Brian Nagele
Take a culinary tour of the thriving city of Garland as we present the Top 10 Restaurants, each a culinary treasure that enhances the local eating scene. Our carefully chosen guide helps you navigate the wide range of delicious options that define Garland’s dynamic culinary landscape, from family-owned restaurants serving comfort food to premium venues reinventing culinary perfection. Come explore tucked-away treasures and well-known locations that highlight the city’s dedication to creative cuisine and friendly service. Our guide promises a symphony of tastes that capture the soul of Garland’s lively community, whether you’re a guest eager to experience the city’s particular palette or a local looking for new favorites. Prepare to partake in remarkable culinary adventures as we explore the neighborhoods.
Desperados Mexican Restaurant Dos
3443 W Campbell Rd, Garland, TX 75044
972-530-8886
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Voted the Best Mexican Restaurant in 2021 in the Dallas area, Desperados has everything you could want and more if you love Mexican food. Located in the Creek Bend neighborhood by the popular Equinox on the Park and Spring Creek Greenbelt, you can go for an afternoon stroll after eating here! I recommend trying the mouth-watering Desperados nachos as a starter with your friends and see if you can finish it all! Once you are done with the tower of chips, the Desperados tacos with melted jack cheese, beef chicken, fresh pico de gallo, and avocado slices will make you wonder why you ever ate anything else in your life.
Babe’s Chicken Dinner House
1456 Belt Line Rd #171, Garland, TX 75044
972-496-1041
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Located in North Star Marketplace by Coomer Park and Webb Middle School, this local chain specializes in fried chicken and traditional American fare. Ask the locals about their favorite family-friendly restaurants, and you’ll likely hear Babe’s mentioned. They are best known for their chicken dishes, so I love coming here as a big fan of fried chicken. In addition, the sides here have a homey feel to them, with the creamy gravy, large buttermilk biscuits, and other menu options to complete the dining experience. And if you’ve got some room left for a dessert, you can choose between their Pineapple Upside-down Cake, Banan Pudding, and several different pies. The restaurant is open from 11 am to 9 pm on the weekends, making it the ideal brunch spot in Garland, Texas.
Fish N’ Tails Oyster Bar
620 Main St, Garland, TX 75040
214-440-2182
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If you are in Texas, of course, you need to try the local fish. There is arguably a no better place to have healthy salmon, fried fish, or yummy oysters than Fish N’ Tails Oyster Bar. It is ideally located right on the Main Street of Garland by the Granville Arts Center, so you can just take the light rail to the Downtown Garland Station to get there in no time! Arguably the best part about this restaurant is the boiled and raw bar. Keep an eye out for the daily specials to see the fresh catch of the week, such as the combo platter with boiled shrimp, crab legs, sausage, corn, and heavy potatoes. Other dishes include snow crab legs, crawfish, and oysters. Personally, I love the fresh and light fish tacos from their grill menu that make lunchtime easy and exciting. Get rid of the old peanut butter & jelly sandwiches and spice up your lunch with some seafood!
Razzoo’s Cajun Cafe
310 Coneflower Dr, Garland, TX 75040
214-427-8220
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Located right at the Firewheel Town Center, Razzoo’s is the perfect restaurant to hit up if you’re feeling in need of a little spice. Want to feel the burn of jalapenos on your tongue? Is the traditional American southern cuisine just not doing it for you? Try Razzoo’s famous shrimp and crab-stuffed jalapenos to really spice up your trip to Garland! I recommend trying the crispy fried gator tail to split with your friends at the table. Sure, it’s adventurous, but that’s why you’re at this hopping cajun cafe! I love the Shrimp Po’Boy or Buttermilk fried chicken sandwich for a filling and tasty lunch that is going to keep me fueled all day long. The added benefit of eating at Razzoo’s is that you can catch a movie at the AMC Firewheel 18 after a hearty lunch or head to the nearby Firewheel Golf Park Bridges Course to burn some calories!
Pangea Restaurant & Bar
6309 N President George Bush Hwy #8101, Garland, TX 75044
214-703-2222
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If you are looking for a healthy meal that will also satiate your taste buds, visit Pangea Restaurant & Bar. Located right near Spring Creek Forest Preserve on President Goerge Bush Turnpike, it is easy and quick to reach from downtown Garland in just a few minutes.
The restaurant’s chef Kevin Ashade graduated from the world-famous Culinary Institute of America in New York and won the fifth season of the Food Network show “Beat Bobby Flay. I highly recommend ordering something from his selections that range from stuffed salmon to jerk roasted lamb shank. I opted for the paleo-friendly suya with a combo of chicken, beef, and shrimp skewers, and some lovely roasted mixed vegetables. Pangea also offers various salads, from Chinese to Kale Caesar, among others, so it is an excellent dining choice if you have vegetarian, vegan, or gluten restrictions.
