Best Restaurants in Temple TX
An Honest Local Guide
Where to eat in Temple, Texas, by cuisine and occasion: a short list re-checked against each restaurant’s own website or the City’s Discover Temple listing, plus what is new, what closed and what the town lacks.
By Taylor Dasch, EG Realty · Restaurant details checked September 25–26, 2026 · Spot a closure? Tell Taylor
Featured in Discover Temple’s “In the News” media roundup — the City of Temple’s official tourism site.
For a special-occasion dinner in Temple, Texas, Taylor’s own picks are Cheeves Brothers Steakhouse and Pignetti’s, both downtown; the restaurant he recommends to everyone is Back Porch Drafthouse. This guide lists 25 places, 23 in Temple plus Miller’s Smokehouse in Belton and Fire Street Pizza outside the city on FM 439, each checked against its own website or the City’s Discover Temple listing on September 25–26, 2026.
What are the best restaurants in Temple, TX?
- Special occasion: Cheeves Brothers Steakhouse (USDA Prime steaks) or Pignetti’s (Italian), downtown.
- Everyday: Back Porch Drafthouse, burgers and sliders.
- Barbecue: Clem Mikeska’s (since 1965) or Pustka Family Barbeque.
- Breakfast: Megg’s Cafe, 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.
- Late: Fajita Kings’ drive-thru, open until 2 a.m.
Which Temple restaurant fits your plans?
| Plan | Picks | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Special-occasion dinner | Cheeves Brothers; Pignetti’s | Taylor’s picks; both take reservations |
| Burgers, beer, a game | Back Porch Drafthouse; 3 West Alehouse | Full bars |
| Breakfast | Megg’s Cafe; Fajita Kings | Megg’s daily; Fajita Kings all day |
| Lunch near BSW hospital | Fajita Kings; Megg’s Cafe | 0.2 and 0.3 mile by road |
| Group dinner | Nami | Hibachi grills, private room |
| Vegan or vegetarian | Roopa’s Kitchen; La Dalat | Marked on their menus |
Where is the best steakhouse and fine dining in Temple, TX?
For a white-tablecloth steak dinner, the pick is Cheeves Brothers Steakhouse on East Avenue A downtown. It is one of the two restaurants Taylor names for “luxury / elegant dining”; the other, Pignetti’s, is under Italian below, along with La Riv.
Cheeves Brothers SteakhouseWhite-tablecloth steakhouse, downtown
14 E. Avenue A, Temple, TX 76501 · Downtown Temple
Picked for: special-occasion dinners. Taylor names it for “luxury / elegant dining” (his words below), and its own site describes a white-tablecloth steakhouse serving USDA Prime steaks and South African lobster tails.
Lunch and dinner Monday–Friday 11 a.m.–10 p.m.; dinner Saturday 5–10 p.m.; closed Sunday (posted). Reservations through the OpenTable link on its site; business-casual dress in the main dining room; the restaurant says it stocks more than 400 wines; two private dining rooms on the mezzanine.
Checked September 25–26, 2026: cheeves.com · dinner menu
“If you want something more on the luxury / elegant dining side — Cheeves Brothers Steakhouse or Pignetti’s is a must.”
Taylor Dasch, in his own notes for this guide (March 2026)What are the best Italian restaurants in Temple, TX?
Two Italian dining rooms: Pignetti’s downtown, back to full service since July 2025 after the 2024 tornado, and La Riv Kitchen & Bar on West Adams Avenue, which makes its pasta in house.
Pignetti’sItalian, downtown
14 S. 2nd St., Temple, TX 76501 · Downtown Temple
Picked for: Italian in downtown Temple. Taylor names it with Cheeves for “luxury / elegant dining” (his words below). The May 22, 2024 tornado caved in its roof; it reopened to full capacity on July 16, 2025.
The City’s listing shows lunch and dinner Monday–Thursday 11 a.m.–9 p.m., Friday–Saturday 11 a.m.–10 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m.–3 p.m., with reservations accepted and outdoor seating. KXXV has called it the oldest Italian restaurant in Temple. Its own website blocked our automated check, so confirm hours by phone.
Checked September 25–26, 2026: Discover Temple listing · US105 on the reopening
“If you want something more on the luxury / elegant dining side — Cheeves Brothers Steakhouse or Pignetti’s is a must.”
Taylor Dasch, in his own notes for this guide (March 2026)La Riv Kitchen & BarItalian, West Adams Avenue
7410 W. Adams Ave., Suite 160, Temple, TX 76502 · Temple (W. Adams Ave.)
Picked for: Italian dinners on West Adams Avenue, with pasta made in house daily and gluten-free pasta on request (its menu).
