I know there was a thread last week that had a bunch of Dallas recommendations but those seemed like they were mostly suburb stuff with generic restaurants/options so I figured I would start a new thread. Not long ago I put together a pretty big list of bars and restaurants and neighborhoods to check out for some friends moving here. I will post all of that here broken down by geographic area. These are all in the core of Dallas or within a couple miles. Big restaurant/bar areas include Downtown, Deep Ellum, Lower greenville/Henderson, Bishop Arts, Trinity Groves, Design District and Uptown. All of these rec's are in these areas and all are local favorites. If anyone needs recs for Ft Worth or any of the suburbs I can provide those as well. Northern suburbs are where youll find most of the better Asian restaurants. Irving/Carrollton/Richardson/etc.
I will follow up with some things to do/see if anyone is spending the weekend here after the game Friday night. Im going to post several of these in a row.
Downtown -
Discovery District – Chilango’s, Zalat, Birdie, Easy Slider…little outdoor area downtown with restaurants/watch parties/yard art/etc. Has several good secondary/tertiary locations of some local favorites including chilangos taco, zalat pizza, etc. Can hop over for lunch if staying at downtown hotels like Sheraton or Joule or Omni.
Farmers Market - Rex’s, Ka Tip…Farmers Market is a bit of a misnomer as theres not a ton of produce anymore here. They do have a whole area including an indoor shed with several food/merchandise options. Best bets here are Rex’s seafood and Ka Tip Thai. Have some little bars inside the shed too. Not the worst place to kill some time downtown.
Klyde Warren Park – Big deck park over the highway that connects downtown and uptown. Has lot of rotating food truck options and a big stage with goings on. Also have permanent restaurants in or next to park including a Perry’s, Yardbird higher end southern food and a Mi Cocina (not recommended). Easy walk if staying at JW marriot Arts, Hall Arts hotel etc. Also right next to Dallas Museum of Art, the very cool Nasher Sculpture Center, and block away from Dallas World Aquarium and the Perot Science Museum.
Midnight Rambler – My favorite downtown hotel bar down in the Joule. Also like Ellie’s terrace/lounge in the Hall Arts hotel.
Brass Ram/National Anthem – Two restaurants on top of each other from a renowned Dallas chef. Ground floor is more casual National Anthem. Lots of tasty apps and some classics from his other restaurants. Upstairs is one of the more opulent Dallas restaurants. Very expensive steakhouse but more known for the prime rib. Its incredible.
Tei An – Maybe my favorite Dallas restaurant. Japanese with just a hint of Italian. Have omakase or a la carte options. Arguably the best chef in Dallas and one of best Japanese restaurants outside of Japan. Sushi/Soba/Beef/etc.
Partenope – Classy Italian spot downtown. Very cool designs, great vibes. Pizza and pastas both are winners here.
CBD Provisions-Nice upscale spot in the Joule. Known for their giant pigs head they serve up on a plate. Really buzzy vibes typically.
Dakota’s – Classic Dallas steakhouse underground. Fantastic Beef Wellington. Its an expensive spot but worth a splurge.
Deep Ellum/Fair Park – on eastern edge of downtown. Easy access from downtown and uptown hotels.
Las Almas Rotas – Fun Little Mezcaleria across from Fair Park. Have great Happy Hour specials. Limited menu of food, mostly tacos but they are typically quite strong. Fantastic cocktail program.
Cane Rosso – Institution for Neopolitan pizzas in Dallas. This is original location and still goes strong. Right on edge of Deep Ellum. Can get crowded.
Revolver – Arguably Dallas best tacos. These are higher end and can have some sticker shock on price but ingredients and level of detail are unmatched. Also have a cantina/restaurant spot that’s a bigger menu than just cocktails and is good as well.
Elm & Good – Upscale American fare on edge of Deep Ellum. It’s a good spot. Not always sure the food is worth the cost but I would say Ive had more hits than misses.
Pepe y Mitos – Classic Dallas Tex Mex. A triple D favorite from Guy Fieri. Still guys strong. Good for lunch or dinner. Has some of best chips/salsa combo in town.
Allgood Café- Another classic in Dallas. This is breakfast/brunch/lunch to get your day started with a boozy cocktail and maybe a fantastic chicken fried steak.
Terry Blacks/Pecan Lodge – best BBQ in Deep Ellum. Pecan Lodge is the OG and still goes hard. Terry Blacks from a legendary Texas hill country bbq family. It’s a huge place that has a real communal feel. Both are good options.
Uncle Ubers – Deep Ellum’s favorite sandwich/burger spot. Not sure theres a wrong choice on the menu. Also has many local brews on tap.
Free Man, Dots, Electric Shuffle, Deep Ellum Brewery, Double Wide, Cold Beer Company- some of the better bar options in deep ellum. The Free man and Double wide have live music, electric shuffle is a shuffleboard bar, other two are mainly beer drinking spots.
