Merit Coffee (Oak Lawn) is a cafe in Uptown, Dallas.
Editorially verified May 25, 2026 by Lewis Vaughan, TableJourney editor. Source.
Must order: Honey process Ethiopia filter; signature espresso blend flat white
Tip: Opens at 6:30am Monday through Saturday, one of the earlier specialty coffee starts in Uptown. Good walk-in spot pre-trail run.
Address: 4228 Oak Lawn Ave, Dallas, TX 75219
Downtown neighborhood bistro from husband-and-wife chefs Jennie Kelley and Brandon Moore, doing New American lunch and dinner in the Santander building.
Order: Grilled cheese at lunch; pan-roasted seasonal vegetable plate at dinner
Tip: Closed weekends. The lunch window is short (11am-2pm); arrive by 11:15am or it fills. One of the best weekday downtown lunches in the city.
Downtown neighborhood bistro from husband-and-wife chefs Jennie Kelley and Brandon Moore, doing New American lunch and dinner in the Santander building.
Order: Grilled cheese at lunch; pan-roasted seasonal vegetable plate at dinner
Tip: Closed weekends. The lunch window is short (11am-2pm); arrive by 11:15am or it fills. One of the best weekday downtown lunches in the city.
Dallas's coolest dog-friendly coffee spot, located inside Koneko Studio tattoo shop. Order the oat milk cappuccino; pup cup for the dog; matcha latte.
Order: Oat milk cappuccino; pup cup for the dog; matcha latte
Tip: Dogs welcome and encouraged. The tattooing and coffee combination is very West Dallas and entirely real. Outdoor seating in good weather.
Pleasant Grove debut cafe from owner Brittany Guereca, serving one of the most inventive menus of lattes and coffee drinks in the region, all deeply.
Order: Horchata cold brew; tamarind espresso; pan dulce of the day
Tip: Started as a pop-up for three years before opening as a brick-and-mortar in 2025. A genuine neighborhood success story worth the drive to Pleasant Grove.
Bishop Arts farm-to-table restaurant that doubles as one of Dallas's best weekend brunch cafes, famous for the blue corn butterscotch pancakes with salted.
Order: Blue corn butterscotch pancakes; house-baked sourdough toast
Tip: Brunch Saturday and Sunday only. Opens at 10am; arrive at 9:45am for walk-in tables on Saturday. A reservation a week ahead is recommended.
Lakewood drive-through and walk-up express location of Dallas's homegrown White Rock Coffee, serving quality drip and espresso drinks to East Dallas.
Order: White Rock house blend drip; iced oat latte
Tip: Drive-through queue moves fast even at 7:30am. The most convenient specialty coffee stop in Lakewood before heading downtown.
Woman-owned boutique bakery cafe in Lakewood run by chef Kelly Ball, serving house-made kolaches, quiche, croissants, and soups alongside single-origin.
Order: Kolache with seasonal fruit; quiche of the day; cappuccino
Tip: Kolaches and croissants sell out by 10:30am on weekends. The strawberry rhubarb pie is the seasonal specialty to seek.
