Food and Recipes Chefs The 35 Best Restaurants In Dallas, Texas From legendary steakhouses to beloved Tex-Mex spots, these are the best places to eat in Dallas. By Kaitlyn Yarborough Kaitlyn Yarborough Part of the Southern Living team since 2017, Kaitlyn Yarborough Sadik is a Georgia native living in Austin, Texas, who covers a wide variety of topics for both the magazine and website, focusing on culture and lifestyle content, as well as travel in the South. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on June 14, 2024 Close Photo: Gabriela Herman Dallas might be a big city, but it still feels inherently Southern. It’s the type of place where one can feel equally comfortable in both cowboy boots and stilettos, and the same goes for its restaurant scene. There are many trendy and fine-dining restaurants worth securing a reservation for seafood towers and Texas-sized steaks, but there are also special neighborhood spots that have garnered a passionate local following, from barbecue joints to dumpling shops. Of course, there are also Tex-Mex restaurants that dish out the best fajitas, enchiladas, queso, and margaritas in town. This North Texas destination is perfect for any getaway, and there are plenty of beloved places to grab a bite. Here are the 32 best restaurants in Dallas, in no particular order. El Carlos Elegante Courtesy Duro Hospitality A newer addition to Dallas’ Design District restaurant scene, El Carlos Elegante offers interesting creations such as “one-hitter” bites to share with the whole table and entrées like the mouthwatering bone-in pork chop with charred carrot mole. The ambiance and margaritas round out a fantastic experience overall, and it was even named “Restaurant of the Year” by Eater Dallas. elcarloselegante.com, 1400 N Riverfront Blvd, Dallas, TX 75207 Pecan Lodge Courtesy Pecan Lodge Located in the Deep Ellum neighborhood of Dallas, Pecan Lodge is well-known in the Texas-style barbecue sphere. It was founded in 2010 by husband-and-wife team Justin and Diane Fourton, and the menu has familiar BBQ classics such as brisket, beef ribs, and jalapeno sausage. However, the unexpected dishes also shine, like brisket-stuffed baked sweet potato and smokehouse nachos. pecanlodge.com, 2702 Main St, Dallas, TX 75226 Beverley’s Bistro & Bar Courtesy Beverley's This New York-style bistro on Fitzhugh Avenue is bustling on any night, and the menu takes inspiration from French cuisine and its Texas roots, with schnitzel, handmade pasta, and shareable snacks like its popular smoked fish dip and steak tartare. Don’t skip brunch at Beverley’s—or the nutella brownie with caramel sauce. beverleysdallas.com, 3215 N Fitzhugh Ave, Dallas, TX 75204 The Honor Bar Courtesy Honor Bar Don’t be surprised if there is a two-hour wait for a table at this Highland Park institution. The Honor Bar outdoor patio tends to get just as packed during pleasant weather, sat with those who are braving the waitlist or simply enjoying a spicy margarita between hitting the surrounding high-end shops. Expect a menu of crowd-pleasing favorites done correctly, including a bistro burger, fried chicken sandwich, and shrimp cocktails. honorbar.com, 26 Highland Park Village, Dallas, TX 75205 Javier’s Gourmet Mexicano Courtesy Javier's Gourmet Mexicano For the past 45 years, Javier’s Gourmet Mexicano has become a bit of an iconic Dallas institution. The expansive, dimly lit space meanders between many cozy rooms and bar seatings. After starting with its famed “warm” salsa, order one of the unique entrées such as the Mayan-style pork tenderloin or ancho chile quail. Locals will also frequent the cigar lounge attached to the main restaurant. javiers.net, 4912 Cole Ave, Dallas, TX 75205 Hudson House Gabriela Herman Quite the hot spot on any night, Hudson House is another prime example of the East Coast-meets-Texas bistro with all the accouterments of a special occasion meal, from oysters to seafood towers to lobster mac-and-cheese—all paired with what the menu calls “the world’s coldest martinis.” During the weekday happy hour, pay half-price for drinks and only $3 for oysters. hudsonhousehp.com, 4448 Lovers Ln, Dallas, TX 75225 Uchiba Courtesy Uchiba A Dallas offshoot of Austin’s lauded Uchi restaurant group, Uchiba is less of a typical sushi restaurant, and more of a cocktail lounge with Japanese-style bites and sushi list. Don’t skip the bao buns and dumplings, which