More Maps

The 9 Hottest Cocktail Bars in Dallas Right Now

9 Inclusive Spots to Celebrate Pride in Dallas

The 11 Hottest Restaurants in Dallas, June 2023

More in Dallas See more maps

Abacus

16 Essential Park Cities Bars and Restaurants

Where to dine in University Park and Highland Park

by Claire Cahoon Updated Jun 1, 2018, 9:13am CDT

View as Map

Abacus

by Claire Cahoon Updated Jun 1, 2018, 9:13am CDT

Home to SMU, Jerry Jones, and every Range Rover in the city, the Park Cities are actual cities within a city. Technically, the Town of Highland Park and the City of University Park each make up their own independent municipalities, but together, the two form the Park Cities neighborhood. The area is bordered by the Dallas North Tollway on the west, Central Expressway on the east, Northwest Highway on the North, and Lemmon/Wycliff/Fitzhugh on the south.

Don't let the perfectly groomed trees and beautifully lit shopping centers fool you - while there are luxurious spots to eat, there are just as many (if not more) relaxed places to stuff your face with a burger, fried chicken, or chocolate shake. The area also covers a seriously diverse range of food, from German food to Latin food to sushi. The Park Cities even boasts a speakeasy.

Prepare your palate and let the Park Cities surprise you - here are 14 of our favorite spots in the neighborhood.

Is your favorite Park Cities joint missing from this map? Tell us in the comments.

Read More

If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Montlake Cut

Consistently landing on Eater’s Essential 38 restaurant list, this seafood joint from Chef Nick Badovinus offers a bi-coastal selection of bivalves, ceviche, or crudo. Plus, ridiculously fresh fish preparations like Chilean sea bass in white cocktail sauce have made this restaurant a city favorite.

8220 Westchester Dr b, Dallas, TX 75225

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Hillstone Restaurant

Rumor has it that Park Cities residents are required by law to celebrate their birthdays at Hillstone. This nationwide chain (formerly known as Houston's) is a local favorite, and it’s impossible to go wrong with a classic Hillstone Burger.

8300 Preston Rd, Dallas, TX 75225

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Burger House

Residents do not remember a time in which they lived in the Park Cities without the comfort of Burger House nearby, and that's probably because they haven't. Burger House has been serving up addictive fries since 1951.

6913 Hillcrest Ave, Dallas, TX 75205

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Bubba's Cooks Country

Bubba's has been a mainstay for family style fried chicken since the early eighties for a damn good reason: juicy, tender drumsticks with a side of melt-in-your-mouth rolls. There’s even a drive-thru for those who want a bucket of crispy okra but don't want to change out of jammies.

6617 Hillcrest Ave, Dallas, TX 75205

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Kuby's Sausage House

Kuby's facade is straight out of a little German village and the market inside is just as darling. The shnitzel isn't darling at all, but it's hearty and authentic. Prost!

Open in Google Maps

6601 Snider Plz, Dallas, TX 75205

Visit Website

Peggy Sue BBQ

Dallas is full of BBQ, but Peggy Sue's has withstood the test of time with its baby back ribs and pulled pork, served up in an timeless, fifties-style dining room.

Open in Google Maps

6600 Snider Plz, Dallas, TX 75205

Visit Website

Bistro 31

This classy spot blends in perfectly with the designer surroundings of Highland Park Village. After shoppers pick up a new Céline bag, they pop over to Bistro 31 for the olive oil poached branzino, served with garlic broccolini, tomato confit, and "Primer" olive oil.

87 Highland Park Vlg, Dallas, TX 75205

Visit Website

Also featured in:

The Best Cocktails to Sip in September in Dallas

Javier's Gourmet Mexicano

Yes, Javier’s is expensive. But anyone would be hard pressed to find a stronger margarita in the city, and even harder pressed to find a swankier place to eat Mexican food. Those looking for Tex Mex should look elsewhere - Javier’s considers itself to be a provider of authentic Mexico City fare.

Open in Google Maps

4912 Cole Ave, Dallas, TX 75205

Visit Website

Javier's

Also featured in:

10 Essential Mexican Restaurants in Dallas-Fort Worth

Atwater Alley

Surprise! There's more than meets the eye here: Atwater Alley makes its home behind the kitchen of Henry's Majestic. This hidden speakeasy has a rotating cocktail menu, but expect New Orleans-style, old-school hits.

