A mélange of tastes, cultures, arts and life: there’s no place quite like the Metroplex cities of Dallas and Fort Worth. With such diversity, it’s no wonder that no matter what taste you crave, you are never far from the food you love. The Metroplex is a delight for the curious epicurean to explore, a food-lover’s paradise, where imaginations and tastes can run wild. From the traditional and romantic to new and exotic, there’s a whole world to be discovered and savored.
Dallas and Fort Worth pay homage to their cowboy roots with classic steakhouses that spark lively debates about which one serves up the biggest, most tender steaks. Exotic game, barbecue and two-fisted burgers served up big and juicy – just the way you would expect in these two cities considered by many to be the epitome of Texas. Tex-mex, southwestern, and just plain good old-fashioned down-home cooking are also treasured.
With the diversity of cultures found here, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that fusion cuisine is popular here, blending together global tastes to create an ever-changing number of dishes that present new twists on old favorites. From the delicate aromas and spices from the Pacific Rim to the hearty, robust and flavorful tastes of South America to the most avant-garde kitchens of Europe, Metroplex restaurateurs have taken the term “play with your food” literally to create enticing, mouthwatering menus.
The Metroplex has rightfully earned its reputation among connoisseurs and self-proclaimed “foodies” alike as a Mecca for those who love to experience the world on a plate. Get out and explore this world, and be swept along on a delightful journey that will travels deep to the heart of Texas.
The following is a sampling of the thousands of wonderful restaurants in the Metroplex area. Enjoy!
ADDISON
Clay Pit Grill and Curry Restaurant
4460 Belt Line Road 972-233-0111 www.claypit.com Casually elegant with an upbeat energy, the Clay Pit offers contemporary Indian cuisine, and was voted one of America’s best Indian restaurants by Bon Appetit magazine. Immerse yourself in the warm and inviting ambience while enjoying traditional Indian dishes and unique menu items. Be sure to try the Chai Spice Crème Brulee and Mango Cheesecake, highly touted by Bon Appetit.Jake’s Burgers
5505 Beltline Road 972-503-5253 www.jakesburgers.net Since 1985, Jake’s has been serving up what many believe to be the best burger in DFW, including Texas Monthly, D Magazine, NBCDFW.com, Dallas Observer and Sports Page Weekly, to name a few.Nate’s Seafood & Steakhouse
14951 Midway Road 972-701-9622 www.natesseafood.com If lively, hometown atmosphere gets you in the mood for juicy steaks and the best seafood, then Nate’s is for you.Arlington
Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen
1304 Copeland 817-543-0545 www.pappadeaux.com Cajun and Creole cuisine spoken here. New Orleans favorites are all here – from frog legs to boudin to crawfish etouffe. The seafood gumbo is exquisite, and there’s nothing like fried alligator as an appetizer. Try to save room, though, for the bread pudding with bourbon sauce for dessert.DALLAS
Abacus
4511 McKinney Avenue 214-559-3111 www.abacus-restaurant.com Join local favorite Kent Rathbun as he takes you on a global adventure with an emphasis on the Pacific Rim. Order the signature dish, “Lobster Shooters,” and let the fun begin.Adelmo’s Ristorante
4537 Cole Avenue 214-559-0325 www.adelmos.com Locals love Adelmo’s, a family owned and operated restaurant with a romantic, old-fashioned atmosphere that serves authentic Italian specialties.Al Biernat’s
4217 Oaklawn Avenue 214-219-2201 www.albiernats.com Al Biernat’s is much more than a great steakhouse! Our menu rises above the traditional grill menu, with popular entrees such as Pan Seared Sea Bass over Lobster Risotto, Australian Cold Water Lobster Tail, Veal Osso Bucco, Colorado Lamb Chops or Elk Filet. The extensive wine list offers over 650 rare selections and a sommelier’s expertise. Al Biernat personally greets you at the door to ensure your delightful dining experience. Come see why Al Biernat’s is known as one of the best restaurants in the world.Arcodoro & Pomodoro
2708 Routh Street 214-871-1924 www.arcodoro.com The Farris brothers have combined these two restaurants under one roof in the heart of the Uptown district to bring to you the best of Sardinian fare. The Arcodoro has a woodburning pizza oven, a “see and be seen” bar area and a casual dining atmosphere, while the Pomodoro is more formal, with requisite white tablecloths and candlelight.Asian Mint
