When planning the perfect trip to anywhere, food is a huge consideration. It can be stressful trying to find the perfect place to eat for the family or a nice brewery or winery to visit on your own. Fortunately, when it comes to the city of Waco, TX, we're experts & we’ve got you covered. Our Camp Fimfo Waco location is nestled in the Heart of Texas and has close proximity to a number of popular Central Texas destinations. As a result, we’ve become experts on the area. Below, we’ve outlined a few restaurants, wineries, and breweries that we personally recommend and hope you give a try during your next visit!
Restaurants
Finding a place to sit down and grab a bite can be tough. With so many different options and varying reviews, it can be difficult figuring out what places are truly good. Well, we can help with that! The Waco area has tons of restaurants to choose from with delicious food options. We’ve compiled our top five Waco restaurants below!
Squirrely's Tavern
Check out Squirrely’s Tavern, located within Camp FImfo Waco and feauturing a celebration of local, ethically sourced produce and proteins, rare spirits, and live music. Squirrely’s has a large outdoor patio space, a large selection of rare spirits, and frequent live music for the perfect family evening! Introducing trivia and karaoke, it's the place to be on both weekdays and weekends! Open to both Camp Fimfo guests and the public, this is one of the best restaurants in Waco, TX!
Magnolia Table
Chip and Joanna Gaines renovated a historic building to open Magnolia Table in 2018, and it's been a destination dining experience ever since. A breakfast and lunch restaurant specializing in fresh, homegrown ingredients and good, old-fashioned cooking. Stop in while exploring Magnolia Market at the Silos, the large Waco complex made famous by Chip and Joanna Gaines featuring a restaurant, bakery, market, coffee shop, and more!
Ninfa's Mexican Restaurant
Talk about some true Tex-Mex! Ninfa's Mexican Restaurant was opened in Waco by descendants of Mama Ninfa, who first established the tradition in Houston in 1973. Get your true Mexican food fix and induldge in chips and queso, handmade tortillas, burritos, fajitas, and a variety of quesadilla and nacho options. While you're there, try one of the many flavors on their margarita menu!
Guess Family Barbecue
When in Texas, one must eat some true authentic, tasty BBQ. Guess is just that. Guess Family Barbecue moved to Waco in 2016 and operated out of an old-school bbq trailer, cooking over a wood-fire. Soon after, in 2019, Mr. Guess was able to move into a 7,000 square-foot restaurant — what you see today! The Waco BBQ joint was even featured in Texas Monthly as one of the Top 25 New Barbecue Joints in Texas. Serving old school BBQ brisket, pork spare ribs, beef and pork sausage, chicken, pulled pork, and much more. Don't forget sides and a dessert!
Alpha Omega Grill & Bakery
Need to satisfy your Mediterranean food craving? Alpha Omega Grill & Bakery is the place to go! Located in Waco's historic distric, the building that currently serves as the restaurant, used to be a transmission shop in the 1950s and was restored in 2016 to be transformed into Alpha Omega. Baked goods are made in-house daily, including the pita bread, making many pita-inspired dishes on the menu mouthwateringly delicious. The menu is massive, and there is truly something for everyone to enjoy at this Waco restaurant. The famous gyros are available with chicken, beef, lamb, ribeye, shrimp, fish, chickpeas, and vegetables.
Wineries
When it comes to fine wine, not many people immediately think of Waco. Suprisingly, there are many high quality, family-operated vineyards and wineries in the Central Texas area. Wineries like these are certainly worth a try when visiting Waco, TX.
Valley Mills Vineyard
Open from 12PM-6PM daily, book a tasting or wine tour at Valley Mills Vineyard. At Valley Mills, fine wines are meticulously crafted from 100% Texas-grown grapes for guests to enjoy. Since opening in 2006, production continues to multiply as they grow and gain more love from locals and visitors. Support this local winery and simultaneously support Texas agriculture and family-run businesses.
Waco Winery & Vineyards
The art of wine making is special and it takes the right kind of experts to create a product for all to love. At Waco Winery & Vineyards, a variety of wines are offered, including port-style dessert wines, chardonnays, cabernet sauvignons, and much more. Note that you must come only during pre-scheduled events that they host throughout the season. These scheduled events are open to the public and are posted on their website in advance. You can also reserve the Tasting Room for your own private event or gathering at this winery in Waco, TX!
