If you learn one thing from this list, let it be that the city is made up of so much more than barbecue and Tex-Mex. Dallas chefs are bold and not afraid to try new things, and as a result, a list of elite establishments have risen to the top of the food chain, covering casual to fine dining, creative menus, and everything else. Whether you’re craving a killer omakase, a local ribeye steak, or a savory soufflé, we’ve got you covered. Read on for our list of the best restaurants in Dallas and we hope you’re hungry.
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7 Best Restaurants In Dallas
Zoli’s NY Pizza
Dallas’s best New York style pizzeria branched out into Detroit-style pies during the pandemic with a pop-up called Thunderbird Pies, and these thick-crusted, cheesy pizzas have sold out on the regular. Keep it simple with the Budd, simply topped with tons of cheese and fresh basil, or try the famed Honey Bastard. And of course, there’s still Zoli’s iconic thin-crust pies, topped with perfect pepperoni cups, Italian sausage, and so much more. Thunderbird Pies orders can only be placed through UberEats, while Zoli’s offers both takeout and delivery via phone and online orders.
Cattleack Barbeque
Get ready to mask up and stand in a (socially distanced, mostly outdoor) line at this Dallas barbecue favorite, where the brisket is juicy and the hours are limited. Open for lunch on Thursdays and Fridays, Cattleack’s smoked meats and traditional sides are definitely worth standing outside for a little while. Note: reservations and call-in orders are not accepted. This is one of the best restaurants in Dallas you can have great meal time.
This buzzy steakhouse, located inside the Highland hotel, is worth the hype. Even in the dead of summer, the atmosphere is warm and cozy, the intimate yet buzzy dining room populated with a healthy crowd. If you enjoy dry-aged meats, then there is simply no other option in town. John Tesar takes pride in producing his 240-day dry-aged rib eye, which emerges salty, tender, and divine. Split with the table, and pair with sides like okra, carrots, or macaroni and cheese with bacon bread crumbs.
Royal China Restaurant
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For over 40 years, Royal China has won over Dallas’s notoriously fickle diners with its hand-pulled noodles, its delicate soup dumplings (xiao long bao), and its best-in-city renditions of Chinese-American classics like kung pao chicken. Order delivery and takeout online via Royal China’s website.
Picture this: A yellow submarine inside a huge fish tank; more than 60 chandeliers hanging in the dining room; a 1974 Ducati Sport listed on the sides menu (for a cool $75,000) and parked by the bar; an MG Roadster parked in front of the kitchen. Sounds totally bizarre and random, but it’s the warm, cozy, vibe created by Nick Badovinus, the chef behind Town Hearth – who designed the interior himself instead of hiring an outside firm.
You can’t go wrong with any of the classic steakhouse offerings, which hit the spot when paired with one of the myriad cocktails on offer. This place has all the pomp and circumstance that Dallas is known for and that out-of-towners have come to expect.
FT33
FT33 is Chef Matt McCallister’s thrilling debut restaurant; having opened in October 2012, FT33 brings a wave of creative freshness to the Dallas food scene, serving seasonal fresh ingredients that drive the design and flavor combinations of each dish. According to Chef McCallister, ‘I don’t print my menu until I know which ingredients are best that day. That should be the natural progression’. Indeed, FT33’s dishes are infused with a sense of creative naturalism where simple ingredients are brought together through an often surprising layering of flavors with an almost artistic sensibility.
Read more: Top 6 Best Restaurants In Austin
