40 mid-range places in Dallas, editor-picked. the comfortable everyday-good restaurants in Dallas, with real cooking and no surprise on the bill. All Dallas food.
Pecan Lodge ★ 4.8
deep-ellum · 2702 Main St, Dallas, TX 75226
The Deep Ellum BBQ institution that made Dallas a serious stop on every national list. Brisket, ribs, and pulled pork in a lively brick room on Main St.
Tip: Arrive by 11:30am on weekends; they sell out before 2pm and do not restock.
Cattleack Barbeque ★ 4.8
plano · 13628 Gamma Rd, Dallas, TX 75244
A suburban BBQ legend open just three days a week. Akaushi Wagyu brisket and Duroc pork, a Michelin Bib Gourmand, and a Texas Monthly Top 50 ranking.
Tip: Pre-orders of whole meats are available by Tuesday at 5pm. Show up at 10am and expect to queue. BYOB.
Pecan Lodge ★ 4.8
deep-ellum · 2702 Main St, Dallas, TX 75226
Deep Ellum's most-visited dining room: long communal tables, cold beer, and brisket that made national food media relocate their coverage of Texas BBQ.
Tip: The beef rib on Saturday is the highlight. Come at 11am or accept the queue. They sell out daily.
Cattleack Barbeque ★ 4.8
plano · 13628 Gamma Rd, Dallas, TX 75244
The suburban BBQ pilgrimage: Michelin Bib Gourmand, Texas Monthly Top 50, Akaushi Wagyu and Duroc pork, and a loyal following that lines up before 10am.
Tip: BYOB. Credit card only. Pre-order whole meats for the best selection. Closed most of the week.
Midnight Rambler ★ 4.8
downtown · 1530 Main St, Dallas, TX 75201
Midnight Rambler in the subterranean level of The Joule Hotel is one of the World's 50 Best Bars and stays open until 2am daily. Located in Downtown.
Tip: Walk-in only; no reservations. Rotating seasonal cocktail list. Charcuterie and cheese plates run until close. Dress up slightly.
LOCAL Restaurant ★ 4.8
deep-ellum · 2936 Elm St, Dallas, TX 75226
LOCAL Restaurant in Dallas: new american room. Tucked inside the 1908 Boyd Hotel building in Deep Ellum, chef-owner Tracy Miller's modern American.
Tip: Dinner only Tuesday through Saturday; no weekend brunch. Reserve a week out for Friday and Saturday.
Saint Valentine ★ 4.7
east-dallas · 4800 Bryan St, Dallas, TX 75204
Saint Valentine on Bryan Street is the most sophisticated late-night option in East Dallas: a craft cocktail bar from two veteran Dallas bartenders open.
Tip: The goose fat-washed Martini with enoki vermouth is the cocktail to order. The miso noodles are the best late-night food on the menu.
Beverley's Bistro and Bar ★ 4.7
knox-henderson · 3215 N Fitzhugh Ave, Dallas, TX 75204
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.
Tip: Resy books out Thursday through Saturday by Tuesday. Try the smoked fish dip to start and the sticky toffee cake to close.
Revolver Taco Lounge ★ 4.6
deep-ellum · 2701 Main St, Dallas, TX 75226
Street tacos at the counter and, through a separate entrance, Purepecha: a prix-fixe tasting menu built on ancient Mexican techniques and corn imported.
Tip: Purepecha runs Thursday-Saturday by reservation only; the counter tacos are available all week without booking.
Armoury D.E. ★ 4.6
deep-ellum · 2714 Elm St, Dallas, TX 75226
Armoury D.E. in the former meatpacking plant on Elm Street serves food until 2am: Hungarian comfort plates, charcuterie, and the Bonnie and Clyde bourbon.
Tip: Walk-in only. The back room has live music most weekend nights at no cover. The slivovitz boilermaker is the institutional late drink.
il Bracco ★ 4.6
park-cities · 8416 Preston Center Plaza, Dallas, TX 75225
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.
Tip: Lunch is the hidden value: the cacio e pepe and whipped-ricotta focaccia both appear at roughly two-thirds of dinner pricing.
Ateliê ★ 4.6
oak-cliff · 367 W Jefferson Blvd, Dallas, TX 75208
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.
Tip: The roasted half chicken (serves two) and the charred cabbage with pistachios and chili flakes are the cleanest expressions of Lima's voice.
Georgie ★ 4.6
knox-henderson · 4514 Travis St, Unit 132, Dallas, TX 75205
Georgie on Travis Street is a Michelin-recommended restaurant where French chef Bruno Davaillon runs a Sunday-only brunch built on classical technique.
Tip: Sunday brunch only; no Saturday brunch. Reserve two weeks out. Caviar service is available as an add-on and worth the price.
Lockhart Smokehouse ★ 4.5
bishop-arts · 400 W Davis St, Dallas, TX 75208
The Dallas outpost of the Lockhart BBQ tradition, run by descendants of the original Kreuz Market bloodline. Open sun-thu 11am-9pm, fri-sat 11am-10pm.
