South Denton County has serious food almost nobody knows about — five worth the drive.
South Denton County gets written off as chain country, and that’s a mistake. The real cooking down here is family-run and tucked into corners you’d drive past without a tip-off. Consider this the tip-off. Save it before they fill up.
The shortlist
Ethel Janes BENDT Whiskey Kitchen. The distillery’s restaurant in Old Town Lewisville. The still is two blocks over on Charles; the tasting hall moved in here, and the food gets taken as seriously as the pour. Go for the full sit-down.
Code 58 Venezuelan. Family-run, authentic arepas and cachapas in Highland Village. There’s nothing else like it nearby, which is the whole reason to go.
Sip + Savor. Voted Best New Restaurant in Highland Village and Best New Business in the county, right off Shoal Creek. Get in before the wait times catch up to the reputation.
Istanbul Cuisine Mediterranean Grill. A Turkish grill tucked into Flower Mound doing legit kebabs — adana, kofte, shish — and a proper gyro. The kind of spot you become a regular at without meaning to.
Rustico Wood Fired Grill. Wood-fired steaks and seafood, Texas artisan meats, produce sourced local and organic where they can get it. The fire does the talking.
None of these are on any tourist list. That’s kind of the point.