Where to Eat in Dallas Right Now

Chef Toby Archibald arrived on the Dallas scene in 2016 and quickly started working on some of the city’s most high-profile restaurants, including the fabulous downtown French favorite, Bullion (RIP). Now he’s opened his own place with a dining room accented with chic yet cheerful colors, as well as eye-catching faux white fur throws on the backs of a few chairs for a little New Zealand inspiration true to his roots. The menu is also inspired by world travels with his wife. Currently, you can only enjoy Kingfish Ceviche, Foie Gras Custard Pie, Confit Lamb Belly Sticks, and Parmesan-Buttered Grouper for dinner Tuesday to Saturday evenings, but snagging a table will be well worth it.

Cowtown has always been a fantastic destination for Texas cuisine, from steaks to barbecue, but it also boasts some excellent global fare if you know where to look. Chef Blaine Staniford and restaurateur Adam Jones have teamed up for a modern take on Italian with a culture of collaboration behind the scenes among chefs and sommeliers. The elegant space boasts a large number of cozy booths for romantic dinners for two or a fun meal with close friends. On the menu, house-cured salumi (including a decadent truffle version), Bucatini Cacio e Pepe, Smoked Spaghetti Carbonara, and 44 Farms Short Rib with parmesan polenta. The beverage program features hand-crafted cocktails with Italian inspirations, as well as plenty of memorable Italian wines.

Level 2 sommelier Vinh Le created Social Oak as a unique concept where diners can enjoy a beautiful selection of 56 wines and 28 whiskeys by the pour from state-of-the-art, self-serve machines. Though the focus sharpens on libations, a tapas-style menu of international share plates boasts an Asian flare—and helps soak up some of that booze so you can have another pour. Garlic Shrimp Flatbread, Wild Burgundy Escargot, Curry Chicken Satay, and Japanese Pork Belly Buns lead the list of must-try dishes.

The hit everyday brunch spot that got its start in the suburb of Mansfield has finally opened in Big D, a city that could use more Monday and Sunday brunch places. Each day from 7 am to 2:30 pm grab a seat and order a spread of Morning After Tacos (loaded with chorizo), Lamb Chops N Waffles, and five different types of Eggs Benedict, including one with 500-day-aged prosciutto. The drink menu boasts 45 different options, from non-alcoholic sips to a Mimosa Flight with four types of juice for DIY mixology.

In its heyday, Picasso’s Pizza & Grill was a favorite among DFW’s hungriest citizens and its closure after three decades saddened many a pizza fanatic. Well, as these things tend to go, former owners Andrew and Jennifer Albert have brought in their son, Justin Andrew Albert, to launch a new concept that also specializes in “Dallas-style” pizza, which is defined by a hand-rolled, super-thin crust. All doughs and sauces originate in the restaurant’s scratch kitchen and toppings range from the usual suspects (including three different types of pepperoni, fresh jalapeños, and pineapple for the weirdos), as well as premium goodies such as pancetta, prosciutto, sliced Italian sausage links, and Fior Di Latte cheese. Choose from preselected combos or create your own, available in Dallas style, Detroit style, Tavern style, and New York style. Pastas, salads, sandwiches, and a full bar round out the list of tough decisions.
How to book: Stop in for first come, first serve seating.

Step into the bright-and-airy corner location of The Finch for a sophisticated yet approachable lunch, dinner, brunch, or happy hour with a distinctive raw bar as a centerpiece of both the menu and the space. Patio dining will also be a popular spot when the weather’s perfect for a few cocktails and a shellfish platter of oysters, crab dip, jumbo prawns, and colossal crab claws. Or opt for something heartier, such as chicken and dumplings, handmade daily pasta selections, Sunday prime rib, or the bountiful Japanese A-5 Katsu Sandwich. A variety of caffeinated creations through a partnership with White Rhino Coffee offer java lovers everything from an Espresso Spritz to a Coffee Sazerac with every non-alcoholic option in between.
How to book: Reserve a table via SevenRooms.

