The best restaurants in Dallas

What is it? An upscale, lakeside Indian restaurant that merges traditional flavors with artful plating and modern flair to create one of the most exciting dining destinations in town.

Why we love it: The Irving area has lots of great Indian food. Most restaurants are firmly casual in service and presentation, but Sanjh goes hard in the opposite direction with its decidedly high-end experience. The two-story dining room is stunning, suited staff provide polished service and dishes appear like little works of art. Behind the glitz, serious cooking takes place in the glass-walled kitchen. Chefs stack meat and paneer onto long metal skewers, slow-cook chicken and goat until impossibly tender, apply spices with a liberal hand and infuse loads of flavor into creamy, comforting dal. Cocktails come from award-winning bartender Yangdup Lama, who enlists ingredients like Ceylon-chili tincture and chaat masala syrup to make drinks that complement the food.

Time Out tip: Brunch buffets are often sad affairs, but Sanjh’s Sunday brunch is a celebration. It’s also your chance to try a couple dozen dishes, including butter chicken, goat curry and fresh chaat, for a set price of $50.

Address: 5250 N O'Connor Blvd Suite 146, Irving, TX 75039

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 11am–2:30pm, 5–10pm; Fri, Sat 11am–2:30pm, 5-11pm; Sun 11am–3pm, 5–10pm

Expect to pay: $100+ per person for dinner and drinks.

What is it? An eight-seat chef’s counter omakase experience that’s centered around yakitori. It comes from Masayuki Otaka, who ran Teppo on Greenville for more than two decades.

Why we love it: Mabo is part dinner, part theater. The restaurant is situated in a nondescript Preston Center shopping strip, but the unassuming facade is hiding a small, serene space that’s one of the prettiest in town. Diners face a closed curtain, and once it opens, you know it’s showtime. Otaka and his team serve a tasting menu that begins with a handful of dishes to highlight seasonal ingredients and fish, followed by six to eight grilled yakitori skewers featuring different parts of the chicken, including the wing, thigh and neck. You’ll leave full and happy, having just enjoyed a dining experience you can’t find elsewhere in Dallas.

 Time Out tip: Mabo serves a selection of wines and sakes, many of them quite expensive. If you want to save a little cash while still enjoying a good drink, ask for the off-menu Asahi. They have it on tap, and the crisp beer pairs perfectly with chicken.

Address: 6109 Berkshire Ln B, Dallas, TX 75225

Opening hours: Tue–Sat, seatings at 5:30pm and 8:30pm

Expect to pay: $200 per person, plus drinks, taxes and gratuity.

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What is it? An ode to Michoacán cooking from chef Regino Rojas, and a tasting menu concept that operates as an extension of the beloved Revolver Taco Lounge.

Why we love it: Rojas is one of the city’s best chefs, famous for pulpo and asada tacos on handmade corn tortillas. Purépecha lets his talents shine in a different setting, as he serves a tasting menu to small groups. The food is meticulously prepared and bursting with flavor, which feels all the more special in this casual, comfortable room surrounded by Rojas and his family members who cook each dish together. The menu changes regularly, but past dinners have included standouts like a deeply earthy chicken mole and sea bass festooned with edible flowers and swimming in a creamy, bright-pink beet sauce. 

Time Out tip: There are two options here. A four-course dinner takes place in the front room, while the seven-course dinner takes place in a hidden back room with just a couple tables. The latter is worth the cash, considering the extra dishes and an atmosphere that feels unlike anything else in Dallas.

Address: 2701 Main St #120, Dallas, TX 75226

Opening hours: Thu–Sat 5-10pm

Expect to pay: $120 per person for the four-course menu, $180 for the seven-course menu, plus drinks.

What is it? An intimate, Michelin-starred omakase restaurant from Tatsuya Sekiguchi, one of the country’s foremost sushi masters.

Why we love it: The space is small and serene, with a 10-seat counter that gives diners a front-row seat to the nightly show. Sekiguchi meticulously works his magic to transform slices of fish and rice into perfect bites. The Edomae-style omakase experience features about 15 courses beginning with a couple of small appetizers, moves into a beautiful onslaught of nigiri, and ends with dessert. The drinks—a thoughtful mix of wines, sakes and Japanese beers—pair well with the food. Add in the comfortable front lounge and the warm hospitality, and dining at Tatsu is a transportative experience that feels a world away from the bustling Deep Ellum neighborhood it inhabits. It’s easy to see why Tatsu earned a star in Michelin’s inaugural Texas guide. 

