Fort Worth is a very social place, and if you’re a solo traveler, there is plenty to see and do. Here’s where to eat and drink in Fort Worth that will entertain you as well as engage you in friendly conversation.
Downtown
Grace is only open for dinner, but the bar menu here gives you a magnificent taste of what the restaurant is capable of. If you like wine, the extensive wine cellar is overseen by a sommelier.
Reata offers several rooftop patios, all with elevated, slightly different views of downtown. And the restaurant is arguably where elevated cowboy cuisine got its start in Fort Worth.
Del Frisco’s Grille is perfect whether you choose a seat at the bar or on the patio. Summertime calls for fruity cocktails, and it’s hard to beat the White Sangria with white peach puree and a peach-strawberry popsicle floating in the glass.
Waters Restaurant is one of three local restaurants owned by Jon Bonnell, perhaps our city’s most beloved chef. Want oysters or responsibly sourced fish? Or the perfect beverage to go with your fish? Waters offers it.
Thompson’s Bookstore is one of Fort Worth’s first (and longest-lived) speakeasy bars, where the art of the cocktail is truly elevated. The name comes from one of the historic building’s former iterations, and if the rumors are true, the former bookstore on the edge of Hell’s Half Acre was a den of iniquity.
Acre Distilling Co.’s name is also a nod to the Chisholm Trail Era and the vice-ridden area of town where you could find a glass of something, even during Prohibition. Make a tour and tasting reservation, or belly up to the Hell’s Half Acre bar.
Near Southside
Wishbone & Flynt is a choice place for tapas and drinks. If you’re in the mood for a nightcap, check out the adjoining Amber Room, a speakeasy-esque hideaway where you can have a drink and a snack.
White Rhino Coffee is adjacent to Hotel Revel, a boutique hotel designed with the solo traveler in mind. It’s a nice place to grab a hearty breakfast along with your cup of joe.
The Ale Trail is an easily navigable list of some of our favorite breweries, many of which are located in the Near Southside. Check out Funky Picnic Brewery & Cafe, HopFusion Ale Works, Rahr & Sons Brewing and Locust Cider.
Maggie's R&R is a buzzy restaurant with tons of outdoor dining spaces as well as an outside bar. Order up a margarita or happy hour drink and enjoy the live music from the patio stage.
Nickel City Bar is an Austin transplant that entertains the South Main Village neighborhood of the trendy Near Southside District. Fun drinks, trendy people, this is the choice spot for Fort Worth's hipster crowd. Looking for something more intimate? Walk across the street to Southside Cellar for a local craft beer in a cozy setting.
Vaquero Coffee Co. sits in another one of our historic buildings, the Joe Daiches Credit Jeweler at the edge of Sundance Square. It’s a homey, hip, unpretentious place to grab your morning java.
Cultural District / West 7th Area
Crockett Hall is a great place to wander if you don’t know what you’re in the mood for. Pot pies, shwarma, grilled cheese and barbecue are all options.
Café Modern’s bar is universally acclaimed as a fabulous place to grab a drink, a happy hour snack and brunch. The restaurant serves world-class meals in addition to world-class art.
Tulane's is a New Orleans-inspired bar in The Foundry District, an up-and-coming art scene bordering the Cultural District and West 7th area. Cocktails, local craft beers and late-night bites (from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.) are a recipe for a good time.
Blackland Distilling neighbors Tulane's in The Foundry District. The name is inspired by the ecoregion of Texas where Fort Worth sits, the Blackland Prairie. Sign up for a tasting and tour or make yourself at home in the full-service lounge.
Stockyards National Historic District
The Basement Bar is Fort Worth’s oldest, and only, underground bar. It’s located in the heart of the bustling historic Stockyards, and for people watching, you can’t beat the self-proclaimed “World’s Smallest Honky-Tonk.”
Avoca Coffee Roasters celebrates a decade this year of providing the highest quality coffee, obsessively ground, poured, and served. Locations include Sundance Square, Magnolia Avenue and the Stockyards.
A visit to the oldest bar in Fort Worth cannot be passed up. The storied White Elephant Saloon originally opened downtown in the 1890s and has since relocated to the Stockyards. The authentic western vibe remains the same. Sip a cold beer while viewing the wall of porcelain white elephants or the plethora of cowboy hats from famous patrons on the ceiling above.
Cowtown Winery, Sidesaddle Salon and the Hotel Drover Lobby Bar are three recently opened options that serve up swanky cocktails in a beer paradise.
University/Zoo
Ascension Coffee sits on a busy part of the Trinity Trails. Grab a cup of coffee or breakfast and watch the weekend peopling unfold. If you want to join the folks on the trail, bike share stations are located nearby. Walk or jog on down to The Woodshed Smokehouse's outside bar. It's pet-friendly and the place to be seen on the weekends.
Chef Felipe Armenta's newest restaurant, Maria's Mexican Kitchen, is an homage to his mother. Enjoy upscale Mexican cuisine in a gorgeous setting anchored by vibrant green booths and a luxurious bar adorned with greenery. The bar staff is friendly and knowledgeable of the local scene.
Shops at Clearfork
Press Café is another Felipe Armenta restaurant that is located in the heart of Clearfork. Adirondack chairs and fire pits are calling you to settle in with a coffee or a drink in hand. Enjoy fresh, classic fare while watching the sunset over the Trinity River. Consider a brunch outing on Saturday morning to the weekly Farmers Market. The greenspace buzzes with activity from cyclists, families and fellow shoppers.
Warm, buttery biscuits topped with honey await you at Fixe Southern Kitchen. The upscale restaurant serves up delectable southern classics in a fine dining setting. Locals flock to enjoy happy hour held daily from 3-6 p.m. You won't regret a visit; we promise.
Cityworks is a popular sports bar that has 90 craft beers on tap. Catch your favorite team play on one of the 18 flatscreen TVs.
East Fort Worth
Black Coffee is the vision brought to life by owner Mia Moss. She wanted a great coffee shop in East Fort Worth, so she started one. The spirit of the community lives and breathes in her small, vibrant coffeehouse.
5AM Drip Coffee Roasters is an all-vegan coffee shop in Fort Worth. Take your pick from the hearty breakfast and lunch menus offering breakfast tacos, sandwiches, pastries and much more.
A neighborhood staple, Coffee Folks operates out of a re-purposed trailer where locals walk up for to-go coffee. Breakfast tacos from Taco Heads and pastries from Stir Crazy Baked Goods round of the menu for those needing a mid-morning snack.