are all small enough portions to share and try along with other nibbles. The cocktail menu is a mixmaster’s dream, but we’re partial to the szechuan-infused margarita and refreshing melon spritz. uchiba.uchirestaurants.com, 2817 Maple Ave Floor 2, Dallas, TX 75201 Jack & Harry's Courtesy Jack & Harry's This newly opened New Orleans-inspired chophouse feels like you're stepping into the Crescent City, with its imported New Orleans brick, lacquered floors, warm wood paneling, and antique lanterns. The menu has plenty of standouts, including dry-aged steaks, coastal favorites, and martinis. (We recommend trying the cucumber-infused martini.) thejackandharrys.com, 6833 Snider Plaza, Dallas, TX 75205 The Charles Courtesy Duro Hospitality It’s hard not to have a good time at this “maximalist” decorated destination restaurant, if you can get in. Luckily, behind the main space is a newer edition, Bar Charles, where you can grab a cocktail in the dimly lit, swanky room as you wait. The Italian-ish cuisine of The Charles includes shareables, pastas, and grilled entrées like the pork blade chop and beef bavette. thecharlesdallas.com, 1632 Market Center Blvd, Dallas, TX 75207 Royal China Courtesy Royal China This North Dallas restaurant has become quite the long-standing gathering place for locals in the Preston Hollow area. Tucked into a shopping mall, it serves up hand-pulled noodles and dumplings that practically have a cult following, especially the pork soup dumplings. While dumplings are available at dinner, Royal China also offers a great-value lunch menu every day of the week, except Saturday. royalchinadallas.com, 6025 Royal Ln #201, Dallas, TX 75230 Goldie's Courtesy Goldie's Dallas This newer, intimate Lake Highlands spot has quickly become a neighborhood gem. The menu is lined with tempting comforts—a hearty wedge salad, an interesting bone marrow bruschetta, a home-style pork chop—while the atmosphere is fun. The patio is the perfect place to post up with an aperativo. goldiesdallas.com, 9850 Walnut Hill Ln , Dallas, TX 75238 Louie’s Courtesy Louie's This hidden gem on Henderson Avenue has been around since 1987, and has become a local institution since. You don’t go to Louie’s for white tablecloths, but a homey tavern atmosphere, cocktails, and its beloved thin-crust pizza. For those who love the old-school vibe but desire something other than pizza, there’s plenty of options, ranging from salads to steaks to burgers. louiesdallas.com, 1839 N Henderson Ave, Dallas, TX 75206 Lucia Courtesy Lucia Located in the artsy Bishop Arts neighborhood, this cozy restaurant has some of the best hand-made pasta in town. For starters, the charcuterie and bread (for which the kitchen mills its own flour) never disappoints, and neither do the various grilled or braised entrées. While the Lucia menu changes often, there is a sample menu on the website that offers an accurate view. luciadallas.com, 287 N Bishop Ave, Dallas, TX 75208 Stillwell's Courtesy Stillwell's Inspired by its Texan roots, this swanky steakhouse within Hôtel Swexan features its own in-house HWD Beef program. However, Stillwell’s offers its own modern twist on a classic steakhouse. There's a first-rate wine list, dimly lit upscale atmosphere, and menu with steakhouse favorites (like deviled eggs, a wedge salad, and shrimp cocktail) along with unique items such as a foie gras donut starter and dry-aged beef jerky appetizer. stillwellsdallas.com, 2575 McKinnon St, Dallas, TX 75201 Green Point Seafood & Oyster Bar Courtesy Green Point Seafood & Oyster Bar This newer seafood-focused sibling restaurant of popular Beverley’s is perfect for enjoying a fresh catch. With oyster in the namesake, start with a dozen, which you can have served as is or with a champagne vinaigrette, horseradish cream, caviar, and chive topping. One of Green Point’s shining moments comes in the form of the trio of fried grouper sandwiches, which are deliciously crisp and golden. greenpointdallas.com, 3219 Knox St, Dallas, TX 75205 Wabi House Courtesy Wabi House This spot has become quite the go-to place for getting big bowls of authentic ramen. The menu at Wabi House has signature favorites such as fried chicken karaage, sweet corn fritters, and spicy miso ramen, but you can also branch out with unique bites like roasted bone marrow mushrooms and crispy pork ears. wabihousetx.com, 1802 Greenville Ave #100, Dallas, TX 