Dallas is a thriving culinary metropolis with options for all tastes and prices, making it a foodie’s dream. The city’s restaurant sector caters to all tastes, from sophisticated dining experiences boasting gourmet meals to small cafes serving comfort food.
Whether you want traditional Tex-Mex, succulent BBQ, or cutting-edge farm-to-table cuisine, Dallas has it all. This tour will take you through the city’s five top restaurants, highlighting their unique offerings and ambiance.
Join us on a delightful adventure through Dallas, where each meal promises to satisfy your appetites while remaining within your budget.
1. Best Farm-to-table: Bolsa
This chic artisan café, located only minutes from downtown Dallas but feels worlds away, features a locally sourced seasonal menu. Start with the charcuterie platter, which includes smoked duck breast, Spanish chorizo, and house pickled veggies, or choose one of the legendary flatbread “pizzas.”
Bring a healthy appetite for Chef Matt Balke’s meals, which include grass-fed Texas Wagyu flat iron steak and Diamond H Ranch fowl. The award-winning wine list is reasonably priced and full of innovative options from emerging vineyards. Make sure to visit Bolsa on Tuesday night for half-priced bottles.
2. Best Steakhouse: Bob’s Steak and Chop House
Dallas is notorious for going large, and Bob’s Steak and Chop House is no exception, serving a 28-oz Prime Porterhouse and a 22-oz bone-in rib eye among its many steak and chop options.
The original location on Lemmon at Wycliff is all about the highest quality meats, an exceptional wine selection, the most prominent local celebrities, and award-winning service. Bob’s has won the “Best of Big D: Reader’s Choice” award for “Best Steakhouse” five times.
3. Best Family-Friendly Local Chain: Mi Cocina
Tex-Mex fans flock to this Dallas institution for its famous chips and salsa, beef tacos, and fajita platters. Start your dinner with Mi Cocina’s signature drink, the Mambo Taxi margarita.
Mi Cocina’s informal, relaxed ambiance, quick service, and reasonable entrees ($10-12) make it the ideal destination for families with children or friends seeking for a fun night out. With more than ten locations around the Metroplex, there’s always a Mi Cocina nearby to fulfill your Tex-Mex craving.
4. Best to Impress: Stephan Pyles
At his namesake restaurant, award-winning chef Stephan Pyles combines rich gastronomic traditions from Texas and South America to Spain and the Middle East to create highly unique flavors for ‘New Millennium Southwestern’ cuisine.
Pyles’ most popular dishes, such as Pan Roasted Nova Scotia Halibut with mole, foie gras ice cream, and sauternes-poached pears, and the famous 21-ounce Prime Bone-In Cowboy Ribeye, feature a smoky, spicy, and bold flavor profile. From anniversaries to birthdays, a supper at Stephan Pyles will not be cheap, but it will undoubtedly impress.
5. Best BBQ: Pecan Lodge
For an award-winning barbecue, visit Pecan Lodge in Deep Ellum. The brisket is delightfully juicy (no sauce needed), and the ribs are deliciously tender.
Bring the whole family for “The Trough,” which includes a full pound of brisket, one beef rib, one pork rib, half a pound of pulled pork, and three sausage links. Make room for the mac & cheese and slaw sides!
Conclusion
Dallas genuinely shines as a culinary destination, with an outstanding selection of restaurants to suit every taste and budget. Bolsa’s fresh flavors, Bob’s Steak and Chop House’s bold steaks, and Mi Cocina’s family-friendly setting have something for everyone. In this dynamic city, every eating experience promises to provide memorable meals.