Tip: The shoulder clod is a Central Texas rarity worth ordering over brisket on your first visit if you have not had it.
Lockhart Smokehouse ★ 4.5
bishop-arts · 400 W Davis St, Dallas, TX 75208
The Bishop Arts BBQ institution run by descendants of Kreuz Market's original bloodline, maintaining the Central Texas no-sauce butcher-paper tradition.
Tip: If you have not had shoulder clod, this is the place to start. Cooked 18-20 hours over post-oak, it is not available at most Dallas BBQ joints.
Peticolas Brewing Company ★ 4.5
design-district · 1301 Pace St, Dallas, TX 75207
Design District award-winner with two Great American Beer Festival gold medals and a reputation as one of the most serious beer programs in Texas.
Tip: Tours run the first and third Saturday of each month, $10, includes a branded pint and three beer tokens. Arrive early as they sell out.
Velvet Taco (Deep Ellum) ★ 4.5
deep-ellum · 2624 Elm St, Dallas, TX 75226
Velvet Taco in Deep Ellum stays open until 5am on Friday and Saturday, making it the latest operating taco kitchen in Dallas. At 2624 Elm St.
Tip: The line moves fast even at 4am. The Nashville Hot Chicken taco and the WTF (weekly special) are the essential orders.
Saint Valentine ★ 4.5
east-dallas · 4800 Bryan St, Dallas, TX 75204
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.
Tip: Open Tuesday through Sunday until 2am; Monday closed. Happy hour runs 5-7pm.
Encina ★ 4.5
bishop-arts · 614 W Davis St, Ste 100, Dallas, TX 75208
Encina on West Davis runs the city's most celebrated brunch in a Texas brasserie format: big, bold, and anchored by blue corn pancakes with cajeta.
Tip: Saturday books faster than Sunday. Blue corn pancakes are the signature; the turkey hash and chorizo biscuits are close behind. The patio fills by 10:30am.
Pecan Lodge (Weekend Service) ★ 4.5
deep-ellum · 2702 Main St, Dallas, TX 75226
Pecan Lodge in Deep Ellum is the quintessential Texas BBQ brunch: pitmasters fire the post-oak smokers overnight and serve brisket, ribs, sausage.
Tip: The line starts forming at 10:30am on Saturday. Order the brisket and the jalapeño cheddar sausage in a single plate.
Resident Taqueria ★ 4.4
lake-highlands · 9661 Audelia Rd, Ste 112, Dallas, TX 75238
A chef-driven Lake Highlands taqueria that doubles as one of the best breakfast spots in Dallas. Priced at $$. Kitchen leans mexican taqueria.
Tip: The breakfast taco programme starts at 7:30am. The bar extension added in the most recent renovation makes evening visits much more comfortable.
Resident Taqueria ★ 4.4
lake-highlands · 9661 Audelia Rd, Ste 112, Dallas, TX 75238
A Lake Highlands chef-driven taqueria that starts serving at 7:30am and closes by 9pm. Order the breakfast tacos; slow-braised fillings that change weekly.
Tip: Weekday morning is the quietest window.
Noble Coyote Coffee Roasters ★ 4.4
lakewood · 819 Exposition Ave, Dallas, TX 75226
Expo Park micro-roaster and coffee lab that helped define Dallas specialty coffee. Order the kenya single-origin pour-over; espresso tasting flight.
Tip: The roastery is visible from the counter. Ask the barista what was roasted that week for the freshest cup possible.
Lemma Coffee ★ 4.4
design-district · 1400 Hi Line Dr, Ste 100, Dallas, TX 75207
Design District specialty roaster that introduced a Typhoon fluid-bed roaster in spring 2025, bringing a new dimension of clarity and brightness.
Tip: The spring 2025 Typhoon roaster upgrade changed the character of their light roasts noticeably.
Celestial Beerworks ★ 4.4
deep-ellum · 2530 Butler St, Dallas, TX 75226
Medical District hop-forward brewery that beer insiders call Dallas's best. Located in Deep Ellum. Booking recommended. Reservations advised.
Tip: The colorful taproom has games and a patio. Family-friendly on weekends. The limited-release cans sell out fast; check their social media before visiting.
Serious Pizza ★ 4.4
deep-ellum · 2807 Elm St, Dallas, TX 75226
Serious Pizza on Elm Street serves New York-style pizza by the slice from a 30-inch pie until 3am Thursday through Saturday. Located in Deep Ellum.
Tip: A single slice from a 30-inch pie is the best size-to-price ratio in Deep Ellum. The plain cheese on a fresh-out-of-the-oven pie is the order.
Big Guy's Chicken and Rice ★ 4.4
deep-ellum · 2614 Elm St, Ste 130, Dallas, TX 75226
Big Guy's Chicken and Rice on Elm Street is the post-bar halal institution in Deep Ellum: Zabihah-certified chicken over saffron rice with white garlic sauce.
