This post is long overdue. I’m talking years overdue. I’ve lived in Dallas proper as an adult since 2009 and have seen the evolution of nearly every neighborhood in the surrounding area happen right before my very eyes. Some days, I’m disappointed in myself for not living anywhere else. But most days, I love that I’ve been able to call Dallas home for so long and to have witnessed the immense amount of change right before my very eyes. Not many people can say that about their hometown.

Back in 2017, I employed one of my best friend’s, Whitney, to follow me around Dallas and photograph me at my favorite eateries. The format was coffee, brunch, dinner, dessert, and cocktails, and it turned out pretty damn cute if I do say so myself. However, it’s been six years since that post and Dallas has changed a lot and, therefore, so have my preferences and opinions.

I get DMs from followers all the time asking where to dine, get a drink, and hangout in Dallas, and I almost always ignore them because this is the post I want to be able to send them. Answering these questions one-off is too overwhelming for me, and I never have my thoughts straight enough or wits about me to quickly fire off options. However, being able to send them a link to this exact piece that outlines my preferences for them is easy, so I’ve decided it’s finally time to update my favorites and share them with the world (except this time without pictures because Whitney has a newborn, and I don’t have the energy to get gussied up multiple times over and go pose at my favorite spots. It takes a lot to get me out of sweatpants or leggings these days).

So without further adieu, here are my favorite spots in Dallas for all things eating, drinking, and just being. I provided a simple list up top, but scroll down to read details about each, including what I order at each place.

Also, please note these are subject to change at any time. I am a human with ever-changing opinions, so don’t be surprised if things are added and subtracted without warning!

DINNER

Italian: Barsotti’s (formerly known as Carbone’s)

Barsotti’s was formerly known as Carbone’s, but due to some Dallas drama, had to change their name. They closed their doors at the end of 2022 to revamp the restaurant, and are officially reopened with a whole new look and feel inside. Zac and I LOVE Italian food and have tried them all in Dallas—Barsotti’s takes the cake. My favorite dish: Sunday Gravy. Also highly recommend the Caesar salad or their Vodka sauce. It’s to die for.

Honorable mention: Il Bracco. Their spicy gemilli pasta is impeccable comfort in a bowl. It’s a lovely Italian restaurant; just not as authentic as Barsotti’s but definitely where to go if you want more of a hoity toity scene to shit talk.

Pizza: Cane Rosso

There are countless pizza places in Dallas to explore, and we’ve explored them all. Our favorite time and time again is Cane Rosso. In fact, we almost had our rehearsal dinner there—that’s how much we love their food. Their pizzas are Neapolitan style (so thin and flimsy in all the right ways) with the most incredible crust I’ve ever had. The flavor profiles of all their pizzas cover every preference you might have when it comes to pie, but our favorites are The Ella and the Honey Bastard, which comes with hot soppressata, bacon marmalade, and is drizzled in habanero honey (DROOL). They also offer dessert pizzas, fantastic chopped salads, and a few pasta dishes.

Low Budget Tex-Mex: Mia’s

If you’re looking for cheap, delicious, well-executed Tex-Mex, the answer is Mia’s. Zac and I are regulars here, and very proud of that status. Mia’s offers exactly what you would expect a Tex-Mex restaurant to offer: floral tablecloths made of vinyl, endless chips and salsa, every variation of margarita under the sun, ice cold Dos Equis and Modelo on draft, and the best authentic Tex-Mex food you can dream of. It’s no frills, no gimmicks and very affordable. It’s nothing fancy, but it’s always packed with a large array of people, including family members of Jerry Jones. Everyone goes here because it’s simply perfect. My favorite dish: Zak’s Tacos or Tacos Callejeros (beef).

Elevated Tex-Mex: Muchacho

For the times you’re craving Tex-Mex but want something a step above the norm, Muchacho is a fantastic choice. You won’t find any vinyl tablecloths here, but rather elevated drink options with a decked out bar and plenty of Tex-Mex favorites with some regional Mexican dishes for extra pizazz. They have a very cute patio that would be perfect for sipping margs and munching on their Queso Muchacho (soooo good). Hot tip: Avoid dining here before 7pm if you are trying to have a child-free night. It’s a popular place for early family dinners!