Time Out tip: With just 10 seats, Tatsu is one of the hottest tables (technically counter seats) in town. Reservations are released on Tock on the 1st and 15th of each month for bookings beginning two weeks out. When the time comes, swoop in to secure your spot at one of the two seatings each evening.

Address: 3309 Elm St Ste 120, Dallas, TX 75226

Opening hours: Tue–Sat 5:30pm and 7:45pm

Expect to pay: $185 per person for omakase, plus drinks. 

What is it? One of the old-guard Bishop Arts restaurants, opened in 2010 and still going strong, now serving its beloved Italian menu in a larger location just around the corner from the original spot.

Why we love it: Fifteen years later, Lucia continues to serve some of the city’s best Italian food. The husband-and-wife owners make pasta and salumi in house, and the starters, vegetables and mains change with the seasons, so there’s always something fresh and new to try. Think  taglierini with rock shrimp, ‘nduja and basil, and rigatoni with wagyu beef shank ragu and maitake mushrooms. The dining room is exceedingly cozy, with service to match, so it’s the kind of place you’ll want to settle in and stay for a while. To get the most from your dining experience, sample from the thoughtfully curated menu of vermouths, wines and amari.

Time Out tip: Tables at Lucia go quickly, so book early. If you can’t secure a table, the bar is first-come, first-served, and it’s a comfortable place to enjoy drinks and snacks or a full meal.

Address: 287 N Bishop Ave, Dallas, TX 75208

Opening hours: Tue–Sat 5–10pm

Expect to pay: About $100 per person.

What is it? A good-looking spot for power dinners and romantic nights out helmed by French Laundry-trained chef, R.J. Yoakum.

Why we love it: On any given night, the space—dotted with orange upholstered booths and white-clothed tables—buzzes with energy and feels like the place to be. And since taking the reins at Georgie, Yoakum has infused the gorgeous restaurant with some of the most interesting and technically precise cooking in town. The seasonal menu pulls from Texas while also nodding to global flavors. That combo results in dishes like the dry-aged duck breast with duck confit tortellini and a French onion consomme, which is a creative reinterpretation of the classic French onion soup. The regular menu is joined by a Taste of Georgie, so choose that if you want the restaurant to put together a sampling of the season’s best dishes. Wine pairings are available to accompany each course, or simply ask the sommelier to recommend a glass or a bottle. 

Time Out tip: As good as dinner is, don’t skip brunch. It’s still a great way to experience Georgie’s food, with dishes like smoked salmon benedict and a wagyu burger. And provided you don’t start with the platinum Ossetra caviar and a dozen oysters, it comes in at a more affordable price point.

Address: 4514 Travis St Suite 132, Dallas, TX 75205

Opening hours: Mon 4:30–9pm; Tues-Thurs 4:30–10pm; Fri, Sat 4:30–11pm; Sun 10:30am–3pm, 5–8:30pm

Expect to pay: More than $100 per person for a la carte; $185 for the chef’s tasting.

What is it? A friendly neighborhood bistro that, after 10 years of service, was revamped and redesigned to be a bit more casual, with a menu centered around well-executed comfort food.

Why we love it: Gemma is nice but unpretentious, so you can go on a random weeknight or make a reservation for a birthday, anniversary or other special occasion. The menu is a mix of French and Italian influences, with some bistro classics like oysters, steak frites and moules frites alongside less expected options like braised rabbit pappardelle and a heritage pork chop served with patatas bravas. If you can’t make a decision, just go straight to the plats du jours and choose from the daily special, like Thursday’s veal schnitzel or Saturday’s Cajun-spiced ribeye. 

Time Out tip: Dining at Gemma usually requires a reservation, but walk-in spots are often available at the bar, especially if you’re coming outside of peak dinner hours. The bar is no consolation prize—it’s a comfortable spot to post up with a wagyu cheeseburger and a glass of wine.

Address: 2323 N Henderson Ave #109, Dallas, TX 75206

Opening hours: Tue–Thu 5–10pm; Fri, Sat 5–11pm

Expect to pay: $75+ per person for dinner and drinks

What is it? Our favorite barbecue joint in a city with lots of great barbecue joints, where hungry diners line up early to get first crack at perfect brisket and beef ribs.

Why we love it: Consistency is key in the barbecue game, and Cattleack puts out a consistently great array of meats by the pound, including spicy sausages, pastrami brisket, pork ribs and hulking beef ribs that call for two hands and a commemorative photo. The sides get equally thoughtful attention, so you can snack on hatch chili mac and cheese or keep it light with apple-broccoli salad and a vinegary coleslaw. If you can’t decide what to get, try the Toddfather sandwich, which piles brisket, pulled pork, sausage and slaw between bread and slathers the whole thing in barbecue sauce.