11617 North Central Expressway 214-363-6655 www.asianmint.com This unique Asian fusion café and dessert bar has a rotating menu featuring Western-style desserts with an Asian twist, fabulous coffees and traditional Thai fare. Comfortable and modern, Asian Mint was voted a Top Ten New Restaurant for 2005 by The Dallas Morning News.Bellini’s
3810 Congress Avenue www.restaurantji.com Simple elegance combined with modern style makes for a relaxed, warm and welcoming atmosphere at Bellini’s, making it perfect for an intimate gathering. Non-traditional and traditional authentic Italian fare is served with artful flair.Buli Café
3908 Cedar Springs 214-528-5410 www.bulicafe.com “Buli” stands for “Because U Love It” – and everyone loves this cute little coffee shop, with its signature Buli Meal Deal, served in tin lunch box. Enjoy sandwiches of barbecued brisket on panini or chicken with raspberry chipotle. For dessert, choose from a wide array of Italian gelatos, homemade pies, cakes, pastries and scones.Café Izmir
3711 Greenville Avenue 214-826-7788 www.cafeizmir.com One of Dallas’ featured unique dining experiences, Café Izmir features the best in Middle Eastern tapas. The casual setting is perfect for a relaxed evening filled with sampling old world recipes filled with that “home-cooked” flavor.Café Toulouse
3314 Knox Street 214-520-8999 www.toulousecafeandbar.com Located in the Knox-Henderson corridor, fabulous Café Toulouse focuses on authentic, traditional French home cooking while the full bar offers a wide array of retro cocktails. Indulge yourself by ordering the café’s unique specialty: Belgian mussels prepared six different ways.Campisi’s
5610 E. Mockingbird Lane 214-827-0355 7632 Cambell Road 972-931-2267 1520 Elm Street 214-752-0141 5405 W. Lovers Lane 214-350-2595 www.campisis.us Campisi’s has been credited with introducing Dallas to pizza back in 1946, and it has never stopped providing Metroplex residents with the finest pies and other Italian dishes.Charlie Palmer
(Joule Hotel Dallas) 1530 Main Street 214-261-4600 www.charliepalmer.com The classic steakhouse, Charlie Palmer At The Joule, is considered a top Dallas restaurant and picked by the Dallas Observer as Best New Restaurant.Cretia’s on McKinney
4438 McKinney Avenue 214-252-9300 www.cretias.com Come and enjoy the ultimate in balancing acts – as Cretia’s on McKinney juggles being a bar, bakery, coffee shop and couture clothing store. Truly a “night on the town” experience, Cretia’s brings the best in hip and trendy while delivering delicious fare served with style.Dick’s Last Resort
Houston St. at N. Lamar 214-747-0001 www.dickslastresort.com “The Shame of the West End,” Dick’s has 74 different kinds of beer, and serves up barbecue ribs, chicken, catfish, shrimp, crab legs, steaks and salads, all in an atmosphere that mother warned you about.Dragonfly
2332 Leonard Street 214-468-8399 www.hotelzazadallas.com/fine-dining-dallas.php Trendy and hip Dragonfly is located inside the Hotel ZaZa, and offers an eclectic atmosphere reflective of Chef Mac Cassel’s global fusion menu.Five Sixty by Wolfgang Puck
300 Reunion Boulevard 214-741-5560 www.wolfgangpuck.com Celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck’s first fine dining restaurant in the Metroplex sits atop Reunion Tower, the 560-foot-tall Dallas landmark. There, he serves up peaceful ambience with his usual array of cutting-edge gastronomic masterpieces.Flying Fish
6126 Luther Lane 214-696-3474 www.flyingfishinthe.net Flying Fish takes its inspiration from the bounty of East Texas’ many prime fishing locations and the local eateries that service them. Some of the grub you’ll find include catfish, shrimp, oysters, crab, gumbo, po’boys and burgers.Green Papaya
3211 Oak Lawn Avenue 214-521-4811 www.greenpapayarestaurants.com Vietnamese fare featuring pho, spring rolls and the namesake papaya salad made with mint, pork and crushed peanuts. Patrons rave about the canh chua (sweet and sour soup with veggies and shrimp or chicken) and claim it’s the best in the world.Hector’s
2929 N. Henderson Avenue 214-821-0432 Want something a little exotic? Try Hector’s ostrich burger or pheasant a la king for a real difference. Rustic and modern in décor, the décor is as bold as the menu, featuring nouvelle American cuisine.Iron Cactus Mexican Grill & Margarita Bar
1520 Main Street 214-749-4766 www.ironcactus.com Trendy without being pretentious, enjoy Tex-mex dishes of seafood, enchiladas and the famous poblano mashed potatoes. With more than 80 types of Mexican tequila, it’s no wonder that the Iron Cactus has been named one of the top 10 tequila bars in the country.La Duni Latin Café
