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Piñata Cake at Tejas in Bishop Arts photo by Rachel Pinn
Piñata Cake at Tejas in Bishop Arts
Photo by Rachel Pinn

13 Dallas Restaurants Perfect for Celebrating Special Occasions

The city’s best restaurants for birthdays, anniversaries, promotions, and other Big Deal dinners

by Rachel Pinn
View as Map
Piñata Cake at Tejas in Bishop Arts
| Photo by Rachel Pinn
by Rachel Pinn

Just because special occasions occur during a pandemic doesn’t make them any less special or worthy of celebration. If you can celebrate safely — that means wearing masks, staying six feet from other diners, and sticking to outdoor patios — heading out to support a local restaurant on your big day is still a great idea.

Head to one of these celebration-worthy Dallas restaurants for birthdays, anniversaries, big job promotions, or date night. Whatever you’re celebrating, these 13 Dallas restaurants are up to the task.

Is your favorite special occasion spot (with a patio) missing from this map? Shout it out in the comments.

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Fearing's Restaurant

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Known for large plates of lavishly plated Texas cuisine, Chef Dean Fearing’s eponymous restaurant inside the Ritz-Carlton Dallas is nothing if not showy. But there’s quality in every dish and the outdoor seating area is big like Texas. Grab some sips from the Rattlesnake Bar, then feast on Chef Fearing’s famous tortilla soup, steak, fish and more before finishing off with Granny Fearing’s Banana Pudding with New Orleans Style Beignets, all while live music plays on the patio.

2121 McKinney Ave, Dallas, TX 75201
(214) 922-4848
(214) 922-4848

Also featured in:

Jose

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If color + flavor = celebration, Jose has that in spades. James Beard celebrated Chef Anastacia Quiñones-Pittman plays with both on her menu full of modern and traditional Mexican flavors like soft shell crab tacos and 631-day aged mole, respectively. The patio at José is chic and modern, and spacious enough for a safe celebration, and the bar’s attractive and creative cocktails never disappoint.

4931 W Lovers Ln, Dallas, TX 75209
(214) 891-5673
(214) 891-5673
Melissa Hennings/EDFW

Also featured in:

Knife Dallas

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With locations at the Dallas Highland Hotel and The Shops at Willow Bend in Plano, Chef John Tesar’s Knife Steakhouse serves modern aged cuts, burgers, pastas, seafood and bacon tastings that always demand attention. The cocktail or two, some bigeye tuna tartare followed by Tesar’s signature garganelli and black truffle essence pasta and a perfectly grilled dry-aged steak on the patio at either location sounds like a celebration.

5300 E Mockingbird Ln, Dallas, TX 75206
(214) 443-9339
(214) 443-9339

Also featured in:

Corrientes 348 Argentinian Steakhouse

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A steakhouse with a strong Latin American identity, Corrientes 348 offers family-style food with excellent service, wine for days and indulgent, showy desserts. The expansive patio at Corrientes offers plenty of space for a socially distant happy hour or cozy dinner for two.

1807 Ross Ave, Dallas, TX 75201
(214) 220-0348
(214) 220-0348

Also featured in:

Revelers Hall

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In the evening, it’s nearly impossible to walk past Revelers Hall in Dallas’ Bishop Arts District without stopping and staring. The daily live music spills out into the street, where the owners have built outdoor seating and “parklets” for more socially distant listening and drinking. Bar bites and extremely classic cocktails accompany the raucous sounds.

412 N Bishop Ave, Dallas, TX 75208
(972) 982-2661
(972) 982-2661
Revelers Hall/Facebook

Parigi Restaurant

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With a Frozey Rosey (frozen rose) or a Frozen Frenchy (frozen French 75) in hand and a couple of Parigi’s daily specials on order, any night can feel special. This neighborhood bistro owned by chef Janice Provost has been a mainstay of the Oak Lawn neighborhood for over 30 years. The newly expanded patio allows more safe outdoor dining, while inside remains at 50% capacity.

