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Dining in Dallas Fort Worth Texas
Published on: May 25, 2020

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.