4620 McKinney Avenue 214-520-7300 4264 Oak Lawn Avenue 214-520-6888 www.laduni.com A Latin flavored coffee house and restaurant, Chef Dunia Borga’s menu is a perfect combination of European traditions with Latin American flair, and the only four-star restaurant in Dallas with entrees under $10. Perfect beginnings such as Carne Asada deserve perfect endings, so treat yourself to Borga’s award-winning Cuatro Leches cake. Enjoy the full Mojito, espresso, gelato and tea bar.Lavendou
19009 Preston Road 979-248-1911 www.lavendou.com To visit Lavendou is to be transported to the French countryside. Lavendou’s warm and welcoming décor immerses its patrons in the fresh French cuisine of Southern France. Owner Pascal Cayet is dedicated to ensuring that every dining experience is a wonderful one.The Mercury Grill
11909 Preston Road 972-960-7774 Chef Chris Ward’s fabulous menu featuring a unique blend of Continental, Asian and Middle Eastern flavors is a treat unto itself, and is a real local favorite.Nana
2201 Stemmons Freeway 214-761-7470 www.nanarestaurant.com Nana celebrates the commonplace by providing its patrons with an unforgettable culinary experience that combines the casual with the sophisticated.P.F. Chang’s China Bistro
18323 North Dallas Parkway 972-818-3336 225 NorthPark Center 214-265-8669 Trendy P.F. Chang’s is known for exquisite traditional Chinese food and innovative fusion dishes that reveal Southeast Asian influences. Signature dishes include Chang’s Chicken in Soothing Lettuce Wraps and their Cantonese Roasted Duck.R&D Rathbun’s Blue Plate Kitchen
6130 Luther Lane 214-890-1103 www.kentrathbun.com A part of Kent Rathbun’s fleet of high-end restaurants, the Blue Plate Kitchen brings together the relaxed atmosphere of casual dining with the delicate and complex flavors that represent the best of the culinary arts.Ruth’s Chris Steak House
17840 Dallas Parkway 888-722-4320 www.ruthschris.com Carefully selected and aged for tenderness. Cut thick to ensure juiciness. Seared to perfection at 1800 degrees. Topped with fresh butter that sizzles seductively on your plate, announcing the arrival of a fantastic steak you’ll be talking about for days.St. Pete’s Dancing Marlin
2730 Commerce Street 214-698-1511 www.dancingmarlin.com Casual but always classy, St. Pete’s is known for the white tablecloths upon which they serve their platters of delicious pizzas and pastas.Sambuca Restaurant – Uptown
2120 McKinney Avenue 214-744-0820 www.sambucarestaurant.com Sambuca hosts Grammy Award-winning performers and features a unique, eclectic atmosphere where guests are greeted by live music every night of the week. Guests dine on menu items like Grilled Beef Tenderloin topped with Blue Cheese Walnut Butter and Pan Roasted Sea Bass with Mushroom Orzo.Shin Sei
7713 Inwood Road 214-352-0005 www.shinseirestaurant.com Top-quality sushi, excellent service and serene Asian ambience combine to make a gastronomic delight to all five senses.Soho
5290 Belt Line Road 972-490-8686 www.sohofoodandjazz.com Imaginative seafood choices are found throughout Soho’s menu, with influences from Thailand, China and India.Steel Restaurant & Lounge
3102 Oak Lawn Avenue #100 214-219-9908 www.steeldallas.com Highly rated Steel Restaurant and Lounge is an upscale sushi bar with a warm and inviting Zen atmosphere, with a vast array of wines from its wine cellar and a lively bar scene.Sushi Zushi
3858 Oak Lawn @ Blackburn 214-522-7253 www.sushizushi.com Get ready for an avant-garde dining experience at Sushi Zushi, with its sushi made of nontraditional spices and local ingredients – although traditionalists shouldn’t worry – there’s also an extensive menu list of traditional sushi favorites as well. Traditional Japanese fare is also served – try the Teppan Yaki, Yakitori or the Yakisoba noodles.Tei Tei Robata Bar
2906 North Henderson 214-828-2400 www.teiteirobata.com The highlight of the menu is the robata – a traditional cooking style of Hokkaido in northern Japan where the day’s catch is grilled on small fires. Kobe beef is a featured item on the menu that you can enjoy several ways.Truluck’s Steak & Stone Crab
52401 McKinney Avenue 214-220-2401 www.trulucks.com Known for their famous stone crabs, Truluck’s is the place to come for the best in steaks and seafood. With their attentive wait staff and excellent wine menu, Truluck’s is a top-notch dining experience.Twisted Root Burger Co.