3311 Oak Lawn Ave, Dallas, TX 75219
(214) 521-0295
(214) 521-0295
Parigi Patio

Paradiso

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Paradiso’s beautiful, tree-and-twinkle-light-covered outdoor garden is perfect for celebrating during these difficult-to-navigate times. Plenty of room to spread out and lots of Southern-European fare to choose from, including flatbreads, pastas and pizzas create a chic celebration perfectly paired with craft cocktails.

308 N Bishop Ave, Dallas, TX 75208
(214) 944-5865
(214) 944-5865
Bruno/Paradiso

Also featured in:

Uchi

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The team at Uchi (as well as at sister restaurant Uchiba above) has worked hard to put safety first when it comes to their staff and customers. Reservations are required in order to dine in, and they offer elegant takeaway options as well, with seamless pickup procedures. Chef Alex Astranti oversees one of the best Japanese menus in town, where every plate is art. The patio has been expanded from more of a cocktail waiting area to a full-on outdoor dining “room,” offering omakase to accompany those craft cocktails.

2817 Maple Ave, Dallas, TX 75201
(214) 855-5454
(214) 855-5454
Uchi Dallas/Facecbook

Also featured in:

Tejas

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Beautiful frozen cocktails, instagram-worthy plates of mini beef picadillo and poblano chicken tacos, and a slice of the celebration-demanding Piñata Cake make the newly reformatted Tejas in Bishop Arts an ideal spot for special occasions. Reserve a table on the patio to avoid crowds.

250 N Bishop Ave, Dallas, TX 75208
(214) 944-5672
(214) 944-5672
View this post on Instagram

¿Como se dice UPGRADE in Español? Say hola to the new and improved Tejas in Bishop Arts! And about this cake: If a super perfect tres leches had a baby with a box of Funfetti... you’d have the @eattejas Piñata Cake. #hosted ✨ Related: happy 7th birthday to my twin #foodbabies! We’re celebrating them for two weeks solid, and like this dessert at @eattejas they are beautiful, creative, sweet and so much FUN! If you’ve got something to celebrate (and I encourage you to dig deep and find something—it’s there I promise), a meal at @eattejas that ends with this cake is a worthy way to do so. ✨ Don’t miss the ceviche, mini tacos and frozen margaritas with chamoy, either!

A post shared by foodbitch | Dallas’ OG (@askfoodbitch) on

Also featured in:

Las Palmas Tex-Mex

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Normally, the year-round use of Christmas lights is frowned upon. Not at Las Palmas. Somehow, they add a nostalgic festive vibe to this classic Tex-Mex spot that doesn’t feel the least bit cheap. Add a margarita and an order of ribeye fajitas topped with bone marrow butter and call it a celebration.

2708 Routh St, Dallas, TX 75201
(972) 863-7900
(972) 863-7900
View this post on Instagram

Can you hear the sizzle ...

A post shared by Las Palmas Tex-Mex (@laspalmasdallas) on

Also featured in:

Delucca Gaucho Pizza & Wine Dallas

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This jaw-dropingly beautiful space in the Design District combines elegance and service with the casual fun of all-you-can-eat pizza served Gaucho style. The cocktails are well-balanced, every guest is treated to starters of lobster bisque, salad and meatballs, and then servers offer slice after slice of flavorful pies like Garlic Picanha, Turkish Lamb, Chicken Tikka Masala and Four Cheese with Truffle, along with gluten free, vegetarian and vegan options available. Patio dining is limited.

