10 Best Food And Drink Tours In Lubbock TX (Texas)

Lubbock, Texas, in the far west of the Lone Star State, is an unexpected oasis of arts, culture, wine production, and fine dining in one of the flattest regions of North America.

Best Food And Drink Tours In Lubbock TX , during a recent hosted trip to Lubbock, I learned that Texas is the fifth-largest wine-producing state in the United States and that nearly 90 percent of the state’s wine grapes are grown in and around Lubbock. Here are the top 6 food and drink tours in Lubbock, TX that you simply must take.

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10 List Of Best Food And Drink Tours In Lubbock TX 

1. La Sirena

Cochina de La Sirena, found in the Cactus Alley Courtyard, is a favorite among locals for its eclectic menu of Latin-inspired seafood and other coastal specialties.

Cat Traxler, the restaurant’s culinary director, and Jessica Fultz, its executive chef, have made a name for themselves with dishes like the poblano fries, pulled quail empanadas, and the hearty tequila brined pork chop, a double-boned chop served with roasted potato, spicy fermented cabbage, warm pear, and persimmon compote, and crispy shallot.

My entree of choice was the Peruvian spiced chicken, a huge quarter of marinated chicken served with duck fat fried potatoes greens, and tomato with aji Amarillo and aji Verde dipping sauces.

The restaurant’s vegan options, such as the grilled local mushroom farro “risotto” with pea tendrils, sweet peas, and more, prove that the Latin lusciousness isn’t limited to meat dishes.

You need a cocktail to cool off after all that spicy food. The Cactus Water at La Sirena, which is made with Cimarron Blanco Tequila, Topo Chico, and a generous squeeze of fresh lime juice, is a popular drink, as are the various tequila and mezcal flights available.

Also common is the hibiscus berry margarita, which features a salt and sugar rim and is mixed from Cimarron Reposado Tequila, Naranja Liqueur, fresh lime juice, homemade hibiscus berry syrup, and an assortment of berries.

2. Cast Iron Grill

Have you really lived if you’ve never started your day with a huge slice of Jack Daniels-infused pecan pie or coconut cream pie? In addition to its cowboy ambiance and enormous breakfast platters, the Cast Iron Grill is well-known for its delicious pies (which usually sells out before the lunch rush).

Teresa Stephens, the restaurant’s owner, first opened the Cast Iron Grill on the ground floor of the 18th and K office building in October 2007.

After five years, the restaurant had expanded to accommodate 167 guests, with 24 employees working in close quarters. However, in 2012, “the Lord chose a different journey for the CIG. On January 2, 2013, just four blocks away from the previous location, we relocated the CIG and opened our doors,” said Teresa.

Teresa, who had never baked before opening the restaurant, quickly began baking hundreds of pies using her grandmother’s recipes. She made over a thousand pies in 2011 alone, and her offerings keep growing.

3. Burklee Hill

In downtown Lubbock, you’ll find Burklee Hill Bistro & Tasting Room, where you can enjoy lunch alongside a selection of dishes designed to complement the complex and varied flavors of Burklee Hill Vineyards’ wines. Burklee Hill Vineyards was started by Chace and Elizabeth Hill, and we had a wonderful lunch there while tasting some of their wines.

Small pizzas called pizzettes, crisp salads (try the harvest salad with mixed greens, apples, shallots, cranberries, glazed pecans, and creamy lemon vinaigrette), sandwiches, wraps, and shareable like hummus, charcuterie, and artichoke schmear are all on the menu at this trendy lunch and brunch spot (tastes way better than it sounds).

The weekend dinner menu features dishes such as herb-crusted rack of lamb and blackened Atlantic cod, while the brunch menu features dishes such as bananas foster French toast and shrimp and grits.

4. Evie Mae’s

Evie Mae’s Pit Barbecue in Lubbock, Texas, was ranked ninth on Texas Monthly’s 2017 list of the top 50 barbecue restaurants in Texas that no one should miss before dying.

Logic suggests that this is the case. After Arnis Robbins was diagnosed with celiac disease, he and his wife Mallory opened a barbecue restaurant with wooden floors and cow decorations. As barbecue became a family tradition in the Robbins household (Arnis even constructed his own smoker), they began fielding requests for barbecue and smoked meats from friends and neighbors.

