Dallas, TX, is a vibrant city with more than one million residents. With a large population and a vibrant economy, it's no surprise that this urban center offers excellent dining opportunities. You can find just about any type of cuisine you're looking for, whether you're grabbing a bite to eat at the airport, enjoying a night on the town with friends, or having a romantic dinner with your special someone. Here's an overview of all that Dallas restaurants have to offer.
Restaurants Downtown
You're not likely to run out of dining options in downtown Dallas, even if you're there every day. Restaurants downtown range from cafes that sell breakfast items and sandwiches to chic steakhouses and restaurants that serve ethnic foods. There are plenty of bar & grill places too. New restaurants in this part of town serve up everything from Southern comfort food to healthy vegetarian dishes. Many of these restaurants, both new and old, have outdoor seating, and you can also place orders for takeout.
Uptown Dallas Restaurants
As in downtown, Uptown Dallas restaurants offer something for just about every budget and preference. There are several seafood restaurants, along with places that serve Tex-Mex and traditional American fare. You'll also find Japanese and Mediterranean cuisine here.
Galleria Dallas Restaurants
The Galleria features an impressive selection of shops, a skating rink, dining venues, and more. Galleria Dallas restaurants include everything from fast food to sushi. There are plenty of coffee and smoothie places, ice cream shops, and candy stores, plus an American Girl Bistro.
Dallas Airport Restaurants
Dallas is a popular destination for business people and tourists. Two airports serving the city are the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and Dallas Love Field. The Dallas-Fort Worth airport is huge, and you can find a wide variety of restaurants there, from fast-casual to upscale dining. Some are well-known chain restaurants, while others are independent eateries. Most restaurants are located within the terminals. Others are outside the security area, so if you're meeting friends who are in Dallas on a layover, you can meet them without having to be screened by TSA.
There are several places to eat in Love Field Airport too. There are a few places you can access outside the security area. Beyond the TSA checkpoint are nearly two dozen places for food and drink. These include Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine, deli sandwiches, ice cream, and bar & grill favorites. Some restaurants are chains, while others have their own unique brand.
Preston Center Restaurants
The Plaza at Preston Center offers chic dining and shopping opportunities. This classy collection of restaurants and boutiques caters to a variety of personalities and tastes. Food and drink selections include ice cream, smoothies, sushi, sandwiches, and vegetarian items. This Dallas center also features American and Italian food.
Design District Restaurants
The Design District in Dallas is a unique enclave of galleries, showrooms, restaurants, fashion retailers, restaurants, apartments, and more. One much-loved place to eat is Pie Tap Pizza Workshop + Bar, which serves handmade pasta, sandwiches, and a variety of breakfast pizzas for the brunch crowd. Design District restaurants also offer comfort food, classic American favorites, and Mexican food (including bacon or chorizo breakfast tacos).
Restaurants in Arts District Dallas
The Dallas Arts District features several venues dedicated to the visual and performing arts. It's also home to world-class restaurants. Arts District dining includes seasonal sandwiches, classic favorites, and cuisine from all over the world. Arts District restaurants offer an upscale eating experience, even for fast-casual dining.
Restaurants Near Parks
Several areas of Dallas have evolved into sophisticated neighborhoods with luxury homes and centers for art and culture. It's not surprising that these communities also boast some of the finest dining establishments in the city. Victory Park, Highland Park, and Klyde Warren Park are three areas that offer an impressive selection of restaurants, as well as shopping and entertainment.
Victory Park
Situated in the heart of Dallas, Victory Park is bordered by the arts district and the design district. It offers a unique dining experience. Restaurants serve up exquisite cuisine — for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner — prepared by world-famous chefs. Sophisticated dining is also available on the AT&T plaza. Victory Park restaurants offer American fare, healthy organic options, bar-centric food, and more. It's even possible to find all-day breakfast, as well as more conventional lunch and dinner items.
Highland Park
Located three miles north of the city's center, Highland Park provides easy access to a variety of amenities in and around Dallas, including excellent restaurants. Highland Park dining gives you access to options such as Tex-Mex, Italian, and Greek. There are several cafes and bars with patio seating. While there are an impressive number of restaurants within the village, Highland Park is surrounded by even more eateries; you don't have to travel far to find what you're looking for.
