International$$knox-hendersonMon-Fri 16:30-23:00, Sat-Sun 11:00-23:00
Beverley's Bistro and Bar in Dallas: international room. Set in a nondescript building at Fitzhugh and Travis near the Katy Trail, Greg Katz's Cape.
Why locals love it: Set in a nondescript building at Fitzhugh and Travis near the Katy Trail, Greg Katz's Cape Town-inspired bistro runs one of Dallas's most eclectic menus.
Tip: Resy books out Thursday through Saturday by Tuesday. Try the smoked fish dip to start and the sticky toffee cake to close.
Italian$$park-citiesSun-Thu 11:00-22:00, Fri-Sat 11:00-23:00
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.
Cocktail bar$$east-dallasMon closed, Tue-Sun 17:00-02:00
Saint Valentine on Bryan Street in East Dallas is a craft cocktail bar with goose fat-washed Martinis, miso garlic noodles and caviar hash browns.
Why locals love it: East Dallas craft cocktail bar from two veteran Dallas bartenders with goose fat-washed Martinis, miso garlic noodles, and caviar-topped hash browns.
Tip: Open Tuesday through Sunday until 2am; Monday closed. Happy hour runs 5-7pm.
New American$$oak-cliffSun 11:00-17:00, Mon-Thu 16:00-22:00, Fri-Sat 11:00-23:00
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.
Vietnamese$$east-dallasMon-Thu 11:00-00:00, Fri-Sat 11:00-02:00, Sun 11:00-00:00
DaLat Vietnamese on Fitzhugh Avenue in East Dallas runs inventive pho, banh mi and cocktails flavoured with Vietnamese fruits until midnight or 2am.
Why locals love it: East Dallas Vietnamese bar-restaurant open until midnight Sunday through Thursday and 2am Friday and Saturday, serving inventive pho, banh mi.
Tip: The Vietnamese-fruit cocktail menu is as accomplished as the food. Pho is the best late-night bowl in Dallas. Walk in; no reservations taken.
Mexican$$east-dallasMon-Wed 11:00-01:00, Thu 11:00-03:00, Fri-Sat 11:00-04:00, Sun 11:00-01:00
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.