Wood-fired Italian menu with rigatoni Bolognese, prime filet mignon and a 28-ounce center-cut porterhouse; craft cocktails and a spirits list; happy hour Tuesday–Friday 4–6 p.m. Posted hours: Tuesday–Thursday 4–10 p.m., Friday–Saturday 11 a.m.–10 p.m., closed Sunday (the site’s Monday entry reads 4–5 p.m., so call ahead on Mondays). The City’s listing notes reservations and outdoor seating. It also has a Georgetown location.
Checked September 25–26, 2026: larivkitchen.com · Discover Temple listing
Where is the best Mexican food in Temple, TX?
Three different kinds of meal: Las Marias for traditional Mexican food downtown, Sol de Jalisco #3 for enchiladas and fajita plates on West Adams Avenue, and Fajita Kings, which calls its menu Latin American–inspired, for breakfast all day and the latest posted hours on this list.
Las MariasTraditional Mexican, downtown
6 S. Main St., Temple, TX 76501 · Downtown Temple
Picked for: a Mexican breakfast downtown: the City’s listing describes traditional Mexican cuisine “open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.”
The Temple Daily Telegram reported it was set to open October 31, 2023, in a longtime South Main Street restaurant space. The City files it under breakfast & brunch and Mexican/Tex-Mex. Its ordering site blocked our automated check and neither source posts hours, so call before you go.
Checked September 25–26, 2026: Discover Temple listing
Sol de Jalisco #3Mexican, West Adams Avenue
8774 W. Adams Ave., Suite 1, Temple, TX 76502 · Temple (W. Adams Ave.)
Picked for: Mexican plates on the west side, open until 11 p.m. Thursday–Saturday (City listing).
Enchiladas, fajita plates, burritos and chimichangas; breakfast and alcohol served (City listing). Listed hours: Monday–Wednesday 11 a.m.–10 p.m., Thursday–Friday 11 a.m.–11 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m.–11 p.m., Sunday 8 a.m.–10 p.m. The chain describes its food as Mexican cuisine from the state of Jalisco.
Checked September 25–26, 2026: Discover Temple listing
Fajita KingsLatin American–inspired, S. 31st St.
2006 S. 31st St., Temple, TX 76504 · Temple (S. 31st St.)
Picked for: late hours and breakfast all day: its posted drive-thru hours run 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. every day.
Signature fajitas, breakfast tacos, wings and homemade tres leches cake from a menu the restaurant calls Latin American–inspired; full bar with margaritas and aguas frescas; dine-in, drive-thru, takeout, delivery and catering. Dining room: 8 a.m.–11:15 p.m. Sunday–Wednesday and 8 a.m.–1:15 a.m. Thursday–Saturday (posted). Opened April 19, 2020.
Checked September 25–26, 2026: fajitakings.com hours · our story
Where is the best BBQ in and near Temple, TX?
Inside Temple, Clem Mikeska’s has served barbecue on South 57th Street since 1965, and Pustka Family Barbeque was a Texas Monthly honorable mention in 2025. The best-known name nearby, Miller’s Smokehouse in Belton, has been cooking from a trailer since a February 2026 fire closed its building. Weighing Belton against Temple for a move? See Temple vs Belton.
Clem Mikeska’s Bar-B-QBarbecue since 1965, S. 57th St.
1217 S. 57th St., Temple, TX 76504 · Temple (S. 57th St.)
Picked for: long-running Temple barbecue: open at this address since March 1965 and still family-owned (Killeen Daily Herald, 2025).
Bar-B-Q tri-tip, brisket, homemade sausage including jalapeño & cheese, and banana pudding on its own menu; beer and wine; catering; online pickup orders. Posted hours: 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Monday–Saturday, 10:30 a.m.–9 p.m. Sunday.
Checked September 25–26, 2026: clembbq.com · Temple menu
Pustka Family BarbequePost-oak barbecue, SE H.K. Dodgen Loop
23330 SE H.K. Dodgen Loop, Temple, TX 76504 · Temple (Loop 363)
Picked for: post-oak barbecue that Texas Monthly named a 2025 honorable mention (“The Next 50”).
Prime brisket, handmade jalapeño–cheddar jack sausage, jalapeño–green apple slaw and banana pudding (“nanner puddin’”) on its own menu; indoor, climate-controlled seating; catering. Posted hours: 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Tuesday–Friday, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Saturday. Its site says a brick-and-mortar is coming at 1220 W. Ave. M, with no date.
