15 restaurants in Dallas, editor-picked for monday dinner. Open on monday — the day most kitchens go dark. All restaurants in Dallas.
Pecan Lodge ★ 4.8
deep-ellum · 2702 Main St, Dallas, TX 75226
Hours: Mon 11am-3pm, Tue-Thu 11am-8pm, Fri 11am-9pm, Sat 11am-10pm, Sun 11am-9pm
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, open until sold out.
Tip: Arrive by 11:30am on weekends; they sell out before 2pm and do not restock.
Lockhart Smokehouse ★ 4.5
bishop-arts · 400 W Davis St, Dallas, TX 75208
Hours: Sun-Thu 11am-9pm, Fri-Sat 11am-10pm
The Dallas outpost of the Lockhart BBQ tradition, run by descendants of the original Kreuz Market bloodline. The no-sauce ethos and post-oak smoke produce shoulder clod unavailable at most other Dallas BBQ operations.
Tip: The shoulder clod is a Central Texas rarity worth ordering over brisket on your first visit if you have not had it before.
Nonna ★ 4.4
uptown · 4115 Lomo Alto Dr, Dallas, TX 75219
Hours: Mon-Sat 5:30pm-close, Fri lunch 11:30am-2pm
A Michelin-listed Highland Park Italian with a wood-burning oven producing some of the city's best pizza and a pasta programme that keeps the room full every night of the week.
Tip: Friday lunch is the sleeper: the room quieter than dinner, clam pizza the same, fewer people competing for a table.
Mia's Tex-Mex ★ 4.3
uptown · 4334 Lemmon Ave, Dallas, TX 75219
Hours: Mon-Sat 11am-9:30pm, Sun 11am-9pm
Operating since 1981, Mia's serves the brisket tacos that became a Dallas archetype. The original family recipes and the loyal crowd of regulars make this an institution on Lemmon Avenue.
Tip: The brisket taco was created by founder Butch Enriquez. The original recipe still runs the kitchen.
Frenchie ★ 4.2
uptown · 8420 Preston Center Plaza, Dallas, TX 75225
Hours: Daily from 7am (all-day brasserie)
The all-day French brasserie from Culinary Director Bruno Davaillon and co-founder Stephan Courseau, opened in Preston Center in June 2025. Brunch, lunch, dinner, and a 1,200-sqft covered patio.
Tip: The patio is the destination on warm evenings. Weekday lunch is relaxed; weekends fill from noon.
Herrera's Cafe ★ 4.2
oak-cliff · 2853 W Illinois Ave, Dallas, TX 75233
Hours: Mon-Thu 8am-10pm, Fri-Sat 8am-11pm, Sun 8am-10pm
An Oak Cliff Tex-Mex hole-in-the-wall on W Illinois Avenue, serving loyal customers since 1949. The enchiladas here are considered among the most authentic in Dallas.
Tip: This is a cash-friendly neighbourhood place. Parking fills early on weekends. Worth the wait.
Barcelona Wine Bar ★ 4.2
knox-henderson · 3011 N Henderson Ave, Dallas, TX 75206
Hours: Mon-Thu 5pm-12am, Fri 4pm-12am, Sat 12pm-12am, Sun 12pm-11pm
A relaxed Knox-Henderson tapas bar with a Spanish wine list of over 400 bottles and a patio that fills on warm evenings. The pintxos and charcuterie spreads are built for sharing across a long evening.
Tip: The patio seats fill early on Fridays and Saturdays. Order the charcuterie and one of the sherries first.
Ten50 BBQ ★ 4.1
uptown · 5519 W Lovers Lane, Dallas, TX 75209
Hours: Daily, hours vary, check website
The Dallas location of the family-run Richardson BBQ favourite, opened in 2025 near Inwood Village in the former Sonny Bryan's space. Burnt End Fridays have built a following fast.
Tip: Burnt End Friday attracts queues by 11:30am. Show up at open on a weekday for the calmest experience.
Oddfellows ★ 4.1
bishop-arts · 316 W Seventh St, Dallas, TX 75208
Hours: Mon-Sat 7am-10pm, Sun 7am-9pm
The Bishop Arts all-day cafe that holds its ground regardless of what opens around it. Chicken and waffles, a well-curated coffee list, and mimosa flights in a wood-panelled room on 7th Street.
Tip: Brunch runs 7am-4pm daily. Arrive before 10am to skip the weekend queue for the chicken and waffles.
Tacos La Banqueta (Deep Ellum) ★ 4.1
deep-ellum · 1305 N Carroll Ave, Dallas, TX 75204
Hours: Mon-Sun 9am-11pm
Dallas street taco at its baseline best: $1.50 per taco, suadero and al pastor off the spit, counter service, and plastic trays. The most affordable meal in the city that consistently earns its space on local best-of lists.
Tip: The Carroll Ave location is the original. Order at least eight tacos per person. The salsas are the secret.
El Fenix ★ 4.0
uptown · 1601 McKinney Ave, Dallas, TX 75202
Hours: Mon-Thu 11am-9pm, Fri-Sat 11am-10pm, Sun 11am-9pm
Founded 1918 by Mike Martinez, El Fenix is the oldest Tex-Mex chain in the US, credited with formalising the enchilada-chili-gravy combination plate Dallas loves.
Tip: The McKinney Ave location is the flagship. The weekday lunch combo runs under $12 and changes daily.
Fadi's Mediterranean Grill ★ 4.0
knox-henderson · 3001 Knox St, Ste 110, Dallas, TX 75205
Hours: Mon-Thu 11am-9pm, Fri-Sat 11am-10pm, Sun 11am-8:30pm
A Knox Street Lebanese institution with a full halal certification, serving mezze, shawarma, and grilled meats in a room that works equally well for a quick lunch or a long family dinner.
Tip: The mezze spread for two is the best value in the restaurant. Order three or four cold dishes to share before the mains.
Velvet Taco ★ 3.9
deep-ellum · 2624 Elm St, Dallas, TX 75226
Hours: Mon-Thu 11am-12am, Fri-Sat 11am-4am, Sun 11am-12am
The Deep Ellum anchor of the Dallas late-night taco scene, open until 4am on Friday and Saturday. Creative taco combinations, a weekly rotating special, and a queue that never entirely disappears after midnight.
Tip: The weekly taco rotates every Tuesday. Follow their social media on Monday nights to plan around it.
Wava Halal Grill ★ 3.9
lower-greenville · 3611 Greenville Ave, Ste A, Dallas, TX 75206
Hours: Mon-Sun 11am-4am
A Greenville Ave halal Mediterranean counter open until 4am every night, drawing the post-bar crowd and the neighbourhood regulars alike. New York street food sensibility applied to Dallas-sourced meats.
Tip: Open until 4am daily, which makes it one of the best late-night halal options in the city outside of Richardson.
Cafe Brazil ★ 3.7
deep-ellum · 2815 Elm St, Dallas, TX 75226
Hours: Mon-Tue 7am-2pm, Wed-Sun open 24 hours
The 24-hour Deep Ellum diner open from Wednesday through Sunday, feeding musicians, bartenders, and anyone who needs a meal at 3am without needing a reason. The french toast at 4am is a Dallas ritual.
Tip: The late-night crowd fills the place between midnight and 2am. The Wednesday morning is the quietest window if you need silence with your breakfast.