1628 Oak Lawn Ave Ste 100, Dallas, TX 75207
(214) 774-9903
(214) 774-9903
View this post on Instagram

And the most stunning restaurant award goes to the all-you-can-eat pizzeria, Delucca Gaucho! - We are sort of late to the party in telling you about the new-to-the-Design-District @deluccagauchopizza, which first started in Southlake. It took us a while to finally get in the door, but now we will never look back! - Delucca is inspired by the ways in which pizza is enjoyed in Brazil, when Italians immigrated there and were soon “sharing their tables, food and wine with the native gauchos.” That same area was where the idea of endless servings of meat arose (such as Fogo de Chao) and Delucca took that concept, and combined it with the Italian history, and brought us all-you-can-eat pizza! - When you arrive, you’ll enjoy some antipasto including cheese, salami and olives, followed by a cup of lobster bisque and then the real fun begins. You’ll receive a card to turn over to the green side when you want pizza, and then you flip it to red when you are full or still enjoying what you have. If you have the green side up, waiters will constantly come by offering slices of 14 varieties of savory pizza and 5 dessert choices too! - We’ve heard the lamb is divine, but for us, it was the four cheese truffle that had us salivating. And if you’re thinking that this sounds expensive, it’s priced at $20.95 a person and includes the pizza AND starters!! And kids 3-5 are $8 and 6-12, $13.95. - As for the location, you might recognize it as the spot where Quill Lounge used to sit. We are so happy the location and design were repurposed because we always thought it was one of the most stunning interiors with its vaulted ceiling, green velvet booths and tiled floors.

A post shared by Dallasites101 (@dallasites101) on

Also featured in:

Sloane's Corner

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With expertly implemented pandemic precautions in place and a newly expanded patio seating area, Sloane’s Corner downtown has celebratory breakfasts, lunches and dinners (complete with live music) covered. Chef Ji Kang has created some of the most interesting International twists on American cuisine, as a focus on diversity feels more important than ever.

2001 Ross Ave Suite 125, Dallas, TX 75201
(214) 484-1395
(214) 484-1395

Also featured in:

Yardbird Southern Table and Bar

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This new spot near Klyde Warren Park is a celebration of Southern cuisine in and of itself. Treat whomever you’re celebrating to a head-turning bowl of lobster mac and cheese, topped with a whole lobster, and enjoy 24-hour brined fried chicken-topped waffles with watermelon. A towering PB&J cream pie seals the deal. Patio seating is plentiful, and a dining table above the huge bar inside allows diners to keep their distance.

2121 N Pearl St Suite #170, Dallas, TX 75201
(469) 208-2441
(469) 208-2441

Also featured in:

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Fearing's Restaurant

2121 McKinney Ave, Dallas, TX 75201

Known for large plates of lavishly plated Texas cuisine, Chef Dean Fearing’s eponymous restaurant inside the Ritz-Carlton Dallas is nothing if not showy. But there’s quality in every dish and the outdoor seating area is big like Texas. Grab some sips from the Rattlesnake Bar, then feast on Chef Fearing’s famous tortilla soup, steak, fish and more before finishing off with Granny Fearing’s Banana Pudding with New Orleans Style Beignets, all while live music plays on the patio.

2121 McKinney Ave, Dallas, TX 75201
(214) 922-4848
(214) 922-4848

Jose

4931 W Lovers Ln, Dallas, TX 75209

If color + flavor = celebration, Jose has that in spades. James Beard celebrated Chef Anastacia Quiñones-Pittman plays with both on her menu full of modern and traditional Mexican flavors like soft shell crab tacos and 631-day aged mole, respectively. The patio at José is chic and modern, and spacious enough for a safe celebration, and the bar’s attractive and creative cocktails never disappoint.

4931 W Lovers Ln, Dallas, TX 75209
(214) 891-5673
(214) 891-5673
Melissa Hennings/EDFW

Knife Dallas

5300 E Mockingbird Ln, Dallas, TX 75206

With locations at the Dallas Highland Hotel and The Shops at Willow Bend in Plano, Chef John Tesar’s Knife Steakhouse serves modern aged cuts, burgers, pastas, seafood and bacon tastings that always demand attention. The cocktail or two, some bigeye tuna tartare followed by Tesar’s signature garganelli and black truffle essence pasta and a perfectly grilled dry-aged steak on the patio at either location sounds like a celebration.

