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A cornish hen sits on a grill, smoking, with shallots atop. — Tandoori Cornish hen at Sanjh.

The 38 Essential Dallas Restaurants

Simply the best restaurants in the Metroplex

by Courtney E. Smith Updated Oct 8, 2024, 8:05am CDT

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Tandoori Cornish hen at Sanjh.

| Samantha Marie Photography

by Courtney E. Smith Updated Oct 8, 2024, 8:05am CDT

The Dallas-Fort Worth is a sprawling Metroplex of 9,286 square miles. And in that land mass, there are a lot of great restaurants. This list aims to guide visitors and locals alike to great new locations, up-and-coming eateries, and established restaurants at the top of the food game, all at various price points and featuring the numerous cuisines that shine in DFW.

Eater Dallas’s list of the 38 Essential Restaurants in fair North Texas is updated quarterly. This summer’s update includes a swanky seafood spot in Fort Worth and the best darn lunch and tea service place in Downtown Dallas.

Check out the Eater Dallas Heatmap for the newest restaurant openings any given month.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

Harvest at the Masonic

Harvest has long been a favorite on the Square in McKinney, and it is a leader in the Metroplex for serving hyper local food from North Texas farmers. In late 2023, owner Rick Wells oversaw the relocation of the restaurant into a former Masonic Lodge and created a three-floor experience that includes a top floor bar with live music that serves the full menu, a second floor designed by the chef, and a first floor where diners are most likely to end up with a cute, pink bar tucked in the back. The menu changes frequently and seasonally, but a few things, including the duroc pork chop and the chicken fried steak, are evergreen.

215 North Kentucky Street, McKinney, Texas 75069

Two sets of hands hold a plate that’s loaded with baked chicken. — It’s all hands on deck to make service work on three floors at Harvest at the Masonic.

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14 Essential McKinney Restaurants

The Heritage Table

If sustainability in food is important to you, then owner and chef Rich Vana’s menu is a must. Order the Whole Beast, a dish he created to move towards a minimal waste kitchen. It incorporates leftover pieces of proteins, noodles, and produce to make sure every part of the animal gets used, along with as much of everything else that works. The restaurant is located inside a historic house on Main Street, with window-lined walls and the bulk of the dining room feels like a closed-in porch. It gives off a homey feel that matches the food.

7110 Main St, Frisco, TX 75033

A hand pours broth into a bowl of soup. — The Whole Beast at the Heritage Table.

Also featured in:

The Best Restaurants in Frisco

Ari Korean BBQ

The fun of Korean barbecue is all in cooking it yourself. However, the craft of it is in the meat the restaurant uses. Ari Korean BBQ has locations in Carrollton and Plano, both worth traveling to eat at, and it has some of the best cuts around. Try the bulgogi, marinated short rib, and thin-sliced prime brisket. And in Carrollton, there’s a new upstairs lounge with cocktails and DJs.

2625 Old Denton Rd #800, Carrollton, TX 75007

A pair of hands flip meat over an open flame at a Korean barbecue place. Around it are loads of sauces and bites. — Roast some meat over an open flame at Ari Korean BBQ.

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14 Essential Carrollton Restaurants

Kirin Court

If dim sum is what you crave, Kirin Court is the classic go-to for DFW. Get the full experience here, with banquet-sized tables, white tablecloths, and push carts brimming with dim sum. Go for the all-you-can-eat style, grab a basket of dim sum, or order from the lunch and dinner menus for entrees. It’s a blast.

221 W Polk St (Main st), Richardson, TX 75081

Loads of dim sum in bamboo bowls and some on white plates sit together on a table. More than one could easily count.

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Partenope Ristorante

Looking for Neapolitan-style pizza in Dallas? Partenope Ristorante is the best option for pizza that’s hearty, that folds, and that’s topped with high quality Italian ingredients. It’s also an excellent spot for Italian dishes, from amazing meatballs to fettuccine alla bolognese that will spoil you for other bolognese sauces. Try either the new location in Richardson or the original Downtown. Everywhere in the Downtown location, which is in a historic building, offers a great view of the big pizza oven and all the action in the kitchen.

1903 Main Street, Dallas, Texas 75201

A Napoli style pizza sits on a plate. — When all you want is your own damn pizza.

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Roots Southern Table

Prepare to be tempted by the cast iron cornbread and fried green tomatoes, staples in any Southern kitchen. Then, dive into some inventive main courses that take the spices and cooking methods of Southern fare and elevate them using modern methods. The duck fat fried chicken and gumbo are longtime signature dishes that are great orders. One of the highlights here is that diners can see right into the busy kitchen and watch the staff prepare everything with what seems to be choreographed precision. It’s a hallmark of chef Tiffany Derry’s restaurants.

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Capital One Dining

Book primetime tables set aside exclusively for eligible Capital One cardholders. Capital One Dining is the presenting partner of the Eater app .

13050 Bee St Suit 160, Farmers Branch, TX 75234

A chef sprinkles a finishing touch on top of a dish that sits on the pass. — A little sprinkle of love and finishing touches on a dish at Roots by chef Tiffany Derry.

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Desta Ethiopian Restaurant

Just inside the loop on Greenville Avenue is family-style Ethiopian restaurant Desta. Head in for traditional dishes including tibs (beef or lamb cooked with sauteed vegetables), doro wot (chicken legs in berbere hot sauce), and firfir (injera — an Ethiopian flatbread — in tomato sauce). There are no frills in this dining room — it’s all simple wooden chairs and tables. They let the food speak loudest.

12101 Greenville Ave #105, Dallas, TX 75243

A bowl of meat sits in a piece of injera surrounded by sauteed vegetables. — Sit down for a family-style meal at Desta.

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Royal China

Dumplings, egg foo young, dry stirred beef, and a host of Chinese-American favorites are on offer at this north Dallas restaurant, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Owners George and April Kao are the second generation to run it, and the bright red dining room full of Chinese-style decor it remains a welcoming local favorite — even after all these years.

