Shortlist: Eight Restaurants In Victoria, TX That Locals Love!

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Last updated on December 1, 2022 by Wandering our World

Victoria is a small city in south Texas home to the Texas Zoo and Museum of the Coastal Bend. There is a lot to do here for couples, families and groups of friends, making it a great holiday or day-trip destination! It’s also a city with a history that dates back centuries, making it a good place to take in some culture.

Add in outdoor adventures, hiking and musical events and you have the perfect place to plan that next vacation. The dining scene here is burgeoning too, with several restaurants in Victoria, TX offering up some of the best local food available.

To help you when visiting, here are some of our favorite restaurants in Victoria, TX, and what makes them worth visiting!

Photo for illustrative purposes only: Unsplash+

Our Eight Favorite Restaurants In Victoria, TX: Food Worth Waiting For!

1. The Pumphouse Riverside Restaurant and Bar

Riverside restaurant in restored historic building serving new American fare and cocktails.

This historic building worked as a pumphouse for more than two centuries before being bought and converted into a restaurant in 2010.

You’ll love the old school charm of this place that’s mixed in with some modern design motifs. The peeled plaster that exposes the brickwork underneath and the chandeliers that hang from above really add to the old-school feel. The furniture is contemporary with mix of wooden and upholstered seating.

That being said, you’ll really be missing out if you don’t choose to sit on the patio outside, as its located right next to the river – the perfect place for some photography!

The menu here is a mix of modern American and classics. You have to start off your meal with their famous beef bruschetta which is toasted basil pesto crostini, topped with grilled tenderloin, marinated tomatoes, queso fresco cheese, finished with a truffle balsamic glaze. It’s a great dish to share so you can move on to individual plates.

Speaking of, the pecan chicken has gained many plaudits from locals. A juicy chicken breast breaded in crushed pecans served on seasoned linguini finished with a choice of regular or spicy sauce. A dish worth trying is their signature The PumpHouse Burger packed full of flavor. Another favorite is the stuffed red fish which is crab stuffed red fish with rice pilaf topped with lemon citrus butter.

If you haven’t gotten tired of pecans, the pecan pie is an absolutely decadent pie to have round off your meal. Come here with a group of friends and enjoy their cocktails and fabulous entrees.

Service isn’t super quick here as they’re one of the most popular restaurants in Victoria, TX, but that means there’s more time to take in the wonderful surroundings.

Their Sunday brunch is also worth popping in for and they also host events.

Hours of operation are from Tuesday through Thursday 11:00 a.m. to 9:00pm.m, with closing hours extending to 10:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Their Sunday brunch is on from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. They are closed for events on Monday.

Address – 1201 W Stayton Ave, Victoria, TX 77901

Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/DGLimages

2. Huvar’s Artisan Market

Locally owned restaurant that specializes in deli food and artisanal fare.

Huvar’s has been operating in Victoria since 2010 after taking over an existing grocery store that had been running for 80 years.

You’ll love the quaint yet classy interiors of this place – everything screams clean and fresh! There’s minimalist décor with only a painting or two adorning the walls, and the menu being put up on a chalkboard. Seating is metal with upholstery giving it a true café vibe. It’s a great place to visit on your own, grab a soup and read a book, or visit with friends for a few cups of coffee.

Huvar’s offers all natural soups, salads and sandwiches. Ingredients are sourced locally and only the freshest ones are used in preparations that are made from scratch.

The humble chicken salad sandwich has been elevated here, thanks to the all the customers who can’t stop raving about it. It comes with signature chicken salad, lettuce and tomato in pressed sourdough. Order these with a side of sweet potato puffs – crisp, pillowy balls of heaven.

The soup also cannot be missed considering they’re made daily from scratch. You can even get a combo of a half sandwich and the soup of the day, if you’re feeling only slightly peckish.

Apart from the lunch specials they also serve breakfast from 8:00 a,m, to 10:30 a.m. and have all the regulars on the menu, from eggs any style to omelets and sandwiches.

They even do pizza nights every Thursday and Friday adding wood fired pizza to the restaurant scene in Victoria. Clearly a lot of options to choose from, depending on when you decide to dine!

The servers here are warm and attentive though there may be a bit of a wait for food, depending on how busy it gets as this is one of the most popular restaurants in Victoria, TX.

Hours of operation are 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Friday and 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Saturday. They are closed on Sundays, so make sure you grab that sandwich before then!

Address – 110 W Juan Linn St, Victoria, TX 77901

3. Ramsey’s Victoria

Old school diner serving homestyle eats, with a full bar and live music.

Ramsey’s was established by Jess and Minnie Ramsay in 1948 and has been a long-time hangout for the locals of Victoria.

Now under new management, it has still maintained its spirit of hospitality and level of food. Its one of those restaurants in Victoria, TX where everybody knows your name.

