The best restaurants in Dallas

Carbone Vino is unlike anything else in Dallas; a step back to a time you’ll never want to return from. Next door to Carbone in the Design District, Vino is the restaurant's impressive extension with a wine cellar to end all wine cellars (we saw the list—it’s huge!). Come sample fine vintages at the bar, then sit down and say Mamma Mia! with every bite. We recommend the shaved artichoke salad, and the spicy tuna crudo to start; and persuading your table to share a bunch of pastas and entrees (you know, ‘the family way’) like the spicy rigatoni vodka pasta and grilled salmon Portofino. For the grand finale, select their freshly made gelato, drizzled and sprinkled with goodies tableside. Note: all portions are bigger than you’d expect, so show up extra hungry, especially if saying yes to whipped truffle ricotta grilled bread.

Richard Branson knows a thing or two about running a business, and Dallas’ Commons Club is no exception. The British billionaire enticed the Big D’s most sought-after chefs, giving them carte blanche to create an extraordinary (and pleasingly affordable) menu with dishes like short rib ossobuco and seared snapper with sweet potato-chorizo hash. The result is the hottest dinner reservation uptown. Always save space for dessert: Chef Andy’s key lime pie features a white chocolate and pecan crust filled with coconut meringue and guava. 

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If Chef Anastacia Quinoñes’ tacos de tacha looked appealing on Netflix’s Taco Chronicles, then you’ll want to visit her Jalisco-inspired restaurant in West Dallas – José. What makes José so special is the seafood-focused menu and dishes made with heirloom masa like crab sopesitos – lump crab stuffed masa boats – and quesadilla de huitlacoche. Expect seasonal crudo and ceviche, as well as traditional Mexican dishes like mole with chicken, tacos, and carne asada. There is a playfulness to the dishes that we love, like short rib enchiladas and Mexican street corn (elote) with brussels sprouts. In addition to being open for lunch and dinner, José offers brunch on the weekends and happy hour during the week. 

The Ritz-Carlton Dallas, Las Colinas took over the Four Seasons and replaced LAW with Knife Italian, a must-visit restaurant with a decadent menu and a modern, sultry tropical design. Knife Italian is the newest venture for Michelin Starred Chef and Restaurateur, John Tesar. While the name indicates an Italian restaurant, you’ll see a lot of Texas and global influences on the family-style eating menu. Start your meal with an antipasti, crudi, or salad, before ordering a pasta—like the lobster agnolotti—and main dish like pork Milanese or veal loin. The steaks are the real treasures of the menu as they’re wet- or dry-aged between 45 and 240 days! 

Opened in 2021 in Bishop Arts, Written by the Seasons is a lovely restaurant with vibrantly colored dishes that are as delicious as they look. As the name suggests, the menu features seasonal ingredients and dishes, however, there are some favorites that typically appear year-round like a delightful focaccia, a wild mushrooms dish, and a grilled shrimp and avocado salad with mango, pear, and chili. Though it’s mostly American cuisine on the menu, there are some Asian influences and dishes too, like Kimchi pancakes. The staff (whom are as beloved as the food) encourage visitors to share dishes and will guide you well in your dining choices be it ordering dayboat scallops or a NY strip. Whether you sit on the patio or indoors, Written by the Seasons is open for dinner Monday-Thursday, lunch and dinner on Friday, and brunch on Saturday and Sunday.

Prior to JOEY opening in Dallas in 2024, folks weren’t really going to a mall like NorthPark Center for a quality meal. Today, when you arrive at JOEY Dallas, the host stand provides diners with a glass of champagne before taking them to their table in a modern dining room filled with large artwork by international and Texas-based artists. Whether you sit at the bar during happy hour, in the main dining room for lunch or dinner, or the patio on nice days, JOEY’s fusion menu is sure to please. Ravioli Bianco is as popular as the hummus, wagyu beef carpaccio, and the herb crushed salmon. Did we mention, the seared salmon sushi literally melts in your mouth?

This award-winning restaurant is a tribute to all the craveable American classics that bring people together; brunch, lunch, dinner or drinks. Their chicken & waffles are the best; made with honey hot sauce, chilled spiced watermelon, sharp cheddar cheese waffle and bourbon maple syrup; while other hits include the buttermilk biscuits, the super creamy mac & cheese and the deviled eggs (but seriously, just order the chicken & waffles—even if you hate chicken and waffles—they are life-changing). The venue is surprisingly upscale too, with a pretty bar, glam hosts and mirrored ceilings to offset all the finger-lickin’ and pant unbuttoning you’ll be doing; in other words, treat yourself!