Motivated to deliver authentic Mexico City–style tacos to North Texas, the owners of El Taco H have undeniably succeeded in their mission. With most tacos clocking in at three bucks, it’s a fun place to mix and match a variety of flavors and textures. Must-orders include the Al Pastor, which is shaved right from the trompo, the Quesabirria with its addictive side of beef consommé (you can even order a large bowl to slurp down as a meal itself), and the Nopales and Papa for a cactus-spiked vegetarian option that’s a lot more exciting than a simple bean taco. Cheap tequila drinks and beer options make this an excellent choice for a low-key date night.
How to book: Stop in for first come, first serve seating.

Pizza and beer had a good run as a classic marriage of flavors. Now it’s time for pizza and martinis to have some time in the spotlight with the opening of Poco Fiasco, the 11th concept from Harwood Hospitality Group. The pies here fall into the fold-and-eat category with slices so large and full of toppings that it’s really about the only option other than knife and fork (and that’s no fun). The menu comes from corporate chef Taylor Kearney and on-the-scene executive chef JP Mancha. Signature pizzas include The Donkey (diablo sauce, three kinds of cheese, roasted garlic, and oregano), the Fig & Favor (shaved roast lamb, cucumber sauces, parm, dill, feta, and fig jam), and The Texan (brisket, housemade barbecue, pickled red onion, and cheddar). Charred eggplant dip, pasta dishes, sandwiches, and salads can add to the Mediterranean smorgasbord. Of course, it wouldn’t be a pizza-and-martini concept without boozy concoctions, including The Joe (a French Press “espresso” martini), The James (a classic Vesper), and The Sterling (a spot-on Manhattan).
How to book: Stop in for first come, first serve seating or reserve a table via SevenRooms.

This fast casual import was “hatched in Denver, Colorado,” as their marketing playfully points out, and now DFW has access to a variety of made-to-order, fried-chicken-on-a-burn incarnations. Order from a kiosk and your food will be delivered to an individual cubby all for you. Options include Nashville Hot, Southern (with pimiento cheese and slaw), Buffalo, and even a plant-based fried chicken alternative among the eight sandwich choices. Each can be made with grilled, fried, or plant-based options, so the combinations are practically limitless. Beautiful and healthy salads look nothing like what you’re used to from a place with a drive-thru, while sides include chips, fries, and tots, or fresher options such as slaw and a shaved Brussels salad. Oh, and they serve beer, wine, and cocktails—something you’ll likely never see at Chick-fil-A.
How to book: Drive-thru or stop in for first come, first serve seating.

Dallas is home to some superb, homegrown steakhouse concepts, but the first-in-Texas outpost of international STK Steakhouse has meat lovers excited to welcome an outsider into the fold. The sleek-and-sexy interiors have a Vegas-meets-Uptown vibe that fits the bill for many seeking a photo-worthy destination with food as good as its surroundings. Signature dishes include the Miso Glazed Chilean Sea Bass with sautéed bok choy and the Dry-Aged Tomahawk (34 ounces of meaty magnificence). That steak—along with any of the more than 15 cuts of beef—can be topped with a signature butter (Truffle, Lobster, or Wagyu Umami) or one of eight sauces, including Red Wine, Horseradish, and Chimichurri. And because no steakhouse is worth anything without stellar sides, find sweet corn pudding, parmesan truffle fries, and bacon mac & cheese. (Pro tip: Stop in for happy hour when you can get a mini Surf & Turf for $19, as well as other bites and sips for $3, $6, or $9).

Escape to the jungles of Tulum at La Neta where aged brick, thick green vines, a stained-glass bar, and floor-to-ceiling retractable windows bring the outside in—much like any great dining destination in Mexico. And like any import from Vegas, expect everything to be over-the-top at this second-ever location to debut outside of Sin City. BFTs (Big F*#ckin Tacos) are big as they preach with Lobsta, 24Karne, and Birria Beef & Cheese among the choices. Flautas are packed with braised chicken. And you can even get a 30-ounce Snake River Farms Prime Tomahawk Ribeye with a tallow candle and roasted garlic dust if you want something fancier than tacos. Wash it down with one of their signature crafted-to-order cocktails or one of three different Margs on Tap (including a refreshing cucumber ditty, El Pepino).