Houlihan’s
660 Town Center Blvd, Garland, TX 75040
972-530-7804
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Houlihan’s is a chain staple in numerous states across the US, and it’s easy to see why once you’ve visited it. Churning out tasty classics in a fun and exciting atmosphere, Houlihan’s is a good ol’ reliable restaurant that is great for lunch and dinner alike. Located in the Firewheel Town Center, you can head here after shopping at the nearby outlet stores and department shops. You can even walk to the nearby Spring Creek Forest Preserve or Spring Creek Greenbelt for a little stroll after a heavy lunch or dinner! I love the variety on the menu here. Personally, my favorite way to start a full dinner here is by ordering Houlihan’s famous ‘shrooms stuffed with garlic herb cream cheese. Next, the Kansas City burger is a filling handheld offering smothered in BBQ carnitas and barbeque sauce that is totally reminiscent of the typical Texan fare!
Dong Que Restaurant
3555 W Walnut St #205, Garland, TX 75042
469-298-2747
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Located in Village Plaza, Dong Que Vietnamese restaurant is the perfect stop after completing some errands in the local Forest Crest neighborhood or playing a round or two at the nearby Duck Creek Golf Club. They have some of the best noodles, soups, salads, and Vietnamese delicacies in the entire state. Moreover, the variety of the dishes here makes it easy for everyone to find something to eat. If you want a typical Vietnamese dish, try the Vermicelli served with grilled chicken and egg roll. I love their Cambodian-style noodles with seafood, pork, rice noodle soup, and personal choice of Pho Ga soup. Whether you prefer Vietnamese cuisine or want to go for something other than the American classics, Dong Que Restaurant stands out as the best choice in the area, in my opinion.
Beef House
3110 Saturn Rd #103, Garland, TX 75041
972-278-2833
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Located in Orchard Hills on Saturn Road, this quintessential Southern restaurant is the perfect stop for homely country cooking with no frills attached. You can even stroll around the beautiful Orchard Hills neighborhood before or after your meal, exploring the nearby Rick Oden Park or Tinsley Park. I love their filling breakfast specials, like ‘The Great Breakfast’ with either a 10-ounce ribeye, New York Sirloin, or 12-ounce T-bone — for breakfast! Trust me; you won’t need lunch after eating this sizeable meal at the beginning of your day. And if you’re not that into meat, try one of the many mouth-watering omelets, or make your own if you’re a fussy eater!
Open 24/7, Beef House is great for late-night ‘snacks,’ early morning hearty breakfasts, and everything in between!
Dos Banderas
614 Main Street, Garland, TX 75040
972-494-1319
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Dos Banderas is arguably the leader of Tex-Mex fare in the entire Garland area. It is easy to find on Main Street, and it is even closer to the Granville Arts Center than the previously mentioned Hubbard’s Cubbard. With a casual and laid-back space with eclectic decorations and a friendly vibe, I love this all-day eatery’s kitschy and Latin American-influenced decor. Personally, I think the classics like enchiladas, burritos, and tacos are the way to go. I love heading here for a quick lunch to gnosh on melty cheese burritos with carne asada meat, crispy tortilla chips, and refreshing guacamole. Why mess with perfection, right?
Why Trust Us?
When it comes to local restaurant recommendations, we pride ourselves on being a reliable and trustworthy resource. Our suggestions are not just based on our personal experiences, ensuring a more authentic and well-rounded perspective, but also on extensive online research. We diligently searched the internet and reviewed 6 credible sites and blogs, including Tripadvisor.com and Opentable.com.
We compiled all the findings in one location and sorted them by the frequency of mentions to ensure you receive top-notch recommendations. We strive to present you with a curated list of establishments that truly stand out, allowing you to enjoy the best dining experiences possible.
Interested in the sources we consulted? Check out the list of all 6 sites we referenced below this paragraph, offering transparency and an opportunity for our readers to explore further. Our commitment is to deliver trustworthy and unparalleled recommendations, helping you make informed decisions on your culinary journeys.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g55884-Garland_Texas.html
https://www.opentable.com/features/fun-restaurants-garland-tx
https://theculturetrip.com/north-america/usa/texas/articles/top-10-restaurants-in-garland-texas-the-best-local-eats
https://www.dmagazine.com/sponsored/2020/09/the-answer-to-whats-for-dinner-is-in-garland/
https://www.visitgarlandtx.com/businesses/restaurant
https://revolvingkitchen.com/2022/01/12/top-restaurants-in-garland-texas/
The new restaurant at Garland tx
The factory kitchen
Gloria’s is still my most favorite restaurant in Garland.