Explore the Diverse Flavors of Dallas
No matter what you've craving, you'll find it in Dallas!
Set off on a global adventure without ever leaving Dallas, thanks to our incredibly diverse selection of restaurants. As a world-class culinary city, we have embraced cuisines from the farthest reaches of the planet, often putting a decidedly Texas stamp on things in the process. Barbecue, Tex-Mex, and steaks typically rise to the top of any list when Dallas restaurants come to mind, but we also have some incredible French, Italian and Canadian food, too. Read on for some best bets and our apologies if your stomach starts rumbling before you reach the end.
Barbecue
Off the Bone BBQ - Cedars
Off the Bone BBQ in Dallas is a renowned barbecue joint that delights diners with its flavorful, tender meats and mouthwatering array of smoky dishes. Pitmaster Dwight Harvey is proud to present his famous baby back ribs, smoked brisket, sausage, pulled pork and smoked chicken. We also offer homemade sides made from the freshest ingredients around including Rose’s coleslaw, potato salad, baked beans and more.
Lockhart Smokehouse - Bishop Arts District
Lockhart, TX remains one of the top BBQ destinations in the state, and the quintessential favorites from juicy brisket to spicy sausage can all be found in a super-casual setting. Eat your food right from the butcher paper it’s served on—and nobody will judge you if you use your fingers.
Terry Black's Barbecue - Deep Ellum
Head to this other Lockhart import, which has been wowing diners in Deep Ellum for several years. Get your camera ready and pose with one of their massive beef ribs slathered in BBQ sauce and snatch a frozen whole brisket to take home and treat your friends and family to the same high-quality ’cue. Don't forget to check in along our Margarita Mile with one of their famous Black Margaritas!
Mexican/Tex-Mex
Beto & Son - Trinity Groves
This multi-generational eatery offers diners a variety of Mexican food styles, from Tex-Mex fan faves such as queso blanco to New Mexico-inspired stacked enchiladas with tons of tacos and fajitas blurring the origins in between. No visit would be complete without a tableside liquid nitrogen frozen margarita (one of many stops along our Margarita Mile), so prepare for your regularly scheduled meal to turn into a party.
El Fenix - Downtown
Old-school Tex-Mex doesn’t get more old-school than this Dallas icon, which has been serving piping hot platters of cheese enchiladas and crispy beef tacos for 105 years without any sign of slowing down, and another stop on our Margarita Mile. Protip: Head to the original downtown location (or one of several others across the city) on Wednesdays when mix-and-match enchilada platters can be enjoyed at a deep discount.
Mixtitos Kitchen- East Dallas
Sure, you’ll find all sorts of classic Mexican fare here, from enchiladas to nachos, but this restaurant takes pride in its fusion dishes. So while one person at your table might be enjoying tacos, you can choose between a schnitzel sandwich, Japanese shepherd’s pie, or a Mediterranean-style branzino.
Miriam Cocina Latina - Klyde Warren Park
Chef Miriam Jiminez infuses her menu full of Mexican fare with influences from her Dominican Republic home, so you’re just as likely to find yucca fries and plantains as quesadillas and ceviche. Order one of six combinations, however, for one of the best ways to experience her cooking with a flavor variety all on one platter.
Steakhouses
Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse - Uptown
For more than 40 years, Del Frisco’s Double Eagle has been a standard bearer for Dallas steakhouses. Its flagship location brings the concept squarely into the 21st century with sleek, modern decor while maintaining its high standards and upscale dress code. Start with a Double Eagle Margarita then work your way through course after course of chilled seafood, Prime steaks, and a bevy of decadent sides.
Al Biernat’s - Oak Lawn; North Dallas
Known as much for its incredible wine list as its top-quality steaks and seafood, this steakhouse mainstay has developed a loyal fanbase since opening in 1998. Splurge on some Japanese A5 Wagyu and a Thermidor-style whole lobster for a truly Dallas experience. And with 20 different side dishes, you better come hungry.
Knife - Mockingbird Station
Chef John Tesar’s modern steakhouse inside the Highland Dallas Hotel takes aged steaks to new heights with his in-house aging program. Select from cuts aged 90 days all the way up to 240. If you dine with a group, try a few different ages to compare them side by side. The bacon tasting will also give your taste buds a new reason to love you.
Asian
Kessaku - Downtown
High above Dallas on the 50th floor of The National skyscraper, the views rival the Japanese dishes that resemble works of art. In fact, Kessaku translates to “masterpiece,” so the standards have been set high before you even glance at the small menu of only a dozen different sushi options and nearly double that number of sakes.
Musume - Dallas Arts District
If you find yourself in the Dallas Arts District to visit one of the many museums or performance venues, count on a stellar time tasting your way through Japanese favorites before or after your arts experience. Place yourself in the chef’s hands for a six- or eight-course omakase tasting that showcases all the best preparations and freshest ingredients in the house.
Âme - Bishop Arts District
When Indian flavors meet French culinary techniques, you get Âme, an incredible fusion of styles that yields elevated versions of favorites from crispy samosas to complex curries. Start with a Tandoori Chicken Wedge Salad, an order of Lamb or Beet Samosas, or the chef’s special Mantu steamed dumplings. Then move on to perfect-for-sharing mains, including Lamb Rogan Josh, Shrimp Curry, and Cashew Chicken Tikka.
Shinsei - Inwood
Potstickers, coconut chicken jalapeño poppers, and braised pork steam buns pair perfectly with cocktails or sake while you peruse the rest of the menu of Asian delights. Opt for large-format main courses or sample your way through the sushi, prepared with flair by Shinsei’s pompadour-sporting “King of Wok,” Shuji Sugawara (a.k.a. Elvis).
French
Mercat Bistro - Harwood District
Grab a seat at an outdoor cafe table and it’s almost like being on the streets of Paris. Though the scenery may be a bit different, the flavors will transport you to France through gorgeous pastries, quiches, classic escargot, and steak frites. Wines skew mostly French, too, to complete the Francophile experience.
Boulevardier - Bishop Arts District
Whether you’re seeking brunch or dinner with a heavy French accent, you’ll find plenty to delight at this cozy bistro in the heart of the Bishop Arts District. Stellar renditions of French Onion Soup, Wood-Grilled Oysters, Crispy Dug Leg Confit, and Chocolate Crémeux await your approval, each made better with a carefully selected French wine from an impressively focused list.
Italian
Partenope - Downtown
Pizza! Who doesn’t love pizza? Make a special trip downtown if you’re not already there because this Neopolitan-style pizza joint takes the bread-cheese-and-sauce favorite to new levels of deliciousness. You absolutely must try the Pizza Olympics Gold Medal-winning Montanara pie, which starts with flash-fried pizza crust that’s then baked with marinara, mozzarella, parm, and fresh basil.
Monarch - Downtown
Italian with a view—that’s what you’ll find at this 49th-floor restaurant where you can enjoy a course of Fire Roasted Lasagna Diane with baby meatballs and a Bistecca alla Fiorentina Porterhouse. Whole Maine Lobster Spaghetti, Shortrib Bolognese, and Crispy Veal Parmesan provide additional ways to indulge in Italy’s most iconic flavors and ingredients.
Canadian
Maple Leaf Diner - North Dallas
You may not realize how craveable Canadian food can be until you’ve had one of Maple Leaf Diner’s massive poutine platters, from traditional to a Texas version loaded with chicken fried steak. All-day breakfast here rocks, but they don’t take reservations so plan to show up early on the weekends or prepare to wait—well worth it for their towering waffle creations and the best Eggs Benedict this side of the Canadian border.