Erin Elizabeth
Garland, Texas, is a popular tourist destination located just northeast of the bustling city of Dallas. Originally known as Duck Creek in the early to mid-1800s, Garland has since become one of the largest manufacturing cities in Texas.
However, the city has a lot more to offer, including an innovative culinary scene that attracts food connoisseurs from all places.
If you wish to learn more about the city’s history, I recommend visiting the Garland Landmark Museum and the Historic Downtown Garland.
Other notable spots worth visiting include the Granville Arts Center and the Pace House. Of course, Garland is also renowned for great restaurants with staple southern food specialties and more.
Best Restaurants in Garland
- Desperados Mexican Restaurant Dos
- Babe’s Chicken Dinner House
- Fish N’ Tails Oyster Bar
- Razzoo’s Cajun Cafe
- Pangea Restaurant & Bar
- Houlihan’s
- Dong Que Restaurant
- Beef House
- Hubbard’s Cubbard
- Dos Banderas
Read on to learn more about the various dining options in Garland, Texas, and my take on which restaurants are the best.
Desperados Mexican Restaurant Dos
3443 W Campbell Rd, Garland, TX 75044
Phone: 972-530-8886
Visit Website
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
Phone: 972-496-1041
Visit Website
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
Phone: 214-440-2182
Visit Website
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
Phone: 214-427-8220
Visit Website
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
Phone: 214-703-2222
Visit Website
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
Phone: 972-530-7804
Visit Website
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
Phone: 469-298-2747
Visit Website
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
Phone: 972-278-2833
Visit Website
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!
Hubbard’s Cubbard
901 Main St, Garland, TX 75040
Phone: 972-276-4179
Visit Website
Hubbard’s Cubbard is a popular spot among the locals and great for tourists who wish to feel the Texan ambiance.
It is centrally located on Main Street, not far from the Granville Arts Center and Garland Landmark Museum, so it will likely fit your itinerary if you plan on visiting the city’s best attractions.
Specializing in home-style food, Hubbard’s Cubbard churns out comfort food like no other. I recommend getting the chicken fried steak breakfast with two eggs your-way, hash-browns or pan-fries, toast, biscuit, gravy, or oatmeal — what more could you want!
And if you are in the mood for something sweet, try the flavored Belgian waffle or flavored short stack, complete with your choice of blueberries, pecans, chocolate chips, or banana nuts.
Dos Banderas
614 Main Street, Garland, TX 75040
Phone: 972-494-1319
Visit Website
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?
Final Thoughts
Garland has no shortage of great restaurants that serve a broad range of traditional American dishes as well as Mexican cuisine and more.
So whether you’re looking to start your day with a hearty breakfast or grab a tasty and filling burrito while exploring the city, make sure to visit some of my recommended restaurants and taste for yourself why I consider them the best.
And if you are in the mood for some barbecue while in the area, check out my list of the best BBQ spots in Dallas. Did we leave a restaurant out of this list? Make sure you leave us a comment, and we’ll check it out!
The new restaurant at Garland tx
The factory kitchen