Open in Google Maps

Dallas, TX 75205

Henry's Majestic

Henry's Majestic has only been around since 2014, but it’s already established itself as a staple in the Park Cities food scene. It’s basically got anything diners could want in this world: a dog-friendly patio, brunch featuring black cherry french toast and a DIY mimosa bar, and seriously strong cocktails when the sun goes down. There’s also a criminally long happy hour that lasts from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Tuesday through Friday - use that knowledge safely and wisely.

4900 McKinney Ave, Dallas, TX 75205

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Toulouse Café and Bar

The Lombardi group covers a wide range of restaurant concepts in Dallas, but they somehow still managed to make Toulouse look and feel remarkably similar to a legit French bistro. The menu is classic and reliably delicious - for evidence of this, try the filet au poivre.

3314 Knox St, Dallas, TX 75205

Highland Park Old-Fashioned Soda Fountain

If you are reading this and you attended the opening of Highland Park Soda Fountain, you are probably a ghost hovering behind the counter, haunting around for one last sip of the old fashioned ice cream soda. Since 1911, the shop has served kids and kids at heart delicious milkshakes and savory grilled cheeses.

Open in Google Maps

3229 Knox St, Dallas, TX 75205

Visit Website

La Duni Latin Cafe

"Latin food" is a broad categorization for a restaurant, but La Duni covers a broad range of food: the three page lunch and dinner menu (not including the fourth page which covers drinks alone) is extensive, to say the least. Get the enchiladas de pollo con queso for a grownup twist on Tex-Mex enchiladas.

4620 McKinney Ave, Dallas, TX 75205

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Café Madrid

Cafe Madrid is simply the best Spanish restaurant in Dallas, period. Go with a group and order a million tapas and share them all - don't miss the piquillo rellenos or the plato ibérico.

Open in Google Maps

4501 Travis St, Dallas, TX 75205

Visit Website

Abacus

The funkiest spot on this map by far, Abacus boasts a menu with everything from salmon sashimi to fire roasted Colorado lamb loin. The chefs at Abacus may come and go, but the consistent deliciousness is here to stay.

4511 McKinney Ave, Dallas, TX 75205

Visit Website

TJ's Seafood Market & Grill

Eater has already called TJ’s “arguably the most beloved seafood restaurant in Dallas,” therefore it’s only fitting that the seafood eatery tops the best of the Park Cities offerings. Must try’s include the shrimp cocktail, lobster roll, and smoked salmon board. Or for a splurge, go with the oysters and caviar service.

Open in Google Maps

4212 Oak Lawn Ave, Dallas, TX 75219

Visit Website

© 2023 Vox Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

Link copied to the clipboard.

Montlake Cut

8220 Westchester Dr b, Dallas, TX 75225

Consistently landing on Eater’s Essential 38 restaurant list, this seafood joint from Chef Nick Badovinus offers a bi-coastal selection of bivalves, ceviche, or crudo. Plus, ridiculously fresh fish preparations like Chilean sea bass in white cocktail sauce have made this restaurant a city favorite.

8220 Westchester Dr b, Dallas, TX 75225

Visit Website

Hillstone Restaurant

8300 Preston Rd, Dallas, TX 75225

Rumor has it that Park Cities residents are required by law to celebrate their birthdays at Hillstone. This nationwide chain (formerly known as Houston's) is a local favorite, and it’s impossible to go wrong with a classic Hillstone Burger.

8300 Preston Rd, Dallas, TX 75225

Visit Website

Burger House

6913 Hillcrest Ave, Dallas, TX 75205

Residents do not remember a time in which they lived in the Park Cities without the comfort of Burger House nearby, and that's probably because they haven't. Burger House has been serving up addictive fries since 1951.

6913 Hillcrest Ave, Dallas, TX 75205

Visit Website

Bubba's Cooks Country

6617 Hillcrest Ave, Dallas, TX 75205

Bubba's has been a mainstay for family style fried chicken since the early eighties for a damn good reason: juicy, tender drumsticks with a side of melt-in-your-mouth rolls. There’s even a drive-thru for those who want a bucket of crispy okra but don't want to change out of jammies.

6617 Hillcrest Ave, Dallas, TX 75205

Visit Website

Kuby's Sausage House

6601 Snider Plz, Dallas, TX 75205

Kuby's facade is straight out of a little German village and the market inside is just as darling. The shnitzel isn't darling at all, but it's hearty and authentic. Prost!

