The Top 100 Places to Eat and Drink Near Tolbert's Restaurant & Chili Parlor
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- D Magazine 2024 · Best Deli · Best of Big D
- Dallas Observer 2024 · Best Sandwich Shop · Best of Dallas
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Rank 7. Simply South
Southern Indian
- The New York Times 2024 · The Restaurant List
- Texas Monthly 2025 · Honorable Mentions · Texas’s Best New Restaurants
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- Eater 2025 · The Best New Restaurants in America
- D Magazine 2025 · The Best New Restaurants in Dallas
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Rank 9. Starship Bagel
NY-Style Bakery
- James Beard Awards 2026 · Semifinalist · Outstanding Bakery
- James Beard Awards 2025 · Semifinalist · Outstanding Bakery
- Bon Appétit The Very Best Bagels in the US (Yes, Outside New York)
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- D Magazine 2023 · Best Japanese · Best of Big D
- Dallas Observer 2025 · Best Japanese · Best of Dallas
- D Magazine 2024 · Best Japanese · Best of Big D
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- Dallas Observer 2024 · Best Chinese · Best of Dallas
- D Magazine 2025 · Best Dumplings · Best of Big D
- D Magazine 2024 · Best Dumplings · Best of Big D
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Rank 18. The Mansion Restaurant
French New American
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- Dallas Observer 2023 · Best Chinese · Best of Dallas
- D Magazine 2023 · Best Dumplings · Best of Big D
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Rank 20. Fearing's
Southwestern New American
Inside the Ritz-Carlton, Chef Dean Fearing's dining room reads traditional steakhouse but operates by its own rules. A Lone Star mosaic of raw tuna, wagyu, salmon, and barbecued eel arrives like stained glass; baklava s'more pivots toward pistachio marshmallow and burnt rosemary ice cream. American cooking with Southwestern swagger, built on surprise.
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Rank 21. Starship Bagel
NY-Style Bakery
- James Beard Awards 2025 · Nominee · Outstanding Bakery
- James Beard Awards 2026 · Semifinalist · Outstanding Bakery
- Bon Appétit The Very Best Bagels in the US (Yes, Outside New York)
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Rank 22. Roots Southern Table
Modern Southern
- D Magazine 2025 · Best Soul Food · Best of Big D
- Dallas Observer 2023 · Best Southern Cooking · Best of Dallas
- Dallas Observer 2023 · Best Gumbo · Best of Dallas
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Rank 25. MĀBO
Omakase Sushi
- Esquire 2024 · The Best New Restaurants in America
- James Beard Awards 2025 · Nominee · Best New Restaurant
- James Beard Awards 2026 · Semifinalist · Best Chef: Texas · Masayuki Otaka
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Rank 26. Cattleack Barbeque
Barbecue
Wood smoke announces Cattleack before you see the line. Pitmaster Andrew Castelan tends oak and hickory fires for brisket and ribs that need nothing but themselves, though the bright, tangy house sauce sits ready on every table. Sides—charred greens, burnt end beans, street corn—and cornbread complete the picture of a barbecue operation running exactly as it should.
- Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand
- Texas Monthly 2025 · The 50 Best BBQ Joints in Texas
- Dallas Observer 2024 · Best Barbecue · Best of Dallas
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- Texas Monthly 2025 · #2 · Texas’s Best New Restaurants
- Dallas Observer 2024 · Best New Restaurant · Best of Dallas
- Dallas Observer Neighborhood Staples and Gems · The Top 50 Restaurants in Dallas Right Now
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Rank 28. Midnight Rambler
Cocktail Bar
Dark and moody downstairs at the Joule, this subterranean cocktail bar channels speakeasy glamour with a mirrored liquor wall that glows like the crown jewels. The bartenders work with genuine precision on both classics and more obscure drinks, and they'll nail whichever direction you're heading.