6025 Royal Ln (at Preston Rd), Dallas, TX 75230

A plate holds spiced beef, snap peas, and julianned carrots with a scoop of rice. — Order classic dishes at Royal China, or try the more modern fare that reflects trends in the country.

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The Ranch at Las Colinas

Looking for somewhere with a strong Texas vibe? Try the Ranch at Las Colinas in the northern ‘burbs. The interiors evoke that Yellowstone vibe, while the large enclosed porch gives diners a spot in the AC that lets them feel like they’re outdoors. Now celebrating its 15th anniversary, this joint is packed at all times, and the menu has a whole lot of everything. Don’t miss the Gulf Coast ceviche, chicken fried steak, or its signature dish, the double cut pork chop.

857 West John W Carpenter Freeway, Irving, Texas 75039

The exterior of a restaurant with a big American flag waving outside. The words “The Ranch” are on a blue sign. — It’s a beautiful day at the Ranch.

Sanjh Restaurant & Bar

Indian food gets the full fine dining treatment in the ‘burbs at this spot that local legend chef Stephan Pyles says is his favorite new restaurant. The menu is an elevated take on the cuisine, with stylish plating and innovative twists. Think tandoori Cornish hen instead of tandoori chicken and a mango prawn curry made with three jumbo tiger prawns and artfully served on their own.

5250 North O'connor Boulevard, Irving, Texas 75039

A plate holds patta chaat in a variety of colors and vegetables.

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Jose on Lovers

There are few dining experiences in Dallas as beautiful as the one at Jose. The unique facade, the indoor/outdoor patio, and the light in the dining room paired with the rich color palette of Mexican-style decor are all eye-catching. And the menu rivals the setting. Featuring Jalisco-style cuisine, diners can enjoy an array of tacos, seafood dishes, and enchiladas with a stellar cocktail menu.

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Book primetime tables set aside exclusively for eligible Capital One cardholders. Capital One Dining is the presenting partner of the Eater app .

4931 W Lovers Ln, Dallas, TX 75209

A ceviche is served inside a half of a coconut with tortilla chips. A hand grabs one chip. — Coconut ceviche is a signature dish at Jose.

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Green Point Seafood and Oyster Bar

Looking for a little bit of the Northeast in Dallas? This spot is ideal for a drop-in meal of excellent East and Gulf Coast oysters and raw bar selections, sophisticated cocktails, and shareable bites. It’s also got excellent seafood lunch and dinner options. Pull up a stool at the massive horseshoe-shaped bar or ask for a roomy booth — the service is excellent everywhere.

3219 Knox Street, Dallas, Texas 75205

A plate holds baked oysters served over salt. — Roasted oysters Rockefeller at Green Point.

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Georgie

This restaurant’s menu has transitioned from steakhouse classics to what is best described as chefy American cuisine. Georgie’s chef, RJ Yoakum, came to Dallas from a position at the French Laundry under Thomas Keller. Of late, Yoakum’s style veers towards taking the idea of a dish, deconstructing it, and creating all the elements in a new style that is evocative of the flavors while employing unusual textures and construction. Want to know what that means? Go in and order the French onion soup. The elegant interiors remain the same, although Yoakum aims to create an atmosphere that’s less stuffy and welcomes folks with a neighborhood feel.

4514 Travis St, Dallas, TX 75205

A hand with a fork digs into a bowl of pasta on the right, while another hand cuts into meat on a plate to the left. In the lower left is a red cocktail. — A few of the beautiful plates at Georgie.

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Quarter Acre

Chef Toby Archibald perfected one dish in Georgie’s kitchen that he brought to Quarter Acre: a smoked beef tartare served table side that is a showstopper. It’s also the perfect jumping-off point for his Lower Greenville restaurant, influenced by the flavors of his home country, New Zealand. There are a lot of Asian-inspired moments, smokey beach food, and childhood memories to consume on the menu.

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2023 Greenville Ave #110, Dallas, TX 75206

Also featured in:

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Ngon Vietnamese Kitchen

Soups with rich broth and delicious noodles. Shaking tofu rice. Rice paper rolls. Vietnamese coffee. Sangria with a kick of Hennessy. These are a few delights waiting in Nong Vietnamese Kitchen on Lowest Greenville. Owner Carol Nguyen named the place for her mother and intends to introduce Dallasites to the best of Vietnam in a no-frills but great food in a dining room with just a bit of an industrial vibe.

1907 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75206

A white plate holds thinly sliced meats, herbs, and fried onions. — Ngon Vietnamese Kitchen serves up an array of authentic dishes.

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Petra and the Beast

Yes, chef and owner Misti Norris was a James Beard finalist once again this year, and that’s a good reason to visit. This spot is also features loads of fermented and smoked bites — and that’s an even better reason to visit. Norris continues to do her thing, generally getting creative with presentation, ingredients, and flavor profiles. Go in with an open mind and enjoy, either at the chef’s counter, in a cozy booth, or communally at the bar.

1901 Abrams Pkwy, Dallas, TX 75214

At the bar in Petra and the Beast.

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Via Triozzi

When it opened last year, Via Triozzi quickly became arguably the best Italian restaurant in Dallas. The must-try menu item is the lasagne al forno, with layers on layers on layers of noodles, bolognese, and cheese. If it’s a splurge-y moment, order the bistecca alla Fiorentina — a Florentine-breed of cow served in traditional style with a stick of rosemary, olive oil, and salt — and that’s it.

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Capital One Dining

Book primetime tables set aside exclusively for eligible Capital One cardholders. Capital One Dining is the presenting partner of the Eater app .

1806 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75206

A pair of hands uses a fork and spoon to dig into a bowl of pasta, while someone else sits in a booth. To the bottom left, a steak sits on a plate. — Mixing up great pasta dishes at Via Triozzi.

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Mot Hai Ba

Chef Peja Krstic has one of the most interesting culinary minds in Dallas. His Lakewood restaurant serves French-Vietnamese fusion, with some dishes that are more obviously one than the other, but calling it “fusion” feels like a limited description. The menu also features a heavy Texas influence and features a good amount of seafood from the Northeast. The dining room is something between an intimate French bistro by way of New Orleans and a homey, family-owned restaurant.

