These Are the Best Restaurants in Dallas for Newcomers

Dubbed “Big D” and “D-Town,” Dallas has been famous for its steakhouses for a very long time. But, recently, it has been evolving into a well-rounded foodie city. Whether you’re a vegetarian, gluten intolerant person, or someone who prefers Indian cuisine, Big D has it all. In other words, Moving to Dallas, a place crammed with sports teams, great job opportunities, and friendly neighborhoods to raise a family, will bring you one more benefit. The possibility to enjoy excellent food and easily find your favorite spots for lunch or coffee break, whether you go for some of the fantastic Dallas suburbs or settle down closer to the center.

That’s why we’ve put together a list of several top-notch eateries that boast an excellent culinary offer. Let’s find out what you can expect as a newcomer in the food paradise where even the pickiest gourmets can please their palates.

El Fenix, Est 1918, Is the Oldest Restaurant in Dallas

If you’re a history lover, visiting the oldest foodie spot in Big D might be fun. Today, El Fenix is a place where guests can enjoy a Tex-Mex charm and a menu of delicacies such as crispy Picadillo meat-filled corn tortillas, fish tacos, and margaritas. If you like the traditional setting and old-school cuisine, this is the place to be with your friends and family.

El Fenix Is More than a Place to Eat – It Is a Part of the Soul of Dallas

This place currently has 22 locations, and the downtown El Fenix typically serves 1,600 guests on weekdays and about 3,000 on concert nights and weekends. Although it has been a spot where baby boomers used to come and enjoy themselves, and still do, millennials and newcomers haven’t yet realized all the advantages of this place. But, that is also changing by the day. El Fenix’s award-winning margaritas and old-school Tex-Mex are the reasons why guests of all ages come here – they add up to a cozy atmosphere ideal for family gatherings and pleasant moments.

Are You Looking for Romantic Restaurants in Dallas?

Finding the most suitable venue to spend a tranquil evening with your better half can turn into a real agony. Luckily, you can rest assured that’s not going to happen here. There are plenty of places with excellent fare and an appealing environment as well, so all you need to do is book a table for two in an eatery that will satisfy both your and your partner’s appetite.

St. Martin’s Wine Bistro Will Please Even the Pickiest Guests

A combination of the art of dining with innovative style and chic European sophistication is something that you should expect here. In addition to the stylish decor, live piano music, and friendly service, you will discover some of the most delicious French specialties in St. Martin’s Wine Bistro. Some of them worth mentioning are:

• House-Cured Smoked Salmon
• Homemade Pâté
• Jumbo Lump Crab Cake
• Snails
• Seared Medallions of Prime Beef Tenderloin
• Farm-Raised Breast of Chicken
• Deep Dish Apple Tart Tatin
• Chocolate Mousse
• Raspberry Sorbet

It is needless to say that the wine list comes from a first-class winery and the finest vineyard available in Big D. You can also try French pedigree wines and imported white wines, such as Veuve Clicquot Rose, Roederer Cristal Brut, or Louis Latour Gevrey – Chambertin.

Consider Oak If You’re Looking for the Best New Restaurants in Dallas

Opened in 2011 and not entirely new, Oak is a restaurant that features a contemporary culinary menu, modern design, and innovative creations merged with classic techniques. That’s why this venue is ideal for people who like to be surprised and always try something new and tasty. This is the right choice if you prefer seafood, salads, steaks, or have a sweet tooth. You can’t go wrong with strawberry brown butter cake or sticky toffee pudding.

D Magazine Named It the Best New Restaurant in Big D

As the city’s most prominent magazine publisher, D Magazine informs Dallasites about all important and exciting things in and around the Big D. It has one mission – to make this North Texas city a better place for living, working, and having fun.

D Magazine named Oak the Best New Restaurant in D-Town during its first year of operation, a marvelous success for a recently opened dining venue. Seven years later, Oak earned the award of excellence from the American magazine specialized in wines, the Wine Spectator.

Oak’s guests are used to a constantly evolving seasonal menu, so if you want to spend unforgettable moments with your loved ones, this place might be the one.

These Are the Best Indian Restaurants in Dallas You Shouldn’t Miss, according to D Magazine

One thing is sure – when D Magazine criticizes or promotes a venue, it is worth visiting. So, according to this magazine’s reviews, a few Indian eateries are appealing both to Dallasites and newbies. Chennai Cafe is the one that definitely stands out from the crowd.

Sharing Meals With Friends and Family in Chennai Cafe Might Be an Unforgettable Experience

Are you craving Indian food in the middle of D-Town? Well, visiting India to satisfy your current yearnings is probably not something that you can do on a whim. Still, luckily Big D is brimming with some extraordinary spots that can please your desires whenever you want.