The restaurant is a simple, no frills dining joint with a subtle vibe. You’ll find pictures and posters along the wall with a particularly large one on Victoria’s history taking up the entirety of one. You’ll have something to glean at and learn while you wait for your food! The seating is all comfortable wooden chairs along with a bit of upholstery thrown in. There’s even a bar you can pull up a chair to, if you fancy a pint!

One of Ramsey’s first employees Minnie Goode is actually still employed here and runs the kitchen, putting her heart and soul into all the dishes served.

The place runs daily specials, so you should check with your server. But you have to come here for the breakfast for the true homestyle experience. The three-egg omelet is an absolute must have, as it is huge! You can choose your choice of meat – ham, bacon or sausage and add cheese on top if you like too. This place is definitely one of the top restaurants in Victoria, TX, for breakfast.

If you’re planning on sticking around for lunch then we can’t say enough about the chicken fried steak which is a flattened steak, breaded and fried topped with their famous gravy. Trust us, you should ask for more of the gravy, it is liquid gold! Treat yourself to a little cinnamon roll too afterwards. The rest of the menu features breakfast staples, Mexican food, seafood, salads, burgers and sandwiches.

The service here is outstanding and you’re made to feel like a friend from the moment you enter. Coffee fill ups are often done without asking, orders are taken and placed on time and everyone is warm and inviting.

The bar often has local musicians showcasing their talents too, so you shouldn’t miss out on that!

Ramsey’s is open from 5:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday Tuesday and Thursday, with hours of operation extending to 10:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. On Sunday, they operate from 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Address – 1403 N Navarro St, Victoria, TX 77901

Photo for illustrative purposes only: Unsplash+

4. Mumphord’s Place Restaurant

Simple counter-serve dishing out classic pit-smoked barbecue.

The Mumphord family migrated from West Virginia to Texas as far back as 1865, and after holding several barbecues, their descendants decided to open their own barbecue restaurant in Victoria in 1984.

They’ve consistently been listed in the top 50 barbecue joints in Texas several times out of 600 other competitors.

The interiors here are no-frills with benches and chairs available for seating and checkered cloth covered tables. The walls are festooned with pictures, posters and accolades adding a bit of vibrancy to the otherwise minimalist décor. It’s a great place to bring your family and enjoy some good smoked food.

Being a barbecue place, the meats are available by the plate or the pound. The meats contain all the staples from chicken, sausage, brisket, turkey, pork, ribs and brisket. The brisket is an absolute hit with the locals and visitors alike and is available at market price.

The green beans and potato salad (which has a sweet tang) are must haves for sides and really complement the smoked food.

A number of their offerings can be indulged in the form of sandwiches too, so you can always opt for that. That being said, it’s their home-made barbecue sauce that has people coming back for more – its so good, you could drink it straight! If you’re a true barbecue afficionado, visit on Thursday, Friday and Saturday for their famous sliced pork.

Being a family run joint, this place has a fantastic atmosphere and everyone is warm and friendly. Don’t expect too much of a wait time for your food too.

Mumphord’s is open from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, with hours of operation being brought back to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday.

Address – 1202 E Juan Linn St, Victoria, TX 77901

Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/YuraWhite

5. Frances Marie’s Restaurant and Cantina

Casual restaurant specializing in Tex-Mex food and margaritas.

You’ll love the family vibe Frances Marie’s gives off the moment you enter. In fact, this is a great place to visit with family to celebrate special occasions!

The interiors may be a tad spartan, but the lovely arched windows and brickwork pillars give the place a true feel of a cantina. Several pictures dot the walls and add a touch of color to the place. The furniture is standard wooden fare and you’ll have your choice of seating with tables and booths both available. Overall, the place is bright and fresh and you’re sure to enjoy dining here.

The food here is classic Tex-Mex with a few twists here and there. You can’t visit a Tex-Mex restaurant and not try the guacamole. The one served here comes with fresh avocado chunks, tomato, spices, sour cream and lime – absolutely delicious!

The brisket enchiladas are an absolute must have as well, and feature two smoked brisket enchiladas topped with chile con carne and melted cheddar cheese served with sour cream, guacamole and rice or beans.

Another fan favorite is the el jefe, but you better bring your appetite, because the portion size is huge! It consists of a hand cut USDA 8 oz rib eye seasoned with an in-house rub, a choice of beef or chicken enchiladas topped with chile con carne served with a side of rice or beans. Then why not wash the whole meal down with an ice-cold margarita.

The service here is quick and efficient and the servers are friendly too. The place does get crowded, especially if there’s an event going on, so try and get there a little early. An added bonus is that they’re open for breakfast over the weekend.

Frances Marie’s is open from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on weekdays and from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Address – 2505 Houston Hwy, Victoria, TX 77901

Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/Elihu Castillo Ramirez

6. Double J Eatery

Rustic family-owned counter serve joint that dishes out Texas specialties.