6047 Lewis St, Dallas, TX 75206

Overhead view of a dish from chef Peja Krstic’s Mot Hai Ba. — A dish from chef Peja Krstic’s Mot Hai Ba.

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Street's Fine Chicken

When it’s time for a table full of fried chicken, head to Street’s. The chicken is brined for 24-hours and fried to a golden crisp. The biscuits with honey butter are a crucial add-on, as are the collard greens that combine a savory broth and a vinegar tang and the brie mac and cheese, baked with a nice crisp layer of cheese on top and melty and cheesy inside. The dining room is fast casual-style, and you can be in and out as quickly as you like.

3857 Cedar Springs Rd, Dallas, TX 75219

A wooden table holds plates of fried chicken, greens, mashed potatoes. — Fried chicken and all the fixings at Streets.

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Namo

Namo in the West Village sources most of its products from Japan, encompassing sushi, sake, and whiskies. However, the warm vibes in the tiny sushi bar are what make it memorable. It feels unpretentious and cozy, and is built in a way that guarantees the crowds are small (it holds 12) and that eating is a shared experience. Drop by for its special events, including a monthly omakase service.

3699 McKinney Ave #305, Dallas, TX 75204

Uni is the star of this dish at Namo.

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Slow Bone BBQ

Smoked turkey has become a thing in barbecue, and this spot serves some of the best in town. No need to stop there, though. It has top notch brisket, sausages, and pork ribs. The food is served cafeteria-style, and the interiors are loaded with photos and Texas-style decor. This isn’t a spot that gets overhyped, and you might not even have to wait in line to get a plate. It’s for the real ones who know.

2234 Irving Blvd (Wycliff), Dallas, TX 75207

A pink tray that’s reminiscent of a school cafeteria tray holds barbecue ribs, a piece of cornbread, fried okra, greens, and baked beans. — A tray of ribs at Slow Bone BBQ.

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Kalachandji's

This spot is the longest-running vegetarian restaurant in Dallas, going strong since 1982, and serves some of the best Indian food in the city. Food is served buffet-style, and the prices are very reasonable, at just shy of $15 for lunch and $18 for dinner. Feast on black-eyed pea curry, mixed vegetable sabzi in a gravy loaded with spices, or pakora (fried vegetable fritters). This restaurant is grand in design, decorated with Indian artifacts and art — make time to explore it.

5430 Gurley Ave, Dallas, TX 75223

A table set with a plate of vegetarian food, a drink, breads, and other sides. — Kalachandji’s has been going strong since 1982.

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Tei-An

Tei-An is a classic sushi spot in Dallas that is the most likely answer when you ask almost anyone where to go for sushi, to take your parents, or to go for a business meeting with out-of-town guests. It earns its reputation repeatedly through consistent service and excellent food.

1722 Routh Street, TX 75201

A salad topped with saffron sits in a white bowl.

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El Carlos Elegante

This Mexican fine dining spot draws inspiration from Indigenous cultures, Mexico City street foods, and the family recipes of its kitchen staff, who hail from all over Mexico. It also has one of the most elegantly designed dining rooms in the city — trio of rooms, actually, as the restaurant is broken into three distinct spaces. Go for the chef’s tasting menu, and let them curate your plates and drinks. The staff are well-trained and fully capable.

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Capital One Dining

Book primetime tables set aside exclusively for eligible Capital One cardholders. Capital One Dining is the presenting partner of the Eater app .

1400 N Riverfront Blvd, Dallas, TX 75207

A turquoise bowl holds rocks. On top of the rocks are a trio of Mexican appetizers, including oysters on the half shell with a red mignonette, tiny tacos topped with caviar, and raw fish on a piece of toast. — A trio of appetizers, or one hitters, from El Carlos Elegante.

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Billy Can Can

If you’re looking for a taste of Dallas, it’s hard to hit the mark harder than at this Victory Park spot. It’s fine dining in a saloon environment and a menu loaded with wild game. The menu will be packed with seasonal dishes that start with the idea of a traditional Southern dish but have the flair of culinary brilliance. The assorted deviled eggs, a half dozen in different styles, and Texas venison tartare are must-orders — and that’s just from the appetizers menu. It only gets better from there.

2386 Victory Park Ln, Dallas, TX 75219

A server holds a white plate that has several pieces of sliced steak and a herbed ball of butter in the middle. — A big plate of steak at a Texas-themed restaurant? Obviously yes.

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Tatsu Dallas

Chef Tatsu is a master of simple treatments of nigiri that highlight both the quality of the fish (almost everything he serves is flown in from Japan) and his culinary skill as a sushi chef. The small dining room at this restaurant makes it challenging to land a reservation, but it’s worth the effort. And worth the price tag to enjoy an omakase service here.

3309 Elm St ste 120, Dallas, TX 75226

A piece of sushi sits on a black countertop. — The perfect piece of sushi is what chef Tatsu serves every time.

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The Saint

This restaurant went from not on our radar at all to the spot we love to regularly go to for oyster happy hour (daily from 5 to 6 p.m. with $1.50 Murder Point oysters and $10 cocktails). It’s a fun hang. It’s also a solid menu — order the gorgonzola tortellini, confit duck leg piccata, or the Texas redfish, or go for any of the numerous steaks. Make sure to take a minute to walk around and enjoy the art — the portraits enhanced with graffiti and photos of famous folk that are drawn over are a trip.

2633 Gaston Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75226

A dimly lit dining room in a restaurant, with people scattered about at tables. — The dining room glows at the Saint.

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Revolver Taco Lounge

The wonderful tacos here haven’t changed a bit. Stop in for fresh-made wagyu steak, duck breast, and whatever tacos the Rojas family cooks on any given day. And the Sunday brunch served buffet-style is not to be missed, and includes outdoor service in the brightly decorated pass through between streets.

2701 Main St #120, Dallas, TX 75226

Two tacos on small corn tortillas sit on a plate. A small ramekin of salsa is in the back.