2615 Commerce Street 214-741-7668 5609 SMU Boulevard 214-361-2910 www.twistedrootburgerco.com If you like burgers, if you REALLY like burgers, then Twisted Root is the place for you. Featuring prime meat that’s fresh and seasoned, never frozen, as well as hand-battered buttermilk fried dishes, fresh-cut sweet potatoes, homemade pickles and in-house made Root Beer; along with homemade ice-cream and condiments.FORT WORTH
Angelo’s Barbecue
2533 White Settlement Road 817-332-0357 www.angelosbbq.com From the day it opened in 1958, Angelo’s has made a name for itself in the world of barbecue. A down-home favorite, the smoked ribs are done to a succulent goodness that literally falls off the bones. Say a special “hello” to the stuffed bear at the front door.Bella Italia West
5139 Camp Bowie Boulevard 817-738-1700 Exotic game is the name of the game at this elegant restaurant, with everything from buffalo, elk, ostrich, emu, quail, antelope, caribou and venison on the menu, many served in the traditional Italian style. The original Bella Italia is located in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and owner Carlo Croci has brought the same fine quality of cuisine to Fort Worth.Bistro Louise
2900 S. Hulen Street Stonegate Commons 817-922-9244 www.bistrolouise.com The only thing lovelier than the setting of wood-beamed ceilings and quaint flowered tablecloths in this little eatery would be the food. Long-time patrons recommend the tea-smoked duck or the macadamia-crusted shrimp. Mmmm…Café Ashton
610 Main Street 817-332-0100 www.theashtonhotel.com/dining Located within the Ashton Hotel, Café Ashton is quiet and cozy, and offers the perfect setting to enjoy its upscale French-American cuisine. Thanks to Chef Diarmuid Murphy’s inventive menu, there’s a little something to please everyone here, with variations on old favorites as well as some surprises.Cattlemen’s Steakhouse
2458 N. Main Street 817-624-3945 www.cattlemenssteakhouse.com Taste the stuff legends are made of. In the steak business for more than 50 years, Cattlemen’s Steakhouse is a Fort Worth icon just around the corner from the Stockyards. The service is friendly, the atmosphere is relaxed, and the steaks are charcoal-grilled in the front room. Patrons select their own cut of meat, with a choice of everything from three different cuts of rib-eye to a T-bone.Fred’s Texas Café
915 Currie Street 817-332-0083 www.fredstexascafe.com The looks of Fred’s Texas Café can be deceiving. Considered a classic “hole in the wall,” Fred’s is a small, friendly place set in a very old building – and popular enough to stay packed with customers. Menu items include quesadillas, burgers, and beer. Check out the outdoor patio and the live music on the weekends.Joe T. Garcia’s Mexican Restaurant
2201 N. Commerce Street 817-626-4356 www.joets.com This Dallas landmark was establish back in 1935, and since then it has garnered a reputation for a friendly, elegant atmosphere coupled with outstanding traditional Mexican fare. It even has its own bakery and makes its own hot sauce.Kincaid’s
4901 Camp Bowie Boulevard 817-732-2881 www.kincaidshamburgers.com Everyone comes to eat at Kincaid’s. From business suits to cowboy boots, literally everyone that appreciates a good homemade burger finds their way to Kincaid’s. Considered a local classic, the burgers are huge slabs of beef that are still worthy of the designation, “Best Hamburger in the U.S.A.” Order at the old-fashioned meat case left over from the days when the place used to be a grocery store, and be sure to remember to order a side of fries or onion rings.Reata Restaurant
310 Houston Street 817-336-1009 www.reata.net Cowboy cooking-inspired cuisine merges with elegant ambience to bring you a dining experience you will never forget. Just a few dishes include tenderloin tamales, blackened buffalo ribeye and pan-seared pepper crusted tenderloin.Saint-Emilion
