Barley & Board brought a much needed brewpub to active patrons of the Downtown Denton eating scene in August 2015. Since opening, the restaurant has gotten plenty of praise and has lived up to it’s expectations, too. Barley & Board is like the perfect pair of boots - you can dress it up, or dress it down. Come in for a burger & beer, or go all out with the brazen two-faced quail and a glass of 16-year-old Lagavullin. They also offer an excellent brunch menu full of frittatas, scrambles,and mimosas.

Keiichi may be one of the best kept secrets in Denton. Such a secret, in fact, that if you’re not looking for it while you drive down Elm St, you may miss it. The menu changes daily, depending on what's fresh from the market. The fish-averse can also find something to enjoy, like a nice cut of steak paired with truffle-scented potatoes. Innovative and rare, Keiichi may be one of the more pricey places in Denton, but always worth the splurge. You can make your reservations by calling the restaurants, but note that Keiichi is closed on Mondays.

As if fresh Gulf delectables weren’t enough in the heart of downtown, you can get a $1 Lonestar beer on tap all day, every day, too. The menu pricing is dictated by the season, and the shrimp and crawfish boils are super fresh and fulfilling. If sucking heads or peeling shrimp isn’t your scene, enjoy street tacos and an equally diverse assortment of freshly fried wonders. You can sit inside where the kitchen is on display as well as several TV’s, or you can sit at the recently updated outside area and people-watch.

Located conveniently on the square downtown, Cartwright’s offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner options and a seriously killer chicken fried steak. Ranch-style breakfast options, including a dizzying array of omelets and a variety of takes on steak and eggs, Cartwright’s is perfect for pretty much any meal.

Frost Drive N, also known at Mr. Frosty’s, is a Denton legend. This old school burger joint is a blast from the past. The food is fresh, they make a mean chocolate malt, and the staff is dressed in 50’s style diner attire. Their homemade root beer is perfect treat for a person of any age. Seating inside is limited, so be prepared to snag a table at one of the outdoor picnic tables.

Homemade salsas, tortillas, guacamole, and a plethora of authentic Mexican food options, Tortilleria La Sabrocita is a hole in the wall in Denton you won’t want to miss. The interior isn’t at all fancy and the serivce is casual, but the food more than makes up for that. Even sweeter, this spot is open 24 hours on the weekends, and you can order meats by the pound for to-go fajitas and tacos all week long.

Any place that serves chocolate milk on tap is essential. At West Oak Coffee Bar, you can enjoy a variety of bistro items (gluten-free options are available), ten different Texas beers on tap, wine-in-a-can, and so much more. The kitchen is under the direction of the incredible creative head chef Amanda Potter, and as far as we are concerned, she is a pie-wielding angel. As far as the coffee is concerned, West Oak’s creative concoctions, like a horchata cold brew, are unrivaled.

Holy ramen, North Texas! Komodo Loco, housed in the former Flatlanders Taco's location across from Oak Street Draft House, has been on a roll since opening last year. In addition to their selection of fresh sashimi, nigiri, and sushi, Komodo offers a menu chock full of Asian fusion deliciousness, including the toothsome kimchi totchos. Imagine: gobs of kimchi on top of a bed of tater tops, drizzled with queso and chipotle aioli. Komodo recently started opening for lunch, which means you can have one of the signature cocktails or a sake while you get your lunchtime nosh on.

Looking for authentic Mexican snacks in Little D? From mangonada's to clamato served with shrimp, and much more, Antojitos El Rey De La McKinney is - hands down - home to the best elotes in Denton. The mangonada's (some refer to them as chamango) are a perfect solution to the Summer's heart and are made with chamoy sauce, locally grown mangos, fresh lime juice, and for a litle kick, chili powder.

A Denton brunch tradition, The Chestnut Tree has been serving Dentonite's delicious bites since 1994, way before the downtown food scene became popular. With plenty of vegan and vegetarian dishes to offer, The Chestnut Tree is well known for their eggcellent omelet options. After 11 AM they offer a bistro menu that includes some of the best sandwiches and wraps in Denton. Pro tip: pick up a sleeve of macaron's (freshly imported from Macaron Cafe in New York) on your way out.

Serving up brunch realness, Seven Mile Cafe is a Denton staple. From smoothies to pancakes to chicken and waffles, Seven Mile is Denton's brunch haven. If you've ever wished that Denton had a breakfast delivery service, wish no more. Breckies, Seven Mile's online breakfast and brunch delivery service, has all of your early morning and afternoon brunch and coffee needs' covered.