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Fond

When looking for lunch near Downtown, it’s hard to beat Fond. Its Tower Club is a five star sandwich, and if you can indulge in a glass of $7 lunch wine, you can choose from a few options from the restaurant’s natural wine selection. It also does a mean aperitivo service (a twist on happy hour) from 4 to 8 p.m. during the week and 9 on Fridays.

1601 Elm Street, Dallas, Texas 75201

A table holds a box with a pizza inside and a bottle of wine next to it, with one full wine glass. — Grab a Detroit-style pizza at Fond for dinner.

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Mirador

Ladies who lunch and the sorts who go for tea service, Mirador is a must-try spot. This elegant, pastels filled restaurant in Downtown gives off the vibes of tastefulness, but that doesn’t mean boring. Chef Travis Wyatt takes the idea of classic dishes and breaks them down into forms that tea aficionados have never seen before. It’s whimsical, clever, and scrumptious.

1608 Elm Street, Dallas, Texas 75201

A wooden tray on a fully set table holds four dishes. — Tea service doesn’t have to be stuffy or traditional.

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Starship Bagel

The lines are often long for the bagels here, but the wait outside its little boxy storefront is worth it. A morning (or mid-morning or lunch) bagel from the Starship stand downtown will perk up any day. Don’t expect to get eggs and bacon or any other breakfast style bagel, however — it’s strictly lox, veggies, and schmear for these purists. With the wide array of flavors, of both bagels and schmear, it’ll take ages before any bagel lover worth their salt (bagel) will even miss ‘em.

1520 Elm St #107, Dallas, TX 75201

A bagel covered in cream cheese and lox sits on paper. — Lox it up at Starship.

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Restaurant Beatrice

Eater Dallas’s best restaurant for 2022 was also one of the best new restaurant finalists in the James Beard Awards for 2023. Go there for Louisiana-style food, encompassing Cajun and Creole dishes, although the menu might look a bit different starting this summer thanks to the addition of chef de cuisine Colin Younce and a stepping up of the Carpenter family legacy by executive chef and owner Michelle Carpenter. Expect more experimental dishes that rely on whole-animal and produce use, and that tell the story of Beatrice, Carpenter’s grandmother. It’s wine program has also gotten an upgrade, with a curated selection of new bottles.

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Capital One Dining

Book primetime tables set aside exclusively for eligible Capital One cardholders. Capital One Dining is the presenting partner of the Eater app .

1111 N Beckley Ave, Dallas, TX 75203

A bowl holds Gulf shrimp in a consomme. — Gulf shrimp is prepared three ways in this sharable dish from Restaurant Beatrice.

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Taco Y Vino

On the outskirts of Bishop Arts lies Taco Y Vino, a spot for clever tacos, Mexican-inspired dishes, and a great deal. The chile relleno taco and the tuna crudo tostada will impress, but it’s hard to do better than the deal of the century: six tacos with proteins or veggies of the diner’s choice and a bottle of wine for $45.

213 W Eighth St, Dallas, TX 75208

A taco holder has three tacos in it. From left to right, cactus, salmon, and corn. — A trio of tacos — who could say no?

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Lucia

Lucia consistently garners raves, and this year the James Beard Awards took notice once again and named its chef, David Uygur, a finalist in the Outstanding Chef category. The cozy atmosphere, the personable staff, and most significantly, the inventive twists on Italian food, which are not too far from the classics but just different enough to make eating them an experience, are worth putting your name on the reservations waitlist at this nine-table restaurant.

287 N Bishop Ave, Dallas, TX 75208

A bowl of pasta sits on a table. To the right are two forks and a spoon.

Written by the Seasons

Bishop Arts has become a favorite neighborhood for Dallasites to explore, and Written by the Seasons is one of the best people-watching restaurants in the area. This spring and summer, take advantage of its menu of sharable bite-sized dishes, an impeccable wine list, and as many cocktails as you can handle while watching the crowds amble by in the indoor/outdoor dining area that’s set back from Davis Street.

380 Melba St, Dallas, TX 75208

A pair of hands clink two glasses of wine at an outdoor table at Written by the Seasons. — Grab a glass of wine and enjoy the people watching in Bishop Arts along with a great meal.

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Cenzo's Pizza & Deli

An authentic neighborhood joint that all the neighbors walk to opened in Oak Cliff last year. It’s owned by Chad Dolezal, who hung up his fine dining whites and moved from Austin to Dallas to take control of his cheffy career. He’s also taken control of our pizza and sandwich consumption. The pies are excellent, but that chicken parm sandwich is unforgettable.

1700 West 10th Street, Dallas, Texas 75208

A pizza topped with pepperoni, green peppers, and black olives.

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Walloon’s Restaurant

Come to Walloon’s for what it advertises as the coldest martinis in Fort Worth (we tested them and we can confirm: very cold) and stay for the outstanding seafood. Order oysters on the half shell and crudo from the raw bar, or the excellent beer battered redfish beignets (it eats like fish and chips). The lobster roll is also a solid pick, as is the decadent seafood mac and cheese.

701 W Magnolia Ave (Hemohill), Fort Worth, TX 76104

At a bar a dirty martini and plate of fried fish are served. — The classics get a twist at Walloon’s.

Smoke'N Ash BBQ

This Ethiopian smokehouse has been racking up accolades, from publications including Texas Monthly and the New York Times, as a great fusion option. Since it opened in 2018, owners Patrick and Fasicka Hicks have really hit a groove by incorporating traditional Ethiopian flavors into traditional Texas barbecue. The Tex-Ethiopian options include a huge platter with injera, injera nachos, awaze meats, and firfir migas.

5904 S Cooper St #110, Arlington, TX 76017

A plate holds Ethiopian barbecue. — A Tex-Ethiopian barbecue platter.

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Courtney E. Smith Courtney E. Smith is the editor of Eater Dallas. She's a journalist who was born and raised in Texas, although she spent time living in NYC and LA as well.

