Our MEGA guide on where to eat when visiting Waco

Lots of events bring people to Waco in the fall: Move2BU, football games, Family Weekend, Premiere, Homecoming, Commencement… You get the idea. And the one thing all those visitors have in common? They’ll all need to eat while here.

For years, we’ve been writing up various guides for visitors to Waco. At last, here they all are, in one place — just for you.

OVERALL: First, there’s our biggest single list: “Where to eat if you’re visiting Baylor/Waco (and what to order).” This one is newly updated, with categories for what you might be looking for: coffee and breakfasts, long-time favorites, modern classics, and what’s new. And each of the 50+ places listed includes both a description and a specific recommendation on what dish to try.

COFFEE: But maybe you’re looking for something more specific. Maybe you just need some caffeine to get you going in the morning; if so, Waco’s got you covered. Last year, we wrote up our 20 favorite Baylor-area coffee shops, so you don’t have to figure out where to go before the caffeine kicks in.

BURGERS: Or maybe you’re just really craving a great burger. There’s plenty of those to choose from, too; we highlighted our 12 favorite Waco burger joints, from the classic (Health Camp) to something a little different (Kitok).

FINE DINING: On the other end of the spectrum, Waco has a burgeoning fine dining scene. We checked out a half dozen restaurants of the sort you might not have thought existed in Waco for our survey of Waco’s fine dining. If it’s been even just a couple of years since you visited Waco, you may find this selection surprising.

We even surveyed some of the leaders of Waco’s food scene to find out: “Where do Waco’s culinary trendsetters go for our city’s best meal?” (This one’s a little bit older — from all the way back in 2021 — but much of the advice still holds true.)

So there you have it. Whether you’re a prospective student family coming for a visit, a parent coming to see your Baylor student, or an alum returning to the old alma mater — check out a new place (and an old favorite) on your next Waco trip.

Sic ’em, Bears!

[BONUS: Baylor students, faculty & staff can get discounts at a loooooong list of Waco eateries, shops and more via the Waco Perks Program — check it out!]