Checked September 25–26, 2026: pustkafamilybbq.com · Texas Monthly honorable mentions
Miller’s SmokehouseBarbecue in downtown Belton
300 E. Central Ave., Belton, TX 76513 · Belton (a separate city next to Temple)
Picked for: the best-known barbecue name nearby: Texas Monthly put it on its Top 50 barbecue list in 2017, 2021 and 2025.
A fire on February 28, 2026 closed the building. The Millers are serving a limited barbecue menu that rotates weekly (items such as pork ribs, smoked chicken, pulled pork and burgers) from a food trailer out front. Posted trailer hours: 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Monday–Wednesday and 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Thursday–Sunday, or until sold out.
Checked September 25–26, 2026: millerssmokehouse.com · Texas Monthly, April 2026
Where are the best burgers and pubs in Temple, TX?
Taylor’s everyday favorite is here: Back Porch Drafthouse. The rest cover a downtown brewpub, a west-side gastropub, a cash-or-check diner open since 1963 and a bourbon bar with pickleball courts.
Back Porch DrafthouseBurgers, sliders and sports bar, S. General Bruce Dr.
4501 S. General Bruce Dr., Temple, TX 76502 · Temple (same center as Cinemark Temple 12)
Picked for: Taylor’s everyday favorite. His note calls it “Back Porch Burgers” and says he loves the Nashville sliders; the menu lists Nashville Hot Chicken Sliders.
Smash-style burgers (gluten-free bun available), 3 Little Pigs pulled-pork sliders, a full bar and Sunday brunch; outdoor seating (City listing). Listed hours: 11 a.m.–11 p.m. Monday–Thursday, 11 a.m.–midnight Friday, 10:30 a.m.–midnight Saturday, 10:30 a.m.–10 p.m. Sunday. State records list it and the Cinemark Temple 12 theater at the same street address.
Checked September 25–26, 2026: bpdrafthouse.com menu · Discover Temple listing
Bird Creek Brewing CompanyBrewpub, downtown
8 S. 4th St., Temple, TX 76501 · Downtown Temple
Picked for: a downtown brewpub with burgers from the team behind the former Bird Creek Burgers; the Texas Craft Brewers Guild named it 2026 Brewery of the Year in its under-620-barrel group.
Bird Creek Burgers on Main Street closed August 24, 2023, and the owners opened Bird Creek Brewing at South 4th Street and Central Avenue on September 2, 2023, with a broader menu (burgers plus steaks, pasta and more) and a covered beer garden with a stage (Killeen Daily Herald). The City’s listing shows recurring events such as a jazz jam. Its own website blocked our automated check, so confirm hours before you go.
Checked September 25–26, 2026: Discover Temple listing · Killeen Daily Herald, 2023 · Texas Craft Brewers Cup
3 West Alehouse & GrillGastropub, Honeysuckle Dr. off W. Adams
7373 Honeysuckle Dr., Suite 100, Temple, TX 76502 · Temple (off W. Adams Ave.)
Picked for: a west-side gastropub with a full bar and a house-blend burger of chuck, short rib and brisket (its menu).
Rotating draft list, cocktails and a wine list; reservations offered. Posted hours: 4–10 p.m. Monday, 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Tuesday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Sunday (the home-page widget shows 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday).
Checked September 25–26, 2026: 3westalehouse.com · menu (PDF, Oct. 2025)
The Old Jody’sDiner since 1963, S. 1st St.
1219 S. 1st St., Suite A, Temple, TX 76504 · Temple (S. 1st St.)
Picked for: hand-breaded chicken-fried steak and 1/3-pound burgers at a family-run diner open since 1963 (its site; KWTX, January 2026).
Cash or check only. Dine-in, curbside and a pickup window; domestic beer. Posted hours: 10 a.m.–9 p.m. Monday–Saturday; closed Sunday.
Checked September 25–26, 2026: theoldjodys.com · KWTX, Jan. 2, 2026
The CommonwealthRestaurant, bourbon bar and pickleball, far west W. Adams
11830 W. Adams Ave., Temple, TX 76502 · Temple (far west W. Adams Ave./FM 2305)
Picked for: a night out on the west side: it describes itself as a bourbon-forward cocktail bar and restaurant, with pickleball courts and a concert series.
Opened in 2024 (Texas Monthly). Reservations are not required but it recommends them for Friday and Saturday evenings; takeout available. Posted hours run as late as 10 p.m. Monday–Saturday (from 5 p.m. Monday–Tuesday, 11 a.m. Wednesday–Friday, 10 a.m. Saturday–Sunday); Sunday until 8 p.m.
Checked September 25–26, 2026: thecommonwealthtexas.com · Texas Monthly
What Asian and Indian restaurants are in Temple, TX?
