The places in Dallas the guidebooks miss.
The places in Dallas the guidebooks miss. locals-only counters, after-hours rooms and the spots tourists walk past.
LOCAL Restaurant in Dallas: new american room. Tucked inside the 1908 Boyd Hotel building in Deep Ellum, chef-owner Tracy Miller's modern American.
Why locals love it: Tucked inside the 1908 Boyd Hotel building in Deep Ellum, chef-owner Tracy Miller's modern American dining room, open since 2003.
Tip: Dinner only Tuesday through Saturday; no weekend brunch. Reserve a week out for Friday and Saturday.
Beverley's Bistro and Bar in Dallas: international room. Set in a nondescript building at Fitzhugh and Travis near the Katy Trail, Greg Katz's Cape.
Why locals love it: Set in a nondescript building at Fitzhugh and Travis near the Katy Trail, Greg Katz's Cape Town-inspired bistro runs one of Dallas's most eclectic menus.
Tip: Resy books out Thursday through Saturday by Tuesday. Try the smoked fish dip to start and the sticky toffee cake to close.
il Bracco at The Plaza at Preston Center in Dallas runs hand-rolled cacio e pepe bucatini and daily-baked bread for a devoted Park Cities crowd.
Why locals love it: Buried inside The Plaza at Preston Center strip mall, this Italian restaurant draws a devoted Park Cities crowd for hand-rolled cacio e pepe bucatini and daily-baked bread.
Tip: Lunch is the hidden value: the cacio e pepe and whipped-ricotta focaccia both appear at roughly two-thirds of dinner pricing.
Saint Valentine on Bryan Street in East Dallas is a craft cocktail bar with goose fat-washed Martinis, miso garlic noodles and caviar hash browns.
Why locals love it: East Dallas craft cocktail bar from two veteran Dallas bartenders with goose fat-washed Martinis, miso garlic noodles, and caviar-topped hash browns.
Tip: Open Tuesday through Sunday until 2am; Monday closed. Happy hour runs 5-7pm.
Ateliê on Jefferson Boulevard in Oak Cliff is a 12-item bistro from chef Wyl Lima, trained at Michelin-starred Temporis, cooking Angola meets Texas.
Why locals love it: A 12-item Jefferson Boulevard bistro from chef Wyl Lima, who trained at Michelin-starred Temporis in Chicago.
Tip: The roasted half chicken (serves two) and the charred cabbage with pistachios and chili flakes are the cleanest expressions of Lima's voice.
DaLat Vietnamese on Fitzhugh Avenue in East Dallas runs inventive pho, banh mi and cocktails flavoured with Vietnamese fruits until midnight or 2am.
Why locals love it: East Dallas Vietnamese bar-restaurant open until midnight Sunday through Thursday and 2am Friday and Saturday, serving inventive pho, banh mi.
Tip: The Vietnamese-fruit cocktail menu is as accomplished as the food. Pho is the best late-night bowl in Dallas. Walk in; no reservations taken.
Plomo Quesadilla Bar in Dallas: mexican room. A scratch-kitchen quesadilla bar on McMillan Ave open until 4am Friday and Saturday. Twelve years.
Why locals love it: A scratch-kitchen quesadilla bar on McMillan Ave open until 4am Friday and Saturday.
Tip: Best after midnight when the crowds thin. Every quesadilla is made to order.
Xaman Cafe in Dallas: pre-hispanic cafe and agave bar on jefferson boulevard where clay cantarito cups carry both espresso drinks and cocktails.
Why locals love it: Pre-Hispanic cafe and agave bar on Jefferson Boulevard where clay cantarito cups carry both espresso drinks and cocktails.
Tip: Order the chilaquiles with chorizo and a cantarito espresso drink. Weekend mornings get busy by 10am.
Oak Cliff Bread in Dallas: a thursday through saturday micro-bakery on south polk milling and fermenting local texas grain into naturally leavened loaves.
Why locals love it: A Thursday through Saturday micro-bakery on South Polk milling and fermenting local Texas grain into naturally leavened loaves.
Tip: Thursday through Saturday only; arrive before 9am on Saturday for the best selection. Pre-order via Instagram.
Pesca Coastal Classics in Dallas: seafood room. A West Dallas seafood room hiding inside the Trinity Groves complex, opened December 2024 by Jesus.
Why locals love it: A West Dallas seafood room hiding inside the Trinity Groves complex, opened December 2024 by Jesus Carmona of Milagro Tacos and Chimichurri.
Tip: Order the oyster shooters, Baja ceviche, and one of the seafood boils to share.
Celestial Beerworks on Butler Street in Deep Ellum is a Dallas brewery widely regarded by insiders as the city's best hazy IPA producer, weekends only.
Why locals love it: A Deep Ellum production brewery widely regarded by Dallas beer insiders as the best hazy IPA producer in the city, yet virtually unknown outside the craft-beer circuit.
Tip: No food; bring your own or grab something from the street nearby. New cans sell out within hours of release; follow them on Instagram for drop dates.