5300 E Mockingbird Ln, Dallas, TX 75206
(214) 443-9339
(214) 443-9339

Corrientes 348 Argentinian Steakhouse

1807 Ross Ave, Dallas, TX 75201

A steakhouse with a strong Latin American identity, Corrientes 348 offers family-style food with excellent service, wine for days and indulgent, showy desserts. The expansive patio at Corrientes offers plenty of space for a socially distant happy hour or cozy dinner for two.

1807 Ross Ave, Dallas, TX 75201
(214) 220-0348
(214) 220-0348

Revelers Hall

412 N Bishop Ave, Dallas, TX 75208

In the evening, it’s nearly impossible to walk past Revelers Hall in Dallas’ Bishop Arts District without stopping and staring. The daily live music spills out into the street, where the owners have built outdoor seating and “parklets” for more socially distant listening and drinking. Bar bites and extremely classic cocktails accompany the raucous sounds.

412 N Bishop Ave, Dallas, TX 75208
(972) 982-2661
(972) 982-2661
Revelers Hall/Facebook

Parigi Restaurant

3311 Oak Lawn Ave, Dallas, TX 75219

With a Frozey Rosey (frozen rose) or a Frozen Frenchy (frozen French 75) in hand and a couple of Parigi’s daily specials on order, any night can feel special. This neighborhood bistro owned by chef Janice Provost has been a mainstay of the Oak Lawn neighborhood for over 30 years. The newly expanded patio allows more safe outdoor dining, while inside remains at 50% capacity.

3311 Oak Lawn Ave, Dallas, TX 75219
(214) 521-0295
(214) 521-0295
Parigi Patio

Paradiso

308 N Bishop Ave, Dallas, TX 75208

Paradiso’s beautiful, tree-and-twinkle-light-covered outdoor garden is perfect for celebrating during these difficult-to-navigate times. Plenty of room to spread out and lots of Southern-European fare to choose from, including flatbreads, pastas and pizzas create a chic celebration perfectly paired with craft cocktails.

308 N Bishop Ave, Dallas, TX 75208
(214) 944-5865
(214) 944-5865
Bruno/Paradiso

Uchi

2817 Maple Ave, Dallas, TX 75201

The team at Uchi (as well as at sister restaurant Uchiba above) has worked hard to put safety first when it comes to their staff and customers. Reservations are required in order to dine in, and they offer elegant takeaway options as well, with seamless pickup procedures. Chef Alex Astranti oversees one of the best Japanese menus in town, where every plate is art. The patio has been expanded from more of a cocktail waiting area to a full-on outdoor dining “room,” offering omakase to accompany those craft cocktails.

2817 Maple Ave, Dallas, TX 75201
(214) 855-5454
(214) 855-5454
Uchi Dallas/Facecbook

Tejas

250 N Bishop Ave, Dallas, TX 75208

Beautiful frozen cocktails, instagram-worthy plates of mini beef picadillo and poblano chicken tacos, and a slice of the celebration-demanding Piñata Cake make the newly reformatted Tejas in Bishop Arts an ideal spot for special occasions. Reserve a table on the patio to avoid crowds.

250 N Bishop Ave, Dallas, TX 75208
(214) 944-5672
(214) 944-5672
View this post on Instagram

¿Como se dice UPGRADE in Español? Say hola to the new and improved Tejas in Bishop Arts! And about this cake: If a super perfect tres leches had a baby with a box of Funfetti... you’d have the @eattejas Piñata Cake. #hosted ✨ Related: happy 7th birthday to my twin #foodbabies! We’re celebrating them for two weeks solid, and like this dessert at @eattejas they are beautiful, creative, sweet and so much FUN! If you’ve got something to celebrate (and I encourage you to dig deep and find something—it’s there I promise), a meal at @eattejas that ends with this cake is a worthy way to do so. ✨ Don’t miss the ceviche, mini tacos and frozen margaritas with chamoy, either!