- Spirited Awards 2026 · Top 10 Nominee · Best U.S. Hotel Bar
- James Beard Awards 2026 · Semifinalist · Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service · Gabe Sanchez
- Spirited Awards 2025 · Top 10 U.S. Nominee · Best U.S. Hotel Bar
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- Dallas Observer 2023 · Best Korean · Best of Dallas
- D Magazine 2025 · Best Korean BBQ · Best of Big D
- D Magazine 2024 · Best Korean · Best of Big D
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Rank 30. Starship Bagel
NY-Style Bakery
- James Beard Awards 2025 · Nominee · Outstanding Bakery
- James Beard Awards 2026 · Semifinalist · Outstanding Bakery
- Bon Appétit The Very Best Bagels in the US (Yes, Outside New York)
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- Dallas Observer 2025 · Best Carnitas · Best of Dallas
- Dallas Observer New Restaurants on the Observers’ Top 50 · The Top 50 Restaurants in Dallas Right Now
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Rank 32. Mamani
Contemporary French
Chef Christophe De Lellis, formerly of Joël Robuchon in Vegas, opened this polished Dallas outpost around elevated bistro cooking and impeccable technique. Dover sole in brown butter and a textbook Paris-Brest suggest a kitchen that respects classical foundations while a serious wine list rewards the curious diner.
- Michelin Guide 1 Star
- Texas Monthly 2025 · Dishes We Wanted Seconds Of: Rosa Sposa · The Best Things in Texas
- D Magazine 2025 · The Best New Restaurants in Dallas
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Rank 34. Lucia
Italian
In the Bishop Arts District, David Uygur works from Italian foundations, building dishes around seasonal Texas produce and house-made pasta with the restraint of someone who trusts his ingredients. The menu turns with the seasons; wine leans Italian. Jennifer's warmth at the door makes the small room feel like it's been waiting for you.
- James Beard Awards 2024 · Nominee · Outstanding Chef · David Uygar
- James Beard Awards 2023 · Nominee · Outstanding Restaurant
- James Beard Awards 2026 · Nominee · Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker · Maggie Huff
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Rank 35. Partenope Ristorante
Neapolitan Pizza
- 50 Top Pizza 2025 · #17 · 50 Top Pizza USA
- D Magazine 2025 · Best Pizza · Best of Big D
- D Magazine 2024 · Best Sandwich: The Super Jeff · Best of Big D
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Rank 37. Georgie
Contemporary
Georgie dresses its dining room in peachy retro-modern tones while the kitchen plays with form—crispy potato churros, roasted chicken with sauce vin jaune—without losing sight of ingredient quality and classical technique. The prices are steep, but the attentive service and indulgent desserts justify the splurge.
- James Beard Awards 2025 · Nominee · Emerging Chef · RJ Yoakum
- Dallas Observer 2024 · Best Chef · Best of Dallas · R.J. Yoakum
- D Magazine 2024 · Best Place to Celebrate an Anniversary · Best of Big D
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Rank 38. Bar Colette
Cocktail Bar
Ruben Rolon, who built the drinks program at a Michelin-recognized restaurant, now runs this upscale cocktail bar where every drink takes days to develop and classics get thoughtful reinterpretation. The carefully curated spirits and global wines pair with refined bites like sashimi, and you'll need a reservation to secure a seat at this Dallas standout.
- James Beard Awards 2025 · Nominee · Best New Bar
- Dallas Observer 2024 · Best Cocktail Bar · Best of Dallas
- D Magazine 2025 · Best Hugo Spritz · Best of Big D
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Rank 39. Catbird
Cocktail Bar
Climb to the ninth floor of the Thompson Hotel and squeeze through a flower tunnel into Catbird, an art deco fever dream of geometric prints, fireplaces, and a bedazzled Russian doll that feels like a surrealist gallery collided with a swanky lounge. Cocktails lean playful—think gin sippers infused with green tea and cold foam concoctions made with mineral water—and the rooftop wraps around the city like you've unlocked a secret level.
