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On a white tablecloth, dishes are spread out. Steaks, a burger, crab cakes, and a crudo dish.
A full steak dinner and then some from Brass Ram.
Kathy Tran

12 Essential Downtown Dallas Restaurants

Where to dine when you go Downtown to forget all your worries and woes

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A full steak dinner and then some from Brass Ram.
| Kathy Tran

Home to the Central Business District and Dealey Plaza, Downtown Dallas welcomes millions of tourists yearly, 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 also offers many dining options. From casual lunch spots to high-end steakhouses, these essential Downtown restaurants play host to everything from high-stakes business meetings to special dinners on vacation.

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Toussaint Downtown Brasserie

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Looking for brunch Downtown? Toussaint Downtown Brasserie wants to be top of the list. Its French/Asian fusion menu leans heavily into classic recipes from the former culture, with egg dishes and cafe au lait galore. It mixes the cultures a bit more for dinner, offering steak frites and bibimbap in line with each other. And its smash burger with bacon onion jam is so yummy that diners can get it any time. 

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 surprisingly fresh takes on many familiar dishes. 

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 a romantic vibe. 

Kessaku

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Kessaku, on the 50th floor of the National building, offers one of the best views of Downtown with its creative plates of sushi and plush decor. It can be a splurge, with an order of the Kessaku Tower at $250, made up of chef-selected sushi and A5 wagyu, or it’s equally pricey omakase service. Or it can be a fantastic spot to stop in for a fancy cocktail with a view and a few rolls. 

Brass Ram

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On the outskirts of Downtown lies a steakhouse worth visiting. Nick Badovinus, whose work Dallasites know from Town Hearth, Neighborhood Services, Montlake Cut, and more, goes all in on classic steakhouse menu items, including a Yorkshire pudding that’s literally the food of kings and a burger inspired by a trip to Paris. 

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 an ice sphere.

Sushiya

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This tucked-away Downtown 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.

The Zodiac

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The restaurant inside the original Neiman Marcus has been there since 1914 and has been serving upscale fare for 50 years. Its popovers are wildly popular, and diners can expect to find seasonal dishes on the menu, like a strawberry salad or salmon tacos. It’s the stop for ladies who lunch downtown. 

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.

Commissary

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

Record Grill

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While Downtown is littered with expensive restaurants in fancy hotels, there is always Record Grill for a more down-to-earth experience. It’s been around since the ‘60s and still serves inflation-friendly meals. For under $10 (in cash), diners can enjoy breakfast or a burger. The menu also has a lot of other classic diner meals. 

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, brunch items, and a menu of crowd-pleasing cocktails. 

Toussaint Downtown Brasserie

Looking for brunch Downtown? Toussaint Downtown Brasserie wants to be top of the list. Its French/Asian fusion menu leans heavily into classic recipes from the former culture, with egg dishes and cafe au lait galore. It mixes the cultures a bit more for dinner, offering steak frites and bibimbap in line with each other. And its smash burger with bacon onion jam is so yummy that diners can get it any time. 

Cafe Momentum

“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 surprisingly fresh takes on many familiar dishes. 

Partenope Ristorante

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 a romantic vibe. 

Kessaku

Kessaku, on the 50th floor of the National building, offers one of the best views of Downtown with its creative plates of sushi and plush decor. It can be a splurge, with an order of the Kessaku Tower at $250, made up of chef-selected sushi and A5 wagyu, or it’s equally pricey omakase service. Or it can be a fantastic spot to stop in for a fancy cocktail with a view and a few rolls. 

Brass Ram

On the outskirts of Downtown lies a steakhouse worth visiting. Nick Badovinus, whose work Dallasites know from Town Hearth, Neighborhood Services, Montlake Cut, and more, goes all in on classic steakhouse menu items, including a Yorkshire pudding that’s literally the food of kings and a burger inspired by a trip to Paris. 

The Woolworth

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 an ice sphere.

Sushiya

This tucked-away Downtown 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.

The Zodiac

The restaurant inside the original Neiman Marcus has been there since 1914 and has been serving upscale fare for 50 years. Its popovers are wildly popular, and diners can expect to find seasonal dishes on the menu, like a strawberry salad or salmon tacos. It’s the stop for ladies who lunch downtown. 

Sassetta

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.

Commissary

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

Record Grill

While Downtown is littered with expensive restaurants in fancy hotels, there is always Record Grill for a more down-to-earth experience. It’s been around since the ‘60s and still serves inflation-friendly meals. For under $10 (in cash), diners can enjoy breakfast or a burger. The menu also has a lot of other classic diner meals. 

City Hall Bistro

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, brunch items, and a menu of crowd-pleasing cocktails. 

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