If you know me, you know that my main complaint about Dallas is that there’s not much to do besides eat and drink. As I enter my fifth year of living in this city, I’ve made it my mission to change that. I’m currently on the hunt for activities that don’t involve food, but I figure all those restaurants have to amount to something, right? Dallas has arguably the most diverse culinary scene in the South. Thanks to the diverse population throughout DFW and the wealthy finance bros wining and dining their clients, the expectations for the food scene are high. Here are just a few of the restaurants in Dallas that you absolutely cannot miss.
Hungry Belly
Coming in hot with my favorite restaurant in Dallas — I cannot and will not stop talking about Hungry Belly. This was the first restaurant I ate at when I started my freshman year at SMU in 2019, and have probably dined there or ordered takeout upwards of 50 times since then.
This charming location off Fitzhugh was once a gas station and has since then been transformed into an amazing family-owned Korean/Japanese fusion spot. HB’s extensive menu offers everything from sushi to bibimbap to ramen, and not a single item on the menu will disappoint. Despite often being absolutely packed, this restaurant remains sort of a hidden gem in Dallas. My favorite items on the menu are the salmon tower and the Daisy Roll.
Meridian
Meridian is a newer restaurant located in the Village of North Dallas and advertises itself as an upscale twist on American classics. I dined here for work and was amazed by the unique dishes — each one with a unique garnish or sauce. If you don’t like particularly adventurous foods or citrusy tastes, I would skip this one as there is a lot of that. But if you’re looking for a unique spot for a date night, definitely try it out!
Penne Pomodoro
This Italian restaurant is a super popular brunch spot amongst Highland Park residents and SMU students alike, but I think their dinner options are even more incredible. If you’re looking for a great place to pregame a Cowboys game or SMU football game, definitely hit up Penne Pomodoro for their $2 mimosas and bellinis! If you’re craving some authentic, cozy Italian, I would recommend their paglia e fieno.
Monarch
This wouldn’t be an authentic Dallas restaurant recommendation list without Monarch. This wood-fired Italian restaurant is located on the 49th floor of the Thompson Hotel in Downtown Dallas and offers gorgeous views of the city and even better food. Guests are greeted with complimentary sparkling wine and escorted to their tables for five-star service.
Monarch is my #1 choice for celebratory dinners as they present guests of honors with customized menus (I still have one from my first time dining there on my 22nd birthday!). Each dish from the shrimp scampi ravioli to the shortrib bolognese is to die for. For larger parties, they offer a tasteful “family style” option. The seven of us opted for this for my birthday dinner and we left feeling satisfied without totally breaking the bank.
Sadelle’s Highland Park
This dreamy brunch spot is a New York-inspired cafe from the Major Food Group. Sadelle’s is the perfect place for a Saturday or Sunday morning date or girls’ brunch! I adored their Smoked Salmon Benedict, but they are best known for their bagel towers and other smoked salmon. You can also pick up coffee or matcha from Sadelle’s during the week.
Smithy
Located on Henderson Avenue, Smithy is a relatively underrated brunch spot. At night, the restaurant doubles as a sports bar with appetizers and finger foods to enjoy while watching the game on any of their many TV’s. But if you get there on time on a Saturday or Sunday morning, you can enjoy a healthy Green Garden omelette or a classic Benedict!
Toulouse
I first discovered Toulouse for Valentine’s Day last year. This Knox Street restaurant offers the cutest vibe with “classic French-influenced Belgian cuisine with a slightly modern twist.” I adored their desserts and their handcrafted cocktails! Bon Appétit!
Sachet
From the creators of Gemma, Sachet offers the most diverse array of Mediterranean food that I have seen out of hte many restaurants in Dallas. My boyfriend and I recently enjoyed their five-course New Year’s Eve dinner and were amazed.
The wine list at Sachet alone is incredible. From Spain to Italy to the Balkans to Lebanon, they have well curated and selected bottles of wine from all over the Mediterranean. The food echoes this diverse influence with vegetable mezes, house-made pastas, seafood and meats, and much more. I would highly recommend Sachet for adventurous foodies!
Perry’s Steakhouse
This Dallas classic is the perfect downtown destination for a fancy dinner, but have you heard about Porkchop Fridays? Every Friday afternoon, head to Perry’s for lunch for their $17 porkchop meal, which comes with mashed potatoes and apple sauce to top of the most delicious cut of meat you’ll ever have! I went here for lunch a couple of times when I was interning in downtown Dallas and always looked forward to it.
If you’re planning a special dinner for an anniversary or birthday, this steakhouse is also one of the go-to celebratory restaurants in Dallas.
The Standard Pour
Don’t be fooled by the selection of salads above. The Standard Pour has one of the best happy hours in Dallas, with delicious cocktails and savory appetizers. This includes an all-day happy hour on Mondays! Saturday and Sunday brunch also often include live music. Make sure to try the Hangover Burger if you head there over the weekend.
What are your favorite restaurants in Dallas? Let me know in the comment section below!