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Harvest at the Masonic

215 North Kentucky Street, McKinney, Texas 75069

Harvest has long been a favorite on the Square in McKinney, and it is a leader in the Metroplex for serving hyper local food from North Texas farmers. In late 2023, owner Rick Wells oversaw the relocation of the restaurant into a former Masonic Lodge and created a three-floor experience that includes a top floor bar with live music that serves the full menu, a second floor designed by the chef, and a first floor where diners are most likely to end up with a cute, pink bar tucked in the back. The menu changes frequently and seasonally, but a few things, including the duroc pork chop and the chicken fried steak, are evergreen.

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215 North Kentucky Street, McKinney, Texas 75069

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Two sets of hands hold a plate that’s loaded with baked chicken. — It’s all hands on deck to make service work on three floors at Harvest at the Masonic.

The Heritage Table

7110 Main St, Frisco, TX 75033

If sustainability in food is important to you, then owner and chef Rich Vana’s menu is a must. Order the Whole Beast, a dish he created to move towards a minimal waste kitchen. It incorporates leftover pieces of proteins, noodles, and produce to make sure every part of the animal gets used, along with as much of everything else that works. The restaurant is located inside a historic house on Main Street, with window-lined walls and the bulk of the dining room feels like a closed-in porch. It gives off a homey feel that matches the food.

7110 Main St, Frisco, TX 75033

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A hand pours broth into a bowl of soup. — The Whole Beast at the Heritage Table.

Ari Korean BBQ

2625 Old Denton Rd #800, Carrollton, TX 75007

The fun of Korean barbecue is all in cooking it yourself. However, the craft of it is in the meat the restaurant uses. Ari Korean BBQ has locations in Carrollton and Plano, both worth traveling to eat at, and it has some of the best cuts around. Try the bulgogi, marinated short rib, and thin-sliced prime brisket. And in Carrollton, there’s a new upstairs lounge with cocktails and DJs.

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2625 Old Denton Rd #800, Carrollton, TX 75007

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A pair of hands flip meat over an open flame at a Korean barbecue place. Around it are loads of sauces and bites. — Roast some meat over an open flame at Ari Korean BBQ.

Kirin Court

221 W Polk St (Main st), Richardson, TX 75081

If dim sum is what you crave, Kirin Court is the classic go-to for DFW. Get the full experience here, with banquet-sized tables, white tablecloths, and push carts brimming with dim sum. Go for the all-you-can-eat style, grab a basket of dim sum, or order from the lunch and dinner menus for entrees. It’s a blast.

221 W Polk St (Main st), Richardson, TX 75081

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Loads of dim sum in bamboo bowls and some on white plates sit together on a table. More than one could easily count.

Partenope Ristorante

1903 Main Street, Dallas, Texas 75201

Looking for Neapolitan-style pizza in Dallas? Partenope Ristorante is the best option for pizza that’s hearty, that folds, and that’s topped with high quality Italian ingredients. It’s also an excellent spot for Italian dishes, from amazing meatballs to fettuccine alla bolognese that will spoil you for other bolognese sauces. Try either the new location in Richardson or the original Downtown. Everywhere in the Downtown location, which is in a historic building, offers a great view of the big pizza oven and all the action in the kitchen.

1903 Main Street, Dallas, Texas 75201

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A Napoli style pizza sits on a plate. — When all you want is your own damn pizza.

Roots Southern Table

13050 Bee St Suit 160, Farmers Branch, TX 75234

Prepare to be tempted by the cast iron cornbread and fried green tomatoes, staples in any Southern kitchen. Then, dive into some inventive main courses that take the spices and cooking methods of Southern fare and elevate them using modern methods. The duck fat fried chicken and gumbo are longtime signature dishes that are great orders. One of the highlights here is that diners can see right into the busy kitchen and watch the staff prepare everything with what seems to be choreographed precision. It’s a hallmark of chef Tiffany Derry’s restaurants.

13050 Bee St Suit 160, Farmers Branch, TX 75234

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A chef sprinkles a finishing touch on top of a dish that sits on the pass. — A little sprinkle of love and finishing touches on a dish at Roots by chef Tiffany Derry.

Desta Ethiopian Restaurant

12101 Greenville Ave #105, Dallas, TX 75243

Just inside the loop on Greenville Avenue is family-style Ethiopian restaurant Desta. Head in for traditional dishes including tibs (beef or lamb cooked with sauteed vegetables), doro wot (chicken legs in berbere hot sauce), and firfir (injera — an Ethiopian flatbread — in tomato sauce). There are no frills in this dining room — it’s all simple wooden chairs and tables. They let the food speak loudest.

12101 Greenville Ave #105, Dallas, TX 75243

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A bowl of meat sits in a piece of injera surrounded by sauteed vegetables. — Sit down for a family-style meal at Desta.

Royal China

6025 Royal Ln (at Preston Rd), Dallas, TX 75230

Dumplings, egg foo young, dry stirred beef, and a host of Chinese-American favorites are on offer at this north Dallas restaurant, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Owners George and April Kao are the second generation to run it, and the bright red dining room full of Chinese-style decor it remains a welcoming local favorite — even after all these years.

6025 Royal Ln (at Preston Rd), Dallas, TX 75230

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A plate holds spiced beef, snap peas, and julianned carrots with a scoop of rice. — Order classic dishes at Royal China, or try the more modern fare that reflects trends in the country.

The Ranch at Las Colinas

857 West John W Carpenter Freeway, Irving, Texas 75039

Looking for somewhere with a strong Texas vibe? Try the Ranch at Las Colinas in the northern ‘burbs. The interiors evoke that Yellowstone vibe, while the large enclosed porch gives diners a spot in the AC that lets them feel like they’re outdoors. Now celebrating its 15th anniversary, this joint is packed at all times, and the menu has a whole lot of everything. Don’t miss the Gulf Coast ceviche, chicken fried steak, or its signature dish, the double cut pork chop.

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857 West John W Carpenter Freeway, Irving, Texas 75039

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The exterior of a restaurant with a big American flag waving outside. The words “The Ranch” are on a blue sign. — It’s a beautiful day at the Ranch.

