The Most Expensive Restaurants in Texas and Which Locals Actually Recommend

Texas has become a powerhouse for fine dining, drawing food lovers from across the country to experience some of the most extraordinary meals money can buy.

From rooftop Italian feasts in Dallas to sustainable American cuisine in San Antonio, the Lone Star State delivers culinary artistry that rivals any coastal city.

What makes these restaurants truly special isn’t just their price tags or fancy ingredients, but the fact that locals keep coming back, recommending them to visitors who want an authentic taste of Texas luxury.

Whether you’re planning a special celebration or simply curious about where Texans spend their most memorable evenings, these nine establishments represent the pinnacle of the state’s dining scene.

1. Tatsu Dallas

Dallas earned its first Michelin star thanks to this intimate sushi sanctuary tucked into the Deep Ellum neighborhood. Chef Tatsuya Sekiguchi crafts each piece of nigiri with precision that borders on meditation, transforming seasonal fish into edible art.

The restaurant seats only ten guests at a time, creating an atmosphere where every diner feels like they’re receiving a private performance.

Edomae-style sushi requires years of training to master, and it shows in every detail here. The rice temperature, the fish cuts, and even the timing between courses follow traditions perfected over centuries in Tokyo.

Guests watch as Chef Sekiguchi shapes each piece by hand, explaining the origin of the fish and the techniques that bring out its natural flavors.

Deep Ellum’s creative energy provides a fascinating contrast to the restaurant’s serene interior. After your meal, the neighborhood’s street art and music venues offer a glimpse into Dallas’s artistic soul.

Locals appreciate how Tatsu brings world-class Japanese cuisine to their city without pretension, making reservations worth the effort despite the limited availability.

The tasting menu changes with the seasons, ensuring that repeat visitors always discover something new. From delicate appetizers to hand rolls and traditional miso soup, each element contributes to a complete culinary journey.

This isn’t just expensive dining for the sake of luxury; it’s an investment in experiencing craftsmanship at its finest.

Address: 3309 Elm St Ste 120, Dallas, TX 75226

2. Monarch Restaurant

Forty-nine floors above downtown Dallas, Monarch redefines what Italian dining can be when paired with breathtaking skyline views. The elevator ride alone builds anticipation as you ascend through The National building, emerging into a space where floor-to-ceiling windows frame the city like a living painting.

Executive Chef Danny Grant designs tasting menus that honor Italian traditions while showcasing Texas ingredients in unexpected ways.

Caviar service arrives at your table with ceremony, setting the tone for a multi-course journey through land and sea. Alaskan king crab legs and whole Maine lobster demonstrate the restaurant’s commitment to sourcing the finest ingredients regardless of distance.

The Wagyu strip steak represents Texas beef culture elevated to its most luxurious expression, cooked to perfection and served with accompaniments that enhance rather than overwhelm.

Locals recommend requesting a window seat at sunset when the city lights begin twinkling below. The dining room’s sophisticated design balances elegance with comfort, making guests feel celebrated without being stuffy.

Service staff move with practiced grace, anticipating needs before they’re voiced and explaining each dish with genuine enthusiasm.

Downtown Dallas spreads out beneath you as you dine, offering perspectives on the city that few visitors experience. The restaurant’s location in Victory Park places it near the American Airlines Center and the Dallas Arts District.

Many Dallas residents save Monarch for milestone celebrations, knowing the combination of food, views, and service creates memories worth the investment.

Address: 1401 Elm St, 49th Floor, Dallas, TX 75202

3. Vic & Anthony’s Steakhouse

Houston’s downtown steakhouse scene reaches its peak at this establishment where power lunches and celebration dinners happen beneath crystal chandeliers. The restaurant occupies prime real estate near Minute Maid Park, making it a favorite pre-game destination for Astros fans willing to splurge.

Dark wood paneling and leather booths create the classic American steakhouse atmosphere that never goes out of style.

Prime cuts of beef arrive perfectly charred on the outside while maintaining their juicy interiors, a testament to grill masters who understand their craft. The menu extends beyond beef to include Gulf seafood that reflects Houston’s proximity to the coast.

Sides arrive family-style, encouraging sharing and conversation as groups build their ideal meal combinations.

Houston locals particularly value the restaurant’s consistency over the years, knowing they can bring out-of-town clients or family members without worry. The service team includes veterans who’ve worked here for years, creating relationships with regular guests and making newcomers feel equally welcome.

Business travelers staying in nearby hotels often wander in and become instant converts.

Texas Avenue’s energy pulses just outside, with theaters, hotels, and corporate headquarters creating a vibrant urban environment. The restaurant’s location makes it convenient for theater-goers catching performances at nearby venues.

