Texas is big. I mean really big. Texans measure things by how much time you’ll spend driving on I-35. Much of what you think of as Dallas is likely part of the expansive Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. It’s not uncommon to hear about a great spot in Dallas only to find that it’s an hour away in one of the interconnected cities or suburbs. Which is why the best way to maximize your visit to the Big D is to pick a strong home base aka a hotel with on-site dining so delicious you won’t want to leave the lobby, in a neighborhood with a right smart collection of restaurants and bars at your fingertips.
Are you interested in a more country western experience? Set your home base in Fort Worth. Want global options and dazzling fine dining? Dallas proper is the place for you. Whether you are looking to two-step the night away or unwind with a sumptuous feast, use this guide to find your vibe in the DFW and make all your wild west dreams come true.
Starting Point: Uptown Dallas
Uptown Dallas is known for its Victorian-era homes, mix of elegant restaurants with neighborhood sports bars, and the nostalgia-inducing bell of the M-Line Trolley. One of the most walkable neighborhoods in Dallas, Uptown is an especially apt choice during the cooler weeks of spring or fall.
Don’t skip “brekkie” at Little Ruby’s, an Australian all-day cafe with blush pink booths, mauve leather-backed chairs and honey wood accents (she’s IG grid-worthy). There’s a selection of pastas, bowls, and sandwiches but the day’s first meal (served until 4 PM) is where it’s at. The ultra-thick slice of banana bread with creamy-tangy passionfruit butter is a must. Pair with Australia’s best known coffee drink: the flat white. And, yes, you will see Vegemite toast on the menu.
It may come as a surprise that one of Dallas’s most beautiful restaurants was created by the CEO of fast-casual beverage franchise Smoothie King, but anything is possible in the Lone Star State. Nuri Steakhouse combines sophisticated Korean design with Dallas steakhouse culture in a stunning display of Art Deco-meets-Futurism. Custom fluted lamps hang from gold-trimmed oak columns, while velvet-backed banquettes with marble surround curves around hand painted wallpaper and jade colored tile floors. There’s a rare wine collection by Master Sommelier Barbara Werley with bottles going back to 1863, and a lavish cocktail bar with bold stone and metallic features. Yes, it’s a steakhouse and you should indulge in locally sourced beef (try the tartare East meets West style), but the real showstopper is the buttery-soft, 48-hour marinated sea bass with white radish.
Looking for the local watering hole? Check out Katy Trail Ice House. Skip the food menu and grab a seat at one of the many outdoor picnic tables for a pre-dinner drink. With 50 beers on tap, and the 3.5 mile greenbelt park of the same name as its backyard, this beer garden has the best people watching in the city. Expect to see senior dogs in strollers and lots of Lululemon.