Sanjh Restaurant & Bar

5250 North O'connor Boulevard, Irving, Texas 75039

Indian food gets the full fine dining treatment in the ‘burbs at this spot that local legend chef Stephan Pyles says is his favorite new restaurant. The menu is an elevated take on the cuisine, with stylish plating and innovative twists. Think tandoori Cornish hen instead of tandoori chicken and a mango prawn curry made with three jumbo tiger prawns and artfully served on their own.

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5250 North O'connor Boulevard, Irving, Texas 75039

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A plate holds patta chaat in a variety of colors and vegetables.

Jose on Lovers

4931 W Lovers Ln, Dallas, TX 75209

There are few dining experiences in Dallas as beautiful as the one at Jose. The unique facade, the indoor/outdoor patio, and the light in the dining room paired with the rich color palette of Mexican-style decor are all eye-catching. And the menu rivals the setting. Featuring Jalisco-style cuisine, diners can enjoy an array of tacos, seafood dishes, and enchiladas with a stellar cocktail menu.

4931 W Lovers Ln, Dallas, TX 75209

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A ceviche is served inside a half of a coconut with tortilla chips. A hand grabs one chip. — Coconut ceviche is a signature dish at Jose.

Green Point Seafood and Oyster Bar

3219 Knox Street, Dallas, Texas 75205

Looking for a little bit of the Northeast in Dallas? This spot is ideal for a drop-in meal of excellent East and Gulf Coast oysters and raw bar selections, sophisticated cocktails, and shareable bites. It’s also got excellent seafood lunch and dinner options. Pull up a stool at the massive horseshoe-shaped bar or ask for a roomy booth — the service is excellent everywhere.

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3219 Knox Street, Dallas, Texas 75205

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A plate holds baked oysters served over salt. — Roasted oysters Rockefeller at Green Point.

Georgie

4514 Travis St, Dallas, TX 75205

This restaurant’s menu has transitioned from steakhouse classics to what is best described as chefy American cuisine. Georgie’s chef, RJ Yoakum, came to Dallas from a position at the French Laundry under Thomas Keller. Of late, Yoakum’s style veers towards taking the idea of a dish, deconstructing it, and creating all the elements in a new style that is evocative of the flavors while employing unusual textures and construction. Want to know what that means? Go in and order the French onion soup. The elegant interiors remain the same, although Yoakum aims to create an atmosphere that’s less stuffy and welcomes folks with a neighborhood feel.

4514 Travis St, Dallas, TX 75205

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A hand with a fork digs into a bowl of pasta on the right, while another hand cuts into meat on a plate to the left. In the lower left is a red cocktail. — A few of the beautiful plates at Georgie.

Quarter Acre

2023 Greenville Ave #110, Dallas, TX 75206

Chef Toby Archibald perfected one dish in Georgie’s kitchen that he brought to Quarter Acre: a smoked beef tartare served table side that is a showstopper. It’s also the perfect jumping-off point for his Lower Greenville restaurant, influenced by the flavors of his home country, New Zealand. There are a lot of Asian-inspired moments, smokey beach food, and childhood memories to consume on the menu.

2023 Greenville Ave #110, Dallas, TX 75206

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Ngon Vietnamese Kitchen

1907 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75206

Soups with rich broth and delicious noodles. Shaking tofu rice. Rice paper rolls. Vietnamese coffee. Sangria with a kick of Hennessy. These are a few delights waiting in Nong Vietnamese Kitchen on Lowest Greenville. Owner Carol Nguyen named the place for her mother and intends to introduce Dallasites to the best of Vietnam in a no-frills but great food in a dining room with just a bit of an industrial vibe.

1907 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75206

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A white plate holds thinly sliced meats, herbs, and fried onions. — Ngon Vietnamese Kitchen serves up an array of authentic dishes.

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Petra and the Beast

1901 Abrams Pkwy, Dallas, TX 75214

Yes, chef and owner Misti Norris was a James Beard finalist once again this year, and that’s a good reason to visit. This spot is also features loads of fermented and smoked bites — and that’s an even better reason to visit. Norris continues to do her thing, generally getting creative with presentation, ingredients, and flavor profiles. Go in with an open mind and enjoy, either at the chef’s counter, in a cozy booth, or communally at the bar.

1901 Abrams Pkwy, Dallas, TX 75214

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At the bar in Petra and the Beast.

Via Triozzi

1806 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75206

When it opened last year, Via Triozzi quickly became arguably the best Italian restaurant in Dallas. The must-try menu item is the lasagne al forno, with layers on layers on layers of noodles, bolognese, and cheese. If it’s a splurge-y moment, order the bistecca alla Fiorentina — a Florentine-breed of cow served in traditional style with a stick of rosemary, olive oil, and salt — and that’s it.

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1806 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75206

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A pair of hands uses a fork and spoon to dig into a bowl of pasta, while someone else sits in a booth. To the bottom left, a steak sits on a plate. — Mixing up great pasta dishes at Via Triozzi.

Mot Hai Ba

6047 Lewis St, Dallas, TX 75206

Chef Peja Krstic has one of the most interesting culinary minds in Dallas. His Lakewood restaurant serves French-Vietnamese fusion, with some dishes that are more obviously one than the other, but calling it “fusion” feels like a limited description. The menu also features a heavy Texas influence and features a good amount of seafood from the Northeast. The dining room is something between an intimate French bistro by way of New Orleans and a homey, family-owned restaurant.

6047 Lewis St, Dallas, TX 75206

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Overhead view of a dish from chef Peja Krstic’s Mot Hai Ba. — A dish from chef Peja Krstic’s Mot Hai Ba.

Street's Fine Chicken

3857 Cedar Springs Rd, Dallas, TX 75219

When it’s time for a table full of fried chicken, head to Street’s. The chicken is brined for 24-hours and fried to a golden crisp. The biscuits with honey butter are a crucial add-on, as are the collard greens that combine a savory broth and a vinegar tang and the brie mac and cheese, baked with a nice crisp layer of cheese on top and melty and cheesy inside. The dining room is fast casual-style, and you can be in and out as quickly as you like.