Double J gives of the vibe of an old school lodge. In fact, the only thing it’s missing is the log cabin aesthetic.

Hunting trophies adorn the wall along with several knick-knacks that are an ode to the cowboy life. The seating is simple and straightforward and there is nothing here that is flashy or out of this world. It’s a great place to come and grab a quick bite during lunch and pack a little bit to go for dinner. Double J Eatery has even been voted Victoria Advocate’s ‘Best of the Best’ seven years running, so you know the food here is going to be good.

The chicken fried steak is the star here, with locals and tourists absolutely loving it. It’s even been voted the best chicken fired steak 9 years running.  A hammered and coated steak fried and served with in house gravy and choice of side – fries, mashed potatoes, salad or Texas toast. We recommend the mashed potatoes as a side as they are perfectly cream and absolutely delicious.

They also run daily specials and if we were you, we’d head on over there on Thursday to try their fried pork loin which comes with twice baked potato casserole, fried okra and Texas toast. A very hearty meal! Another popular dish is their Double J Chili Cheeseburger which is packed full of flavor and seasoning.

The place does get quite crowded at times, which isn’t a surprise, considering it’s popularity, so expect a bit of a wait. But everyone here is friendly and the service is quite good. Double J also caters to events and functions.

It’s open from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and Saturday with closing hour extending to 9:00 p.m. on Thursday and Friday.

Sadly, it is closed on Sunday, so if you want to taste some of the best chicken fried steak in Victoria, visit on any of the other days!

Address – 8607 N Navarro St, Victoria, TX 77904

Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/karandaev

7. Baytown Seafood Restaurant

Simple and easygoing outlet that specializes in all types of seafood.

You’ll dig the chill vibe of the restaurant the moment you enter. The seating area is divided into different sections with comfortable upholstered seating on offer. Several marine motifs adorn the walls, leaving you in no doubt that this is a specialty seafood restaurant. The overhead lighting is unique with bottles being illuminated with bright colors from within. This is a great place to visit with family or a group of friends and enjoy a good seafood dinner.

The portions here are quite substantial, so make sure you bring your appetite, or are ready to take some home!

Start your meal off with the Cajun gumbo which comes with a choice of just shrimp or shrimp, crawfish and fish with a side of hot steamed rice. If you arrive at the right time, you can even try their fried alligator as its subject to availability. It comes with homemade Cajun hot sauce on the side and is so good, people have often ordered a second portion to go!

There is a plethora of seafood to choose from here, so you can go absolutely crazy, especially when visiting with a big party – they have shrimp, salmon, oysters, tilapia, crawfish and scallops that can all be cooked to your liking. Phew! The rest of the menu features staples like po’ boys, steaks, burgers and even pasta.

Service is great here and you won’t have to wait long for your food. Baytown is open from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. all days except Sundays when it closes at 8:00 p.m.

Address – 4010 Houston Hwy, Victoria, TX 77901

Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/Dmitriy Galaganov

8. Sky Restaurant

Casual steak and seafood specialty restaurant with a full bar located at the airport.

Sky Restaurant is a laid-back dining space with quite a warm ambience. The full bar set against one wall, opens out to a spacious and comfortable area with plenty of seating. The furniture is a mix of wooden and upholstered with minimal decorations all around. The overall vibe is simple and classic and a great place to enjoy some wonderfully plated and tasty food.

Sky Restaurant prides itself on serving Akaushi Texas Wagyu Beef which features heavily in their steak section. That being said, you have to go for the surf and turf combination platter here. The Yankee stadium is a standout, featuring a 10 oz Akaushi Wagyu New York strip along with jumbo panko friend shrimp served with a side of mixed steamed vegetables and choice of side and a dinner roll.

The Foster Field chicken is another must have, featuring a baked bacon wrapped chicken breast stuffed with crab and cream cheese, served with rice pilaf and white gravy. You’ll absolutely be digging the land and sea vibe here, its what’s the restaurant’s best known for.

If you’re in the mood for something lighter, we’ve heard great things about their Sky seafood soup which has scallops, shrimp and crabmeat in a rich chicken and white asparagus base.

This is a great place to grab a bite on a stopover, being so close to the regional airport, and the service here is excellent with very little wait for orders to arrive.

It can be a little difficult to find, being on the outskirts, but it is located right next to the airport’s runway so just remember that.

Sky Restaurant is open for lunch from 11:00 am to 2:00 p.m. and for dinner from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Saturday. It is closed on Sundays.

Address – 236 Foster Field Dr, Victoria, TX 77904

Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/lisovskaya

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    Hi and welcome to Wandering our World! This article was written by one of the Wandering our World team - a team of travel enthusiasts who live around the globe.