Time Out tip: If you’re really into barbecue, swing by on the first Saturday of every month for Pits and Punch at 9am. The fun, informal event lets you see the operation and ask the pitmaster questions, which is valuable access for anyone who wants to try smoking meat at home—or to launch their own barbecue empire. 

Address: 13628 Gamma Rd, Farmers Branch, TX 75244

Opening hours: ​​Wed-Fri 10am-2pm; first Sat of the month 10am–2pm

Expect to pay: $40+ per person for lunch

What is it? A Lower Greenville restaurant from New Zealand chef Toby Archibald that supplies technically precise cooking and thoughtful wines in a good-looking dining room.

Why we love it: Quarter Acre manages unstuffy fine-dining better than most, serving pretty plates in a comfortable setting. One-bite snacks are a fun place to start, and include options like a rotating oyster or “fish on chip” made with smoked kingfish, caviar and citrus mayo. From there, appetizers bring ceviche, duck rillettes and a red crab eclair before moving to entrees like wagyu beef cheek and hot smoked salmon with fry bread. The menu is tight—usually six appetizers and six entrees—so you don’t have to think too hard. But if you want to leave your fate in the chef’s hands, Quarter Acre now serves a seven-course tasting menu featuring the day’s best dishes.

Time Out tip: Dinner here is an event and well-worth booking a table, but some of our favorite Quarter Acre experiences have occurred during “garden hour,” when they serve discounted wines, cocktails and snack boards, or at the bar with a quiet nightcap after having dinner elsewhere.

Address: 2023 Greenville Ave #110, Dallas, TX 75206

Opening hours: Tue–Thu 5–9:30pm, Fri, Sat 5–10:30pm

Expect to pay: More than $100 per person for a la carte dinner and drinks, $125+ for the tasting menu.

What is it? A whimsical Lower Greenville restaurant adorned with vintage mirrors and lush greenery that’s become a go-to destination for creative plates and cocktails, with a tasting menu or the option to dine a la carte. 

Why we love it: Mini Icelandic hot dogs served on traditional rugbrød. Beef cheek tacos with beef fat and mezcal emulsion. Carrot tartare with a surprisingly flavorful vegan “egg yolk.” These are just a few of the dishes on Rye’s creative, playful menu. Order a la carte to choose your own adventure, or opt for the chef’s tasting to remove the need for decision making entirely. There’s also a vegetarian tasting menu, so veggie-eaters don’t have to miss out. The Rye team paces dinner out perfectly, so the next course arrives just when you’re ready. Whichever route you go, be sure to sample the bar’s excellent cocktails or a glass from the eclectic wine list. 

Time Out tip: Before or after dinner, get a drink at neighboring Apothecary, which comes from the same team as Rye. Its cuisine-inspired cocktails, like those modeled after Peking duck and butter curry, are some of the most unique you’ll find in the city. Or any city.

Address: 1920 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75206

Opening hours: Tue–Thu 5–10pm; Fri, Sat 5pm–midnight

Expect to pay: About $100 per person for a la carte; the chef’s tasting is $185; the vegetarian tasting is $125. 

What is it? The grande dame of Duro Hospitality concepts, and the extra-luxurious big brother to The Charles.

Why we love it: The Knox Street location can’t be beat, occupying the former Highland Park Soda Fountain on a corner that’s just steps away from beloved shops and other great restaurants like Georgie, Knox Bistro and Green Point Seafood & Oyster Bar. Mister Charles proves that opulence can be fun, especially when the food quality and overall experience match the scene. The team here manages to get it right, complementing the over-the-top aesthetic with coordinated service and well-executed menus. Dine under the 38-foot ceilings, sip on ice-cold martinis and choose from kind-of-French, kind-of-Italian plates like Dover sole, wagyu short rib Wellington and veal osso bucco. Don’t miss the tableside ice cream sundae for dessert.

Time Out tip: If you can’t score a coveted table but have some flexibility, show up early and hang at the stunning bar, where you can sip cocktails and sample the menu in one of the city’s better front rooms.

Address: 3219 Knox St Suite 170, Dallas, TX 75205

Opening hours: Sun–Thurs 4:30–10pm; Fri, Sat 4:30–11pm

Expect to pay: Easily more than $100 per person, especially with wine and drinks.

