Top 10 Best Restaurants in Dallas

Meridian

Meridian is a one-of-a-kind restaurant in the Village, a trendy pocket area north of downtown Dallas, serving creative, high-end Brazilian meals in a clean setting. Executive Chef Junior Borges, a Rio de Janeiro native who honed his craft at a number of New York City’s most prestigious restaurants, has married his childhood memories and culinary expertise in fine fashion; the standout star is the rich, sweet “beach cheese” skewers, served with honey and inspired by Borges’ memories of a childhood spent on the golden sands of Copacabana and Ipanema beaches. Don’t miss the outstanding steak tartare served with black truffle in a folded shiso leaf, and a Caipirinha or one of the superb wine pairings are a must.

Al Biernat’s

With its circular driveway, center fountain, and valet service, driving up to Al Biernat’s seems like arriving at a fancy friend’s house—or a film set. Inside, you’re quickly engulfed in a buzzy bar crowded with the city’s most influential people. When you approach the check-in desk, the restaurant’s director of operations, Brad Fuller, will most likely welcome you personally—it’s difficult not to feel special here. The steaks come from local farmers, while the seafood is flown in fresh. Recent favorites include Japanese horseradish coated fish, cowboy cut ribeye, lobster risotto, and au gratin potatoes. A dinner is never complete without Al’s famous coconut cream pie and a cup of coffee.

Town Hearth

Consider this: A yellow submarine within a massive fish tank; over 60 chandeliers hanging in the dining room; a 1974 Ducati Sport on the side menu and parked outside the bar; and an MG Roadster parked in front of the kitchen. It may sound strange and unexpected, but it’s the warm, homey feeling produced by Nick Badovinus, the chef behind Town Hearth, who built the interior himself rather than employing an outside agency. You can’t go wrong with any of the typical steakhouse fare, especially when coupled with one of the several drinks on offer. This establishment has all of the pomp and ceremony that Dallas is known for and that visitors have come to anticipate.

Knife Dallas

This buzzy steakhouse within the Highland hotel is well worth the hype. Even in the middle of summer, the ambiance is warm and inviting, with a large throng filling the modest yet buzzy dining area. There is simply no better alternative in town if you prefer dry-aged meats. John Tesar is proud of his 240-day dry-aged rib eye, which is salty, delicate, and exquisite. Divide amongst the table and serve with sides such as okra, carrots, or macaroni and cheese with bacon bread crumbs.

Uchi Dallas

This is one of the greatest Restaurants in Dallas to treat a guest to a fantastic sushi experience. With fish brought in daily from Tokyo, Tyson Cole’s innovative cuisine will amaze every diner, no matter how daring. Don’t overlook the machi cure, hot rock, ham and eggs, and fried milk. Do you want to see everything and then some? Have faith in the tasting menu.

Mia’s Tex-Mex

This no-frills Tex-Mex powerhouse devotes all of its focus to serving truly good classics to Dallasites. The quesadillas are loaded with toppings, the beef tacos are moist and tasty, and the chimichangas are as large as your head. That is to say, it is difficult to go wrong. (There’s even a taco salad if you’ve made the unfortunate decision to come here without much of an appetite.) No Mia’s experience is fully complete unless you start with queso and conclude with sopapillas. The staff is prepared to manage parties of any size, even irritable toddlers. It’s the ideal pit stop on your way to Dallas Love Field for a flight—you get your Tex-Mex fix before flying out of state.

Lucia

For over eight years, this tiny, 36-seat Restaurants in Dallas Bishop Arts District has been serving some of the most innovative Italian dishes around—which is partially to blame for it being one of the city’s most difficult reservations to get. Take a chance and try to get one of the four available seats at the bar. The menu exclusively includes foods that can be found in Texas. Don’t get too attached to that big meal of tagliatelle with Red Wattle pig ragu and broccoli rabe; you’ll be disappointed when it disappears six months later. Guests may still expect salumi, cheese boards, risotto, long-haired pasta, meat, and a vegetarian option. Dessert is difficult to go wrong with, but the olive-oil cake is a no-brainer.

Mot Hai Ba

Residents of Lakewood have undoubtedly driven past Mot Hai Ba a hundred times without noticing, but once you know, you know. After just one visit to Mot Hai Ba, your perception of Vietnamese cuisine will be forever altered. The meal is unique and fresh, and it will impress anybody who appreciates high-quality Vietnamese cuisine. It has the greatest pho and shaking beef in town, not to mention the blue crab salad.

Homewood

Homewood is a fantastic introduction to the high-quality producers who make dining out in Texas so enjoyable these days. A strong emphasis on supporting area farmers and producers can lead to some good surprises; come in expecting the usual—say, parker rolls served with chicken drippings and an order of your favorite pasta—and you may find yourself taking a significant detour. A recent dinner had shio-koji marinated hearth-cooked local pork chops.