Open in Google Maps

6601 Snider Plz, Dallas, TX 75205

Visit Website

Peggy Sue BBQ

6600 Snider Plz, Dallas, TX 75205

Dallas is full of BBQ, but Peggy Sue's has withstood the test of time with its baby back ribs and pulled pork, served up in an timeless, fifties-style dining room.

Open in Google Maps

6600 Snider Plz, Dallas, TX 75205

Visit Website

Bistro 31

87 Highland Park Vlg, Dallas, TX 75205

This classy spot blends in perfectly with the designer surroundings of Highland Park Village. After shoppers pick up a new Céline bag, they pop over to Bistro 31 for the olive oil poached branzino, served with garlic broccolini, tomato confit, and "Primer" olive oil.

87 Highland Park Vlg, Dallas, TX 75205

Visit Website

Javier's Gourmet Mexicano

4912 Cole Ave, Dallas, TX 75205

Yes, Javier’s is expensive. But anyone would be hard pressed to find a stronger margarita in the city, and even harder pressed to find a swankier place to eat Mexican food. Those looking for Tex Mex should look elsewhere - Javier’s considers itself to be a provider of authentic Mexico City fare.

Open in Google Maps

4912 Cole Ave, Dallas, TX 75205

Visit Website

Javier's

Atwater Alley

Dallas, TX 75205

Surprise! There's more than meets the eye here: Atwater Alley makes its home behind the kitchen of Henry's Majestic. This hidden speakeasy has a rotating cocktail menu, but expect New Orleans-style, old-school hits.

Open in Google Maps

Dallas, TX 75205

Henry's Majestic

4900 McKinney Ave, Dallas, TX 75205

Henry's Majestic has only been around since 2014, but it’s already established itself as a staple in the Park Cities food scene. It’s basically got anything diners could want in this world: a dog-friendly patio, brunch featuring black cherry french toast and a DIY mimosa bar, and seriously strong cocktails when the sun goes down. There’s also a criminally long happy hour that lasts from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Tuesday through Friday - use that knowledge safely and wisely.

4900 McKinney Ave, Dallas, TX 75205

Visit Website

Toulouse Café and Bar

3314 Knox St, Dallas, TX 75205

The Lombardi group covers a wide range of restaurant concepts in Dallas, but they somehow still managed to make Toulouse look and feel remarkably similar to a legit French bistro. The menu is classic and reliably delicious - for evidence of this, try the filet au poivre.

3314 Knox St, Dallas, TX 75205

Highland Park Old-Fashioned Soda Fountain

3229 Knox St, Dallas, TX 75205

If you are reading this and you attended the opening of Highland Park Soda Fountain, you are probably a ghost hovering behind the counter, haunting around for one last sip of the old fashioned ice cream soda. Since 1911, the shop has served kids and kids at heart delicious milkshakes and savory grilled cheeses.

Open in Google Maps

3229 Knox St, Dallas, TX 75205

Visit Website

La Duni Latin Cafe

4620 McKinney Ave, Dallas, TX 75205

"Latin food" is a broad categorization for a restaurant, but La Duni covers a broad range of food: the three page lunch and dinner menu (not including the fourth page which covers drinks alone) is extensive, to say the least. Get the enchiladas de pollo con queso for a grownup twist on Tex-Mex enchiladas.

4620 McKinney Ave, Dallas, TX 75205

Visit Website

Café Madrid

4501 Travis St, Dallas, TX 75205

Cafe Madrid is simply the best Spanish restaurant in Dallas, period. Go with a group and order a million tapas and share them all - don't miss the piquillo rellenos or the plato ibérico.

Open in Google Maps

4501 Travis St, Dallas, TX 75205

Visit Website

Abacus

4511 McKinney Ave, Dallas, TX 75205

The funkiest spot on this map by far, Abacus boasts a menu with everything from salmon sashimi to fire roasted Colorado lamb loin. The chefs at Abacus may come and go, but the consistent deliciousness is here to stay.

4511 McKinney Ave, Dallas, TX 75205

Visit Website

Related Maps

TJ's Seafood Market & Grill

4212 Oak Lawn Ave, Dallas, TX 75219

Eater has already called TJ’s “arguably the most beloved seafood restaurant in Dallas,” therefore it’s only fitting that the seafood eatery tops the best of the Park Cities offerings. Must try’s include the shrimp cocktail, lobster roll, and smoked salmon board. Or for a splurge, go with the oysters and caviar service.

Open in Google Maps

4212 Oak Lawn Ave, Dallas, TX 75219

Visit Website

Related Maps