Weekend evenings see a mix of dressed-up couples celebrating anniversaries and groups toasting promotions, all united by their appreciation for exceptional beef and impeccable hospitality that defines Texas steakhouse culture at its finest.

Address: 1510 Texas Ave, Houston, TX 77002

4. Musaafer

Step inside this Galleria-area gem and you’ll swear you’ve been transported to a royal palace in India. Musaafer brings regional Indian cuisine to Houston with a level of authenticity and luxury rarely seen outside the subcontinent.

The dining room dazzles with intricate details, from hand-carved screens to colorful textiles that celebrate India’s artistic heritage.

Chef Mayank Istwal draws inspiration from his travels across India’s diverse regions, presenting dishes that many Americans have never encountered. Spice blends are ground fresh daily, creating layers of flavor that reveal themselves gradually as you eat.

Vegetarian options receive the same creative attention as meat dishes, reflecting Indian cuisine’s centuries-old tradition of making vegetables the star.

Houston’s incredibly diverse population includes a large Indian community, and their enthusiastic support confirms Musaafer’s authenticity. The restaurant doesn’t simplify flavors for Western palates but instead educates diners about proper spice levels and traditional preparation methods.

Service staff gladly guide first-timers through the menu, suggesting combinations and explaining cultural context.

The Galleria location puts you in the heart of Houston’s premier shopping district, surrounded by luxury retailers and hotels. Westheimer Road’s constant activity creates an energetic backdrop for this culinary escape.

Locals recommend bringing adventurous eaters willing to try unfamiliar dishes, as playing it safe means missing the restaurant’s most remarkable creations that showcase India’s regional diversity through carefully sourced ingredients and techniques passed down through generations.

Address: Suite C-3500, 5115 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77056

5. March

Chef Felipe Riccio’s Mediterranean-inspired restaurant sits along Westheimer Road, bringing European sensibilities to Houston’s Montrose neighborhood. The space feels simultaneously elegant and approachable, with an open kitchen that lets diners watch the culinary team orchestrate complex dishes.

Natural light floods through large windows during lunch service, while evening meals unfold under softer, more intimate lighting.

Mediterranean cuisine’s emphasis on fresh vegetables, quality oils, and simple preparations allows ingredients to speak for themselves. Riccio sources from Texas farms whenever possible, creating interesting dialogues between European techniques and local products.

Seafood preparations showcase his time training in coastal European kitchens, where respecting the ingredient matters more than elaborate presentations.

Montrose’s artistic community embraces March as a neighborhood anchor where creativity extends from galleries into the dining room. The restaurant’s wine program features selections from Mediterranean regions, offering pairings that transport guests to sun-drenched coastlines.

Houstonians appreciate the restaurant’s evolution over the years, with seasonal menu changes keeping regular visitors engaged.

The surrounding neighborhood rewards exploration, with vintage shops, coffee houses, and parks within walking distance. Westheimer Road serves as one of Houston’s main cultural corridors, connecting diverse communities and cuisines.

Locals often recommend March to visitors seeking refined dining without stuffiness, where the focus remains squarely on food quality and thoughtful service rather than trendy gimmicks or Instagram moments that fade quickly from memory once the camera stops clicking.

Address: 1624 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006

6. Jeffrey’s

Austin’s Clarksville neighborhood has hosted this beloved restaurant since 1975, making it a true veteran of the city’s dining scene. Jeffrey’s predates Austin’s current reputation as a food destination, quietly serving exceptional meals while the city transformed around it.

The historic house setting creates intimate dining rooms where conversations flow easily and celebrations feel personal rather than performative.

Chef Nick Yanes brings modern techniques to classic dishes, respecting the restaurant’s legacy while pushing flavors forward. Texas ingredients anchor the menu, from Gulf seafood to Hill Country game, all prepared with the kind of attention that turns dinner into an event.

The kitchen’s commitment to seasonality means the menu evolves constantly, rewarding repeat visits with new discoveries.

Long-time Austinites remember special occasions celebrated here over decades, creating multigenerational loyalty rare in today’s restaurant world. The staff includes team members who’ve worked here for years, providing continuity and expertise that newer establishments can’t replicate.

Reservations book quickly, especially on weekends, as both locals and informed visitors compete for tables.

Clarksville’s tree-lined streets and historic homes create a peaceful escape from downtown Austin’s intensity. West Lynn Street offers a glimpse into the city’s past, before high-rises and tech campuses dominated the skyline.

Jeffrey’s represents Austin dining at its most refined, where quality ingredients and skilled preparation matter more than trendy concepts or social media buzz that captures attention but fades from relevance once the next big thing arrives on the scene.

