Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Texas Panhandle

OpenTable

Updated November 05, 2026

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes in Texas Panhandle? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Metropolitan Steak & Seafood

4.8

4.8 (555)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Amarillo

About the restaurant

Metropolitan:
Our amazing food is a result of a menu selection of prime steaks, chops, and seafood complimented with an extensive wine list and world-class bar service.

Executive Chef: Nori Karimi
Michelin Star Recipient

Top review

Brent

Dined on Oct 6, 2026

Food was awesome and the service was outstanding.

La Sirena

4.8

4.8 (199)

$31 to $50

Farm-to-table

Lubbock

About the restaurant

Please call the restaurant to make a reservation at (806) 368-7960

***WE HAVE MOVED RESERVATION PLATFORMS***. Book your reservation at [EXPLORETOCK URL]

Top review

William

Dined on Oct 27, 2026

Very relaxed ambiance with easy conversation. Staff on top of things, without being over-bearing. Great diverse menu combining a touch of Spain with regional flare.

Saltgrass Steak House - Lubbock

4.8

4.8 (24)

$30 and under

Steakhouse

Lubbock

About the restaurant

Saltgrass Steak House is an award-winning steakhouse famous for serving Angus Beef steaks. Each steak is cooked to perfection with Saltgrass-7 Steak Spice, and topped with garlic butter. All breads, dressings, soups and desserts are made from scratch daily. Great food and legendary hospitality make Saltgrass an enjoyable experience for the whole family.

Top review

RobGold

Dined on Jul 27, 2026

5 top food all around surpassed what I considered a chain restaurant. Chicken, steak, pork all cooked perfectly. Great job in the kitchen and we appreciate you accommodating us for wife's birthday party. Thanks all.

Toscana Italian Steakhouse

4.7

4.7 (426)

$31 to $50

Italian

Amarillo

About the restaurant

Merging classic cowboy cultures, Toscana brings the iconic flavors of Italy and its cattle-country to West Texas. Serving beef that would make any Panhandle rancher proud, we source our ingredients from nearby farms and fields, and offer an outstanding selection of local and international wines and spirits. Pull up a seat, grab a glass, and allow our staff to take you on this culinary journey.

Top review

Gary

Dined on Oct 15, 2026

Delicious food! The arancini with the spring onion sauce quite flavorful and the shaved brussel sprout Caesar salad was one of the most flavorful Caesar’s we have ever had. The beef ragu lasagna quite delicious, though could have used more ragu. And the fried chicken piccata was a nice new take on a traditionally pan sautéed dish. The lemon tart with blueberries was again one of the best we’ve had, the pistacio blueberry crumble a nice surprise!! All servings were most generous. Only downside was the wine. Our first three choices were unavailable. Finally got a nice Willamette Pinot noir.

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Meet The Maker Wine Dinner

Triple J Chophouse and Brew Co

4.6

4.6 (1260)

$30 and under

Steakhouse

Lubbock

About the restaurant

Not just Lubbock’s Orginal brew pub, but also a steakhouse where a comfortable, laidback atmosphere and a friendly service staff await you. With a wide variety of menu items from steaks, seafood and brick oven pizza, no wonder people claim we have “Darn Good Food.” Located across from the Buddy Holly Museum, on Buddy Holly Ave. in the Depot District.

Come in for a Well Crafted Beer, stay for the food.

Top review

Eric

Dined 5 days ago

Filet mignon was delicious and cooked perfectly. All sides for this were excellent (wedge salad and loaded baked potato) Service great (Thank you Liz) Chose this restaurant due to many local referrals and we weren't disappointed. Thank you.

Sa•Vor

4.6

4.6 (375)

$31 to $50

Tapas / Small Plates

Amarillo

About the restaurant

Contrary to what most think, the word tapas actually means "to cover". Rooted as a tradition in Spanish culture, socializing patrons of restaurants would cover their wine glasses with small plates to protect their beverages from insects and small pests while outdoors. At Savor, we pay homage to this ritual in our own unique way. The urban and chic atmosphere invites locals to step outside Amarillo for an evening and into another place entirely. With an urban, speakeasy vibe, Savor welcomes its patrons to sit comfortably at the bar or in a cozy booth next to the floor to ceiling windows.

Top review

Sheri

Dined 7 days ago

Such a lovely restaurant. We always enjoy ourselves there. We will be back! 💞

The Big Texan Steak Ranch

4.5

4.5 (619)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Amarillo

About the restaurant

In 1960, R. J. “Bob” Lee opened The Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo Texas on Route 66, the “Mother Road”. It’s distinctive architecture soon became recognized across the Mother Road as a good stopping place for great steaks grilled over an open flame. The Big Texan is famous for the FREE 72oz steak challenge, which includes eating a salad, baked potato, shrimp cocktail and 72 ounces of beef! Stop in and have a one of a kind experience with large, juicy steaks, cowboys and cowgirls, and take a dive into the Old Wild West!

The Big Texan has more to offer than just big steaks! Stay with us either at our RV Park, Cabins, Wagons, Airstream, and AIRBNBs on property.

Top review

Eric

Dined on Oct 27, 2026

The very best place to eat in Amarillo we loved tha steak and dinner rolls

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Barrel & Derrick at Marriott Odessa Conference Center

4.5

4.5 (264)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Odessa / Midland

About the restaurant

WE INVITE FRIENDS, FAMILY AND COLLEAGUES TO EAT, DRINK AND PLAY; CELEBRATING BIG CITY FLAVORS WITH A WARM TEXAS WELCOME.

Top review

Cynthia

Dined on Oct 17, 2026

Sushi night was amazing. Delicious sushi and the mixed drinks we got were amazing. Highly recommended.

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Experience

Thanksgiving Brunch

The Reserve Culinary Tavern

4.5

4.5 (234)

$30 and under

American

Lubbock

About the restaurant

The Reserve Culinary Tavern is situated in the heart of South Lubbock, surrounded by your favorite shops and neighborhoods. Whether you’re stopping by for happy hour with friends or a date night dinner, our menu has something for everyone. With our expansive bar menu and skilled bartenders, you can enjoy your favorite specialty cocktail with your choice of liquor, or grab craft beer from our large selection of beer on tap. Don’t miss out on Willie’s Pie of the Day, and if you want more than a slice, you can always buy a whole pie.
We aim to provide great food, cold drinks and wonderful service every time you visit us. We are locally owned and operated and our tavern reflects that: we feature local products on our food menu, local beers on draft, and you can always catch a Texas Tech game at the Reserve. If you’re looking for quality food in a beautiful atmosphere, we know The Reserve will be added to your Lubbock-night-out rotation.
Don't forget about Saturday and Sunday brunch!

Top review

Rylee

Dined 2 days ago

Wonderful server, great food, great drinks, quick service!

Drunken Oyster

4.4

4.4 (817)

$31 to $50

Cajun

Amarillo

About the restaurant

The Drunken Oyster atmosphere will bring you into the Heart of the French Quarter, With the sounds you hear on the streets of French Quarter, Gas Lanterns, Heavy Drapes, aged Brick and Library laddered bar. The food is a compilation of Cajun Inspired dishes and fresh flown in daily Seafood and Oysters. The Drunken Oyster also Offers Aged Certified Angus beef Cuts. There is something for everyone, Salads, burgers, Po Boys, Gator, Crawfish,to name a few options.

Top review

Jennifer

Dined on Oct 20, 2026

We stop here every time we’re in the area for dinner. Food is always great, the service is accommodating because we need to eat on the patio as we travel with our dog. And the absinthe menu is definitely a plus! Haven’t had a bad time yet!

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