Klyde Warren Park
Klyde Warren Park is a 5-acre park built over Woodall Rodgers Freeway that connects downtown Dallas, the Uptown neighborhood, and the arts district. Construction of the park has led to significant growth in the area. There are plenty of eateries around Klyde Warren Park. In very close proximity to the green space, you'll find Mexican and Italian food, and several steakhouses. Wraps and sandwiches are readily available for a quick lunch. This area gives you access to cafes, pubs, and grills, too.
North Dallas Restaurants
North Dallas spans a fairly large area, so there are plenty of things to see and do in this locale. This zone is home to several affluent communities, so dining venues of all types thrive here. You can find Mexican, Greek, and Chinese cuisine. Delicatessens serve up everything from breakfast plates to lunch and dinner comfort foods. North Dallas restaurants provide an upscale dining experience.
West Village Restaurants
Often called "Uptown's downtown," West Village is a pedestrian-friendly hotspot for shopping and dining. This area is home to restaurants that are all relatively close to each other. They offer Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese, and Mexican cuisine. You can indulge your sweet tooth at Sablon, the chocolate lounge, which serves cakes, waffles, cocoa-based beverages, and more. If you like sushi, you can find it here, too.
Michelin Star Restaurants
Several restaurants in Dallas have received much-coveted Michelin stars. Bullion, rise n°1, and Pappas Bros. Steakhouse are a few eateries that have been awarded this distinction. Michelin Star restaurants in Dallas serve a variety of foods, such as American, French, and Japanese. Pappas Bros. isn't the only premium steakhouses that has made the list.
Mexican Restaurants in Dallas
Mexican restaurants are practically ubiquitous throughout Dallas. They serve typical south-of-the-border fare, like tacos and enchiladas. Since this is the Lone Star State, many Mexican restaurants also offer a considerable selection of Tex-Mex options.
Italian Restaurants
While Dallas is often associated with Tex-Mex and barbecue, it boasts several premier Italian restaurants too. As you might expect, pizza is a common staple at these eateries; at some places, you can even get it for breakfast.
Vegan Restaurants
When you commit to a healthy diet plan, eating out can be a challenge. Fortunately, Dallas has several vegetarian and vegan restaurants to help you stay on track. They offer vegetarian dishes like tofu and salad. However, many a forward-thinking chef has also found ways to come up with more contemporary dishes. They've devised comfort foods, like pasta and burgers, that are entirely pant-based.
Seafood Restaurants
There are so many seafood restaurants in Dallas that it's easy to forget that it's a landlocked city. Reviewers of these restaurants have raved about menu items such as shrimp and clams, lobster, and numerous varieties of fish. Several seafood restaurants are concentrated in and around downtown, but you can find them in other parts of the city, too.
Indian Restaurants in Dallas
Dallas boasts a highly diverse selection of Indian food. Indian restaurants here serve dishes from every region of the world's second-most populous country. Menu items range from coconut curries to masala, basmati rice, and butter chicken. You can also sample dishes that are sometimes hard to come by, such as Pondicherry-style shrimp fritters and rice noodles that are sometimes called "string hoppers."
French Restaurants
Dallas is home to several excellent French restaurants. Some are especially classy, while others are more quaint and laid-back. On the menu, you'll find breakfast, lunch, and dinner options. Croissants and coffee are common choices for the morning meal. Salads and quiches are available for lunch. Coq Au Vin, souffles, and other traditional fare are frequent dinner selections.
Soul Food Restaurants Dallas, TX
There are several places in Dallas to get a good helping of Southern comfort food. Some of these places also provide a somewhat upscale dining experience. Menu items include, but certainly aren't limited to, shrimp and grits, pork chops, greens, mac and cheese, and catfish. Some soul food restaurants also have a full selection of BBQ options on the menu.
Dallas Steak Restaurants
You don't have to travel far in Dallas to find a good steak. Downtown and the surrounding communities boast several world-class steak restaurants. Besides a superb cut of meat, their menus feature delectable salads, a variety of vegetable-based sides, desserts, and fine wines. Some have a decidedly romantic feel, while in others the atmosphere is more high-energy. Some offer multiple rooms for dining, and each has its own ambiance.