American: Hillstone

Formerly known as Houston’s, my family has been going to Hillstone restaurants since we moved to Dallas 25+ years ago. Hillstone is just one of those restaurants that never misses. It hasn’t changed in 25 years, but never feels antiquated or stale. It’s just really good, incredibly consistent food time after time. Zac and I like to go once a month on Sundays and dine at the bar, and we’ll sometimes visit its sister restaurant called R&D whose menu offers different dishes with the same integrity. You’ll have a great experience at either, but if you go to Hillstone, you must order the spinach artichoke dip an as appetizer. It will be a religious experience, and you will need more chips—but they already know that. Some other staple items on their menu: the burger, the chicken salad (with Asian flavor notes and the thinnest shaved chicken you’ve ever seen), the ribs, their Hawaiian rib-eye, the famous French dip… honestly, you can’t go wrong.

Check out all of the restaurants that fall under the Hillstone group here.

THE spinach artichoke dip. Do not NOT order this.

Chinese: Fortune House

Fortune House just opened a second location in Dallas right by our house, and getting a reservation there is pretty impossible right now but I’ve done it. Dallas has next to no noteworthy Chinese food restaurants, so Fortune House coming on the scene has people losing their minds, and I finally got to go and now understand the hype. It’s incredible Chinese food. Like, incredible. It’s all the favorites done exactly right, including a variety of dumplings from which the soup dumplings stood out. Dallasites are breathing a sigh of relief that they can finally depend go somewhere to get the chow mein, Mongolian beef, orange chicken, and fried rice of their dreams. It’s beyond good. Hot tip: Set alarms on Resy to be alerted when a table becomes available during the day and time you want! That’s how I got my reservation.

A horrible picture, but the best I could do at the time because I just wanted to eat.

Sushi: Oishii

Remember when sushi was way more exotic and elitist to enjoy? Same. Now, you can throw a rock and hit a sushi restaurant but that doesn’t mean it’s gonna be any good. We all know that the quality of the fish has everything to do with whether or not a sushi restaurant is worth it, and Oishii is the place we enjoy most. There are a few locations in the area, but it all started at its Wycliff Ave location that offered half bottle wine night on Wednesdays and drew the young 20-something crowd who wanted good sushi and to drink heavily but on the cheap. The food isn’t cheap at Oishii, though—it’s high quality stuff and some of the freshest, most flavorful sushi rolls I’ve ever eaten. For being in a landlocked place like Dallas, it’s pretty damn good at doing what it does. My favorite rolls: Royce, M&M, Caesar, and Tribeca.

BBQ: Terry Black’s

I don’t like BBQ. I mean, I never crave it. However, Terry Black’s made me change my mind. It’s the best BBQ I’ve ever had, and I have dreams about soaking in a bathtub of their mac and cheese—it’s disrespectfully good. It’s always packed, but the space is massive, so it’s easy to find a table inside or out. This is where you go as a last stop—do not attempt to indulge here for lunch and keep going post-meal. You will get meat sweats and feel so full but so happy but also need a nap. We had our rehearsal dinner here—that’s how much we LOVE it!

I ate this right after my annual doctor’s appt when they told me my cholesterol was high.

Seafood: Montlake Cut

This is one of Dallas’ best kept secrets, so I guess I’m ruining it but oh well. I first went to Montlake Cut back in 2015ish for an after work drink and basket of fries. Now, it’s one of Zac and my’s go-to spots for date night. It’s very inconspicuous from the outside and one of those places you could easily walk by without a glance back. But as soon as you walk inside, you feel transported to the East Coast. One of the bartenders, Drew, has been there for years and instilled in us that “the best seafood restaurants run out of fish daily. And we run out of fish daily.” Montlake offers all seafood under the sun, plus delicious sides like roughly cut russet fries, shells and cheese, or asparagus if you’re feeling green. Every day, they offer seven fish dishes prepped in special ways from their grilled special to their “simple set,” and whatever the whole fish is that day. Everything is wonderfully fresh, the martinis are cold as ice, and the vibe is perfect.

Mediterranean: Sevan G&G

This is a neighborhood restaurant that’s been around since 2004 and has stood the test of time and countless evolutions of its surroundings. In fact, as I write this, the strip it’s in is becoming more and more vacant every day and I’m terrified they’re going to run this amazing spot out of business. Anyway, Chef George and his wife are the only two employees in the place, so they seat you and demand your whole order be entered at the same time because things get busy there quick. It’s also BYOB, so don’t forget to grab a bottle of wine or some beers on your way out the door! The entire menu is delicious, but our favorites are the Greek salad (with the freshest feta), Sevan hummus or just regular hummus (best ever, and I’m not a big hummus girl), chicken tawook, kashmir chicken, and the pistachio chicken. They do brunch but we’ve never been, so I’ll report back on that!

