A bowl of pasta covered with parmesan sits on a white tablecloth covered table. — A delicious bowl of pasta at Sassetta, downtown’s premiere Italian restaurant.

12 Essential Downtown Dallas Restaurants

Where to dine in the Central Business District

by Eater Staff Updated Aug 16, 2022, 10:08am CDT

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A delicious bowl of pasta at Sassetta, downtown’s premiere Italian restaurant.

| Thanin Viriyaki/Sassetta

by Eater Staff Updated Aug 16, 2022, 10:08am CDT

Home to the Central Business District and Dealey Plaza, Downtown Dallas welcomes millions of tourists each year, not including the thousands of Dallas-Fort Worth dwellers who live there or commute into the neighborhood daily for work.

Fortunately, outside the corporate headquarters and hotels, Downtown Dallas also offers many dining options. From casual pubs to high-end steakhouses, these essential Downtown Dallas restaurants play host to everything from high-stakes business meetings to special dinners while taking a staycation.

Cafe Momentum

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“Eat, drink, and change lives” is the motto of this nonprofit eatery, primarily staffed by at-risk youth seeking a culinary education as they prepare southern plates full of smoked fried chicken and collard greens, among other compelling dishes. Led by Chad Houser, the menu at Cafe Momentum promises surprising fresh takes on many familiar dishes.

1510 Pacific Ave, Dallas, TX 75270

(214) 303-1234

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Partenope Ristorante

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Tucked into the corner of Main and Paul Streets is the gorgeous Partenope, named for an Italian siren and created by husband-and-wife team Dino and Megan Santonicola. Duck in for some of the finest pizza in Dallas, Italian cocktails, and an intimate, romantic vibe.

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1903 Main St, Dallas, TX 75201

(214) 463-6222

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Campisi's Restaurants | Downtown Dallas

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With its thin-crust pies and rumored ties to infamous mobster Jack Ruby, Campisi’s is a Dallas institution. The downtown location has hosted thousands of rehearsal dinners, office lunches and date nights.

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1520 Elm St #111, Dallas, TX 75201

(214) 752-0141

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The Woolworth

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Equal parts cocktail bar and restaurant, The Woolworth serves up quality drinks and equally solid fare. Hearty options like steak frites and sliders are a perfect foil to boozy libations like the Kentucky Blue, a mix of blueberry-infused rye whiskey, lime juice, and sweet vermouth poured over a perfect ice sphere.

1520 Elm St, Dallas, TX 75201

(214) 814-0588

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Sushiya

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This tucked away Downtown Dallas sushi bar enjoyed Internet fame after the grandson of Kang Lee, who’s worked at the restaurant for nearly 15 years, made a TikTok video about the restaurant. That fandom aside, the gem offers a respite from the noisy city with quality sushi and a comfortable atmosphere.

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1306 Elm St, Dallas, TX 75202

(214) 744-9600

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The Zodiac

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The restaurant inside the original Neiman Marcus Downtown Dallas, which has been there since 1914, has been serving upscale fare for 50 years. The popover French dip and mandarin orange souffle are the current seasonal menu items to try.

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1618 Main St Level Six, Dallas, TX 75201

(214) 573-5800

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The Zodiac — The classic interiors of the Zodiac in Neiman Marcus.

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CBD Provisions

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If the laid-back vibe isn’t appealing enough, a trip to CBD Provisions in the Joule hotel is essential, if only for one reason: the pig head carnitas. One half of a roasted pig’s head is served on a board alongside tortillas and plenty of fixings for most-excellent DIY tacos.

1530 Main St, Dallas, TX 75201

(214) 261-4500

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The interior of CBD Provisions shows tables closely placed and multiple light fixtures hanging over them, with a bar in the background looking over windows into the street. — CBD Provisions is an excellent choice for dining.

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Sassetta

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Sassetta happily reopened in the Joule hotel in the spring of 2022, bringing a white tablecloth Italian experience back to the neighborhood. But don’t expect a rerun of the original. The staff calls it “a spiritual successor” to the original with a whole new menu with a flavor profile that extends beyond Italy and into Spain, France, Northern Africa, and the western edges of the Middle East.

1530 Main St STE 100, Dallas, TX 75201

(214) 290-7555

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A pizza is served on a marble top with a bottle of olive oil and a tray of seasonings. — Pizza plus fancy toppings at Sassetta.

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Commissary

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Downtown’s favorite grab-and-go market for prepared foods, wines, and loaves of bread that are baked on-site also has seating for about 20 people and dine-in options including soups, pastries, sandwiches, pasta, and gelato.

1217 Main St, Dallas, TX 75202

(214) 827-2927

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Behind a glass case, cookies and pastries are lined up and a chef places them. — Baked goods on offer at Commissary.

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City Hall Bistro

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City Hall Bistro is the Adolphus’ stunning mid-century designed eatery, a far cry from the homely cafe that was there before the hotel’s significant renovation. Diners will find Southern European-inspired cuisine, including fresh pasta, burgers, small sharable plates, and a menu of crowd-pleasing cocktails.

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1321 Commerce St, Dallas, TX 75202

(214) 651-3686

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Attalie

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Stepchild at Attalie, a pop-up running through the end of 2022 under the auspices of chef Misti Norris, is a must. The Acadian and French-inspired menu is small, curated, and full of surprises. Don’t miss the pork confit potatoes, topped with roe, or the bone-in pork chop.

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211 S Akard St, Dallas, TX 75202

(972) 268-7605

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A breaded pork chop sits on a grey plate, garnished with parsley. — Serving up Acadian and Cajun French-inspired dishes at Stepchild.

Jaxon Beer Garden

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With 34 beers on tap, a menu of Southwestern, Texan, and Cajun foods, and an outdoor patio where bands frequently play, this is one of the most rockin’ places to get a group together and hang downtown.