clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile
Nick Solares/Eater

10 Restaurants Worth a Drive From Dallas

Pack the car, and get ready to eat

View as Map

Considering the incredible abundance of dining options within the Dallas city limits, it’s easy to slip into a routine of going to the same ol’ comfortable neighborhood spots week after week. But it’s time to break out of that routine, because venturing outside of the Big D can be ridiculously delicious.

Should you find yourself with a free day, a full tank of gas, and nothing to do, head out on one of these culinary road trips. All located just a few hours away from the metroplex, these 11 eateries are worth the drive.

Is your favorite restaurant day trip missing from this map? Shout it out in the comments.

Read More

Los Pinos Ranch Vineyards

Copy Link

This sleepy East Texas winery is perfect for forcibly unplugging yourself from the world, because it’s totally out in the middle of nowhere. Inside its humble building, though, find excellently-prepared, straightforward dishes (think lobster nachos and meatball pasta) from Chef (and Dallas restaurant scene vet) Enam Chowdhury, who sources some of the produce in his kitchen from Pittsburgh’s own Comeback Creek, a favorite of Dallas chefs like Matt McCallister and Graham Dodds.

Great Scott

Copy Link

Considering its motto, “praise the pig,” it’s not a total shock that this Grapevine restaurant is totally obsessed with pork. House-cured charcuterie is made with Heritage-breed animals and locally-grown produce, while larger plates offer up some of the finest cuts of meat from Texas and beyond, like Hereford ribeye (served with huitlacoche!) and apple-braised Duroc pork chops.

Standard Service

Copy Link

For folks who are seriously depressed that the iconic burger from former Lower Greenville restaurant Remedy is gone, a miracle awaits about 22 miles east of Dallas on I-30. In Rockwall, Chef Danyele McPherson is still serving up that iconic burger, along with plenty of non-burger options like salads and Fritos chili pie.

Dairy Palace

Copy Link

Located just off I-20 near the famous First Monday Trade Days, Dairy Palace is a charming, old-school burger joint with a bevy of ice creams. It’s open 24 hours, which means that you can score a double cheeseburger (made with beef or buffalo) and creamy, spoon-thick shakes any damn time you please.

Ketzler's Schnitzel Haus & Biergarten

Copy Link

Situated in the middle of Grandbury’s charming Downtown, Ketzler’s Schnitzel Haus is like a trip to Germany for your mouth. Schnitzels, sausages, spaetzle, and funky housemade sauerkraut await, along with a Reuben sandwich that is worth the drive on its own.

Stanley's Famous Pit Barbecue

Copy Link

Opened in 1959, Stanley’s is home to some of the state’s finest East Texas-style barbecue. Order brisket and ribs by the pound, or enjoy these perfectly smoked meats atop a stuffed baked potato or Fritos chili pie. Even better: wrap ‘em up in a tortilla with Stanley’s breakfast burritos and tacos.

Roast Social Kitchen

Copy Link

Heading east? Make it a point to stop at this East Texas pizza spot, known for its inventive flavor combinations. Try the “Breakfast for Dinner” pie, topped with Fontina cheese, speck, scrambled eggs, and a hearty dash of Louisiana hot sauce, or perhaps the “Da Kine,” topped with coppa, toasted coconut, and arbol chile glaze. Be sure to save room for dessert — the lavender cheesecake with Earl Grey whipped cream is on point.

Sinclair

Copy Link

A relatively new spot from Chef Sonya Coté, Sinclair brings what it describes as “true farm-to-table food” to this sleepy town about 35 miles outside of Waco. Look forward to dishes like bacon-wrapped quail legs grilled with Texas honey and jalapeno, and housemade venison sausage served with sauerkraut and blackberry Dijon mustard. When the weather's nice, grab a spot on the patio and a glass of wine before hitting the road.

Miller's Smokehouse

Copy Link

A spot on Texas Monthly’s hallowed list of the state’s best barbecue joints, Miller’s Smokehouse is an institution. The smoked meats are so excellent, in fact, that even Chuck Norris counts himself a fan of Miller’s. Don’t forget to save room for fresh pastries, baked in-house by Momma Miller.