3857 Cedar Springs Rd, Dallas, TX 75219

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A wooden table holds plates of fried chicken, greens, mashed potatoes. — Fried chicken and all the fixings at Streets.

Namo

3699 McKinney Ave #305, Dallas, TX 75204

Namo in the West Village sources most of its products from Japan, encompassing sushi, sake, and whiskies. However, the warm vibes in the tiny sushi bar are what make it memorable. It feels unpretentious and cozy, and is built in a way that guarantees the crowds are small (it holds 12) and that eating is a shared experience. Drop by for its special events, including a monthly omakase service.

3699 McKinney Ave #305, Dallas, TX 75204

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Uni is the star of this dish at Namo.

Slow Bone BBQ

2234 Irving Blvd (Wycliff), Dallas, TX 75207

Smoked turkey has become a thing in barbecue, and this spot serves some of the best in town. No need to stop there, though. It has top notch brisket, sausages, and pork ribs. The food is served cafeteria-style, and the interiors are loaded with photos and Texas-style decor. This isn’t a spot that gets overhyped, and you might not even have to wait in line to get a plate. It’s for the real ones who know.

2234 Irving Blvd (Wycliff), Dallas, TX 75207

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A pink tray that’s reminiscent of a school cafeteria tray holds barbecue ribs, a piece of cornbread, fried okra, greens, and baked beans. — A tray of ribs at Slow Bone BBQ.

Kalachandji's

5430 Gurley Ave, Dallas, TX 75223

This spot is the longest-running vegetarian restaurant in Dallas, going strong since 1982, and serves some of the best Indian food in the city. Food is served buffet-style, and the prices are very reasonable, at just shy of $15 for lunch and $18 for dinner. Feast on black-eyed pea curry, mixed vegetable sabzi in a gravy loaded with spices, or pakora (fried vegetable fritters). This restaurant is grand in design, decorated with Indian artifacts and art — make time to explore it.

5430 Gurley Ave, Dallas, TX 75223

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A table set with a plate of vegetarian food, a drink, breads, and other sides. — Kalachandji’s has been going strong since 1982.

Tei-An

1722 Routh Street, TX 75201

Tei-An is a classic sushi spot in Dallas that is the most likely answer when you ask almost anyone where to go for sushi, to take your parents, or to go for a business meeting with out-of-town guests. It earns its reputation repeatedly through consistent service and excellent food.

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1722 Routh Street, TX 75201

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A salad topped with saffron sits in a white bowl.

El Carlos Elegante

1400 N Riverfront Blvd, Dallas, TX 75207

This Mexican fine dining spot draws inspiration from Indigenous cultures, Mexico City street foods, and the family recipes of its kitchen staff, who hail from all over Mexico. It also has one of the most elegantly designed dining rooms in the city — trio of rooms, actually, as the restaurant is broken into three distinct spaces. Go for the chef’s tasting menu, and let them curate your plates and drinks. The staff are well-trained and fully capable.

1400 N Riverfront Blvd, Dallas, TX 75207

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A turquoise bowl holds rocks. On top of the rocks are a trio of Mexican appetizers, including oysters on the half shell with a red mignonette, tiny tacos topped with caviar, and raw fish on a piece of toast. — A trio of appetizers, or one hitters, from El Carlos Elegante.

Billy Can Can

2386 Victory Park Ln, Dallas, TX 75219

If you’re looking for a taste of Dallas, it’s hard to hit the mark harder than at this Victory Park spot. It’s fine dining in a saloon environment and a menu loaded with wild game. The menu will be packed with seasonal dishes that start with the idea of a traditional Southern dish but have the flair of culinary brilliance. The assorted deviled eggs, a half dozen in different styles, and Texas venison tartare are must-orders — and that’s just from the appetizers menu. It only gets better from there.

2386 Victory Park Ln, Dallas, TX 75219

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A server holds a white plate that has several pieces of sliced steak and a herbed ball of butter in the middle. — A big plate of steak at a Texas-themed restaurant? Obviously yes.

Tatsu Dallas

3309 Elm St ste 120, Dallas, TX 75226

Chef Tatsu is a master of simple treatments of nigiri that highlight both the quality of the fish (almost everything he serves is flown in from Japan) and his culinary skill as a sushi chef. The small dining room at this restaurant makes it challenging to land a reservation, but it’s worth the effort. And worth the price tag to enjoy an omakase service here.

3309 Elm St ste 120, Dallas, TX 75226

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A piece of sushi sits on a black countertop. — The perfect piece of sushi is what chef Tatsu serves every time.

The Saint

2633 Gaston Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75226

This restaurant went from not on our radar at all to the spot we love to regularly go to for oyster happy hour (daily from 5 to 6 p.m. with $1.50 Murder Point oysters and $10 cocktails). It’s a fun hang. It’s also a solid menu — order the gorgonzola tortellini, confit duck leg piccata, or the Texas redfish, or go for any of the numerous steaks. Make sure to take a minute to walk around and enjoy the art — the portraits enhanced with graffiti and photos of famous folk that are drawn over are a trip.

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2633 Gaston Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75226

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A dimly lit dining room in a restaurant, with people scattered about at tables. — The dining room glows at the Saint.

Revolver Taco Lounge

2701 Main St #120, Dallas, TX 75226

The wonderful tacos here haven’t changed a bit. Stop in for fresh-made wagyu steak, duck breast, and whatever tacos the Rojas family cooks on any given day. And the Sunday brunch served buffet-style is not to be missed, and includes outdoor service in the brightly decorated pass through between streets.

2701 Main St #120, Dallas, TX 75226

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Two tacos on small corn tortillas sit on a plate. A small ramekin of salsa is in the back.