The best Greek salad ever and their incredible hummus

Fancy Dinner: Monarch in the Thompson Hotel

If it’s a super special place you’re looking for, whether you’re celebrating something or just want a date night that does the most, Monarch is it. It’s a Michelin-star restaurant in Dallas that is a part of the luxury Thompson Hotel downtown, and it’s incredible. Loud? Yes. Full of people who feel they’re better than most? For sure. But incredible nonetheless. And extremely expensive. This is an occasion restaurant and a visit here shouldn’t be taken lightly. You’re not going to want to skimp on the dishes, so go in with a full wallet and an empty stomach. Reservations require a deposit, and if you want the best seats in the house by the windows, the deposit is heftier. This is why going to Monarch is a once-yearly thing for us, if that. However, if you make it there, the lobster spaghetti is a must. You can’t go wrong ordering anything on the menu. It’s just such an occasion place!

The aforementioned lobster spaghetti that comes INSIDE the lobster

BREAKFAST-BRUNCH-LUNCH

Ladies Who Lunch: Honor Bar

This is another Hillstone restaurant, but it’s so good and so perfect for an afternoon lunch with friends, I had to include it. You’ll probably have to wait a while for a table outside (which is what you want), but it’s no big deal because it’s located in the most prestigious shopping center in Dallas: Highland Park Village. We’re talking Chanel, Gucci, Rolex, Celine, Dior—basically it’s all designer everything with a few exceptions. Because of these stores, the crowd this area draws is ripe for people-watching. If you’ve ever seen that TikTok page where they go around asking older people in nice cars what they do for a living, that’s filmed in Highland Park Village. But don’t let the air of snootiness deter you—Honor Bar is for anyone who loves an Aperol Spritz al fresco (which is everyone). My favorite dish: The Macho salad or Ding’s Crispy Chicken Sandwich. Also, fun fact! Zac’s former environmental architecture company designed the parking lot layout and landscape in the village!

Brunch: Knox Bistro & BEVERLY’S

When I was in my 20s, I went to brunch literally every single weekend without exception. If I didn’t brunch both Saturday and Sunday, and if both of those brunches weren’t drenched in bottomless mimosa, it was a fail of a weekend in my eyes. Thankfully, I grew out of that and have been able to hone in on what actually constitutes a delicious brunch in Dallas, which would be Knox Bistro. With Parisian flavor infused into every dish, you can easily satiate your brunch tooth with whatever it is you’re craving be it eggs and biscuits, a quiche, salmon benedict, french toast, or an indulgent croque monsieur. All of it is delicious, especially starting out with the sticky bun or banana bread as a sweet appetizer. They don’t offer bottomless mimosas, but they do offer carafes which is beaucoup plus classe.

A perfectly dressed side salad with quiche

Beverly’s is another incredible place to brunch and offers the cutest atmosphere, both inside and out, plus the best shakshuka I’ve maybe ever had. They also do an amazing challah french toast, a smoked salmon bagel, and matzo ball soup if you’re feeling extra cozy. I adore this restaurant and it’s also very good for dinner, so keep that in your back pocket!

Nothing to see here besides their caviar and latkes appetizer.

Low-Fuss Breakfast: John’s Cafe

If you’re into diners for breakfast and lunch, you can’t miss John’s Cafe. It is old. It is halfway falling apart. But my god, is it delicious. It’s the most straightforward diner you’ll ever go to: eggs, biscuits, bacon, pancakes, french toast, burgers, and more. Ron Swanson would be a regular here, guaranteed. They even have a moody cashier who isn’t interested in being anyone’s friend (insider tip: She’s actually John’s daughter). It’s a tiny space and gets super crowded during the last hour of breakfast service (10-11am), but you won’t ever have to wait too long for a table. Roll out of bed on the weekend and head here.

Okay, now that main meals are out of the way, let’s chat about bars, specific drinks, and hangouts.