Japanese hibachi and sushi, Korean grill dishes and bowls, Vietnamese pho, Thai curries and South and North Indian cooking, with vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free dishes marked on several of their menus.
Nami Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi BarHibachi and sushi, downtown
19 S. 2nd St., Temple, TX 76501 · Downtown Temple
Picked for: group dinners: live hibachi grills and a sushi bar (its site), with a private dining space and a full-service bar.
Hibachi steak, lobster and vegetable plates plus sushi and rolls; reservations accepted (City listing); parties of five or more have a 20% gratuity added (its menu). Posted hours: lunch Monday–Friday 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m.; dinner Monday–Thursday 5–10 p.m., Friday 5–10:30 p.m., Saturday 4–10:30 p.m.; closed Sunday.
Checked September 25–26, 2026: namitx.com/temple · menu
Seoul GardenKorean grill and sushi, Honeysuckle Dr.
7349 Honeysuckle Dr., Suite 150, Temple, TX 76502 · Temple (off W. Adams Ave.)
Picked for: Korean grill dishes and sushi: its menu lists kalbi (marinated Angus short ribs cooked over an open flame), bulgogi and specialty rolls.
Beer, wine and sake; reservations by phone. Posted hours: 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Monday–Thursday, 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Friday–Saturday; closed Sunday.
Checked September 25–26, 2026: seoulgardentemple.com · menu
Miso Pick&MixKorean-Japanese bowls, Tanglehead Dr.
7011 Tanglehead Dr., Suite 110, Temple, TX 76502 · Temple (off W. Adams Ave.)
Picked for: a quick build-your-own meal: Korean-Japanese bowls, “misoritto” soy-paper wraps and Korean-style fried chicken (its menu).
Bowl proteins include bulgogi, spicy pork, salmon and tofu; beer and mimosas; catering and online ordering. Posted hours: 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Monday–Thursday, 11 a.m.–9:30 p.m. Friday–Saturday; closed Sunday. State records date its opening to spring 2024.
Checked September 25–26, 2026: misopicknmix.com · hours
La DalatVietnamese, downtown
17 E. Avenue B, Temple, TX 76501 · Downtown Temple
Picked for: pho and bánh mì downtown, with vegetarian versions marked on the menu (including a vegetarian pho).
Beef pho, fresh spring rolls and house bánh mì sandwiches; beer and wine. Split service: 10:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. and 4:30–8 p.m. Monday–Saturday; closed Sunday (posted). The City’s listing gives the street as W. Avenue B; the restaurant and state records say E. Avenue B.
Checked September 25–26, 2026: ladalattemple.com · menu
Meeboon Thai CuisineThai, SW H.K. Dodgen Loop
1521 SW H.K. Dodgen Loop, Temple, TX 76502 · Temple (Loop 363)
Picked for: Thai curries, cashew nut chicken, fried rice and pad Thai, lunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday (City listing).
Listed hours: 11 a.m.–8:30 p.m. Tuesday–Saturday, noon–7 p.m. Sunday; closed Monday. Its own website did not load when we checked, so these details come from the City’s Discover Temple listing and state sales-tax records.
Checked September 25–26, 2026: Discover Temple listing
Roopa’s KitchenIndian, Canyon Creek Dr.
1710 Canyon Creek Dr., Temple, TX 76502 · Temple (Canyon Creek Dr.)
Picked for: South and North Indian food with gluten-free and vegan dishes marked (its site and menu).
Samosas, onion pakora, dal fry, paneer and chicken tikka masala and chicken curry; beer and wine; table booking online. Posted hours: 11 a.m.–8:30 p.m. Tuesday–Saturday (dine-in until 8), 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Sunday (dine-in until 2); closed Monday.
Checked September 25–26, 2026: roopaskitchen.com · menu
Where is the best pizza in Temple, TX?
Treno serves pizza and local beer downtown. Fire Street Pizza bakes Neapolitan-style pies in a wood-fired oven on FM 439; it has a Belton address and sits outside Temple’s city limits, and it opens Thursday through Sunday only.
Treno Pizzeria & TaproomPizza and taproom, downtown
110 S. 1st St., Temple, TX 76501 · Downtown Temple
Picked for: pizza downtown with an outdoor playground and patio (City listing), next door to its sister business First Street Roasters.
Signature pizzas include the Lord of the Rings, King Brisket and Pepper Pig; local beers on tap; live music; private rooms; order at the counter or a kiosk. Listed hours: 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Monday; 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday; 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Thursday–Saturday. Its own website blocked our automated check, so confirm hours before you go.
