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Where Can I Find the Best Martini in Dallas?

Your Eater Dallas editor takes on the tough dining and drinking questions

A man in a suit holds a martini and displays his gold wristwatch.
A good martini is hard to find.
Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage
Courtney E. Smith is the editor of Eater Dallas. She's a journalist of 20 years who was born and raised in Texas, with bylines in Pitchfork, Wired, Esquire, Yahoo!, Salon, Refinery29, and more. When she's not writing about food, she co-hosts the podcast Songs My Ex Ruined.

Welcome to Ask Eater, a monthly column where Eater Dallas editor Courtney E. Smith answers specific or baffling restaurant questions from readers. Want to know which places have the breeziest patios and the best margaritas on steamy summer days? Want to know where to get the best front row seat for people watching in Bishop Arts and Deep Ellum? Looking for some hard to find dish and want a little help locating it?

Have a question? Send them via the tipline, and Eater will feature the answer to one or more each month. No question is too difficult or silly to be considered. The names of the people who write in with questions will remain anonymous on the site.

Dear Eater Dallas,

I’m looking for the coldest, best martini in Dallas! Have tried the Sporco Sporco Sporco at Parigi, Hudson House, and various steakhouses.

Dear Martini Seeker,

A frosty coupe glass with a martini sits on a marble bartop.
An icy cold Vesper at Carbone Vino.
Courtney E. Smith

I was just at Vino, next to Carbone, and ordered a Vesper. With its mix of gin and vodka, you can have the best of both worlds — although it comes exclusively with a lemon twist so if you’re looking for an olive or onion experience, this isn’t the cocktail for you. The bartender grabbed a jug of premixed cocktails from a freezer and served it in a coupe glass that was full of delightful icy flakes of alcohol. It was so refreshing during this unseasonably hot June. I also loved the decor, very old-world Northern Italian — made me feel like I was back in Florence. It’s an experience worth having, and a martini worth consuming.

If you’re looking for a classic martini, try out the new Clifton Club on Fitzhugh. It specializes in classic cocktails, filling the void Shoals left in the hearts of Dallasites who appreciate a finely crafted cocktail.

You are doing the right thing by trying out martinis at our fine steakhouses and seafood haunts. Rex’s Seafood & Market has a good cold one, as do Georgie, Al Biernat’s, Town Hearth, and Ocean Prime.