Fond

1601 Elm Street, Dallas, Texas 75201

When looking for lunch near Downtown, it’s hard to beat Fond. Its Tower Club is a five star sandwich, and if you can indulge in a glass of $7 lunch wine, you can choose from a few options from the restaurant’s natural wine selection. It also does a mean aperitivo service (a twist on happy hour) from 4 to 8 p.m. during the week and 9 on Fridays.

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1601 Elm Street, Dallas, Texas 75201

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A table holds a box with a pizza inside and a bottle of wine next to it, with one full wine glass. — Grab a Detroit-style pizza at Fond for dinner.

Mirador

1608 Elm Street, Dallas, Texas 75201

Ladies who lunch and the sorts who go for tea service, Mirador is a must-try spot. This elegant, pastels filled restaurant in Downtown gives off the vibes of tastefulness, but that doesn’t mean boring. Chef Travis Wyatt takes the idea of classic dishes and breaks them down into forms that tea aficionados have never seen before. It’s whimsical, clever, and scrumptious.

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1608 Elm Street, Dallas, Texas 75201

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A wooden tray on a fully set table holds four dishes. — Tea service doesn’t have to be stuffy or traditional.

Starship Bagel

1520 Elm St #107, Dallas, TX 75201

The lines are often long for the bagels here, but the wait outside its little boxy storefront is worth it. A morning (or mid-morning or lunch) bagel from the Starship stand downtown will perk up any day. Don’t expect to get eggs and bacon or any other breakfast style bagel, however — it’s strictly lox, veggies, and schmear for these purists. With the wide array of flavors, of both bagels and schmear, it’ll take ages before any bagel lover worth their salt (bagel) will even miss ‘em.

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1520 Elm St #107, Dallas, TX 75201

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A bagel covered in cream cheese and lox sits on paper. — Lox it up at Starship.

Restaurant Beatrice

1111 N Beckley Ave, Dallas, TX 75203

Eater Dallas’s best restaurant for 2022 was also one of the best new restaurant finalists in the James Beard Awards for 2023. Go there for Louisiana-style food, encompassing Cajun and Creole dishes, although the menu might look a bit different starting this summer thanks to the addition of chef de cuisine Colin Younce and a stepping up of the Carpenter family legacy by executive chef and owner Michelle Carpenter. Expect more experimental dishes that rely on whole-animal and produce use, and that tell the story of Beatrice, Carpenter’s grandmother. It’s wine program has also gotten an upgrade, with a curated selection of new bottles.

1111 N Beckley Ave, Dallas, TX 75203

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A bowl holds Gulf shrimp in a consomme. — Gulf shrimp is prepared three ways in this sharable dish from Restaurant Beatrice.

Taco Y Vino

213 W Eighth St, Dallas, TX 75208

On the outskirts of Bishop Arts lies Taco Y Vino, a spot for clever tacos, Mexican-inspired dishes, and a great deal. The chile relleno taco and the tuna crudo tostada will impress, but it’s hard to do better than the deal of the century: six tacos with proteins or veggies of the diner’s choice and a bottle of wine for $45.

213 W Eighth St, Dallas, TX 75208

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A taco holder has three tacos in it. From left to right, cactus, salmon, and corn. — A trio of tacos — who could say no?

Lucia

287 N Bishop Ave, Dallas, TX 75208

Lucia consistently garners raves, and this year the James Beard Awards took notice once again and named its chef, David Uygur, a finalist in the Outstanding Chef category. The cozy atmosphere, the personable staff, and most significantly, the inventive twists on Italian food, which are not too far from the classics but just different enough to make eating them an experience, are worth putting your name on the reservations waitlist at this nine-table restaurant.

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287 N Bishop Ave, Dallas, TX 75208

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A bowl of pasta sits on a table. To the right are two forks and a spoon.

Written by the Seasons

380 Melba St, Dallas, TX 75208

Bishop Arts has become a favorite neighborhood for Dallasites to explore, and Written by the Seasons is one of the best people-watching restaurants in the area. This spring and summer, take advantage of its menu of sharable bite-sized dishes, an impeccable wine list, and as many cocktails as you can handle while watching the crowds amble by in the indoor/outdoor dining area that’s set back from Davis Street.

380 Melba St, Dallas, TX 75208

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A pair of hands clink two glasses of wine at an outdoor table at Written by the Seasons. — Grab a glass of wine and enjoy the people watching in Bishop Arts along with a great meal.

Cenzo's Pizza & Deli

1700 West 10th Street, Dallas, Texas 75208

An authentic neighborhood joint that all the neighbors walk to opened in Oak Cliff last year. It’s owned by Chad Dolezal, who hung up his fine dining whites and moved from Austin to Dallas to take control of his cheffy career. He’s also taken control of our pizza and sandwich consumption. The pies are excellent, but that chicken parm sandwich is unforgettable.

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1700 West 10th Street, Dallas, Texas 75208

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A pizza topped with pepperoni, green peppers, and black olives.

Walloon’s Restaurant

701 W Magnolia Ave (Hemohill), Fort Worth, TX 76104

Come to Walloon’s for what it advertises as the coldest martinis in Fort Worth (we tested them and we can confirm: very cold) and stay for the outstanding seafood. Order oysters on the half shell and crudo from the raw bar, or the excellent beer battered redfish beignets (it eats like fish and chips). The lobster roll is also a solid pick, as is the decadent seafood mac and cheese.

701 W Magnolia Ave (Hemohill), Fort Worth, TX 76104

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At a bar a dirty martini and plate of fried fish are served. — The classics get a twist at Walloon’s.

Smoke'N Ash BBQ

5904 S Cooper St #110, Arlington, TX 76017

This Ethiopian smokehouse has been racking up accolades, from publications including Texas Monthly and the New York Times, as a great fusion option. Since it opened in 2018, owners Patrick and Fasicka Hicks have really hit a groove by incorporating traditional Ethiopian flavors into traditional Texas barbecue. The Tex-Ethiopian options include a huge platter with injera, injera nachos, awaze meats, and firfir migas.

5904 S Cooper St #110, Arlington, TX 76017

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A plate holds Ethiopian barbecue. — A Tex-Ethiopian barbecue platter.

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