- Spirited Awards 2026 · Regional Top 10 Honoree · Best U.S. Hotel Bar – U.S. Central
- Spirited Awards 2024 · Regional Honoree · Best U.S. Hotel Bar – U.S. Central
- Spirited Awards 2024 · Regional Honoree · Best U.S. Hotel Bar – U.S. Central
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- Dallas Observer 2025 · Best Tiki Drink: Cafecito Grog · Best of Dallas
- D Magazine 2025 · Best Day-to-Night Combo · Best of Big D
- D Magazine 2025 · The Best New Restaurants in Dallas
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Rank 43. José
Jalisco Mexican
- James Beard Awards 2024 · Semifinalist · Best Chef: Texas · Anastacia Quiñones-Pittman
- James Beard Awards 2023 · Semifinalist · Best Chef: Texas · Anastacia Quiñones-Pittman
- Eater The 38 Essential Dallas Restaurants
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Rank 44. El Carlos Elegante
Mexican
The wood-fired grill anchors a warm dining room where crab cakes give way to pork al pastor and house-made masa for tableside taco assembly. Charred okra and Mexican chocolate pot de crème round out a menu built on grilled meats and shareable plates, paired with a serious tequila and mezcal program.
- D Magazine 2024 · Best Restaurant Patio · Best of Big D
- D Magazine 2023 · Best Tequila Drink: The Negroni-ish · Best of Big D
- Michelin Guide Selected Restaurant
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Rank 46. Katy Trail Ice House
Texas Beer Bar
A sprawling patio off the Katy Trail where the beer list skews all-Texas and the crowd leans outdoorsy and thirsty. This ice house does Texas whiskeys and venison chili with the kind of casual, colorful ease that makes you want to stay longer than you planned.
- Dallas Observer 2025 · Best Spot on the Katy Trail · Best of Dallas
- D Magazine 2025 · Best Bar Patio · Best of Big D
- Dallas Observer The Ultimate Dallas Bar Guide
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- Dallas Observer 2025 · Best Liquor Store · Best of Dallas
- D Magazine 2025 · Best Place to Buy Booze · Best of Big D
- Dallas Observer 2023 · Best Liquor Store · Best of Dallas
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- Dallas Observer 2025 · Best Fish and Chips · Best of Dallas
- Dallas Observer 2024 · Best Bloody Mary · Best of Dallas
- D Magazine 2025 · Best Veggie Burger · Best of Big D
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- Dallas Observer 2024 · Best Indian · Best of Dallas
- D Magazine 2024 · Best Spicy Cocktails · Best of Big D
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Rank 50. Ayahuasca Cantina
Mezcal Mexican
You enter through a cafe's back hallway into a moody speakeasy where every bottle behind the bar hails from Mexico and cocktails trace the country's drinking history from pre-Columbian fermentations through modern riffs. The kitchen matches that ambition with pre-Hispanic dishes like octopus in ink and stone-cooked broths, prepared with enough authenticity that servers will happily decode the menu.
- James Beard Awards 2026 · Semifinalist · Outstanding Bar
- Esquire 2024 · The Best Bars in America
- Dallas Observer 2024 · Best Margarita · Best of Dallas
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Rank 51. Apothecary
Avant-Garde Cocktail Bar
A discreetly unmarked cocktail lounge where mixologists spend months perfecting each drink and the menu reimagines itself entirely each year—find the dark, quiet room on Greenville and settle in for what the staff could spend hours explaining. The seasonal themes get genuinely playful, like the year they paired a dirty martini with deviled eggs shaped to match.
- James Beard Awards 2025 · Semifinalist · Outstanding Bar
- Spirited Awards 2025 · Regional Top 10 Honoree · Best U.S. Restaurant Bar – U.S. Central
- Eater The 38 Essential Dallas Restaurants
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- Dallas Observer 2025 · Best Brunch · Best of Dallas
- D Magazine 2025 · Best Brunch · Best of Big D
- D Magazine 2024 · Best Burger · Best of Big D
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- Dallas Observer 2025 · Best New Restaurant · Best of Dallas
- Dallas Observer Splurge Worthy Spots · The Top 50 Restaurants in Dallas Right Now
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A narrow slip of a bar in Oak Cliff where bartender Hugo and chef Hugo fuss over cocktails with the same intensity they bring to small plates—the Ron Kon Cafe comes topped with a housemade Mr. Black and Guinness reduction and salted plantain puree. It's the kind of place where you meant to stay for one drink and instead linger through several, nursing oysters and watching two people who clearly love what they do.
