Waiting in line is usually a requirement at this Dallas barbecue favorite, where the brisket is juicy and the hours are limited. Only open for lunch on Thursdays and Fridays, plus the first Saturday of the month, Cattleack’s smoked meats and traditional sides are worth a little standing outside.

Chef Tiffany Derry is the only James Beard Award finalist in DFW for 2022. That’s reason enough to see what she’s up to at Roots Southern Table in Farmer’s Branch. Be tempted by the cast iron cornbread and beet salad, staples in any Southern kitchen. Then, dive into some inventive main courses, like jerk lamb chops and the Texas redfish prepared with harissa. Crafty Texans know they should finish it off with a piece of German chocolate cake. 

TJ’s Seafood Market has long been where landlocked Dallas turned for its fish fix, whether it’s chowing down on oysters or grabbing top-quality filets to cook at home from the market counter up front. The fish tacos here always hit the spot, especially during happy hour, as does the butter-drenched lobster roll.

This East Dallas taqueria is known for its perfectly prepared proteins and seriously creative ingredient combinations. Order the smoked chicken taco, stuffed with salsa macha, crushed peanuts, and tangy pickled sofrito, or consider caramelized cauliflower that’s served with pepitas and a zippy lemon-epazote sauce.

There are some lovely French cuisine options in Dallas, but this Lake Highlands neighborhood bistro is one of the frequently overlooked gems of the food scene. They get everything right on their limited seasonal menu, giving diners an experience that feels distinctive, intimate, and rustic. All the things French food is supposed to be. And right now is the ideal time to go and order the mussels with butter, garlic, shallots, herbs, and lemon.

This Nepalese eatery in Irving is definitely worth the drive, thanks to its positively perfect momos, or dumplings. Order the steamed momos, stuffed with chicken or pork, or try a deep-fried vegan version. Regulars know to ask for extra cups of Cafemandu’s spicy, garlicky dipping sauce to slather all over the momos.

This Mexican eatery helmed by acclaimed chef Anastacia Quinones is excellent for lunch, brunch, or dinner. The coconut ceviche, made with Texas redfish, makes for a refreshing starter before moving on to the creamy shortrib enchiladas, carnitas tacos, or a farro bowl loaded with veggies like roasted beets.

Tucked into a nondescript space off Belt Line Road in Irving, Mr. Max has quietly been one of DFW’s best Japanese restaurants for years. The vibe is classic Japanese izakaya, with hearty ramen and snacks like takoyaki on offer alongside excellent sushi and rice bowls.

This luxe eatery in Highland Park is a go-to for diners obsessed with its Mediterranean dishes. Start dinner with mezze options like Gordal olives marinated in citrus and garlic, then indulge in the decadent Ibirico Secreto, a steak-like cut of acorn-fed Spanish pork that’s one of the best meat dishes in the city.

With a scratch-made menu and tons of preserved ingredients from chef Matt McCallister, Homewood is one of the city’s most compelling neighborhood restaurants. Try the potato focaccia, then dig into smoked pork collar, coal roasted trout and more inventive entrees.

This chic neighborhood bistro offers a welcoming vibe that’s perfect for brunch, date night, or a special occasion dinner. Dig into aburrata mozzarella with seasonal accouterment, splurge on caviar-topped latkes, and dig into well-prepared proteins including grilled whole branzino and juicy lamb chops served with salsa verde. 

Rye’s latest outpost brings Dallas into the bespoke small plates game. Order the pork belly lollipops and the Icelandic hot dog, the latter of which does a bang up job of recreating the flavors of a street food dish with elevated ingredients. The vegan chile relleno is masterfully executed.

Dallas is replete with excellent Tex-Mex restaurants, and E-Bar is among the finest. This East Dallas stalwart’s enchiladas, queso, and carne asada are reliably good, and the margaritas are always nice and strong.

Boasting one of the best happy hours in Dallas and a menu of super-fresh sushi, Uchiba is an ideal spot for dinner with friends or date night. Share snacks like dumplings and hot fried chicken bao, then order an a la carte sushi feast.

