8 Texas food halls that celebrate the state’s diversity

When you and your fellow diners can’t agree on a restaurant, food halls sure come in handy. The ultimate definition of “something for everyone,” food halls provide options to satisfy the pickiest palates and particular cravings.

This popular concept typically features assorted take-away café counters assembled under one roof. You might find Asian, Mexican, Southern, African, burgers, seafood, sweets, coffee, and cocktails side by side. Grab what you like and meet your party at a centrally located table—and everybody’s happy. Here’s where to find delicious dishes at food halls across Texas.

Fareground has 6 eateries on the underground level of a downtown office building. You’ll find communal tables throughout, high tops in the hall, and more seating in the lobby, outdoor patio, and lawn areas.

This food hall opened as a way to allow restaurateurs a chance to experiment. TLV serves Israeli street foods like marinated chickpeas with tahini and green chile sauce; falafel plates; and fire-roasted eggplant. At Taco Pegaso, order Oaxacan-inspired carne asada tacos and the chicken tinga bowl. At Henbit, try the double 44 Farms burger and the kale-avocado salad.

Neighboring True Texas BBQ specializes in brisket, burnt ends, ribs, and pulled pork. Next to that, find grilled shrimp skewers on a hearty salad bowl or yakisoba noodles with stir-fried veggies and beef at Yumai Japanese Grill.

Anchoring the southern end of beautiful old Main Street, Harvest Hall at the grand Hotel Vin serves as a gateway to the adjacent picturesque train station near DFW Airport. Designed in the romantic style of America’s 19th-century rail stations, Harvest Hall arranges its diverse food vendors at stalls around a central bar area.

Perch on barstools or sit at tables situated across vintage tile floors. Enjoy Easy Slider’s mini-burgers and loaded tater tots; Monkey King Noodle Company’s soup dumplings and dan dan noodles with pork ragù; and Spuntino’s fried calamari with crushed pistachios and linguine Bolognese. For that sweet tooth, check out the raspberry mousse cake and the matcha latte from Main Line Coffee Bar.

The Bayou City claims the lion’s share of food halls in Texas. Post Market downtown offers more than 30 concepts with food from around the world. It stars menus from James Beard Award–winning chefs. The venue is the site of the historic Barbara Jordan Post Office. The property's 1.1 million-square-foot spread includes an urban rooftop park and a sustainable organic farm.

Tempting spots include Golfstrømmen, with its stone crab claws, fruit de mer platter, lobster salad, and whole red snapper. Island Vybez Bodega offers Caribbean specialties like jerk chicken empanadas, braised oxtail over coconut rice, and virgin mojitos. South American–style Andes Café has an 8-seat ceviche bar and grilled skirt steak with chimichurri sauce.

Another Houston favorite, the beautiful Railway Heights Market combines the city’s passion for showcasing local artists with its hunger for ethnic foods.

Mykuna merges Latin and Asian influences in dishes like pork belly bao buns, Peruvian-Japanese fish-and-chips, and chicken yakitori anticucho skewers. At Samosa Haus, Indian street food includes samosas with vegetarian or meat fillings.

Newest is Lyric Market in the Theater District. Its 8 eateries include Mexology, a New York City import with a menu featuring vegan quesadillas, tacos made with gluten-free tortillas, and roasted chicken-mole enchiladas. Horu Sushi Kitchen offers its ahi tuna tower, Nashville hot chicken roll, and salmon poke bowl. Press Waffle Company quickly became famous for its sweet and savory waffle specialties.

Legacy is the largest food hall in the DFW area. The modern, 3-story space has about 20 food stalls and 5 full-service bars. Offerings include the original Roots Chicken Shak, noted for the Spicy Bird, a towering sandwich combining a plump, fried chicken breast with kale salad, pepper jack cheese, pickle, tomato, red onion, and kimchi mayo on a sweet potato bun.

Other favorites include Dock Local, with its authentic Connecticut lobster roll, New England clam chowder, and hot crab queso with house-made chips for dipping; and The Italian Job, specializing in truffle mushroom pizza with arugula, and penne topped with fresh marinara and meatballs.

Looking for something sweet to finish your meal? Bourbon Vanilla Ice Cream Company is beloved for its brownie à la mode and its adult milkshakes, such as the salted caramel spiked with a shot of bourbon.

Chilaquil Mexican Street Food offers a seasonal fideo soup and chilaquiles topped with eggs. WonderSlice’s pizzas range from traditional pepperoni to an inspired ricotta-spinach pie. Mi Roti is known for West Indian dishes like jerk chicken salad and a coconut rice bowl with Cuban picadilla and roasted corn. Park Bar specializes in Texas brewery goods and cocktails such as cucumber mojitos and frozen mango margaritas. What more could you want?

June Naylor is a travel journalist, dining critic, and food writer based in Fort Worth. Follow her adventures at junenaylor.com.