Country Spring Vineyard & Wine Garden
Located nearby in Lorena, TX, Country Spring Vineyard & Wine Garden is located along a creek and wooded area, giving you wine country vibes from the moment you arrive. Country Spring prides itself on not only great wine, but for the love of nature and the outdoors. The Timmons have been dedicated to wine making since 2007, and their love for it hasn't dwindled a bit. Today, Country Spring Vineyard has over 4.5 acres of grapevines and offers over 3000 wines — red, white, and specialty made from Central Texas grapes.
Kissing Tree Vineyards
Founded by Chris and Chrystal Grider, Kissing Tree Vineyards produces handcrafted wines near the origin of where it all started for them as a couple — The Kissing Tree. They find romance in love, life and in wine. Live music and dinner makes this Waco winery a fun stop while you're in the area. They may have a smaller selection compared to other vineyards in the area, but don't underestimate the quality taste of the wines they produce.
3 Texans Winery & Vineyard
3 Texans Winery & Vineyard is a female-owned, family-run winery and vineyard in Temple, TX. In 2009, a mother and her two daughters, who all shared the love of wine, planted 4,000 grapevines and kick-started their dreams of being wine makers. Since then, an additional 1,000 plants have been added. They've recently added a limestone tasting room with a patio and beautiful scenic view of the vineyard. With a unique selection of wines and a menu of food options, 3 Texans is a must-stop while you're in the area.
Breweries
Waco, TX offers plenty of breweries but finding the best ones to visit can be tricky. Fortunately, if you're looking for a cold one or trying to sample some craft brews in Waco, these five breweries we've compiled below should have you covered.
Southern Roots Brewing
Serving only 100% craft beer, Southern Roots Brewing Co. prides itself on southern hospitality, family, friends, good food, and great craft beer. Founded in Waco, Southern Roots feels passionately about the community and city it represents. There's something for everyone at this one of a kind Waco brewery, with craft beers of all ranges. They also have a top notch food menu that pairs well with any beer of your choice. If you stop by restaurants in the area, like Squirrely's Tavern, you'll probably see Southern Roots brew or two being served on draft! We're a bit biased, but you should definitely give the Fimfomaniac brew a try while you're there!
Brotherwell Brewing
Founded in Waco, Brotherwell Brewing serves the Central Texas community with locally crafted beer of the highest quality. With a taproom and beer garden, Brotherwell Brewing is a fun destination for locals and visitors alike. Plus, the whole family can enjoy the taproom, as it is both kid and dog friendly! Come see the brewery first hand and take a behind the scenes tour of the beer-making process.
Bare Arms Brewing
Waco's oldest continuously operated craft brewery, Bare Arms Brewery is a local favorite that has truly perfected their craft. Their selection features seasonals, specials and one-of-a-kinds that can only be found at their Waco taproom. Passionate about creating craft beer and honoring those that "roll up their sleeves, bare arms, work hard, and perfect their craft," their name has deep roots. Enjoy games and good company while sipping on your favorite pint.
Waco Ale Company
Born, raised, and brewed in Waco, TX. Waco Ale Company is locally and family owned and operated and holds their community near. They're always looking for ways to get involved in community events and to give back to the community they call home. Nestled in the heart of Downtown Waco, Wale Ale Co. is easy to access and is a great stop for those visiting the Waco area for places like Magnolia and Baylor. It features a relaxing atmosphere and a wide variety of brews for all types of drinkers, making this the perfect stop when looking for breweries in Waco!
Pivovar
Looking for a European destination without ever leaving Waco? Pivovar provides a luxury experience in an authentic and unique Czech environment from start to finish. Their Waco location embodies their Czech roots and offers a brewery, hotel, spa, restaurant, bar, beergarden, and events venue. Featuring a number of beers, cocktails, and wines, Pivovar is a truly unique destination in the Heart of Texas that you should add to your Waco bucket list.
Whether you’re looking for a nice family restaurant, a beautiful vineyard & winery, or a cozy taproom to discover, Waco, TX has a place for you. If you need a place to stay while out exploring Waco, check out our camping resort, as we are only a short distance from all of these excellent spots! To book your stay, call (254) 651-3697 or click here to view availability. We look forward to seeing you soon!