75206 Loro Courtesy Loro Dallas The brainchild of Austin’s Uchi and Franklin’s Barbecue, Loro opened a Dallas location in 2021. The Asian-style smokehouse and barbecue joint is packed full of flavorful smoked meats and side dishes. Start with the sweet corn fritters and green curry hush puppies, and follow with one of the proteins such as sake can chicken or chili-smoked brisket. The boozy slushies are not to be missed—try the slushie flight to try three flavors! loroeats.com, 1812 N Haskell Ave, Dallas, TX 75204 Las Palmas Tex-Mex Courtesy Las Palmas Tex-Mex In the heart of Uptown, this popular Tex-Mex staple offers two patios for hanging out with margaritas and your choice of its three types of queso. At Las Palmas, the prime order is its signature fajitas, which are served with bone marrow butter. Amongst the many fajita options, our favorite protein is the Wagyu beef. laspalmasdallas.com, 2708 Routh St, Dallas, TX 75201 Oishii Courtesy Oishii For two decades, this sushi spot has been a staple for Dallas locals. Oishii’s menu features maki rolls, a full sushi menu, and a pan-Asian menu with traditional Vietnamese and Chinese dishes. Chef Thanh Nguyen’s creativity has made for a wide variety for diners—our recommendations include the wasabi-topped Uptown Roll, riceless Flower Roll, and spicy shrimp Donut Roll. oishiirestaurants.com, 2525 Wycliff Ave #100, Dallas, TX 75219 Carbone Vino Courtesy Carbone Vino The slightly less dressy, easier-to-get-into sibling of Carbone is located right next door, and the New York-backed restaurant group specializes in Italian food that feels extra luxurious, including whipped truffle ricotta and its famed spicy vodka rigatoni. Start with an espresso martini, and end with any choice of the in-house desserts. Reservations at Carbone Vino are preferred. vino.carbonedallas.com, 1617 Hi Line Dr, Dallas, TX 75207 Bistro 31 Courtesy Bistro 31 Nestled in Dallas’ charming Highland Park Village, Bistro 31 is a seasonally-focused and internationally-inspired upscale tavern that makes the perfect stop between hitting all of the shops lined along the village square. The all-day menu is a favorite of the proverbial “ladies who lunch”—think lobster salad and branzino—as well as family dinners and date nights alike. The steak au poivre is a splurge-worthy entrée. bistro31dallas.com, 87 Highland Park Village, Suite 200, Dallas, TX 75205 Sister Courtesy Duro Hospitality This hot spot in Dallas’ Lower Greenville neighborhood is exuberant in maximalist style with Italian-inspired fare that feels perfect for a special occasion. Think dishes like lobster and burrata, za’atar focaccia, and chocolate olive oil cake. Reservations at Sister can be hard to come by, much like at its dressier sibling restaurant, The Charles, so book ahead if possible. sempresister.com, 2808 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75206 Bob’s Steak and Chop House Courtesy Bob's Steak and Chop House If you’re in the mood for a Texas-sized steak dinner, this Dallas classic is a no-brainer. With multiple locations—the original on Lemmon Avenue, another downtown at the Omni Dallas hotel, and more—Bob’s Steak and Chop House exudes the ambiance of an old-school mahogany steakhouse with all the fixings, from jumbo shrimp cocktails to ice-cold martinis. bobs-steakandchophouse.com, 4300 Lemmon Ave, Dallas, TX 75219 E Bar Tex-Mex Courtesy E Bar Tex-Mex This traditional cantina is a favorite local hangout, especially thanks to its happy hour margarita deals, which you can snag every day. They come every way you could want, from straight up on-the-rocks to frozen or even swirled in flavors like mango and strawberry. E Bar’s menu is full of comforting Tex-Mex classics, but a beloved dish has to be the loaded white queso. ebartexmex.com, 1901 N Haskell Ave, Dallas, TX 75204 Terilli's Courtesy Terrili's Located in Dallas’ Lower Greenville neighborhood, Terilli's is set on a charming rooftop and dishes out Italian cuisine. The open-air rooftop terrace is the perfect place to post up with an ice-cold martini and split shared appetizers like bruschetta, calamari fritti, and meatballs. During football season, you can catch games during Sunday brunch. terillis.com, 2815 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75206 R+D Kitchen Courtesy R + D Kitchen The small chain has all the makings of a dependable neighborhood dinner spot, but made slightly