Over the last decade, Waco has evolved from a college town into one of Texas’ most popular weekend destinations, thanks in part to the Magnolia Market at the Silos. But beyond the “Fixer Upper” fame, the birthplace of Dr Pepper has quietly built a food and drink scene worth the trip, from award-winning whiskey and destination-worthy brunch to fresh oysters and rooftop cocktails.
Just 90 minutes south of Dallas, Waco is an easy day trip or a relaxed weekend getaway. Between sightseeing stops, you’ll find plenty of memorable places to eat, sip, and unwind. Here are 10 spots that deserve a place on your Waco itinerary.
Bitty & Beau’s Coffee
Bitty & Beau’s Coffee serves more than great coffee—it champions inclusion. Founded in North Carolina in 2016 by Amy and Ben Wright, the café was created to provide meaningful employment opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Since opening the Waco franchise in 2021, owners Mark and Amy Sauer have continued that mission, pairing hot and iced coffees, frappes, smoothies, and baked treats with genuinely welcoming service. 110 Franklin Ave., Waco, bittyandbeauscoffee.com
Silos Baking Co.
No visit to Magnolia Market at the Silos is complete without a stop at Silos Baking Co., Chip and Joanna Gaines’ wildly popular bakery. Best known for oversized cupcakes in flavors like Lemon Lavender, and the signature Shiplap, the bakery also turns out cookies, muffins, and savory pastries that often sell out by afternoon. Expect lines that wrap around the building, especially on weekends, but mobile ordering helps speed things along. Grab your treats to enjoy on the Silos lawn or pair them with a coffee from Magnolia Press for the quintessential Magnolia experience. 601 Webster Ave., Waco, magnolia.com
Magnolia Table
Chip and Joanna Gaines built their Magnolia empire in Waco, and Magnolia Table pays tribute to the city’s culinary history. While it’s not located at the Magnolia Silos, the restaurant is just a short drive away and well worth adding to your itinerary. Housed in the lovingly restored Elite Cafe—a Waco institution that served the community for more than four decades—the restaurant blends nostalgia with the Gaineses’ signature style. Today, the dining room hums with guests digging into Jo’s Buttermilk Biscuits, crispy battered onion rings, and other favorites featured in the Magnolia Table cookbook. Save time to peruse the gift shop for souvenirs. 2132 S. Valley Mills Dr., Waco, magnolia.com
Opal’s Oysters
Opal’s Oysters brings a taste of the Texas coast to the heart of Downtown Waco. The seafood restaurant comes from the family behind Austin’s famed Terry Black’s BBQ and is named for the Black family matriarch, Opal Faye Hendershot. In fact, Opal’s opened just ahead of Waco’s own Terry Black’s location. Expect polished white-tablecloth service, towering seafood platters, and playful touches like the $45 Opal’s Spritz, served with a mini bottle of Moët. 228 S. Eighth St., Waco, opalsoysters.com
Balcones Distilling
Experience a stop along the Texas Whiskey Trail at Waco’s award-winning Balcones Distilling. Open for tastings Wednesday through Saturday, the distillery invites visitors to sample its flagship Texas 1 Texas American Single Malt or explore flights featuring Balcones’ award-winning whiskeys and craft cocktails. To go beyond the tasting room, book the one-hour guided distillery tour for a behind-the-scenes look at one of Texas’ most celebrated whiskey makers. 225 S. 11th St., Waco, balconesdistilling.com
Milo
Chef Corey McEntyre draws on his Southern roots to create the seasonally driven menu at Milo. The airy, industrial-chic dining room is bathed in natural light from garage-style windows, while lush greenery softens the space. Brunch is the star attraction, with standout dishes like the veggie-forward Farmer’s Daughter and weekend-only blue corn ricotta pancakes that are worth planning your visit around. 1020 Franklin Ave., Waco, milowaco.com
J.S. Barnett’s Whiskey House & Restaurant
Whiskey lovers, take note: J.S. Barnett’s boasts the largest whiskey collection in Texas, with more than 1,200 bottles lining the shelves. Come for rare pours from around the world, stay for live music and elevated comfort food like green chile grits. If you’re looking to splurge, the Macallan Decanter Flight offers a once-in-a-lifetime tasting experience—for a cool $1,300. 420 Franklin Ave., Waco, barnettswhiskeyhouse.com
Bertie’s on the Rooftop
Hotel 1928 marked Chip and Joanna Gaines’ first boutique hotel venture when it opened in 2023. Set inside the restored Grand Karem Shrine Building, a 1928 Moorish Revival landmark, the 33-room hotel leans into the glamour of the era with jewel tones, gold accents, arched details, and moody, romantic lighting. Perched on the top floor, Bertie’s on the Rooftop offers an elegant dinner setting with an outdoor terrace overlooking Downtown Waco. The hotel also features the Southern-inspired Brasserie and an all-day café. 701 Washington Ave., Waco, hotel1928.com
Dr Pepper Museum Soda Fountain
Lean into Waco’s fizzy history with a stop at the soda fountain inside the Dr Pepper Museum, where the city’s most famous export gets the old-fashioned treatment. After exploring the museum’s exhibits on the soda’s 1885 origins, settle in for a handcrafted Dr Pepper, float, or ice cream treat served with nostalgic soda-shop charm. It’s an easy, family-friendly stop between meals and a must for anyone who wants to say they sipped Dr Pepper at the source. 300 S. Fifth St., Waco, drpeppermuseum.com
Blaine’s Restaurant & Wine Shoppe
The namesake neighborhood restaurant is the vision of Waco native and certified sommelier Blaine Fischer. Raised on a family vineyard, Fischer brings his lifelong passion for wine and food to a seasonal menu rooted in fresh ingredients and thoughtful technique. His carefully curated wine list spans California, Texas, Greece, Argentina, and beyond, with bottles and pairings chosen to complement the kitchen’s made-to-order dishes. 1101 Richland Dr., Waco, blaineswaco.com
Red Herring
Design-forward Red Herring is one of Waco’s most stylish dining destinations. Housed inside Hotel Herringbone—a 21-room boutique hotel built from reimagined shipping containers—the restaurant pairs a lively piano lounge with a Coastal Mediterranean-inspired menu featuring a raw bar, tapas-style plates, skewers, and shareable entrées. The culinary program is led by Waco chef Corey McEntyre, with chef de cuisine Joel Garza at the helm of the kitchen. Round out your visit with a glass of wine at Song Bird, the hotel’s wine bar and outdoor gathering space, or head upstairs to Lucky Buck’s, a rooftop bar with Western flair and sweeping views of Downtown Waco. 319 S. Fourth St., Waco, hotelherringbone.com