Checked September 25–26, 2026: Discover Temple listing
Fire Street PizzaWood-fired pizza, FM 439 outside Temple
10310 FM 439, Belton, TX 76513 · Outside Temple city limits (Belton mailing address)
Picked for: Neapolitan-style pizza from a 900-degree live-oak wood-fired oven, with named vegetarian pizzas and a covered patio (its site).
Open Thursday–Sunday only (posted: 5–9 p.m. Thursday–Friday, noon–9 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Sunday). Walk-ins only; no delivery. Texas craft beer, wine and house seltzers, no liquor. Indoor playground; live music on weekends. No pets on site except service dogs; gluten-reduced (not gluten-free) crust. State records place it outside Temple city limits.
Checked September 25–26, 2026: firestreetpizza.com · FAQ
Where can you get breakfast, brunch or coffee in Temple, TX?
Megg’s Cafe serves breakfast and lunch every day until 3 p.m. Las Marias, Sol de Jalisco #3 and Fajita Kings also serve breakfast, and Back Porch Drafthouse lists a Sunday brunch. For coffee, 1914 Coffee House sits across 31st Street from the Baylor Scott & White hospital, and First Street Roasters is downtown.
Megg’s CafeFarm-to-table breakfast and lunch, Everton Dr.
1749 Everton Dr., Temple, TX 76504 · Temple (near S. 31st St.)
Picked for: breakfast and lunch every day: 7:30 a.m.–3 p.m. daily (its site), from a farm-to-table café with fresh-baked bread.
Seasonal menu (steak and eggs, a vegan mushroom–brown rice veggie burger, veggie tacos); gluten-friendly bread available; phone-in orders; a vegetable garden beside the building. Serving Temple since 2010, per its site.
Checked September 25–26, 2026: meggs-cafe.com · menu
1914 Coffee HouseCoffee across from BSW, W. Ave. R
1617 W. Ave. R, Temple, TX 76504 · Across 31st Street from Baylor Scott & White’s Temple hospital (its site)
Picked for: coffee near the hospital, open 6 a.m.–6 p.m. weekdays and 7 a.m.–6 p.m. Saturday; closed Sunday (its site).
House drinks, espresso, drip and cold brew; cruffins, muffins, cookies and shortbread from its bakery case; teas and steamers; online ordering. The City’s listing shows later closing times (8 p.m.); the café’s own site says 6 p.m.
Checked September 25–26, 2026: 1914coffeehouse.com
First Street RoastersCoffee roaster, downtown
110 S. 1st St., Temple, TX 76501 · Downtown Temple
Picked for: downtown coffee with free Wi-Fi and breakfast pastries (its site; the City lists breakfast and outdoor seating).
Pour-over, cold brew and bottomless drip; brick-oven quiches and grab-and-go sandwiches; in-store displays of local small-business products. Its site shows two different sets of hours (7 a.m.–3 p.m. daily, and a notice reading 7 a.m.–7 p.m. Tuesday–Saturday), so check before an afternoon visit.
Checked September 25–26, 2026: firststreetroasters.com · hours
What restaurants are near Baylor Scott & White in Temple?
Measured by road from the main address of Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Temple (2401 S. 31st St.), the closest picks on this list are Fajita Kings (0.2 mile), Megg’s Cafe (0.3 mile) and 1914 Coffee House (0.4 mile). The downtown picks are 2.5 to 2.8 miles away, and the group off West Adams Avenue about 6. These are OpenStreetMap road distances between address points, measured September 25–26, 2026; they are not drive times, and the hospital campus is large, so your building may be closer or farther.
| Restaurant | Address | Road miles from BSW |
|---|---|---|
| Fajita Kings | 2006 S. 31st St. | 0.2 |
| Megg’s Cafe | 1749 Everton Dr. | 0.3 |
| 1914 Coffee House | 1617 W. Ave. R | 0.4 |
| Meeboon Thai Cuisine | 1521 SW H.K. Dodgen Loop | 1.2 |
| Roopa’s Kitchen | 1710 Canyon Creek Dr. | 1.3 |
| Clem Mikeska’s Bar-B-Q | 1217 S. 57th St. | 1.7 |
| The Old Jody’s | 1219 S. 1st St., Suite A | 1.8 |
| La Dalat | 17 E. Avenue B | 2.5 |
| Cheeves Brothers Steakhouse | 14 E. Avenue A | 2.7 |
| First Street Roasters | 110 S. 1st St. | 2.7 |
| Las Marias | 6 S. Main St. | 2.7 |
| Nami Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar | 19 S. 2nd St. | 2.7 |
| Pignetti’s | 14 S. 2nd St. | 2.7 |
| Treno Pizzeria & Taproom | 110 S. 1st St. | 2.7 |
| Bird Creek Brewing Company | 8 S. 4th St. | 2.8 |
| Back Porch Drafthouse | 4501 S. General Bruce Dr. | 2.9 |
| La Riv Kitchen & Bar | 7410 W. Adams Ave., Suite 160 | 5.9 |
| Miso Pick&Mix | 7011 Tanglehead Dr., Suite 110 | 5.9 |
| Seoul Garden | 7349 Honeysuckle Dr., Suite 150 | 5.9 |
| 3 West Alehouse & Grill | 7373 Honeysuckle Dr., Suite 100 | 5.9 |
| Sol de Jalisco #3 | 8774 W. Adams Ave., Suite 1 | 6.8 |
| Miller’s Smokehouse | 300 E. Central Ave., Belton | 7.5 |
| Fire Street Pizza | 10310 FM 439, Belton | 14.9 |
Not measured: Pustka Family Barbeque (the Census geocoder placed its address on the wrong side of Loop 363) and The Commonwealth (no geocoder match). Relocating for a job at Baylor Scott & White? The BSW relocation guide covers campus routes and housing costs, and the Temple map tour shows how areas and daily routes connect.