Chinese Restaurants
Dallas offers several Chinese and Taiwanese options, as well as other types of Asian cuisine. As you might expect, some of the top-rated places are in Chinatown, but you can find excellent Chinese food in other parts of town, too. Menu items include Peking duck, dim sum, fried rice, egg rolls, and other traditional favorites. Chinese-American restaurants may combine classics from both countries, so that, for instance, you could order onion rings or fries with your General Tso's chicken. Chinese restaurants here definitely offer an extensive selection of dishes; no two eateries are the same.
BBQ Restaurants in Dallas
It goes without saying that Dallas has more than its share of BBQ restaurants. They serve traditional items like smoked meat, sandwiches, and ribs. Some restaurants have a unique take on foods that you wouldn't normally associate with barbecue. For instance, you can find empanadas or brisket queso on a BBQ eatery menu. Other restaurants prepare grilled salmon, and steaks, salads, and more. In addition to American BBQ, there are ethnic varieties of barbecue, such as Korean and Jamaican, on some restaurant menus.
Jamaican Restaurants
Dallas boasts several Caribbean-themed Jamaican and sometimes Latin food. Empanadas, pork dishes, and flan are popular Latin cuisine. Other restaurants have a more African feel, or combine Caribbean and American fare. Jollof rice, oxtails, and jerk chicken are staples on many a Jamaican restaurant menu.
Japanese Restaurants
One little-known secret about Dallas is that it's a go-to destination for Japanese dining. The city boasts several establishments that serve classic dishes from Japan's many islands. Menu items include ramen, grilled squid, miso-braised eggplant, and a variety of fish dishes. Along with sushi, of course. Many Japanese restaurants strive to provide an authentic dining experience where you take off your shoes and sit at low tables.
Thai Restaurants
You might not think of Dallas as a place to find great Thai food, but there are a number of spots that specialize in the Asian cuisine. Most of these places feature classic dishes like Pad Thai, curries, and sticky rice. Some chefs have also invented their own recipes.
Vegetarian Restaurants Dallas, TX
If you're in search of healthy eating options, Dallas won't let you down. Vegetarian and vegan choices abound. Besides traditional vegetarian staples like tofu stir-fries and hummus, vegetarian restaurants offer plant-based comfort food to make healthy eating more fun.
Ethiopian Restaurants
Dallas has a vibrant Ethiopian dining scene. These eateries draw African expats as well as Dallas natives, and everyone in between. Some Ethiopian restaurants serve exclusively African cuisine, while others offer Ethiopian and American favorites. Menu selections include both vegetarian and meat dishes.
Vietnamese Restaurants
Vietnamese restaurants offer a variety of dishes, such as pho, baked fish, and several noodle dishes. You can stop in for a quick, light lunch or a multi-course dinner. Vegetarian options are available, and some restaurants even have extended hours so you can grab a late-night bite.
Korean Restaurants
Dallasites looking for good Korean food can find lots of it in and around the city. While Dallas itself has numerous options, you can find even more in nearby Carrolton. Many of these spots are known for providing healthy portions at modest prices. Menus are packed with kimchi and rice dishes, and meats like steak and pork belly.
Greek Restaurants
Dallas certainly isn't lacking when it comes to Greek and Mediterranean dining. Some of these places are staffed by award-winning chefs. Some places offer Greek cuisine alongside Middle Eastern fare.
Halal Restaurants Dallas
Dallas is home to several halal restaurants. Some of them serve traditional Middle Eastern food, such as falafel, gyro, and hummus. Others specialize in halal-certified ethnic food such as Thai, Indian, and Italian. You can also find specially-prepared halal American food — burgers, hot dogs, and pizza.
German Restaurants
You can find several German restaurants in and around Dallas. They provide a cozy atmosphere, authentic cuisine, and German beer. A few have even received awards for their excellent service and intimate ambiance. You can expect to be served large portions at these eateries.
Sushi Restaurants Dallas
Especially in downtown and surrounding areas, there are a number of places to get a good sushi roll. Some of these sushi recipes have been modified a bit to suit American tastes. Many sushi restaurants offer other foods besides rolls of fish and vegetables.