Franklin Barbecue

Copy Link

The mecca of meat, Austin’s Franklin Barbecue is an essential stop for any Texan. Waiting in the restaurant’s lengthy line (it’s BYOB!) is a rite of passage, and the brisket that awaits is totally worth a few hours of hanging out with strangers.

Nick Solares/Eater

Los Pinos Ranch Vineyards

This sleepy East Texas winery is perfect for forcibly unplugging yourself from the world, because it’s totally out in the middle of nowhere. Inside its humble building, though, find excellently-prepared, straightforward dishes (think lobster nachos and meatball pasta) from Chef (and Dallas restaurant scene vet) Enam Chowdhury, who sources some of the produce in his kitchen from Pittsburgh’s own Comeback Creek, a favorite of Dallas chefs like Matt McCallister and Graham Dodds.

Great Scott

Considering its motto, “praise the pig,” it’s not a total shock that this Grapevine restaurant is totally obsessed with pork. House-cured charcuterie is made with Heritage-breed animals and locally-grown produce, while larger plates offer up some of the finest cuts of meat from Texas and beyond, like Hereford ribeye (served with huitlacoche!) and apple-braised Duroc pork chops.

Standard Service

For folks who are seriously depressed that the iconic burger from former Lower Greenville restaurant Remedy is gone, a miracle awaits about 22 miles east of Dallas on I-30. In Rockwall, Chef Danyele McPherson is still serving up that iconic burger, along with plenty of non-burger options like salads and Fritos chili pie.

Dairy Palace

Located just off I-20 near the famous First Monday Trade Days, Dairy Palace is a charming, old-school burger joint with a bevy of ice creams. It’s open 24 hours, which means that you can score a double cheeseburger (made with beef or buffalo) and creamy, spoon-thick shakes any damn time you please.

Ketzler's Schnitzel Haus & Biergarten

Situated in the middle of Grandbury’s charming Downtown, Ketzler’s Schnitzel Haus is like a trip to Germany for your mouth. Schnitzels, sausages, spaetzle, and funky housemade sauerkraut await, along with a Reuben sandwich that is worth the drive on its own.

Stanley's Famous Pit Barbecue

Opened in 1959, Stanley’s is home to some of the state’s finest East Texas-style barbecue. Order brisket and ribs by the pound, or enjoy these perfectly smoked meats atop a stuffed baked potato or Fritos chili pie. Even better: wrap ‘em up in a tortilla with Stanley’s breakfast burritos and tacos.

Roast Social Kitchen

Heading east? Make it a point to stop at this East Texas pizza spot, known for its inventive flavor combinations. Try the “Breakfast for Dinner” pie, topped with Fontina cheese, speck, scrambled eggs, and a hearty dash of Louisiana hot sauce, or perhaps the “Da Kine,” topped with coppa, toasted coconut, and arbol chile glaze. Be sure to save room for dessert — the lavender cheesecake with Earl Grey whipped cream is on point.

Sinclair

A relatively new spot from Chef Sonya Coté, Sinclair brings what it describes as “true farm-to-table food” to this sleepy town about 35 miles outside of Waco. Look forward to dishes like bacon-wrapped quail legs grilled with Texas honey and jalapeno, and housemade venison sausage served with sauerkraut and blackberry Dijon mustard. When the weather's nice, grab a spot on the patio and a glass of wine before hitting the road.

Miller's Smokehouse

A spot on Texas Monthly’s hallowed list of the state’s best barbecue joints, Miller’s Smokehouse is an institution. The smoked meats are so excellent, in fact, that even Chuck Norris counts himself a fan of Miller’s. Don’t forget to save room for fresh pastries, baked in-house by Momma Miller.

Franklin Barbecue

The mecca of meat, Austin’s Franklin Barbecue is an essential stop for any Texan. Waiting in the restaurant’s lengthy line (it’s BYOB!) is a rite of passage, and the brisket that awaits is totally worth a few hours of hanging out with strangers.

Nick Solares/Eater

Related Maps