Highest-rated restaurants in Abilene by diners
Humans are creatures of habit. We tend to stick to our morning routines, rewatch movies we've seen time and time again, and hit up the same tried-and-true restaurants when going out for a meal. In fact, 35% of Americans said they rarely, if ever, try a new restaurant they haven't been to before, and 5% say they never do, according to a survey of more than 2,600 diners from TouchBistro.
But those numbers look quite different when you focus on younger generations—56% of Gen Zers and 47% of millennials in the U.S. say they visit new restaurants once a month or more. When it comes to deciding which new restaurant to try, younger generations are also more likely to rely on online reviews, through sites like Yelp or Google or from social media. The TouchBistro survey found that 71% of Gen Zers and 72% of millennials have opted to try a new restaurant solely because of favorable reviews online.
Some of the best restaurants in your neck of the woods might be those established spots that customers have been visiting for decades, but some may be brand new. More than 10,000 new restaurants opened in 2023, up 5.7% from 2022, according to a report from BentoBox. The states that saw the most new restaurants open up in 2023 were Florida, Texas, California, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania, but new locales are popping up all over the U.S.
To help you determine which spots—both new and long-standing—to try out, Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated restaurants in Abilene, according to Yelp reviews from diners as of January 2024. Only restaurants with at least 20 reviews were considered. Read on to find some inspiration for the next time you dine out.
Note: The photos in this article are stock images and do not necessarily reflect each restaurant listed.
#30. The Biscuit Bar
- Rating: 4.0/5 (97 reviews)
- Address: 2447 North Judge Ely Blvd. Abilene, Texas
- Categories: New American
- Read more on Yelp
#29. Fun Noodle Bar Abilene
- Rating: 4.0/5 (88 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 4325 Southwest Drive Abilene, Texas
- Categories: Asian Fusion, Ramen, Noodles
- Read more on Yelp
#28. Grumps Burgers
- Rating: 4.0/5 (50 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3533 North 1st St. Abilene, Texas
- Categories: Burgers, Sandwiches, Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#27. Firehouse Subs
- Rating: 4.0/5 (62 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3858 Ridgemont Drive Abilene, Texas
- Categories: Sandwiches, fast food, Delis
- Read more on Yelp
#26. Beehive Restaurant
- Rating: 4.5/5 (426 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 442 Cedar St. Abilene, Texas
- Categories: Steakhouses, Seafood
- Read more on Yelp
#25. Larry's Better Burger Drive-In
- Rating: 4.5/5 (62 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1233 North Treadaway Blvd. Abilene, Texas
- Categories: Fast food
- Read more on Yelp
#24. Belle's Chicken Dinner House
- Rating: 4.5/5 (323 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2002 North Clack St. Abilene, Texas
- Categories: Chicken Wings, Southern, Soul Food
- Read more on Yelp
#23. Mian Bistro
- Rating: 4.5/5 (152 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 6410 Buffalo Gap Road Abilene, Texas
- Categories: Chinese, Asian Fusion, Vietnamese
- Read more on Yelp
#22. Blue Agave
- Rating: 4.5/5 (51 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1881 North Treadaway Blvd. Abilene, Texas
- Categories: Mexican, New Mexican Cuisine, Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#21. Front Porch Coffee Co. & Bakery
- Rating: 4.5/5 (66 reviews)
- Address: 702 North 2nd St. Abilene, Texas
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Breakfast & Brunch, Bakeries
- Read more on Yelp
#20. Gloria's Grill
- Rating: 4.5/5 (30 reviews)
- Address: 228 Chestnut St. Abilene, Texas
- Categories: Burgers, fast food
- Read more on Yelp
#19. El Pulgarcito Restaurant 2
- Rating: 4.5/5 (24 reviews)
- Address: 2501 Ambler Av Abilene, Texas
- Categories: Latin American
- Read more on Yelp
#18. Krua Thai Restaurant
- Rating: 4.5/5 (316 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 790 South Leggett Abilene, Texas
- Categories: Thai
- Read more on Yelp
#17. Cork and Pig Tavern - Abilene
- Rating: 4.5/5 (68 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2467 North Judge Ely Blvd. Abilene, Texas
- Categories: Pubs, Salad, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#16. El Pulgarcito de America
- Rating: 4.5/5 (135 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2502 South 7th St. Abilene, Texas
- Categories: Mexican, Latin American
- Read more on Yelp
#15. La Familia Restaurant
- Rating: 4.5/5 (27 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 882 Grape St. Abilene, Texas
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#14. Mi Ranchito Burrito & Tortilla Factory
- Rating: 4.5/5 (45 reviews)
- Address: 6442 Buffalo Gap Road Ste C Abilene, Texas
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#13. Lucy's Big Burgers
- Rating: 4.5/5 (273 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3110 South 27th St. Abilene, Texas
- Categories: Burgers
- Read more on Yelp
#12. Texas Flaming Grill
- Rating: 4.5/5 (74 reviews)
- Address: 549 Ambler Ave. Abilene, Texas
- Categories: Burgers, New American, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#11. Spicy India
- Rating: 4.5/5 (246 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 243 West Stamford St. Abilene, Texas
- Categories: Indian
- Read more on Yelp
#10. Vagabond Pizza
- Rating: 4.5/5 (246 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1056 North 2nd St. Abilene, Texas
- Categories: Pizza, Wine Bars, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#9. Hickory Street Cafe
- Rating: 4.5/5 (107 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 644 Hickory St. Abilene, Texas
- Categories: Cafes
- Read more on Yelp
#8. Niko's Greek Restaurant
- Rating: 4.5/5 (223 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3354 Rebecca Lane Abilene, Texas
- Categories: Greek
- Read more on Yelp
#7. Hawaii Ramen Noodle & Poke
- Rating: 4.5/5 (53 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 4621 South 14th St. Abilene, Texas
- Categories: Poke, Ramen, Acai Bowls
- Read more on Yelp
#6. Grain Theory
- Rating: 4.5/5 (72 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 202 Pine St. Ste 201 Abilene, Texas
- Categories: Breweries, Coffee & Tea, American
- Read more on Yelp
#5. Jays BBQ Shack
- Rating: 4.5/5 (47 reviews)
- Address: 602 South 11th St. Abilene, Texas
- Categories: Southern, Barbeque, Food Trucks
- Read more on Yelp
#4. The Shed Market
- Rating: 4.5/5 (278 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 7925 Buffalo Gap Road Abilene, Texas
- Categories: Barbeque, Meat Shops
- Read more on Yelp
#3. Rockin Rollerz Craft Burger
- Rating: 4.5/5 (164 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1055 North Judge Ely Blvd. Abilene, Texas
- Categories: Burgers, Food Trucks, American
- Read more on Yelp
#2. Cordell's
- Rating: 4.5/5 (38 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 6410 Buffalo Gap Road Ste B Abilene, Texas
- Categories: New American, Coffee & Tea, Specialty Food
- Read more on Yelp
#1. Sweet Thyme Kitchen
- Rating: 5.0/5 (28 reviews)
- Address: 1246 North 6th St. Abilene, Texas
- Categories: New American, Bakeries, Coffee & Tea
- Read more on Yelp
This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Jaimie Etkin, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 331 metros.