Chef J. Chastain’s innovative Italian cuisine ranges from charred octopus with mint pesto over cannelini bean puree to lemon ricotta gnudi with sage, brown butter honey, and hazelnuts.

A stalwart of Dallas’s dining scene, Fearing’s remains one of the best special-occasion dining destinations in the city, thanks in part to its luxe home at the Ritz Carlton Dallas. Helmed by legendary chef Dean Fearing, the restaurant’s famed tortilla soup is a must-try, as is the juicy Prime beef filet served with a chicken-fried lobster tail.

Chef Teiichi Sakurai’s Tei-An remains a beloved Dallas dining destination more than a decade after its debut—and it is home to what is arguably Dallas’s finest sushi and soba. An omakase that boasts A5 wagyu beef and fish shipped in fresh from all over the world makes for a worthy splurge, but more casual diners can stop by during lunch for top-notch nigiri and soba served a la carte.

This cheery bistro excels with cozy dishes such as braised lamb rigatoni and Berkshire pork served with petite mustard greens. Save room for a peek at the dessert menu, which boasts a decadent triple chocolate bundito covered in espresso caramel, hazelnut crumble, and vanilla chantilly.

Nothing says Dallas quite like a trip to the original El Fenix in the Arts District. They’ve got all the beloved Tex Mex favorites, thick and heavy margarita glasses, and the heavy wood decor that will transport you back in time.

Elm and Good is a veggie lover’s paradise. Options like sunchoked pâté and mushroom paella await, along with grass-fed burgers, steak, and duck egg carbonara with foie gras for the omnivores.

This Deep Ellum taqueria serves some of the best and most inventive tortilla-wrapped dishes in the city. Tacos stuffed with tender pulpo (octopus), seared pato (duck breast), and ruby red trout are generously portioned and perfectly balanced, especially when paired with a fizzy Topo Chico.

This nonprofit restaurant employs at-risk young people to prepare a menu of stellar dishes crafted from locally sourced meats and produce, such as spicy glazed ribs, fried green tomatoes with Texas caviar, and sweet tea-bried pork chops. Don’t sleep on Cafe Momentum’s smoked fried chicken, either — it’s a local legend. 

This Thai restaurant at the Dallas Farmers Market has quickly become one of the city’s best destinations for larb gai, pad thai, and tender chicken satay skewers. For dessert, the pandan custard served with sticky rice is an absolute must.

This beloved Pleasant Grove taqueria eschews meat, and even the most devoted of carnivores don’t seem to mind. The plant-based proteins here are chopped and spiced to uncannily resemble carne asada, carnitas, and crispy chicharon, then tucked inside tender tortillas and served alongside excellent salsas. Tortas, tamales, and nacho fries are also on the menu.

Now with multiple locations in DFW, as well as outposts in North Dallas and McKinney, Del Sur Tacos has grown into one of the city’s best taco destinations. Score trendy birria tacos served with hearty consome, solid fish tacos. And try Del Sur’s iconic chile relleno taco, which involves a cheese-stuffed pepper tucked inside a tortilla, then showered in crema and pomegranate airils. 

Bishop Arts has quickly become a favorite neighborhood for Dallasites to explore and Written by the Seasons is one of the best people watching restaurants in the area. This spring and summer, take advantage of their menu of sharable bite-sized dishes, an impeccable wine list, and as many cocktails as one can handle while you watch the crowds amble by in their indoor/outdoor dining area that’s set back from Davis Street.

This Arlington joint got its start as a weekend pop-up trailer, and has since blossomed into a bonafide barbecue destination. The brisket is juicy and perfectly barky, the beef ribs are massive and tender, and the freshly made tortillas make for a much better vehicle for all these meats than a plain ol’ slice of white bread found at most Texas barbecue spots.

When Fort Worth native Heim Barbecue landed in Dallas, it became a standout of the city’s smoked meat scene. From bacon burnt ends to succulent, juicy brisket, the menu here is a meat-lover’s paradise. Check out its two locations in Fort Worth.