- Dallas Observer 2025 · Best Seafood · Best of Dallas
- D Magazine 2025 · Best Seafood · Best of Big D
- D Magazine 2025 · The Best New Restaurants in Dallas
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- Dallas Observer 2025 · Best Lunch Spot for Dogs · Best of Dallas
- Dallas Observer 2024 · Best Restaurant for Kids · Best of Dallas
- Eater The 38 Essential Dallas Restaurants
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- Dallas Observer 2025 · Best Side: Grilled Leeks · Best of Dallas
- Dallas Observer 2025 · Best Restaurant in Oak Cliff · Best of Dallas
- D Magazine 2025 · The Best New Restaurants in Dallas
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- Texas Monthly 2025 · Honorable Mentions · Texas’s Best New Restaurants
- D Magazine 2025 · Best Burger · Best of Big D
- Eater Sleeper Hit of the Year
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Rank 60. The Old Monk
Beer Bar
A neighborhood institution since 1998, The Old Monk serves impeccable pints of dark beer from around the world beneath monastery pendants and European dark-bar charm, with fish and chips that rank among Dallas's best. The well-run spot on Henderson Avenue attracts generations of regulars who drift from late-night drafts to hungover brunches, and its weekday happy hour has a reputation for danger.
- Dallas Observer 2025 · Best Fish and Chips · Best of Dallas
- Dallas Observer 2024 · Best Bloody Mary · Best of Dallas
- D Magazine 2025 · Best Veggie Burger · Best of Big D
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Rank 61. Slow Bone
Texas-Style Barbecue
- Texas Monthly 2025 · The 50 Best BBQ Joints in Texas
- Dallas Observer 2025 · Best Barbecue · Best of Dallas
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Rank 63. Peticolas Brewing Company
Beer Bar
Peticolas is a small locally owned brewery in a West Dallas industrial building that helped put the city's craft beer scene on the map with brews like Velvet Hammer, a deceptively smooth imperial red ale. The split-level taproom is always tuned to some soccer match—Champions League or regional Mexican soccer—and has foosball, ping pong, and shuffleboard upstairs for when the field goes quiet.
- Dallas Observer 2023 · Best Local Brewery · Best of Dallas
- D Magazine 2025 · Best Taproom · Best of Big D
- D Magazine 2024 · Best Brewery · Best of Big D
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- Wine Enthusiast 2025 · Top 50 New Restaurants
- Texas Monthly 2025 · Honorable Mentions · Texas’s Best New Restaurants
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Rank 65. Quarter Acre
New American
Chef Toby Archibald's intimate Dallas dining room channels a New Zealand-inflected aesthetic while his cooking balances classical technique with international flourishes, from pristine raw preparations to fire-kissed finishes. The tasting menu unfolds as a personal, seasonally calibrated narrative rather than a greatest-hits collection.
- Texas Monthly 2024 · #3 · Texas’s Best New Restaurants
- Dallas Observer 2025 · Best Chef · Best of Dallas · Toby Archibald
- D Magazine 2025 · Best Tasting Menu · Best of Big D
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Rank 67. Knox Bistro
French
A bright bistro staffed by French émigrés who understand the assignment: rillettes de poisson at lunch, lapin à la moutarde and canard à l'orange at dinner, a Paris-Brest for dessert that arrives looking like it wandered out of a pastry case in the sixth arrondissement. The room resists heavy-handed Gallic theatrics in favor of something more elegant—a restaurant that lets the food speak.
- Michelin Guide Selected Restaurant
- D Magazine #27 · The 50 Best Restaurants
- Dallas Observer Neighborhood Staples and Gems · The Top 50 Restaurants in Dallas Right Now
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Rank 68. Tei-An
Japanese Noodles
In a stark, gallery-like space in the Arts District, Tei-An grounds itself in the ritualism of handmade noodles—soba and udon served hot or cold with both classical and unorthodox accompaniments. The kitchen moves beyond its foundations with equal command, turning out tempura and grilled eel alongside tonkatsu, each dish executed with the precision of someone who has thought through every detail.