A post shared by foodbitch | Dallas’ OG (@askfoodbitch) on

Las Palmas Tex-Mex

2708 Routh St, Dallas, TX 75201

Normally, the year-round use of Christmas lights is frowned upon. Not at Las Palmas. Somehow, they add a nostalgic festive vibe to this classic Tex-Mex spot that doesn’t feel the least bit cheap. Add a margarita and an order of ribeye fajitas topped with bone marrow butter and call it a celebration.

2708 Routh St, Dallas, TX 75201
(972) 863-7900
(972) 863-7900
View this post on Instagram

Can you hear the sizzle ...

A post shared by Las Palmas Tex-Mex (@laspalmasdallas) on

Delucca Gaucho Pizza & Wine Dallas

1628 Oak Lawn Ave Ste 100, Dallas, TX 75207

This jaw-dropingly beautiful space in the Design District combines elegance and service with the casual fun of all-you-can-eat pizza served Gaucho style. The cocktails are well-balanced, every guest is treated to starters of lobster bisque, salad and meatballs, and then servers offer slice after slice of flavorful pies like Garlic Picanha, Turkish Lamb, Chicken Tikka Masala and Four Cheese with Truffle, along with gluten free, vegetarian and vegan options available. Patio dining is limited.

1628 Oak Lawn Ave Ste 100, Dallas, TX 75207
(214) 774-9903
(214) 774-9903
View this post on Instagram

And the most stunning restaurant award goes to the all-you-can-eat pizzeria, Delucca Gaucho! - We are sort of late to the party in telling you about the new-to-the-Design-District @deluccagauchopizza, which first started in Southlake. It took us a while to finally get in the door, but now we will never look back! - Delucca is inspired by the ways in which pizza is enjoyed in Brazil, when Italians immigrated there and were soon “sharing their tables, food and wine with the native gauchos.” That same area was where the idea of endless servings of meat arose (such as Fogo de Chao) and Delucca took that concept, and combined it with the Italian history, and brought us all-you-can-eat pizza! - When you arrive, you’ll enjoy some antipasto including cheese, salami and olives, followed by a cup of lobster bisque and then the real fun begins. You’ll receive a card to turn over to the green side when you want pizza, and then you flip it to red when you are full or still enjoying what you have. If you have the green side up, waiters will constantly come by offering slices of 14 varieties of savory pizza and 5 dessert choices too! - We’ve heard the lamb is divine, but for us, it was the four cheese truffle that had us salivating. And if you’re thinking that this sounds expensive, it’s priced at $20.95 a person and includes the pizza AND starters!! And kids 3-5 are $8 and 6-12, $13.95. - As for the location, you might recognize it as the spot where Quill Lounge used to sit. We are so happy the location and design were repurposed because we always thought it was one of the most stunning interiors with its vaulted ceiling, green velvet booths and tiled floors.

A post shared by Dallasites101 (@dallasites101) on

Sloane's Corner

2001 Ross Ave Suite 125, Dallas, TX 75201

With expertly implemented pandemic precautions in place and a newly expanded patio seating area, Sloane’s Corner downtown has celebratory breakfasts, lunches and dinners (complete with live music) covered. Chef Ji Kang has created some of the most interesting International twists on American cuisine, as a focus on diversity feels more important than ever.

2001 Ross Ave Suite 125, Dallas, TX 75201
(214) 484-1395
(214) 484-1395

Yardbird Southern Table and Bar

2121 N Pearl St Suite #170, Dallas, TX 75201

This new spot near Klyde Warren Park is a celebration of Southern cuisine in and of itself. Treat whomever you’re celebrating to a head-turning bowl of lobster mac and cheese, topped with a whole lobster, and enjoy 24-hour brined fried chicken-topped waffles with watermelon. A towering PB&J cream pie seals the deal. Patio seating is plentiful, and a dining table above the huge bar inside allows diners to keep their distance.

2121 N Pearl St Suite #170, Dallas, TX 75201
(469) 208-2441
(469) 208-2441

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