What restaurants are in downtown Temple?
The City of Temple’s tourism site, Discover Temple, lists 19 restaurants, cafés and dessert shops with Temple addresses in its downtown dining directory (checked September 25–26, 2026). The eight on this guide are linked; the rest are listed as the City lists them, not re-checked here.
- 17 South — 17 South Main
- Bird Creek Brewing Company — 8 S 4th Street
- Blessings Restaurant and Bakery — 11 N 6th St
- Butcher Baker — 13 S Main Street
- Cha Community — 7 N. Main Street
- Cheeves Brothers Steakhouse — 14 E. Avenue A
- First Street Roasters — 110 S. 1st Street
- Helados La Azteca — 11 East Avenue B
- La Dalat — 17 E. Avenue B
- Las Marias — 6 S Main St
- Nami Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar — 19 S. 2nd Street
- O’Briens Irish Pub — 11 E. Central Avenue
- Pignetti’s — 14 S. 2nd Street
- Sweet & Savory Seasons Bakery 2.0 — 7 W Central Ave
- S’ Sweet Berry — 104 E Central Ave Suite 120
- Thai Cafe — 107 W. Central Avenue
- Treno Pizzeria & Taproom — 110 S. 1st Street
- Tres Magueyes #1 — 518 N. 3rd Street
- Water Street Waffle Co. Local Eatery — 116 South 1st Street
Downtown also comes alive on the first Friday of each month, when Discover Temple lists block parties, vendors, food and drink specials and live music; see its downtown events calendar.
What restaurants are new in Temple, TX, and which have closed?
Openings, reopenings and closures reported by the businesses, the City or local news from 2024 to 2026, with the dates those sources give. Older guides to Temple still list some of the closed places.
New, reopened or under new ownership
- The Commonwealth (11830 W. Adams Ave.): A restaurant, bourbon bar, pickleball courts and live-music venue in West Temple that Texas Monthly says opened in 2024. Its own site posts current hours. Source: Texas Monthly, thecommonwealthtexas.com.
- Chicken Salad Chick (1724 Scott Blvd.): Opened June 4, 2025 (company announcement and KXXV). Source: company release, KXXV.
- Pignetti’s (14 S. 2nd St.): Reopened to full capacity July 16, 2025, after the May 22, 2024 tornado caved in its roof. Source: US105, KXXV.
- Lollipops (15 N. 7th St.): A Cajun restaurant in the former downtown Dairy Queen building; KWTX reported it open on November 3, 2025, after a gas leak delayed its September start. Source: KWTX.
- Santa Fe Community Market (33 E. Avenue C): The City of Temple opened this market on September 19, 2026; it runs the third Saturday of each month, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Source: City of Temple, KWTX.
- Wes’s Burger Shack (1301 S. 1st St.): Sold to a new owner in December 2025 and still open under the same name, per the Killeen Daily Herald (February 3, 2026). Source: Killeen Daily Herald.
- Also open: Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen (707 N. General Bruce Dr.) and William Hoyt Bagel & Brew (7546 Prairie View Rd.) hold active Texas sales-tax permits, with first sales recorded in June 2026 and December 2024. Source: Texas Comptroller open data.
Closed
- The Yard food-truck plaza (downtown, 1st St. and Santa Fe Market Trail): Trucks had to leave by January 1, 2024, after thefts and vandalism; the City now rents the site as an event venue, and trucks come only for scheduled events. Source: KTEM, Temple Parks & Recreation.