One of them is the Chennai Cafe that serves South Indian dishes – you can order lunch and dinner buffet every day here. With fresh, delicious, and spicy ingredients, these plates will make your day. If your weekends are planned for spending time with your children, this site should find a place on your bucket list, among other things to do in Dallas with kids. It’s a family-friendly venue, and the most important thing is that you and your kids will really enjoy the great ambiance and delicious cuisine.

Try Dessert Made of Bubble Gum Pink With Rice Noodles in Agha Juice

Some people eat their lunch or dinner faster than others because they can’t wait to taste their favorite part of the meal – the dessert. If you’re one of them, head to Agha Juice and try authentic Pakistani sweets from Karachi – kulfis, golagandas, shakes, faloodas, fresh juices, and smoothies.

To experience the Pakistani cuisine in the right way, you should order falooda, that features an explosion of flavors. It’s made of bubble gum with rice noodles, vanilla ice cream, milk, fruit bits, jelly pieces, and basil seed. The fantastic taste will blow your mind, and you’ll probably want to try more treats and wake the child inside of you.  And if you have your own kids, bring them to this venue and order some delicacy children can’t resist:

• Snow cones
• Cotton candy
• Cotton candy shake
• Soda float

If You Like Fish Products, the Best Seafood Restaurants in Dallas Will Leave You Speechless

Are you wondering where you could delight your palate with some fresh and delicious seafood? If so, don’t be surprised if Big D can make your dream come true. The time when this metropolis was popular only for its barbecue plates is long gone. Even though it’s a landlocked city, it can boast some great seafood as well.

Finger-Licking Plates and Wines from Lesser-Known Regions Are the Main Reasons for Sachet’s Constant Crowd of Patrons

This warm and inviting foodie space has a light menu inspired by the flavors of the Mediterranean coast, including countries such as Italy, France, Greece, Israel, Turkey, and Morocco. Everyone can find something unique and delicious to satisfy their appetite in Sachet.  For example, some of the following dishes are worth trying:

• Pittas from the wood oven
• Plates of pasta
• Chicken paillard
• Moroccan lamb chops
• Shawarma spiced pork ribs
• Grass-fed beef filet
• Crispy pork shank
• Crispy chicken thighs

Some of the Best Italian Restaurants in Dallas Are Open Throughout December, Even on Christmas Eve

We all know that finding a place where you can enjoy a quality Christmas dinner might be quite tricky. If you have a desire to go outside and spend some pleasurable moments with your friends before the clock strikes midnight, you shouldn’t give up on that idea. Fortunately, in Big D, everything is possible, especially if you like tasty homemade pizza and sophisticated cocktails. If that’s the case, Sprezza will blow your mind.

Try Authentic Italian Cuisine in Sprezza

If you want to taste really authentic dishes, order several different meals to share with your buddies so that you can try them all. So, what can you expect after stepping into this venue?

Fresh ingredients, homemade pasta, trendy ambiance, friendly services, and an extensive wine list at reasonable prices. If you’re looking for fried chicken, french fries, or steaks in Sprezza, you won’t find any. But pasta-lovers will definitely have a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

If You Don’t Eat Meat, Order a Perfect Meal in the Best Vegetarian Restaurants in Dallas

Perhaps you didn’t know this, but North Texas is full of tasty options for vegetarians. So, if your dietetic choice is to eat a plant-based diet and avoid meat products, you’ll have options. Big D has plenty of excellent dining spots that offer healthy meals both for vegans and vegetarians. It is well-known that people who don’t eat meat have a specific philosophy and sometimes practice the Ayurvedic art of preparing meals for the body, mind, and spirit. If you are looking for these foodie spots, you can order everything you need in Cosmic Cafe.

Meat-Free Meals Are the Most Delicious if You Share Them With Dear People in Cosmic Cafe

In case you’ve had a long, hard day, there’s no better place to boost your mood than Cosmic Cafe. This place offers free yoga and meditation classes to help you relax your body and mind. The specific, upbeat atmosphere of this venue and a lot of healthy options on the menu work together to create a perfect ambiance for you and your loved ones. The culinary offer is rich and allows you to try unique, flavored, and spicy meals, such as:

• Samosas (two savory pastries filled with potatoes and peas)
• Paneer Pakora (pieces of whole cottage cheese cooked with garbanzo batter)
• Pappadam (crispy lentil wafers)
• Buddha’s Delight (curried vegetables of the day, one samosa and a cup of dahl- served with rice, pappadam, and nan)
• Cosmic Stir (stir-fried cauliflower, purple cabbage, broccoli, bell peppers, onions, carrots, squash, snow peas, and tofu sauteed with yogurt and ginger sauce – served with rice and salad)

Meat-Lovers Will Be Excited With Some of the Best Steak Restaurants in Dallas

If you’re going to become a Dallasite soon, you should know that Texans love their beef. It’s well-known that a lot of American cities have good steakhouses, but Big D reigns supreme in that field. So, if you’re coming here for good, know that the steak is an integral part of this region’s culture. In Big D, there are plenty of great spots where you can try real farm-to-table food and enjoy boneless ribeye, grilled to a perfect medium-rare.

