2 Best Restaurants in Big Bend National Park, Texas

Reata

$$ Fodor's choice

A favorite of many West Texans spending the day in Alpine, Reata ("rope" in Spanish) feels both welcoming and upscale, with big, wooden tables and a pleasant rancher/cowboy vibe. It's a "howdy"-type place with prompt, down-home service and a menu that emphasizes creative Southwestern and Tex-Mex fare, such as tortilla soup, calf fries with cream gravy, and beef tamales with pecan mash, plus generously portioned steaks from a legendary ranch in the nearby Davis Mountains. There's a long, fabulous dessert list.

Lunch Dinner Southwestern Fodor's Choice $$
203 N. 5th St., Alpine, Texas, 79830, USA
432-837–9232
www.reata.net
Known For
  • West Texas buttermilk pecan pie
  • jalapeño-and-bacon mac and cheese
  • well-chosen wine list
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun., Credit cards accepted, Reservations essential

Starlight Theatre

$$
This convivial restaurant-saloon with live-music is ground zero for all the ghosts and other characters of Terlingua. The menu includes plenty of local flavor, such as Terlingua chili and chicken-fried wild boar with Terlingua gold beer gravy. The Starlight is next door to the Terlingua Trading Post, where locals, some of whom look like prospectors from the Old West, sit on the shaded porch, tell stories, drink beer, and play one of the house guitars lying around.
Dinner $$ Brunch Southwestern
631 Ivey Rd., Terlingua, Texas, 79852, USA
432-371–3400
www.thestarlighttheatre.com
Known For
  • the mixed grill of wild boar–venison sausage, grilled quail, and steak
  • mesquite-smoked brisket
  • ice cold local beers
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: No lunch