- Dallas Observer 2025 · Best Omakase · Best of Dallas
- Michelin Guide Selected Restaurant
- D Magazine #8 · The 50 Best Restaurants
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Rank 69. Saint Valentine
Cocktail Bar
Two experienced bartenders—one formerly of Deep Ellum's Black Swan—pour cocktails with names like Big Booty Trudy at this slinky East Dallas spot that carries itself with a studied cool. James Beard-nominated chef Misti Norris runs the kitchen, turning out obnoxiously good bar food like furikake fries that deserve a Mai Tai alongside them.
- Texas Monthly 2025 · Dishes We Wanted Seconds Of: Loaded Nugs @ Rainbowcat · The Best Things in Texas
- Spirited Awards 2024 · Regional Honoree · Best New U.S. Cocktail Bar – U.S. Central
- Eater Best New Bar
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Rank 71. Sachet
Mediterranean
Sunlight floods this corner room where the service feels as warm as the Mediterranean sprawl on the menu—North African spices, Levantine technique, Italian bones. Octopus arrives with freekeh; lamb settles into gigante beans. If the booths are full, the counter bar offers a front-row seat to the kitchen's assured hand.
- D Magazine 2024 · Best Place to Go On a Monday · Best of Big D
- Dallas Observer 2023 · Best Wine Program · Best of Dallas
- Michelin Guide Selected Restaurant
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Rank 72. Gemma
Contemporary New American
A husband-and-wife team runs this intimate neighborhood spot with the ease of people who've learned their craft in serious kitchens. The roasted heirloom carrots and Idaho trout almondine anchor a seasonal menu that turns simple ingredients into small revelations, while a warm raisin scone and Meyer lemon tart bookend the meal with understated refinement.
- James Beard Awards 2024 · Nominee · Outsdanding Hospitality
- Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand
- Dallas Observer 2024 · Best Tater Tots · Best of Dallas
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Rank 73. Smoke'N Ash BBQ
Tex-Ethiopian Barbecue
An Arlington smoker joint where Tex-Mex barbecue meets Ethiopian spice: brisket and pulled lamb kissed with awaze, a fiery spice sauce that rewrites the regional rulebook. The platters invite grazing across smoked meats and unexpected sides—collard greens, fried okra, lentil stews—that feel like a conversation between two culinary traditions rather than a gimmick.
- James Beard Awards 2026 · Semifinalist · Best Chef: Texas · Patrick Hicks and Fasicka Hicks
- James Beard Awards 2025 · Semifinalist · Best Chef: Texas · Fasicka Hicks and Patrick Hicks
- D Magazine 2024 · Best Ethiopian · Best of Big D
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- D Magazine 2025 · Best Tea Time · Best of Big D
- D Magazine 2024 · Best Meal With a View · Best of Big D
- Eater The 38 Essential Dallas Restaurants
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Rank 75. LadyLove Lounge & Sound
Cocktail Bar
Tucked into a quiet Bishop Arts corner with red-dimmed lighting and velvet-and-leather vibes, LadyLove is a lounge that strikes the rare balance of being intimate enough for conversation and lively enough for dancing. DJs spin on weekends, themed nights keep things fresh, and cocktails like the Rude Boy (tequila, aloe-peno syrup, lime) cost less than the beer.
- Dallas Observer 2025 · Best Lesbian Bar That Isn’t a Lesbian Bar · Best of Dallas
- D Magazine 2025 · Best Dance Party · Best of Big D
- D Magazine 2024 · Best Dance Party · Best of Big D
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Rank 76. Written By The Seasons
Contemporary New American
In the Bishop Arts District, a bright room hums with the rhythm of a kitchen that lets the season dictate its moves. Carrots arrive dusted with dukkah, branzino glazed in harissa, vegetables commanding the plate with the same authority as protein. The cocktail list shifts with the calendar, and the focaccia alone rewards a visit.