Daytime, family-friendly activities: The Arboretum, White Rock Lake, & KLYDE WARREN PARK

Here in Dallas, you’ll quickly learn that the main focus is on food and drink. We don’t have a lot of outdoor recreation because it becomes Satan’s butthole during the summer. Plus, we’re landlocked so we don’t have big bodies of water or mountains to offer up. However, The Dallas Arboretum is a prized possession that is always the perfect choice for an activity the entire family will get something from. Depending on the season, there’s usually some incredible display happening, plus 66 acres to explore. The Arboretum is a very popular wedding venue because of all the splendor it offers, and they’re always hosting educational classes for kids and adults, too. Their Cool Thursday concert series starts in April and is something you can buy tickets for and enjoy on their gorgeous lawn under the stars with your own food and beverage.

White Rock Lake offers the same sort of family fun, just not as organized. Walk/run/ride the trail that winds around the lake, pack a picnic, try paddle boarding or kayaking, or just bring a hammock, find a shady spot, and spend the afternoon swaying and reading.

Klyde Warren Park is a 5.2 acre park that sits above the highway and is never not bustling with people, dogs, and events. The border of the park is outlined with food trucks, there’s a lovely dog park inside, a playground, a big stage for events, and just so much to see. When in doubt and in dire need of something to do when the weather is nice, go to Klyde Warren Park and see what you can see.

Daytime Drinking Spot: Truckyard

This is like the one totally outdoor, chill, casual spot Dallas has, which is why it’s always crowded, especially on good weather days. Truckyard just got a revamp over the winter and reopened for spring with even more seating, an updated bar, updated (and hilarious) bathrooms, and a new stage for musicians to perform. It’s called Truckyard because there are always 3-4 food trucks parked on its edge that rotate depending on the schedule. They also have an in-bar kitchen that does the best Philly Cheesesteaks Dallas has to offer (and that taste exceptionally delicious when you’re buzzed). Truckyard is the perfect outdoor venue for large get-togethers, kids (no matter what age), and dogs—so many dogs! There’s nowhere else in Dallas proper like it.

Nighttime Bar: Clifton Club, Double D’s, and Doublewide

Clifton Club is my absolute favorite right now. They make killer drinks, and all of their small plates are exceptionally delicious. I haven’t had a bad bite or sip yet, and highly recommend making this your night out destination. Hot tip: 7-9pm is perfect if you’re just wanting a sexy, solid date night with a few drinks and plates. After 9pm, the lights get low and music gets louder and the space gets crowded, so if that’s not your scene, get out before 9.

Double D’s I haven’t been here just yet, but I’ve heard amazing things and some of the coolest girls I know in Dallas go there often, so it has to be great. I think it’s probably a perfect spot for great cocktails, juicy gossip, a little bit of dancing, and an excuse to wear that piece in your closet you’ve been saving for a night out.

Double Wide is the best kind of trashy bar. You will see all walks of life there. Boredom does not exist within Double Wide (which is IN a double wide trailer, by the way). It’s very hipster, very music-forward, and kinda grungy in the best way. Get a Yoohoo Yeehaw and thank me later (when you’re sober).

Daytime and Nighttime Bar: The Old Monk

The Old Monk has been my go-to since 2010, mostly because I’ve lived within walking distance of it since 2010. It’s the perfect pub that offers uncharacteristically delicious pub food, tons of imported and domestic beers, cocktails, and an exceptional patio space. They didn’t allow dogs for the longest time but finally got smart this past year and welcome pooches on the patio, which has been a huge bonus for them. Their skinny frites are the best thing they offer and come with three decadent dipping sauces for you to play with. I also love their grilled chicken salad, their burger sliders, and their mussels. It’s all so good, and it’s my happy place.

The skinny frites with three dipping sauces is a non-negotiable

WHERE TO DANCE: It’ll Do club, Off the Record, & Twilight lounge

I can’t tell you the last time I went out dancing. That used to be such a thing, and suddenly it wasn’t anymore. That said, I can only think of these three places if you’re in the mood to get down: It’ll Do club, Off the Record, and Twilight Lounge. I’ve had some sweaty ass nights of grinding on the dance floor at these spots, but I’m not sure they hold up. I hope they do; otherwise, I am aging myself in a deep way. All I know is, back in my day, these bars offered clear dance floors on which to get down. Fun fact: Twilight Lounge is where I first saw Marc Rebillet perform and fell in love with him before he moved to New York and blew up!