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Awesome Restaurants in Dallas, Texas

Dallas has no shortage of iconic eateries that have served as gathering places for foodies for decades, and the city's restaurant scene extends well beyond barbecue and Tex-Mex. The awesome restaurants in Dallas covered in this guide span the full range of what this city's culinary world has to offer, from legendary smokehouse counters and old-school steakhouses to authentic family-run Tex-Mex kitchens, Korean noodle shops, Indian lunch specials, and creative cocktail bars with live music.

Red Roof® has rounded up 18 of the best restaurants in Dallas to help you eat well during your stay. Whether you are in the mood for a juicy local ribeye, a decadent Italian dessert, or a late-night taco from a 24-hour gas station window, Dallas has got you covered.

Plan your stay at redroof.com and come hungry.

A person holding plates of food
A group of people holding drinks
A group of tacos on a wooden board

Dallas's Standout Dining Spots

A close up of food

Lockhart Smokehouse

Named after Lockhart, Texas, the self-proclaimed Barbecue Capital of Texas, Lockhart Smokehouse serves barbecue pulled straight from the smoker and cut to order at the counter. Crowd favorites include ribs, brisket, and sausages from the renowned Kreuz Market, with onions, pickles, bread, and crackers complimentary with every order.

A sandwich with meat and vegetables

Jimmy's Food Store

A family-owned grocery store and deli in Dallas's historic district serving legendary sandwiches since 1966, Jimmy's Food Store is widely considered to produce some of the best sandwiches in the city. The Italian Stallion, piled high with pepperoni, porchetta, mortadella, and other Italian cold cuts, is the signature order. Weekday visits are recommended to avoid the busy Saturday afternoon crowds.

A plate of food on a table

Tupinamba Café

A piece of Dallas culinary history, Tupinamba Café has been run by the Dominguez family since founder Froylan Dominguez brought his family's recipes from Mexico during the Revolution of 1910. The margaritas, fajitas, and signature deep-fried Tupy Tacos, best enjoyed dipped in Tupinamba's spicy salsa, are local favorites.

A plate of oysters with lemon wedges and a lemon wedge

Arthur's Prime Steaks and Seafood

Open since 1948 and now located in Addison in North Dallas, Arthur's Prime Steaks and Seafood offers five-star cuisine, nightly live entertainment, and classic service in a richly decorated dining room of oil paintings, dark woods, and glittering crystal chandeliers. Menu highlights include steak tartare, escargot, Champagne brie soup, and oysters Rockefeller.

A burger with french fries and ketchup

Keller's Drive-In

A Dallas institution since 1965, where people from all walks of life pull up for affordable, high-quality burgers and beer, Keller's Drive-In operates on a simple premise: stay in your car, and a waiter comes to you. The Special No. 5 with double patty, tomato, cheese, lettuce, and house dressing is the go-to order. Cash only, no cards accepted.

A salad on a plate

Tolbert's Restaurant

A Dallas and Fort Worth landmark just five miles from DFW Airport, Tolbert's Restaurant serves authentic Tex-Mex, including its signature Bowl of Red, created by founder Frank X. Tolbert and his son in 1976. Tacos, steaks, burritos, fajitas, and sandwiches fill an extensive menu alongside a children's menu.

A table with various food items

Rafa's Café Mexicano

A neighborhood staple for decades, just 15 minutes from the heart of Dallas, Rafa's Café Mexicano serves authentic and affordable Tex-Mex in a colorful setting. The chicken fajitas, carnitas, and chile rellenos are standout dishes, and the margaritas are a perfect way to settle in for a relaxed and enjoyable evening.

Grilled cheese sandwich on a plate

AllGood Café

Open daily for breakfast, brunch, and lunch with dinner service Thursday through Sunday, AllGood Café is a great stop between museum visits in Downtown Dallas. The menu features Tex-Mex-influenced comfort food, and weekend evenings bring live Americana music to the small stage.

A group of tacos on a plate

Fuel City

Less than five minutes from Dallas's Deep Ellum entertainment district, Fuel City is a cash-only, around-the-clock taco stand operating from a gas station window, serving some of the city's most talked-about breakfast tacos at some of the most affordable prices in the city. Texas Longhorn cattle may be spotted nearby if you time your visit right.

A plate of food on a table

La Popular Tamale House

A family-run restaurant in the heart of Old East Dallas, La Popular Tamale House makes its tamales fresh every day, with fillings including tangy chicken, pork roast, spicy USDA prime choice beef, and vegan options stuffed with vegetables or pinto beans. Burritos, breakfast tacos, and Menudo de res are also on the menu.

A table with different foods

Al Markaz

A beloved institution in the Dallas area's Indian and Pakistani communities for over 20 years, Al Markaz delivers affordable and consistently excellent cooking, including hearty lentil stews and what many consider the best butter chicken for miles around. The lively Ramadan evening atmosphere is a particularly special time to visit.

A bowl of dumplings with chopsticks

Arirang Korean Kitchen

Specializing in hand-pulled noodles and freshly crimped dumplings stuffed with chopped kimchi, Arirang Korean Kitchen in Carrollton is celebrated for the quality of its dough and the depth of its broths. Soup No. 4, a noodle soup with dumplings, is the recommended starting point for first-time visitors.

A group of hands holding glasses with drinks

Armoury D.E.

Open since 2015 in Deep Ellum, Armoury D.E. is a casual eatery serving Hungarian comfort foods alongside eclectic dishes, some of the best cocktails in the neighborhood, free live music shows in the backyard, and a weekly rotating burger special.

A plate of ribs with sauce

Baby Back Shak

A seven-rib half slab of smoke-kissed, pepper-dusted baby back ribs that pull cleanly from the bone is the signature draw at Baby Back Shak, alongside an excellent boudin plate. The small dining room is decorated with a 20-year retrospective of critical acclaim for legendary blues musicians.

A bowl of meat and vegetables

Cabritos Los Cavazos

Dallas's only goat grill serving traditional Monterrey-style cabrito, Cabritos Los Cavazos lets diners watch the massive open pit through a glass kitchen wall. Served with charro beans and excellent house salsas, it is one of the most unique and memorable awesome restaurants in Dallas.

A brush over food on a plate

BBQ King

Originally from Richardson and now in Garland, BBQ King is widely regarded as one of the finest Pakistani dining options in the greater Dallas area. The naan stuffed with spiced potatoes and the haleem, a soul food porridge of lentils, ground meat, wheat, ghee, and fried onion, are standout dishes.

A plate of spaghetti with meatballs and cheese on it

Carbone's

Serving impeccable renditions of traditional Italian dishes, including spaghetti and meatballs, fried calamari, and veal Parmesan, Carbone rounds out its menu with espresso-based tiramisu and cinnamon cream cannoli among the best desserts available. The retail section sells wines, frozen ravioli, and Sunday gravy to go.

A row of tacos with meat and vegetables

Chilangos Tacos

Tucked among the warehouses and nightclubs of Harry Hines Boulevard, Chilangos serves a focused menu of tacos, horchata, and spicy elote cups in a stylishly Mexico City-inspired space. The standout option is the costra-style taco, with fillings encased in a golden blanket of crisp molten cheese inside a stretched flour tortilla.