Mediterranean Restaurants
There's no shortage of Mediterranean restaurants in Dallas. They offer classics like hummus and falafel, along with lots of grilled meats and salads. These are good destinations if you're into healthy eating. Some of these restaurants are chains, while others are one-of-a-kind.
American Restaurants in Dallas, TX
In Dallas, American restaurants are almost as ubiquitous as barbecue restaurants. Burger and pizza joints can be found everywhere, from corner cafes to bars to family restaurants.
Turkish Restaurants
Since Mediterranean fare is abundant here, you shouldn't have to look far to find a good Turkish restaurant. Some restaurants serve a variety of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean food that includes Turkish dishes and cuisine from a variety of other countries in the region.
Persian Restaurants
Persian food isn't hard to come by in Dallas and the surrounding metro area. Persian restaurants offer a wide selection of food from the region. Some Persian and Mediterranean places also have a bakery section where you can get breakfast items and desserts.
New Restaurants Dallas
Dallas offers an ideal setting for up-and-coming restaurants. Newcomers to the dining scene attract large crowds as they offer contemporary takes on classic dishes. These restaurants have a vibe all their own that makes diners feel at home.
Nice Restaurants
Nice, fancy restaurants are easy to find in Dallas. They provide good service and a chic atmosphere. These upscale establishments are go-tos for formal dinners and special educations. You can also find classy restaurants with a view of downtown or nearby architectural gems.
Romantic Restaurants
Romantic restaurants in Dallas provide an intimate atmosphere ideal for date nights and wedding anniversary celebrations. These types of eateries aren't just limited to posh steakhouses or trendy food destinations. Many cafes and smaller dining establishments provide the perfect backdrop for a romantic dinner.
Dog-Friendly Restaurants
Lots of Dallas restaurants have pet-friendly patios where your canine companion can share a meal with you. At least one place has "Bark and Breakfast" where people and their best furry friends can start their day together. Some dog-friendly restaurants even provide cold water and treats for the pups.
Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Dallas
Some eateries go out of their way to accommodate families with children. Most — but not all — kid-themed restaurants have patio seating for families and play areas for the kids. A few are designed for kid-friendly indoor dining only. Family-friendly restaurants also have child-sized furniture.
Dallas Rooftop Restaurants
Rooftop restaurants offer captivating views of downtown Dallas. Top-floor dining is available at upscale eateries and casual places alike. Some rooftop restaurants are covered, so you can enjoy them in all kinds of weather. Others are open-air but do provide some shade from direct sunlight. They really come alive at night amid all the city lights.
Patio Restaurants
Most restaurants in Dallas have patio seating. Especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic, outdoor restaurants are becoming increasingly popular.
Fun Restaurants
Fun restaurants in Dallas include a treehouse bar, an underground steakhouse, and a cocktail lounge that serves drinks in old lightbulbs, to name a few. Other unique restaurants include a rotating eatery, a bar with a candy store entrance (spoiler alert: it's not a real candy shop), and a pizzeria that donates a percentage of its profits to charity.
Dallas Restaurants FAQs
What are must-try restaurants in Dallas?
Several restaurants are too good to pass up. Here are some "must try" restaurants in Dallas.
- Reunion Tower Restaurant (Cloud Nine) is reputed to be one of the best, if not the best, lunch destination in Dallas.
- Opened in 1971, Celebration Restaurant is the city's original farm-to-table eatery, and it's a local favorite.
- Homewood Restaurant is another farm-to-table eatery that serves soups, salads, and a variety of healthy entrees.
- Named "Best Steakhouse" by Dallas' D Magazine, Knife was created by award-winning chef John Tesar.
- Paradiso serves cuisine from Southern Europe for brunch, lunch, and dinner.
- Georgie by Curtis Stone provides a world-class dining experience with seasonal brunch, dinner, and dessert items.
How many restaurants are in Dallas?
While there's been no exact tabulation of how many restaurants there are in Dallas, the city is rumored to have more dining establishments per capita than any other in the country. The jury is still out on whether this is true.
What is the most expensive restaurant in Dallas?
The most expensive restaurant in Dallas is probably The Mansion on Turtle Creek, at least according to one local.