Dallas Comedy House, Deep Ellum Art Co – If you are looking for something to do at night that’s night just a bar/club, the comedy house has national and local acts every weekend. The Art Co is a great little venue for live music. Typically gets up and coming national acts or bigger local acts.
I will follow up with some things to do/see if anyone is spending the weekend here after the game Friday night. Im going to post several of these in a row.
Downtown -
Discovery District – Chilango’s, Zalat, Birdie, Easy Slider…little outdoor area downtown with restaurants/watch parties/yard art/etc. Has several good secondary/tertiary locations of some local favorites including chilangos taco, zalat pizza, etc. Can hop over for lunch if staying at downtown hotels like Sheraton or Joule or Omni.
Farmers Market - Rex’s, Ka Tip…Farmers Market is a bit of a misnomer as theres not a ton of produce anymore here. They do have a whole area including an indoor shed with several food/merchandise options. Best bets here are Rex’s seafood and Ka Tip Thai. Have some little bars inside the shed too. Not the worst place to kill some time downtown.
Klyde Warren Park – Big deck park over the highway that connects downtown and uptown. Has lot of rotating food truck options and a big stage with goings on. Also have permanent restaurants in or next to park including a Perry’s, Yardbird higher end southern food and a Mi Cocina (not recommended). Easy walk if staying at JW marriot Arts, Hall Arts hotel etc. Also right next to Dallas Museum of Art, the very cool Nasher Sculpture Center, and block away from Dallas World Aquarium and the Perot Science Museum.
Midnight Rambler – My favorite downtown hotel bar down in the Joule. Also like Ellie’s terrace/lounge in the Hall Arts hotel.
Brass Ram/National Anthem – Two restaurants on top of each other from a renowned Dallas chef. Ground floor is more casual National Anthem. Lots of tasty apps and some classics from his other restaurants. Upstairs is one of the more opulent Dallas restaurants. Very expensive steakhouse but more known for the prime rib. Its incredible.
Tei An – Maybe my favorite Dallas restaurant. Japanese with just a hint of Italian. Have omakase or a la carte options. Arguably the best chef in Dallas and one of best Japanese restaurants outside of Japan. Sushi/Soba/Beef/etc.
Partenope – Classy Italian spot downtown. Very cool designs, great vibes. Pizza and pastas both are winners here.
CBD Provisions-Nice upscale spot in the Joule. Known for their giant pigs head they serve up on a plate. Really buzzy vibes typically.
Dakota’s – Classic Dallas steakhouse underground. Fantastic Beef Wellington. Its an expensive spot but worth a splurge.
Deep Ellum/Fair Park – on eastern edge of downtown. Easy access from downtown and uptown hotels.
Las Almas Rotas – Fun Little Mezcaleria across from Fair Park. Have great Happy Hour specials. Limited menu of food, mostly tacos but they are typically quite strong. Fantastic cocktail program.
Cane Rosso – Institution for Neopolitan pizzas in Dallas. This is original location and still goes strong. Right on edge of Deep Ellum. Can get crowded.
Revolver – Arguably Dallas best tacos. These are higher end and can have some sticker shock on price but ingredients and level of detail are unmatched. Also have a cantina/restaurant spot that’s a bigger menu than just cocktails and is good as well.
Elm & Good – Upscale American fare on edge of Deep Ellum. It’s a good spot. Not always sure the food is worth the cost but I would say Ive had more hits than misses.
Pepe y Mitos – Classic Dallas Tex Mex. A triple D favorite from Guy Fieri. Still guys strong. Good for lunch or dinner. Has some of best chips/salsa combo in town.
Allgood Café- Another classic in Dallas. This is breakfast/brunch/lunch to get your day started with a boozy cocktail and maybe a fantastic chicken fried steak.
Terry Blacks/Pecan Lodge – best BBQ in Deep Ellum. Pecan Lodge is the OG and still goes hard. Terry Blacks from a legendary Texas hill country bbq family. It’s a huge place that has a real communal feel. Both are good options.
Uncle Ubers – Deep Ellum’s favorite sandwich/burger spot. Not sure theres a wrong choice on the menu. Also has many local brews on tap.
Free Man, Dots, Electric Shuffle, Deep Ellum Brewery, Double Wide, Cold Beer Company- some of the better bar options in deep ellum. The Free man and Double wide have live music, electric shuffle is a shuffleboard bar, other two are mainly beer drinking spots.
Dallas Comedy House, Deep Ellum Art Co – If you are looking for something to do at night that’s night just a bar/club, the comedy house has national and local acts every weekend. The Art Co is a great little venue for live music. Typically gets up and coming national acts or bigger local acts.