more upscale and with a menu that caters to everyone, from the sushi lover to the burger connoisseur. Starting with the deviled eggs is a must, and in the world of tapas-focused restaurants, R + D Kitchen is decidedly on the side of ordering your own entrée. rd-kitchen.com, 8300 Preston Center Plaza, Dallas, TX 75225 Mister Charles Courtesy Duro Hospitality Opened in 2023, Mister Charles is a trendy new take on ultimate fine dining. The ambiance alone at Mister Charles projects luxury, from crystal chandeliers to smooth marble. The menu veers towards classic dishes, including steak, fish, and pasta. However, our favorite bites were on the appetizer side, with unique creations like caviar canapes, foie gras tea sandwiches, and truffle beignets. themistercharles.com, 3219 Knox St Suite 170, Dallas, TX 75205 Town Hearth Courtesy Town Hearth With over-the-top decor and a cheeky “rock and roll” theme, Town Hearth is known for being a special occasion type of place. As far as the menu, it feels like an old-school steakhouse, with surf and turf classics making up the bulk of the list. However, don’t skip the shareable roasted slab bacon. townhearth.com, 1617 Market Center Blvd, Dallas, TX 75207 Shinsei Courtesy Shinsei For over 12 years, Shinsei has been making a splash on the sushi scene, and it remains busy on any night, but especially on Mondays when you can snag half-priced bottles of wine. The specials vary depending on the day, but Thursdays’ peking duck is a standout. While reservations are encouraged, you can try slipping into a spot at the sushi bar, downstairs bar, or upstairs bar. shinseirestaurant.com, 7713 Inwood Rd, Dallas, TX 75209 Sadelle's Courtesy Sadelle's This seafood-and-brunch-focused spot hails originally from New York, but its newer Highland Park location dishes out the same popular selections, including the seafood towers for bagel lovers, triple decker club sandwiches, and amazing á la carte options. Start with a Sadelle's Martini, which is made extra dirty with olive-infused vodka. sadelles.com, 1 Highland Park Village, Dallas, TX 75205 Lovers Seafood & Market Courtesy Lovers Seafood and Market You’ll get your fill on fresh fish, shrimp, and lobster at Lovers Seafood & Market. It can seem daunting to find a Maine-style lobster roll in Texas that is up to snuff, but this one does the job. Although pricey, it achieves the perfect balance of bits of tender meat and chilled mayo laced with tarragon. Add a Cajun-spiced shrimp cocktail and deviled eggs, which are both menu favorites. loversseafoodmarket.com, 5200 W Lovers Ln, Dallas, TX 75209 Carte Blanche Courtesy Carte Blanche An absolutely delectable bakery by day and high-end French eatery by night, Carte Blanche offers a unique experience in its signature tasting menus, which span anywhere from 6 to 14 courses. Swing by early on a Saturday morning before the daily pastries sell out, and make sure reserve a special-occasion dinner far ahead—and be ready for a splurge. carteblanchedallas.com, 2114 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75206 Fachini Courtesy Fachini Adjacent to the former Highland Park Village Theater, chef Julian Barsotti—of Dallas’ Nonna and Carbone’s—runs an old-school Italian restaurant with chandeliers and white tablecloths. Amongst the many perfected classic dishes at Fachini, customers come especially for the 100-layer lasagna, which doesn’t disappoint. fachinidallas.com, 33A Highland Park Village, Dallas, TX 75205 Sa Sa Sushi Courtesy Sa Sa Sushi You’ll often find this neighborhood Japanese restaurant busy on any given day. While the chewy udon noodles and big bowls of broth might seem tempting, the sashimi and sushi rolls are the reason to stop by Sa Sa Sushi. Between simple slices of salmon and your usual roll, order the spicy tuna over crispy rice and the albacore tuna topped with crispy onion and ponzu sauce. sasasushidallas.com, 6340 Gaston Ave, Dallas, TX 75214 José On Lovers Courtesy Jose On Lovers An upscale spot easily accessible to many Dallas neighborhoods and villages, José On Lovers features a contemporary take on classic Mexican cuisine. In addition to its lunch and dinner services, the brunch is a standout experience. Make sure to order the concha French toast. Additionally, the happy hour offers a good deal on filling snacks. jose.mx, 4931 W Lovers Ln, Dallas, TX 75209 Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit