
@leighmcbride
One of my fav places in waco!!! Amazing vibes, perfect for guests, parents, the girls, or a date. Weekend brunch only, but so great
Add to
Details
La Fiesta Restaurant & Cantina
@leighmcbride
Good ol Tex-Mex, great margs, be careful with the purple margs (or not depending on what your intentions are with the evening)
Add to
Details
Milo
@leighmcbride
All around best restaurant in waco - close by, good drinks, small menu
Add to
Details

Cocktails

One Day Bar
@leighmcbride
Cute little small cocktail bar with great bartenders (not a place to drink a lot, just little drinky drinks)
Add to
Details
Dichotomy Coffee & Spirits
@leighmcbride
Coffee shop (imo best coffee in Waco) turned wine bar after 5, also great bartenders with good cocktails with a rooftop that overlooks downtown.
Add to
Details
Sloane's - Waco
@leighmcbride
My fav cocktail bar in waco - It gives Austin with funky 80s theme and great drinks
Add to
Details
Hemingways Watering Hole
@leighmcbride
Where the locals go. Super small bar right next to Moroso’s with a great cocktail bar vibe for a good night cap
Add to
Details
J.S. Barnett's Whiskey House
@leighmcbride
Unbelievable brunch, great cocktails, but you’ll smell smoky after
Add to
Details
Milo
@leighmcbride
All around best restaurant in waco - close by, good drinks, small menu
Add to
Details

Margaritas

Ninfa's Mexican Restaurant
@leighmcbride
Fun and casual, in the heart of downtown if you’re feeling Waco-y
Add to
Details
Hecho En Waco Mexican Cuisine
@leighmcbride
Food is alright, but great atmosphere and great drinks! Much better for apps and Mexican martinis than actual meal
Add to
Details
Torchy's Tacos
@leighmcbride
You all know how i feel about this place - the Waco torchy’s has a full bar ;)
Add to
Details
La Fiesta Restaurant & Cantina
@leighmcbride
Good ol Tex-Mex, great margs, be careful with the purple margs (or not depending on what your intentions are with the evening)
Add to
Details
Fuzzy's Taco Shop
@leighmcbride
Good margs, this fuzzy’s is more fun than other fuzzy’s bc it’s on the River and has live music a lot
Add to
Details

Beer and munchies

Oakley's Texas Bar and Grill
@leighmcbride
Great local dive bar if you want to mingle with the Wacoans - embrace your inner trashy
Add to
Details
Brotherwell Brewing
@leighmcbride
Low key brewery near Baylor campus that has good rattlers and other local brews!
Add to
Details
Cricket's Draft House & Grill
@leighmcbride
One of the great college bars where you can meet 18 year olds and play some pool - yet we ended up here every weekend
Add to
Details
Southern Roots Brewing Co.
@leighmcbride
Good local brews and pizza, great for a happy hour and something lowkey with friends
Add to
Details
Slow Rise Slice House
@leighmcbride
Super fun place to get a drink and eat pizza on a doc by the river! People can get takeout on their boats
Add to
Details
The Backyard Bar Stage and Grill
@leighmcbride
THE concert venue in waco, but also decent food and great place to watch football, drink beer, and play some cornhole
Add to
Details
George’s Restaurant Bar & Catering
@leighmcbride
A Waco MUST - best bar food in waco, hearty breakfast, kick-ass bloody Marys, giant beers, perfect for watching football any time of the day
Add to
Details
Walk-On's
@leighmcbride
Nicer not-as-local sports bar, but good food and great place to take everyone to get what they want to eat/drink
Add to
Details

Wine

The Grape Wine Bar and Bistro
@leighmcbride
Off the beaten path, where the fancy pancy locals go drink good wine in a little garden with great munchies - great for a date or take your mom
Add to
Details
Lighthouse Coffee & Wine
@leighmcbride
Another coffee shop turned wine bar - great little place to go read at any time of the day
Add to
Details
Fabled Bookshop & Cafe
@leighmcbride
Precious little book shop with coffee and wine to go ready or study, great atmostphere
Add to
Details
Z's at the Curry
@leighmcbride
Usually quiet and not busy, but great atmosphere. Law students love it bc the drinks are named after legal things because it’s next to the courthouse
Add to
Details
Stay Classy - Cocktail Bar
@leighmcbride
Great little place to go with the gals for wine - speakeasy in the back
Add to
Details

If you want to party…

Freight Icehouse and Yardbar
@leighmcbride
Always where we ended up every weekend, so great when the weather is nice! One must try the peanut butter shot to be a true wacoan
Add to
Details
Twisted Sisters Patio Bar
@leighmcbride
Cute new place i went once - it opened the day i left
Add to
Details
Trojan Cork & Keg
@leighmcbride
Tiny little local bar in spice village with great vibes to hang with friends
Add to
Details
The Buckle
@leighmcbride
College bar on Baylor campus, no old people allowed
Add to
Details
Truelove Bar
@leighmcbride
The ultimate spot in waco for the prime of the night and KARAOKE
Add to
Details
Putters: Arcade - Mini Golf - Sports Bar
@leighmcbride
Get drunk and putt!
Add to
Details

Coffee

Dichotomy Coffee & Spirits
@leighmcbride
Coffee shop (imo best coffee in Waco) turned wine bar after 5, also great bartenders with good cocktails with a rooftop that overlooks downtown.
Add to
Details
Fabled Bookshop & Cafe
@leighmcbride
Precious little book shop with coffee and wine to go ready or study, great atmostphere
Add to
Details
Common Grounds Waco
@leighmcbride
Where all the Baylor kiddos go study and sit outside - might get a ring by spring here
Add to
Details
Pinewood Coffee Bar
@leighmcbride
Big debate of pinewood v CG - I’m team pinewood. Also has great brews in the afternoon
Add to
Details
Heritage Coffee
@leighmcbride
Outside of town but on a sweet little farm if you want to get away
Add to
Details
BRÛ Artisan Coffee Works
@leighmcbride
Cute, in the middle of downtown
Add to
Details
Magnolia Press Coffee Co.
@leighmcbride
Where you go when you want to take a picture and tell people you’re in Waco
Add to
Details
Lighthouse Coffee & Wine
@leighmcbride
Another coffee shop turned wine bar - great little place to go read at any time of the day
Add to
Details

Treats

Nightlight Donuts & Coffee
@leighmcbride
STUPID good donuts - a little south but not far
Add to
Details
Heritage Creamery
@leighmcbride
Where every Baylor kid begins their courtship
Add to
Details
Katie's Frozen Custard
@leighmcbride
Local, great ice cream, old school
Add to
Details
Milk Bottle Cookies
@leighmcbride
Over priced and instagrammable
Add to
Details

Shopping

Lane's On Austin
@leighmcbride
My go-to rich lady home decor store with Mackenzie Childs and pretty wedding gifts. But i love the snooty vibes
Add to
Details
Simply Irresistible
@leighmcbride
Cute home decor place, very interesting pieces and hidden gems
Add to
Details
Spice Village
@leighmcbride
You’ve got to dig through some junk but it has cute little gifts, fun experience to shop here
Add to
Details
The Findery
@leighmcbride
Good little home decor place if you need a hostess gift or something for a baby shower
Add to
Details
Waco Downtown Farmers Market
@leighmcbride
The cutest ever!!!!! Great vibes, right by the courthouse with great local items
Add to
Details
Golden's Book Exchange
@leighmcbride
Cute little bookshop to trade and get new reads
Add to
Details

Other Activities

Cameron Park
@leighmcbride
My happy place in waco, I hiked or ran here almost every day. Miles and miles of trails, fantastic cliff side and riverside views. A MUST
Add to
Details
Cameron Park Zoo
@leighmcbride
Better than the FW zoo don’t @ me
Add to
Details
Waco Paddle Company
@leighmcbride
If you can, you must go paddle the Brazos
Add to
Details
Valley Mills Vineyards
@leighmcbride
Not far outside of Waco, so fun for a girls day!
Add to
Details
Waco Hippodrome Theatre
@leighmcbride
Like a time capsule - go watch an old movie like the good old days
Add to
Details
Armstrong Browning Library
@leighmcbride
Most Gorg building on Baylor campus with beautiful garden to sit and read - great inside and out
Add to
Details
Texas Sports Hall of Fame
@leighmcbride
Take your dad if he loves texas sports
Add to
Details
Silos at Magnolia
@leighmcbride
Go take a picture and leave in 5 min
Add to
Details

* * *
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Leigh McBride
Read more about places in this guide
Powered by Thatch
The home for unique & authentic travel
Powered by Thatch: Where great trips are made.
© Leigh McBride 2024 Help Privacy Terms Copyright Become a Seller Seller Academy About Careers Blog Explore Places