Address: 1204 W Lynn St, Austin, TX 78703

7. Isidore

San Antonio’s Pearl district transformed from a historic brewery complex into the city’s culinary heart, with Isidore earning Michelin recognition for its commitment to sustainable American cuisine. The restaurant’s name honors the patron saint of farmers, signaling its deep connection to the land and the people who work it.

Floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the Pearl’s central courtyard, where locals gather on weekends to browse markets and enjoy the riverside setting.

Chef John Brand builds relationships directly with Texas ranchers and farmers, sourcing ingredients that reflect the state’s agricultural diversity. The menu reads like a love letter to Texas terroir, with dishes that highlight specific farms and producers.

Michelin’s Green Star designation recognizes these sustainability efforts, making Isidore a leader in environmentally conscious fine dining.

San Antonio diners appreciate the restaurant’s balance between innovation and accessibility, creating food that excites without alienating. The service approach emphasizes warmth and knowledge, with staff who can discuss both the food’s origins and preparation methods.

Wine pairings feature selections from sustainable producers, extending the environmental commitment throughout the dining experience.

Pearl’s location along the San Antonio River Walk provides scenic beauty without the tourist crowds that pack downtown sections. The neighborhood includes boutique hotels, cooking schools, and artisan shops, making it a destination unto itself.

Locals often spend entire afternoons at Pearl, starting with lunch at Isidore and then exploring the grounds, proving that great restaurants can anchor community gathering spaces that serve purposes beyond just serving exceptional food to discerning guests.

Address: 221 Newell Ave, San Antonio, TX 78215

8. Nuri Steakhouse

Dallas’s Victory Park gained a showstopper when Nuri opened with a design budget that reportedly reached twenty million dollars. The result is a steakhouse that feels more like an art installation, with custom details and luxurious materials at every turn.

Korean influences set Nuri apart from traditional American steakhouses, introducing flavors and presentations that surprise even experienced diners.

The signature Texas Wagyu porterhouse arrives as a forty-ounce masterpiece, accompanied by banchan, kimchi butter, and miso peppercorn sauce that bridge Korean and American beef traditions. A Wagyu candle keeps the meat warm throughout your meal, adding theatrical flair to an already impressive presentation.

The fusion approach extends throughout the menu, creating unexpected combinations that work beautifully together.

Victory Park’s development brought hotels, entertainment venues, and restaurants to an area previously dominated by parking lots and industrial buildings. Nuri anchors the dining scene here, drawing crowds before American Airlines Center events and serving as a destination in its own right.

The opulent design attracts Instagram attention, but the food quality keeps guests returning beyond the initial novelty.

Dallas locals debate whether the restaurant’s lavish approach represents Texas excess or innovative hospitality, but few dispute the food’s quality. Service teams navigate the large space efficiently, maintaining attentiveness despite the restaurant’s size.

The Korean-Texas fusion reflects Dallas’s increasingly diverse population and willingness to embrace culinary traditions from around the world, creating dining experiences that feel distinctly local while drawing inspiration from far beyond state borders.

Address: 2401 Victory Park Ln, Dallas, TX 75219

9. Da Marco

Since 1992, this Montrose institution has served Houston diners authentic Italian cuisine crafted by Chef Marco Wiles, whose Tuscan heritage informs every menu decision.

The restaurant occupies a converted house on Westheimer Road, creating an intimate setting that feels more like dining in someone’s home than a commercial establishment.

Regulars have favorite tables they request, and the staff remembers preferences accumulated over years of visits.

Traditional Italian cooking relies on perfect technique and quality ingredients rather than complicated presentations or trendy twists. Da Marco sources imported Italian products for dishes that transport diners to the Mediterranean, while also incorporating Texas ingredients when they meet exacting standards.

Pasta is made fresh daily, providing the foundation for sauces that simmer slowly to develop deep, complex flavors.

Houston’s Italian-American community embraced Da Marco early, validating its authenticity and helping build the reputation that now extends far beyond any single demographic. The restaurant doesn’t chase trends or reinvent itself every season, instead perfecting classic dishes that satisfy year after year.

This consistency creates trust, allowing diners to experiment with unfamiliar menu items knowing the kitchen’s capabilities.

Montrose continues evolving around Da Marco, with new restaurants and developments changing the neighborhood’s character. Yet this restaurant remains constant, a reminder of Houston dining before the current boom transformed the city’s culinary landscape.

Locals treasure these enduring establishments, places where excellence persists through changing times and where a meal feels like coming home to flavors perfected through decades of dedication and passion for Italian culinary traditions.

Address: 1520 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006