Where To Eat and Drink In Dallas This Weekend

Dying for dining inspiration? The weekend is just a few short hours away, and if you still need a place to eat brunch, lunch, or dinner this weekend, Eater’s got your back.

As part of this newly-revamped series, Eater editors will share new restaurants, revisit old favorites, and round up the city’s most compelling food events. Even if you’re not able to hit all of the spots on Saturday and Sunday, add these four Dallas restaurants to this weekend’s bucket list.

TGIF, y’all.

Friday, July 27

To find out what all the hype is about: Lounge Here

If you still haven’t trekked out to East Dallas to try Lounge Here, there’s no better time than this weekend. We published an in-depth look at the lengths owner Julie Doyle went to in getting Eater’s Best Bar for 2017 off the ground. Hint: there was no shortage of struggles, but she succeeded in creating one Dallas’ best-loved cocktail and dinner dens.

To stuff your face with “cheesebao-gers”: The Statler Hotel’s R&B

R&B doesn’t stand for rhythm and blues in this context, it’s for the ramen and bao that characterize the buzzy Statler Hotel’s newest fast-casual eatery, which just opened this week. Snag four kinds of ramen and seven kinds of bao including a bao-burger at the new joint before heading to the rooftop or basement for post-dinner cocktails.

For a trendy date night with your honey: Ruins

Take boo thang to Deep Ellum to check out this relatively new bar from the owners of the successful Armoury in Deep Ellum. The South American-influenced spot offers a little something for everyone: killer tortas and tacos, a giant assortment of agave and rum-based cocktails, and dim lighting for a romantic hideaway. Plus, Ruins has an attached music venue with shows planned for both Friday and Saturday evening, so why not check out some new music while you’re there? Or hop on over to one of our other date night recommendations.

To indulge in the perfect summery dessert: One of Dallas’ best frozen sweets spots

This is not the time to be thinking about your beach body (or lack thereof), once temps reach triple-digits, it’s full on survival mode. Keep cool this weekend with one of these perfect chilly desserts. Notable options include the topping-loaded soft serve at Cow Tipping Creamery in Frisco, all the way south to Lowest Greenville’s ice cream-loaded sweet buns at Milk & Cream, to dunked popsicles at Twisted Treats in Deep Ellum.

For dinner and a movie: Cinépolis in Victory Park

This movie theater just opened today in Victory Park and offers respectable dinner options that won’t embarrass you in front of your date, including Vietnamese-inspired tacos, a pork loin torta, loaded fries, and a prosciutto, mushroom, and goat cheese flatbread, among its many sandwich, burger, and shareable options. It wouldn’t be a movie theater without a large selection of popcorn, candy, and soda (also present), plus there are cocktails, wine, and beer.

Friday, July 20

For tapas and cocktails in Deep Ellum: Izkina

This new Spanish-influenced eatery brings small plates and cool cocktails to Dallas’ bustling entertainment district. The neighborhood has gotten so popular in recent years (with legions of locals and travelers coming out in droves), Izkina heralds the arrival of the neighborhood’s first hostel, attached to the bar.

To satisfy an Instagram-worthy sweets craving: DoHolics

The sister shop to the ever-popular Chills 360 rolled ice cream shop in Deep Ellum, DoHolics, is serving up a new trend straight from India, “selfie-shakes,” i.e. milkshakes with your face printed on them, along with its signature edible cookie dough in more than a dozen flavors.

For offbeat tacos like spicy tikka chicken: Velvet Taco’s new Northern location

Now, North Dallas diners won’t have to drive as far to score Velvet Taco’s delicious offbeat tacos, because a new location just opened this week in the Preston Forest shopping area. Spicy tikka chicken is always a standout, but don’t sleep on the fish n’ chips — that curry mayo is something else, y’all.

For frozen drinks to beat this insane heat: Smoke

This Oak Cliff eatery might be best known for its killer barbecue, but Smoke just rolled out a delectable frosé spiked with vodka and St. Germaine, plus a peach puree twist that makes it sing. For more fantastic frozen options, check out this map of excellent boozy frozen drinks.

To chill out with chewy, colorful boba tea: 85C Bakery Cafe

There’s a reason why this bakery counts nearly 1,000 outposts worldwide, it’s always a fan favorite. Grab a cake or pastry and settle in with one of the bakery’s signature drinks with a boba boost: sea salt coffee is one of our go-to items, or check out our map of other notable boba tea joints.

Friday, July 12

To check out Dallas’ hottest new Chinese restaurant: Fine China

Fine China officially made its debut at the Statler Hotel in Downtown Dallas this week, and it’s a stone cold stunner. Admire the chic space, then dig into dishes like Cantonese duck and soup dumplings from chef Angela Hernandez. Too broke for the full-on meal? Hit R&B, the ramen and bao shop next door, for a more budget-friendly dinner.

Fine China, 914 Commerce Street (inside the Statler Hotel)

For a gin-focused, floral cocktail class: Jettison

Hit this chic Sylvan Thirty cocktail bar for a lesson in all things floral. Zephyr Gin will be in the house on July 15 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., and inventive cocktails including a color-changing libation made with hibiscus and butterfly pea will be on the menu.

Jettison, 1878 Sylvan Avenue

To check out the city’s newest brewery: Steam Theory

Now open in Trinity Groves, Steam Theory isn’t serving its own beers just yet, but there’s plenty of food on the menu and brews from other hops purveyors will be on offer this weekend. Check out the space, talk with the beer nerds behind the counter, and get ready for brews like a lemon drop saison.

Steam Theory, 340 Singleton Boulevard, Suite 100

To cool off with a killer popsicle: Picole Pops

Head to Bishop Arts for some of the city’s most inventive paletas, available in flavors like banana-Nutella and chamoy. Feeling extra? Garnish your pop with a chocolate dip, toasted marshmallows, and more sweets.

Picole Pops, 415 West Davis Street

Friday, July 6

To cool off with fluffy shaved ice that’s not too sweet: Ruby’s Sno-Balls

Most snow cones are syrupy sweet, but the flavors at this East Dallas sno-ball stand are decidedly more sophisticated and grown-up friendly. Try matcha, lemonade packed with lemon zest, or the newly-introduced Lebanese Tea flavor, made with black tea and rosewater.

Ruby’s Sno-Balls, 1605 North Haskell Avenue

To bid a beloved Uptown bar farewell: Knox Street Pub

Drinkers still have plenty of time to down a few pints at Knox Street Pub, which will close its doors in Uptown later this year. The bar isn’t expected to shutter until November, but expect for it to get progressively more packed as folks swing by for one last dose of nostalgia.

Knox Street Pub, 4447 McKinney Avenue

For tiki cocktails worth a drive: 4 Kahunas Tiki Lounge

Tiki libations are not abundant in Dallas, but a new Arlington bar’s Painkillers and Zombies could be worth the drive. The owners of 4 Kahunas Tiki Lounge traveled to more than 50 different legendary tiki bars across the globe to perfect the bar’s vibe and cocktail menu. Consider bringing a crowd to share a punch bowl with.

4 Kahunas Tiki Lounge, 506 East Division Street, Arlington

To crawl some of the city’s finest Vietnamese restaurants: Là Me and Quoc Bao Bakery

Just three miles away from each other, score some of Dallas’ best Vietnamese fare at La Me in Dallas and Garland’s Quoc Bao Bakery. Chow down on banh beo and bun cha Hanoi at the former, then buy a couple excellent banh mi for later. Still hungry? Hit Bistro B, just a short walk away from La Me, for smoothies.

La Me, 9780 Walnut Street and Quoc Bao Bakery, 3419 West Walnut Street