What is it? A lively Mexico City-inspired restaurant from Duro Hospitality, the powerhouse team behind Mister Charles. 

Why we love it: From the first moment you walk into the front room, with its tile floors, colorful accents and fireplace, you feel like you’re at home. Not your own home, probably, but a cozy, eccentrically designed home in Mexico where you just know the food’s going to be amazing. El Carlos Elegante draws a crowded room of diners each night, who gather to hangout in the stylishly retro space and to sample its mix of one-hitters (bite-size starters), wood-fired meats and fish, housemade tortillas and masa-based dishes. Order a margarita or mezcal tasting flight, then fill every available inch of your table with charred octopus, guajillo chicken, carne asada and whatever else looks good, plus a machete. It’s a long and narrow quesadilla filled with a rotating selection of proteins, vegetables and cheese, and it’s always the right call.

Time Out tip: Check the menu for a section called “the chef recommends,” and you’ll get a coursed-out meal featuring a one-hitter, three to four shareable dishes and dessert.

Address: 1400 N Riverfront Blvd, Dallas, TX 75207

Opening hours: Sun-Thurs 5-10pm; Fri–Sat 5pm-11pm

Expect to pay: About $100 per person for a proper meal with drinks.

What is it? The upstairs sibling to Uchi, this cool and slightly-more-casual restaurant takes a modern izakaya format, with yakitori, sushi and plenty to drink.

Why we love it: Whether seated at the bar or a table, Uchiba is always a lively spot, and the menu is a hits parade of crowd-pleasing dishes. The first thing to know: If it’s served on a stick, order it. That’s your ticket to succulent chicken thigh, chicken meatballs and pork belly. Then keep the food coming with other top picks, including fresh nigiri flown straight from Tokyo, pork dumplings, crispy karaage and slices of wagyu beef cooked on a hot rock. Save room for dessert and get the fried milk, a harmonious balance of vanilla custard, salted fudge and a toasted blondie. Then again, the hot fried chicken bun with pickles and cornichon gastrique is also a fine way to end your meal.

Time Out tip: There’s never a bad time to visit Uchiba, but the daily happy hour might be the best time. That’s when you’ll get a variety of discounted drinks and dishes, including select nigiri, rolls, small plates and skewers.

Address: 2817 Maple Ave Floor 2, Dallas, TX 75201

Opening hours: Daily 5-11pm

Expect to pay: About $50-$100 per person. 

What is it? An offshoot of famed sibling Carbone that provides a smaller, more intimate setting while still serving plenty of great Italian food, wine and cocktails.

Why we love it: Carbone Vino is like taking a step back in time, to an era you may never want to return from. Situated next door to Carbone in the Design District, Carbone Vino is like an extension of the original, and it holds the restaurant's impressive wine cellar, with thousands of bottles stored away and ready for you to sample. Drink a couple fine vintages at the bar and follow with plates of soul-warming food. We recommend the shaved artichoke salad to start and then sharing a few pastas and entrees among your table, like the fennel sausage pizza, spicy rigatoni vodka pasta and grilled salmon Portofino. For the grand finale, get the ice cream sundae, loaded with toppings and presented tableside. 

Time Out tip: All portions are bigger than you’d expect, so show up hungry. But if you really want to go for it, try the bistecca Fiorentina. It’s a 32-ounce behemoth that’s easy to share among multiple diners, especially when joined by a salad and pasta.

Address: 1617 Hi Line Dr, Dallas, TX 75207

Opening hours: Sun-Wed 5–10pm; Thurs-Sat 5–11pm

Expect to pay: About $75-$100 per person, or more if you’re ordering fancy wines. 

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What is it? A modern, lively Mexican restaurant from chef Anastacia Quiñones-Pittman that’s inspired by the food and culture of Jalisco.

Why we love it: Chef AQ’s tacos looked good on Netflix’s “Taco Chronicles,” but we can assure you they’re even better in person. José’s menu features seafood-focused dishes and heirloom masa, seen in plates like crab sopesitos—lump crab stuffed masa boats with poblano crema—and quesadillas filled with huitlacoche and Oaxacan cheese. Expect seasonal crudo and ceviche, as well as traditional Mexican dishes like chicken mole, tacos and carne asada. José nails the classics but also dabbles in playfulness, as seen in the brussels equites, a riff on Mexican street corn. Between bites, note the restaurant’s gorgeous ceramics crafted by its namesake, José Noe Suro of Ceramica Suro, and the murals depicting scenes from Guadalajara and Tequila.