- Rylander’s Best Hamburgers: Closure announced in April 2024 after co-owner Evan Rylander died. Source: Killeen Daily Herald.
- Dairy Queen, downtown (15 N. 7th St.): Closed in late March 2025; Lollipops now occupies the building. Source: Killeen Daily Herald.
- Salad and Go (7121 W. Adams Ave.): Closed September 19, 2025, one of 41 closures in Texas; the chain left Texas and Oklahoma in January 2026. Source: Killeen Daily Herald, Restaurant Dive.
- Dirty Dough (6504 W. Adams Ave.): Closed October 19, 2025, after 15 months (KCEN). Source: KCEN report.
- Fuzzy’s Taco Shop (West Adams Ave.): Reopened in July 2025; the Temple Daily Telegram reported it closing in May 2026. Source: Fuzzy’s, Temple Daily Telegram.
- Pit Stop Bar-B-Q (502 S. 1st St.): a commercial real estate listing describes the building as the “Former Pit Stop BBQ,” now leased. Source: Jirasek Realty listing.
Spot a closure or a new opening we missed? Email Taylor and he will check it for the next update.
Are restaurants in Temple, TX open late?
Not many. Of the 24 Temple-area picks in this guide that post hours on their own site or the City’s listing, 16 close by 9 p.m. on a Tuesday or are closed that day, and only two stay open past 10 p.m.: Fajita Kings, whose dining room runs until 11:15 p.m. (and its drive-thru until 2 a.m. daily), and Back Porch Drafthouse, listed until 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday. On Fridays the same two post the latest hours, 1:15 a.m. and midnight; Sol de Jalisco #3 is listed until 11 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. Hours as posted or listed on September 25–26, 2026; call ahead late at night.
For nightlife beyond restaurants, see Things to Do in Temple TX.
Which cuisines are harder to find in Temple, TX?
The City’s own restaurant directory on Discover Temple sorts places into 12 cuisine types: American & burgers, Asian, barbecue, breakfast & brunch, Indian, Italian, Mexican, pizza, seafood, soul food, steakhouses and sushi, plus separate lists for coffee shops and desserts (checked September 25–26, 2026). It has no separate category for Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Greek or African food. That does not prove Temple has none, but if a particular cuisine is part of your routine, search for it by name before you move rather than assuming it is here. This list, too, is a short list, not a complete census of Temple restaurants.
How was this list of Temple restaurants chosen and checked?
Who is on it. Restaurants that were already in this guide or that Taylor named in his own notes, and that its own website or the City’s Discover Temple listing showed operating when we checked on September 25–26, 2026. Where a restaurant’s own site blocked our automated check or did not load, we relied on the City’s listing and Texas state permit records and say so on the card.
What “Picked for” means. The specific need each place meets on this list (a cuisine, a meal, an occasion or a location) and the source that shows it. It is not a ranking.
What we left out. Star ratings and review counts (they change daily and belong to the sites that collect them), prices (menus change; each card links to the restaurant’s own site) and restaurants from earlier versions of this guide that we could not confirm are operating. The Yard food-truck plaza and Pit Stop Bar-B-Q are closed.
Opinions. The only first-person opinions on this page are Taylor’s own words, quoted in the Taylor’s Take section and marked where they appear. Everything else comes from the restaurants’ sites, the City, state records and local news, linked on each card or item.
Where do people in Temple buy groceries and fresh food?
H-E-B
H-E-B, the San Antonio–based supermarket chain, has two Temple stores, at 3002 S. 31st St. and 1314 W. Adams Ave.; in April 2024 the company told KXXV it had no plans for a third store in Temple. Sources: KXXV, H-E-B release.
Farmers markets
- West Temple Farmers Market, West Temple Park (121 Montpark Rd.): Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7 a.m. to noon, May through September.
- Santa Fe Community Market, 33 E. Avenue C downtown: the third Saturday of each month, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; the City opened it on September 19, 2026.
- Temple Feed & Supply hosts market days through the year, weather permitting, and posts the dates on its Facebook page.
Sources: Discover Temple farmers-market guide (May 6, 2026), City of Temple. For a full household budget, see Cost of Living in Temple TX.
“My favorite restaurant that I recommend to everyone is Back Porch Burgers. They have really good burgers, and I LOVE the Nashville sliders. Great vibe. If you want something more on the luxury / elegant dining side — Cheeves Brothers Steakhouse or Pignetti’s is a must.”
From Taylor’s notes for this guide, March 2026 (capitalization lightly edited). Texas sales-tax records list no business called Back Porch Burgers in Temple or nearby cities; the Back Porch in Temple is Back Porch Drafthouse on South General Bruce Drive, and its menu lists the Nashville hot chicken sliders he mentions. That note is the only first-person opinion on this page.