Dining at Al Biernat’s Is a World-Class Experience

If you would like to celebrate something and make people around you feel special, then Al Biernat’s would be up to the task. With an elegant setting and impeccable service, this is an upscale place that will blow your mind, especially when it comes to ordering.

The menu is so rich and has plenty to offer, including small plates, sandwiches, grill (which is gluten-free), entrees, dishes for children, and family-style meals that even the pickiest eaters will find filling. Don’t worry if some of your friends are vegans since there are more than a few options for them, too. And if you’re a meat-lover and want to get a feel of Big D’s steakhouse tradition, you should definitely try some of these:

• Texas wagyu burger
• Meatloaf
• Grilled chicken
• Fried calamari
• Berkshire pork chops
• Filet mignon
• Prime tomahawk ribeye

In case you’re not in the mood for a steak, you can find enjoyment here merely by sitting at the bar and sipping a perfect martini or Flowers Pinot Noir.

Top-Notch Quality of Food and Service in Pappas Bros. Steakhouse

Are you looking for the ultimate steak experience? At Pappas Bros. Steakhouse you can expect the warm and inviting atmosphere, attention to detail, and incredibly tasty meat that melts in your mouth. Tradition and well-kept secret recipes are their winning combination. Meat is prepared using a specific dry-aging technique, and the process itself is a mystery. When it comes to mouthwatering steak, these are the facts to keep in mind:

• Only corn-fed beef is served
• On your plate, you will find USDA Prime graded cuts
• Lamb and seafood come fresh from suppliers
• The dry-aging process develops flavor, and it lasts for at least 28 day

If you enjoy a classic and simple meal, steaks with kosher salt, black pepper, and butter will provide you with an unmatched experience. Besides steaks, bone-in beef, and seafood, sweet tooth person can enjoy mouthwatering desserts, such as:

• New York Style Cheesecake
• Key Lime Pie
• Warm Peach Cobbler
• “Turtle Pie”

Enchilada and Tortilla Aficionados Will Enjoy the Best Mexican Restaurants in Dallas

Are you in the mood for something spicy tonight? If so, you’re in luck since Big D is quite the foodie paradise, especially when it comes to Mexican cuisine. In fact, this metropolis is one of the most famous cities when it comes to prime Mexican cuisine. You can find everything from Tex-Mex and tamales to 100% authentic Mexican fares that taste so good. So, if you’re hungry for more than just chips and salsa, Big D will satisfy your palate.

At Jalisco Norte, You Can Expect a Truly Unique Dining Experience

Have you ever been able to picture a whole journey through Mexico just by sitting at a table? If you can’t imagine your life without tacos or pozole, then Jalisco Norte is the way to go. Having lunch or dinner here is a perfect experience thanks to dishes that reflect Mexican heritage and tradition. Meals are prepared with the highest-quality ingredients, and the first-rate service will make all your foodie dreams come true. Tex-Mex is something that you will not find here, but you’ll get to enjoy authentic Mexican with modern twists. That includes some dishes such as:

• Queso
• Esquites
• Quesadilla
• Tinga Tacos
• Guacamole
• Queso cowboy
• Carne asada

Expertly Crafted Plates in Meso Maya

Immerse yourself into a culinary adventure that will enchant your senses – in Meso Maya, expect nothing less than the first-rate experience of authentic aromas and tastes. With its fresh, earthy, and bold flavors, this is the place for real gourmets. The house must-try specialty is Budin Azteca – tortilla pie or Mexican lasagna.

It’s a place where you can spend beautiful moments having dinner or lunch with your family, friends, or better half. Chef Sanchez and his staff devote so much time and effort to each detail while preparing meals. That’s why Meso Maya’s specialties are celebrated for their complexity, fresh flavors, and unique presentation.  And one more insider tip: hand-made tortillas and excellent margaritas will blow your mind.

Best Restaurants in Dallas Are Known for Their Good Bites

If you’re looking for some of the best neighborhoods in Dallas, this vast urban area will offer you the fastest-growing job market in the country and excellent schooling options. Also, the cost of living in Dallas is reasonable compared to other large metropolitan cities in the US. And when it comes to pleasure and unforgettable moments, you can always count on some of the best restaurants in Dallas. These places have much more to offer than food trucks, barbecues, and crawfish boils. Big D has finally got some creative, exciting “middle-class” dining spots with a diverse culinary scene. Put simply, Dallasites are learning to love Indian, French, Italian, and Korean fare, and that’s why D-Town is not going to be one of America’s well-kept dining secrets for long.

So, after hiring professional Dallas long-distance movers and choosing their moving services, keep in mind that living in Dallas might be an exciting foodie adventure. And if you’re a gourmet, you’re in luck, since lots of eateries are waiting to welcome you and serve their specialties, which are much more than classic American meals.