Tip: The standard order is the large chicken-over-rice with both white sauce and hot sauce. The line moves fast.
Xaman Cafe ★ 4.4
oak-cliff · 334 W Jefferson Blvd, Dallas, TX 75208
Xaman Cafe in Dallas: 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.
Revolver Taco Lounge (Sunday Buffet) ★ 4.4
deep-ellum · 2646 Elm St, Dallas, TX 75226
Revolver Taco Lounge in Deep Ellum runs the best brunch buffet in Dallas every Sunday: $35 buys all-you-can-eat menudo, chilaquiles, carnitas in clay pots.
Tip: Arrive at 11am when the clay pots are freshest. Groups of 5 or more need a reservation.
Knox Bistro ★ 4.4
knox-henderson · 3230 Knox St, Ste 140, Dallas, TX 75206
Knox Bistro on Knox Street is a Michelin-recommended French casual that serves what is widely called the best brunch burger in Dallas: a Burger au Poivre.
Tip: The burger is the call. The croissant service at the table is complimentary. Book ahead for Saturday; Sunday is slightly looser.
Mia's Tex-Mex ★ 4.3
uptown · 4334 Lemmon Ave, Dallas, TX 75219
Operating since 1981, Mia's serves the brisket tacos that became a Dallas archetype. Located in Uptown. Open mon-sat 11am-9:30pm, sun 11am-9pm.
Tip: The brisket taco was created by founder Butch Enriquez. The original recipe still runs the kitchen.
Slow Bone ★ 4.3
design-district · 2234 Irving Blvd, Dallas, TX 75207
A Design District lunch institution that closes when the meat runs out. The smoked pork chop has built a cult following since the restaurant opened.
Tip: Lunch-only, closes by 3pm or earlier. The pork chop sells out before noon on Saturdays.
Mia's Tex-Mex ★ 4.3
uptown · 4334 Lemmon Ave, Dallas, TX 75219
A family-owned Lemmon Avenue institution since 1981 whose brisket taco created a Dallas archetype. Located in Uptown. Kitchen leans tex-mex.
Tip: Expect a wait on weekend evenings. The brisket taco was created by founder Butch Enriquez in 1981; the recipe is unchanged.
Revolver Taco Lounge ★ 4.3
deep-ellum · 2701 Main St, Dallas, TX 75226
The street-taco counter of one of Dallas's most creative Mexican operations. Kitchen leans mexican taqueria. Open tue-sun 5pm-10pm, mon closed.
Tip: Sunday brunch buffet at the Elm St Gastro Cantina runs 11am-3pm. The main counter is more casual and faster.
Slow Bone ★ 4.3
design-district · 2234 Irving Blvd, Dallas, TX 75207
A Design District BBQ lunch room that built its reputation on the smoked pork chop, a cut most Dallas operations overlook. Kitchen leans texas bbq.
Tip: Go Tuesday or Wednesday for the most relaxed experience. Arrive at 11am on weekends or the pork chop will be gone.
Cultivar Coffee Roasting Co. ★ 4.3
lakewood · 1155 Peavy Rd, Dallas, TX 75218
East Dallas micro-roaster operating inside Goodfriend Package, roasting fresh single-origin beans for handcrafted espresso and manually brewed pour-overs.
Tip: Roasting happens on-site; ask when the current lot was roasted. Beans available in 4oz and 12oz bags to take home.
Merit Coffee (Deep Ellum) ★ 4.3
deep-ellum · 2639 Main St, Ste 140, Dallas, TX 75226
San Antonio-founded specialty roaster that has become one of Texas's most influential coffee brands. Located in Deep Ellum. Open daily 7am-6pm.
Tip: Merit roasts in San Antonio but the Deep Ellum cafe is the best Dallas showcase for their current offering. Bags of coffee available for retail purchase.
Vector Brewing ★ 4.3
lake-highlands · 9850 Walnut Hill Ln, Ste 405, Dallas, TX 75238
Lake Highlands family-owned brewpub with a scratch pizza kitchen and a wide beer range from chuggable light brews to wild smoked lagers. Booking recommended.
Tip: One of the only Dallas breweries open from 7am (for coffee and breakfast), making it a genuine all-day anchor. The pizza program is as serious as the beer.
DaLat Vietnamese Restaurant and Bar ★ 4.3
east-dallas · 2537 N Fitzhugh Ave, Dallas, TX 75204
DaLat on North Fitzhugh serves authentic Vietnamese pho and banh mi until 2am Friday and Saturday with a full bar running Vietnamese-fruit cocktails.
Tip: The pho is the 1am call. The bar's Vietnamese-fruit cocktail menu is the best in East Dallas. Walk in; no reservations. The kitchen matches bar hours exactly.
Oak Cliff Bread ★ 4.3
oak-cliff · 1300 S Polk St, Ste 230, Dallas, TX 75224
Oak Cliff Bread in Dallas: 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.