The Chumley House
Fort Worth might have been left out of Michelin’s Texas debut, but Cowtown isn’t staying quiet in the culinary conversation. The Chumley House, one of the city’s freshest hotspots, has landed a coveted spot on Texas Monthly’s list of the state’s best new restaurants.
Each year, Texas Monthly sizes up the most exciting newcomers to Texas’ dining scene, pitting North Texas against heavy hitters from Houston, Austin, and San Antonio. This year, three DFW-area restaurants cracked the top ten: Radici Wood Fired Grill in Farmers Branch (No. 2), Mābo in Dallas (No. 3), and last but most certainly not least, Fort Worth’s own Chumley House (No. 9).
Chumley House isn’t your typical Fort Worth steak-and-potatoes joint. Opened in November by Dallas-based Duro Hospitality — the team behind Mister Charles and El Carlos Elegante — the restaurant takes its cues from British aristocracy, but with a menu that roams far beyond the English countryside. Think smoked king salmon crudo with labneh and dill-pollen vinaigrette, tandoori lamb with harissa-glazed carrots, and, of course, the showstopping beef Wellington, wrapped in flawless golden pastry.
If the menu suggests a London-inspired culinary tour, the setting seals the deal. Inside, dark paneling, a grand marble fireplace, and an eclectic playlist spanning jazz, hip-hop, and British artists make diners feel like they’ve stumbled into an aristocrat’s private residence — albeit one where the food is far from stuffy.
North Texas’ other honorees include Mābo, a tiny 10-seat restaurant from chef Masayuki “Masa” Otaka, formerly of Teppo, where yakitori is elevated to an art form. And then there’s Radici, chef Tiffany Derry’s Italian gem, where the focaccia, branzino, and risotto have critics swooning.
It’s no small feat for Chumley House to earn a place among the state’s best just months after opening, but given its buzz and culinary pedigree, Fort Worth may finally be staking a claim in Texas’ fine-dining scene. Michelin or not, Cowtown’s food lovers have plenty to celebrate.