The Robbins established a devoted customer base soon after relocating to Lubbock, and since the construction of their brick and mortar storefront in the city began in January 2016, business has been booming.

The sides at Evie Mae’s are just as delicious as the tender meats, which include pulled pork, brisket, smoked turkey, sausage, and chopped brisket. If you’re hungry, we recommend the brisket chili, green beans, green chile cheese grits, and jalapeo cornbread.

Also, don’t forget to bring your appetite. Evie Mae’s is known for serving up hearty portions of delicious Texas barbecue, so if you plan on eating there, you may want to skip breakfast and wear loose clothing.

5. Ninety-Two Bakery & Cafe

There is a new cafe in Lubbock that takes its inspiration from the French countryside, and their croissants are the flakiest and most delicate I’ve ever had.

Bringing his faith and his appreciation for fine cuisine to Lubbock, General Manager Drew Warren envisioned a bakery and coffee shop that would become a “third place,” a cozy and comforting spot between your first and second places (work).

Ninety-Two Bakery & Cafe is an oasis of French elegance in the heart of the High Plains, serving freshly baked breads and pastries, barista-style coffees, and straightforward breakfasts in the style of the French countryside. I indulged in a traditional French breakfast consisting of a selection of freshly baked breads, accompanied by whipped butter, jams, and sweet butters.

The Croque Madame, which is made with stone ground mustard, black forest ham, gruyère cheese, and a poached egg on top of toasted sourdough and covered in a creamy béchamel sauce, is another delicious breakfast option.

Toasted sourdough bread is topped with herbed ricotta, mashed avocado, watermelon radish, arugula, and a locally sourced poached egg, creating the ever-popular avocado toast.

6. Nicolett

Chef Finn Walter’s new fine dining restaurant in Lubbock, The Nicolett, features a refined menu that highlights ingredients local to the area.

Walter opened Nicolett in Santa Fe to celebrate the heritage of West Texas by using the techniques he learned in Paris, Austin, Napa Valley, and Santa Fe. We had a romantic candlelit dinner for two in the outdoor greenhouse, a historic space draped in lush vines and lit softly by string lights.

The restaurant itself is located in a historic home, making the entire experience cozy and charming, and the surrounding garden is a magical place in its own right.

7. Cast Iron Grill

Have you really lived if you’ve never started your day with a huge slice of Jack Daniels-infused pecan pie or coconut cream pie?

The Cast Iron Grill is well-known not only for its western decor and enormous breakfast platters, but also for its delicious pies (which usually sells out before the lunch rush).

From country-fried steak and eggs to huevos rancheros, breakfast at The Cast Iron Grill is legendary. The restaurant also serves burgers, sandwiches, salads, and mains.

8. Pecan Grill at the Overton Hotel

Located in the chic and trendy Overton Hotel, the Pecan Grill serves authentic Southern cuisine in a modern setting.

The Overton Hotel’s Pecan Grill is known for its exceptional cuisine and warm, welcoming service with a West Texas flavor. Try something new, or stay with a tried-and-true classic like the Smoked Gouda Mac & Cheese.

9. La Diosa Cellars

One of the best Lubbock restaurants, the food and drink at La Diosa Cellars are as much works of art as the paintings on the walls. Kick back in the plush chairs and relax with a pitcher of expertly crafted sangria while you catch up with friends.

The gentle tunes and cozy lighting help set the mood, transporting Lubbock, Texas residents to a slice of Spain’s refined hospitality.

10. Orlando’s Italian Restaurant

Established in 1989, Orlando’s is a family-run Italian restaurant known for its innovative Tex-Italian menu.

Orlando’s Italian Restaurant, Lubbock’s oldest full-service eatery, is highly regarded among the city’s finest dining establishments thanks to its chef’s inventive takes on traditional Italian fare and Tex-Italian hybrids.

It’s not easy to find a restaurant that serves authentic Italian food like your grandmother used to make (unless, of course, your grandmother is Italian), but your search is over once you arrive at Orlando’s.

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