3617 W. 7th Street Fort Worth 817-737-2781 www.saint-emilionrestaurant.com Considered one of the best restaurants in Tarrant County, Saint-Emilion’s wait staff earns as much praise as its marvelous French country cuisine. As proof that fine food doesn’t mean unaffordable, locals know to look for the excellent daily specials as well as the prix-fixe option. An extensive wine list completes this little bistro – making it a true gem of the Fort Worth restaurant scene.FRISCO
Randy’s Steakhouse
7026 W. Main Street 972-335-3066 www.randyssteakhouse.com Randy’s Steakhouse recently celebrated 18 years of satisfying customers with its wide-ranging menu. It also won OpenTable.com’s 2010 Diners Choice award for its outstanding food and service.GRAPEVINE
Bob’s Steak and Chop House
1255 S. Main Street 817-481-5555 www.bobs-steakandchop.com Bob’s Steak & Chop House has been ranked D Magazine, Distinguished Restaurants of North America, Travel & Leisure and Bon Appetit, to name a few, as one of the top steakhouses in the country. An experienced staff serves only the best quality dishes and an extensive wine list.Esparza’s
124 E. Worth Street 817-481-4668 www.esparzastexas.com Since 1985, Esparza’s has served some of the finest Tex-Mex cuisine in the Metroplex. As the Margarita Capital of Texas®, it is also known for its fine drinks and friendly, jovial atmosphere.Tolbert’s
423 S. Main Street 817-421-4888 www.tolbertsrestaurant.com Tolbert’s has been a mainstay in Dallas for 27 year, with its famous chili con carne, char-grilled steaks and burgers, signature salads, tortilla soup and other outstanding dishes.LAS COLINAS
Benihana
5400 Whitehall Street 972-550-0060 www.benihana.com Benihana offers food not only cooked, but choreographed! Chefs slice and dice as they prepare meals before their patrons’ eyes. Enjoy a meal of steak, chicken, seafood and fresh vegetables on traditional Japanese-style hibachi table, and while being treated to the longest running dinner show in the world.The Blue Fish
W. John Carpenter Freeway 972-385-3474 www.thebluefish.com Hip and hot, The Blue Fish is considered by locals one of the best spots for sushi. Order one of the signature sushi dishes or choose from a wide array of other Japanese dishes, and don’t forget to take advantage of the sake bar.Mi Cocina
1276 Main Street 817-410-6426 www.mcrowd.com/micocina.html Part of the M Crowd Restaurant Group, the original Mi Cocina served as its flagship restaurant in 1991. There, it Mexican dishes made from only the best ingredients, and it continues to do so to this day.PLANO
Jasper’s
7161 Bishop Road 469-229-9111 www.jaspers-restaurant.com Jasper’s proprietor and chef Kent Rathbun ensures that all his dishes meet the highest standards of quality, freshness and seasonality while combining modern-creative and traditional American styles of cooking.Naan
7161 Bishop Road 972-943-9288 www.naansushi.com There’s nothing conventional here about either the food or the setting at Naan, with its unique modern approach to Asian cuisine. Traditional Korean fare, including Korean barbecue, an expansive sushi bar and exquisite Asian dishes are served here within this beautiful environment of mahogany fixtures and bamboo flooring.ROCKWALL
Culpepper Steak House
309 E. Interstate 30 972-771-1001 www.culpeppersteakhouse.com Executive Chef Chad Bowden brings his innovative and exacting style to one of the finest steak houses in DFW. Come and see why patrons describe their experience at Culpepper as “outstanding,” “excellent” and “…a staple in Rockwall for many years.”Primo’s
4861 Bass Pro Drive 972-226-8700 www.primosdallas.com Primo’s has been named by D Magazine as one of its “Must Do’s” in Dallas, and small wonder. The Tex-Mex eatery has been serving wondrous dishes based on family recipes in a leisurely atmosphere since 1986.
SOUTHLAKE
Coal Vines 1251 E. Southlake Boulevard 817-310-0850 www.coalvines.com A nod to the casual pizzerias found throughout New York, Coal Vines serves up specialties pizzas that are complimented by and excellent wine list and a full range of other fine traditional Italian dishes.