Open for both lunch and dinner, Sassetta remains one of the top tables in town for good reason. The lush space oozes Tuscan charm and even better, cooks fare straight from its rolling hills and the surrounding Mediterranean region to perfection. The menu includes handcrafted pasta, seasonal small plates, house-cured meats, seafood and thin-crust pizzas. Our picks are the creamy cacio e pepe pasta and the long island duck with spring onion, English pea, potato pave, and aged balsamic. The tiramisu is a classic for dessert, although the olive oil lemon cake with mascarpone cream is a great choice too. The wine list features exquisite collections from Italy, California, and France, and there’s also a menu of classic Italian cocktails such as the limoncello spritz. 

Tucked away in dainty Harwood (an artsy pocket district between downtown and Uptown), Mercat is lively and welcoming without being overbearing. There are plenty of seats for solo diners at the chic metallic bar, while tiny Parisian-style tables for one or two guests populate the bistro proper. The French-themed menu is exemplary, from the escargot all the way through to the crème brûlée, including possibly the best duck confit you’ll find on this side of the Pond.

One of the oldest and most storied restaurants in the South, The French Room was remodeled a few years back, which only upgraded an already timeless experience. The chic, en pointe decor (think Louis XVI-style chairs and Italian Murano Glass chandeliers) is matched by an exquisite afternoon tea menu featuring a tier of finger sandwiches, sweet scones, and sweet treats such as tarte au citron with strawberry compote and whipped mascarpone. Best washed down with some Laurent-Perrier.

You wouldn’t expect a Turkish restaurant to be inside a 1910 historic home where an Oak Cliff mayor lived in the early 1900s – but that’s exactly the case with The Mayor’s House by Selda. Owned by Mert and Becky Tezkol who partnered with acclaimed Turkish chef Habip Kargin, diners enjoy authentic Turkish food in an elegant space. Whether you’re sitting on the porch or inside, you can eat from a menu filled with kebabs, Turkish-style flatbread pizzas, lamb shank, tzatziki, and kulbatsi. Try their Turkish brunch on Saturday or Sunday, as it’s sure to please. 

Situated in the Deep Ellum district (hence the suffix), everyone was confused when Armoury D.E. opened back in 2015, offering Hungarian food with Mexican beer and shot combos. Now, it’s a cherished cornerstone of the weekend crawlers, positioned perfectly amid a glut of boisterous bars and live music venues. Whether you’re looking for a snack (spiced Hungarian sausage, all the way) or a full dinner (the Budapest schnitzel served with spaetzle or charred octopus simmered in Hungarian spices), the menu is brimming with non-traditional options. 

The Mansion Restaurant (and its adjoining bar) have long been a Dallas institution. Contemporary American cuisine gets a magical French touch on items such as cremini mushroom veloute, squash blossom beignets, dry aged beef porterhouse, and desserts like strawberry semifreddo and a nectarine and blackberry tart. Toast a fine wine under exquisite European décor no matter which of the striking boudoirs of the restaurant your table lies. The Mansion Restaurant is open daily for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch.

When it comes to izakayas, this is a clear winner on Maple Drive. From the same team behind Uchi, this sexy upstairs bar puts a twist on Japan’s greatest hits. Some of our top menu picks include the hot fried chicken bun with pickles, a juicy pork belly with pickled carrot, thai chili, and apple relish, and the once-a-month ramen special. Unlike traditional izakaya, Uchiba has a massive vegetarian selection like crispy tofu, cauliflower buns, mushroom skewers, and avocado nigiri.

One for the adventurous eater, Petra and the Beast attracts national and international acclaim thanks to a fearlessly experimental menu served in a former gas station in old East Dallas. Chef Misti Norris, a skilled nose-to-tail butcher who doesn’t like to waste any ingredients, concocts a cornucopia of unexpected flavors in this intimate, unassuming setting, with dishes including purple orca potato and braised fall green ravioli and tea braised pigtails with summer squash doro wat, dragee peanut, smoked egg emulsion, sour aji peppers, and glutinous rice. 

Whichever way you slice it, barbecue is king in Texas. And, as pretty much any Dallasite will tell you, Pecan Lodge smokes the rest of the competition for miles around. The bad news? The line snakes for at least a block most lunchtimes. The good news? You can skip straight to the front when you order five pounds of meat or more. If it’s your first time, dive straight in and order The Trough — it comes with a beef rib, a pound of pork ribs, a pound of brisket, a half-pound of pulled pork, and two sausages.