If you are moving to Temple and want to talk through areas, commutes and costs from your own budget and schedule, book a call with Taylor or use the form below.
Taylor Dasch | EG Realty | 254-718-4249 | dealswithdasch@gmail.com
Moving here and sizing up the town beyond the food? Living in Temple TX covers cost of living, neighborhoods, and the honest pros and cons.
Frequently Asked Questions About Restaurants in Temple TX
What are the best restaurants in Temple, TX?
For a special-occasion dinner, Taylor Dasch’s own picks are Cheeves Brothers Steakhouse and Pignetti’s, both in downtown Temple; the restaurant he recommends to everyone is Back Porch Drafthouse, for burgers and Nashville hot chicken sliders. This guide lists 25 places checked on September 25–26, 2026, including barbecue at Clem Mikeska’s and Pustka Family Barbeque and breakfast at Megg’s Cafe.
Where can I get a fancy or fine-dining dinner in Temple, TX?
Cheeves Brothers Steakhouse (14 E. Avenue A) is a white-tablecloth steakhouse serving USDA Prime steaks, with reservations through OpenTable and business-casual dress in the main dining room. Pignetti’s (14 S. 2nd St.) serves Italian food downtown and accepts reservations, and La Riv Kitchen and Bar on West Adams Avenue makes its pasta in house. Details checked September 25–26, 2026.
What restaurants are in downtown Temple, TX?
The City’s Discover Temple directory lists 19 downtown restaurants, cafés and dessert shops with Temple addresses (checked September 25–26, 2026). Eight are profiled in this guide: Cheeves Brothers Steakhouse, Pignetti’s, Las Marias, Nami, La Dalat, Bird Creek Brewing Company, Treno Pizzeria and Taproom, and First Street Roasters.
What restaurants are near Baylor Scott and White in Temple?
Measured by road from Baylor Scott and White Medical Center – Temple at 2401 S. 31st St., the closest picks in this guide are Fajita Kings (0.2 mile), Megg’s Cafe (0.3 mile) and 1914 Coffee House (0.4 mile), measured September 25–26, 2026. The downtown picks are 2.5 to 2.8 miles away.
What new restaurants have opened in Temple, TX?
Recent openings include The Commonwealth on far west Adams Avenue (2024), Chicken Salad Chick on Scott Boulevard (June 4, 2025), Lollipops in the former downtown Dairy Queen building (reported open November 3, 2025) and the City’s Santa Fe Community Market (September 19, 2026). Pignetti’s fully reopened July 16, 2025, after tornado damage. Recent closures include Salad and Go (September 19, 2025) and Dirty Dough (October 19, 2025).
Where is the best BBQ near Temple, TX?
In Temple, Clem Mikeska’s Bar-B-Q has served barbecue on South 57th Street since 1965, and Pustka Family Barbeque was a Texas Monthly 2025 honorable mention. Miller’s Smokehouse in Belton, on Texas Monthly’s Top 50 list in 2017, 2021 and 2025, is serving a limited menu from a food trailer while its building is closed after a February 28, 2026 fire.
Where can I get breakfast in Temple, TX?
Megg’s Cafe serves breakfast and lunch from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day, and Fajita Kings serves breakfast all day; Las Marias and Sol de Jalisco #3 also serve breakfast. For coffee, 1914 Coffee House opens at 6 a.m. on weekdays across 31st Street from the Baylor Scott and White hospital, and First Street Roasters is downtown. Hours as posted September 25–26, 2026.
Are restaurants in Temple, TX open late?
Few are. Of the 24 Temple-area picks in this guide that post hours, 16 close by 9 p.m. on a Tuesday or are closed that day. Fajita Kings keeps its dining room open until 11:15 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and its drive-thru until 2 a.m. daily, and Back Porch Drafthouse is listed until 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday and midnight on Fridays and Saturdays (hours checked September 25–26, 2026).
Which Temple restaurants mark vegan, vegetarian or gluten-free options?
Roopa’s Kitchen marks gluten-free and vegan dishes; La Dalat marks vegetarian versions, including a vegetarian pho; Megg’s Cafe has a vegan veggie burger and gluten-friendly bread; La Riv offers gluten-free pasta on request; and Back Porch Drafthouse has a gluten-free bun. Fire Street Pizza’s crust is gluten-reduced, not certified gluten-free, so ask the restaurant about allergies.
Thinking About Moving to Temple?
Restaurants are one piece of deciding where to live. If you are weighing a move, Taylor can talk it through with you, starting from your budget, where you will work and the places you will actually go.
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