- D Magazine 2025 · Best Vegetarian Friendly · Best of Big D
- Michelin Guide Selected Restaurant
- Eater The 38 Essential Dallas Restaurants
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- D Magazine 2025 · Best Donuts · Best of Big D
- Dallas Observer 2025 · Best Doughnuts · Best of Dallas
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- Dallas Observer 2025 · Best Desserts · Best of Dallas
- Dallas Observer 2023 · Best Mediterranean · Best of Dallas
- D Magazine 2025 · Best Mediterranean · Best of Big D
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Rank 81. Ngon Vietnamese Kitchen
Vietnamese
Carol Nguyen's rustic-trimmed space on Lower Greenville channels Hanoi street food with an unpretentious hand. Green papaya salad arrives layered with herbs and house-made beef jerky; noodle bowls come crowned with chargrilled pork and imperial rolls, the cooking bright and balanced throughout. A neighborhood gathering place that serves the straightforward, well-executed thing.
- Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand
- Eater The 38 Essential Dallas Restaurants
- Dallas Observer Neighborhood Staples and Gems · The Top 50 Restaurants in Dallas Right Now
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- Dallas Observer 2025 · Best Tasting Menu · Best of Dallas
- D Magazine 2024 · Best Vegetarian Friendly · Best of Big D
- D Magazine 2023 · Best Place for Dessert · Best of Big D
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Rank 83. Mister Charles
Italian-influenced French
An opulent Dallas dining room where French and Italian luxury collide—Dover sole tableside, wagyu Wellington, lobster canapés—with the ceremonial flourish of baked Alaska for finale. Skilled service and substantial wine elevate an indulgent, dress-to-impress meal.
- D Magazine 2024 · Best Place for Dessert · Best of Big D
- Michelin Guide Selected Restaurant
- D Magazine 2023 · The Best New Restaurants in Dallas
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Rank 85. Stillwell's
Steakhouse
On the seventh floor of the Hôtel Swexan, a clubby steakhouse named for a legendary Texas rancher serves drinks and seafood towers alongside HWD beef from the restaurant's own Akaushi breeding program north of the Red River. The white-jacketed staff move with the precision of a well-oiled machine, letting the meat speak for itself.
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- Dallas Observer 2024 · Best Steakhouse · Best of Dallas
- Dallas Observer 2025 · Best Upscale Dessert · Best of Dallas
- Eater Steak · 14 Iconic Dallas Dishes Locals and Tourists Must Try
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Rank 87. Coupes
Champagne Wine Bar
Tucked into a Highland Park strip mall, Coupes is a gleaming champagne bar with gold touches and a commanding U-shaped counter that punches well above its modest address. The focus is on French bubbles and quality pours, though cocktails like the bourbon-and-peach Avoir la Pêche keep things approachable alongside the serious wine list.
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- Dallas Observer 2025 · Best Restaurant for a Special Occasion · Best of Dallas
- Dallas Observer Splurge Worthy Spots · The Top 50 Restaurants in Dallas Right Now
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- Wine Enthusiast 2025 · Top 50 New Restaurants
- D Magazine 2025 · Best Place to Celebrate an Anniversary · Best of Big D
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- Dallas Observer 2025 · Best Espresso Martini · Best of Dallas
- D Magazine 2025 · Best Inedible Menu Item: The Teddy Bears · Best of Big D
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- Dallas Observer 2023 · Best Brisket · Best of Dallas
- Dallas Observer Barbecue Shops · The Top 50 Restaurants in Dallas Right Now
- D Magazine #40 · The 50 Best Restaurants
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- Dallas Observer 2023 · Best Dumplings · Best of Dallas
- Eater Local Legend
- Eater The 38 Essential Dallas Restaurants
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- Dallas Observer 2025 · Best Philly Cheesesteak · Best of Dallas
- Dallas Observer Neighborhood Staples and Gems · The Top 50 Restaurants in Dallas Right Now
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Rank 98. Via Triozzi
Italian
- Texas Monthly 2024 · #8 · Texas’s Best New Restaurants
- Dallas Observer 2024 · Best Italian · Best of Dallas
- D Magazine 2023 · The Best New Restaurants in Dallas
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- Dallas Observer 2024 · Best Seafood · Best of Dallas
- Dallas Observer Splurge Worthy Spots · The Top 50 Restaurants in Dallas Right Now
- Eater The 38 Essential Dallas Restaurants
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