Time Out tip: Lunch and dinner are two great reasons to visit, but José also serves brunch on the weekends and has a weekday happy hour beginning at 3pm. The latter features half-off select dishes and drinks, so load up on guacamole, flautas, beers and Ranch Waters.

Address: 4931 W Lovers Ln, Dallas, TX 75209

Opening hours: Sun-Tues 11am-9pm; Wed-Sat 11am-10pm

Expect to pay: About $50 per person.

What is it? A breezy Bishop Arts restaurant that, as the name implies, serves seasonal, market-driven cuisine. A second location recently opened at The Quad, so now diners have double the options to eat here.

Why we love it: Since opening in 2021, Written by the Seasons has become a local favorite, serving a vibrant and varied menu where vegetables get as much attention as meat and seafood. Colorful plates showcase what’s fresh, and dishes change regularly to accommodate seasonality, but a few recent standouts included kimchi pancakes, Thai-style mussels, a grilled shrimp and avocado salad, and a grilled pork chop with carrots, peppers, grapes and persimmons. The friendly staff are quick with recommendations and will guide diners toward items that just came in from the market. And don’t hesitate to ask for a wine suggestion to pair with your meal—the bar’s stocking a lot more than just the usual suspects.

Time Out tip: The main dining room is plenty comfortable, but when the weather’s nice, request a seat on the patio. Beyond providing some fresh air, it’s the perfect perch to take in the bustling sights and sounds of the surrounding Bishop Arts neighborhood.

Address: 380 Melba St, Dallas, TX 75208

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 5–10pm; Fri noon–10pm; Sat 10:30am-10pm; Sun 10:30am–2:30pm

Expect to pay: About $75-100 per person for dinner, a bit less for brunch.

What is it? A historic home that was built in 1910, once housed Dallas mayor George Sargeant, and today serves a smorgasbord of excellent Turkish food.

Why we love it: For years, the white house on North Zang, just outside of Bishop Arts, was an uninhabited eyesore. But some renovations over the past decade finally resulted in a new tenant, and they happen to serve some seriously good lamb. The Mayor’s House by Selda comes from the same team as Selda Mediterranean and serves authentic Turkish food in an elegant, two-story space with a front porch, patterned rugs, and ornate lamps and mirrors. It’s an equally good choice for date nights, family outings and dinner with friends. Bring your favorite people and sample all parts of the menu, including a variety of dips and spreads, halloumi, grilled kebabs and Turkish-style flatbread pizzas topped with meat, cheese and spinach. The wine list includes several bottles from Turkey, Lebanon and Macedonia, so unless you’re a somm, you’ll likely try something new.

Time Out tip: If you like hookahs, you can smoke them on the patio. Said patio isn’t covered, but the restaurant has heaters and provides blankets during the colder months.

Address: 635 N Zang Blvd, Dallas, TX 75208

Opening hours: Mon-Thu noon–midnight; Fri noon–1am; Sat 11am–1am; Sun 11am–midnight

Expect to pay: About $50-$75 per person for dinner and a glass of wine.

What is it? A fine-dining institution since 1980 that’s been helmed over the years by some of Dallas’s best chefs. The latest to take the reins is executive chef Charles Olalia, who refreshed the menus to showcase his French and Filipino culinary backgrounds. It remains a popular spot for hotel guests, locals and visitors.

Why we love it: The Mansion Restaurant has gone through a few iterations over the past 45 years, but it remains a steady source of well-executed food and refined service. Olalia’s touches are there, seen in dishes like caviar and lobster lumpia and salt and pepper fried quail punched up with five-spice and served with garlic rice. Otherwise, breakfast and brunch are still prime occasions for eggs Benedict, huevos rancheros and crispy waffles, while dinner brings the Mansion’s famous tortilla soup, dry-aged A5 wagyu striploin and desserts like spiced dark chocolate mousse and caramel apple mille-feuille. Toast with a glass of fine wine, and note the old-world-meets-new European-style décor across the restaurant’s multiple rooms. When you’re celebrating or just want to ensure a special experience, book the secluded chef’s table that seats up to eight guests.

Time Out tip: When you’re here for dinner, allow some extra time to visit the Mansion Bar. The dark, moody den looks like an estate-owner’s library, slings good cocktails and wines and showcases live jazz Thursday through Saturday.

Address: 2821 Turtle Creek Blvd, Dallas, TX 75219

Opening hours: Daily 7am-2pm; Tues-Wed 5:30-9pm; Thurs-Sat 5:30-9:30pm

Expect to pay: More than $100 per person for dinner and wine, a bit less for breakfast and brunch.