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A colorful tablecloth sits under various Tex Mex dishes.
The spread at Escondido TexMex Patio.
Kathy Tran

12 Essential Restaurants in North Dallas

Super-fresh seafood, loads of inventive tacos, and steaks live here

by Courtney E. Smith and Rachel Pinn Updated
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The spread at Escondido TexMex Patio.
| Kathy Tran
by Courtney E. Smith and Rachel Pinn Updated

North Dallas can be a bit of a hard-to-define area, but for this guide to the area’s best restaurants, we’re defining it as a box bordered by the Tollway, 635, Northwest Highway and 75.

In this sprawling area between these bustling highways, diners have so many options that narrowing down where to eat can be challenging. Scope out this guide to North Dallas’s most essential restaurants, where the seafood is fresh and plentiful, the tacos are not the average fare, and the city’s best Chinese food awaits.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

District Dallas

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Brunch, dinner, or whiskey are the best reasons to go to this spot — although the wine list isn’t bad either. Don’t miss the duck “beggar’s purses” (a pasta dumpling stuffed with duck confit and a mushroom-based gravy), the crispy sushi rice tots, or the excellent aha tuna salad.

5100 Belt Line Rd #544, Dallas, TX 75254
(972) 239-9300
(972) 239-9300

Cris and John

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Are you thinking of a tray loaded with egg rolls, dumplings, a bao bun, biarria (and ramen consumme to dip it in), and maybe a phoritto or a ramenritto? And perhaps some spicy wings and fries? It’s all a remarkable fusion of Vietnamese street food and Mexican classics. And it’s all finger-lickin’ good.

5555 Preston Oaks Rd UNIT 5, Dallas, TX 75254
(972) 803-4750
(972) 803-4750

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Al Biernat's North

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Most of the steakhouses seem sequestered to Uptown, with a few sprinkled elsewhere. The go-to steak spot for North Dallas is unquestionably Al Biernat’s, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. Those looking for a fancy night out in this part of town are well-advised to make a reservation.

5251 Spring Valley Rd, Dallas, TX 75254
(972) 239-3400
(972) 239-3400

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Nuno’s Tacos & Vegmex Grill

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One doesn’t need to be vegan or vegetarian to eat here. Do note it’s a takeout spot with no waitresses or cashiers. Diners can order online or make minimal reservations inside or on the patio. Now, when ordering, don’t miss the trio of biarria with house-made hibiscus barbacoa and mozzarella or the guiso taco platter with that same barbacoa, nopalitos en masa, sour cream jalapeno jackfruit, and mole poblano jackfruit.

8024 Spring Valley Rd Suite 8024, Dallas, TX 75240

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Street's Fine Chicken

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The outpost of Street’s Fine Chicken in North Dallas is excellent for both a quick take-out dinner or a sit-down feast. Choose from tenders or bone-in chicken brined in herbes de Provence, then pair with fluffy biscuits, black-eyed peas, and the famed brie mac and cheese. 

5211 Forest Ln #108, Dallas, TX 75244
(972) 803-5181
(972) 803-5181

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Yama Sushi

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There is always a line to get a table at this hidden gem of a stop in Lake Highlands, even though it’s extended the size of its space. As with most sushi spots, the move is to order whatever is on the chef’s special or picks list. It has a list of distinctly non-fussy rolls and classic sushi and sashimi. Bring a friend who doesn’t like raw fish along as well — it has yakitori, Roboto grill, noodle, and rice menus.

8989 Forest Ln #112, Dallas, TX 75243
(972) 234-3474
(972) 234-3474

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Bobbie's Airway Grill

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Looking for a classic American grill? This recently opened restaurant, in the former Dougherty’s Airway Pharmacy location, has freshly baked desserts and bread, meats that are butchered in-house, and a family thread running through its story. Try the ahi tuna burger, a double-cut pork chop, or Moroccan chicken salad.

5959 Royal Ln #515, Dallas, TX 75230
(214) 272-8754
(214) 272-8754

TJ's Seafood Market & Grill Preston Royal

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TJ’s has been the seafood market for serious fish enthusiasts in North Dallas and beyond for three decades. Stop by for super-fresh fish to cook at home from an ever-changing selection, or din-in on coconut curry steamed mussels, fish tacos, or a buttery Connecticut lobster roll. 

6025 Royal Ln #110, Dallas, TX 75230
(214) 691-2369
(214) 691-2369

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Royal China Restaurant

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Dallasites come from miles to enjoy Chinese and Taiwanese favorites, including hand-pulled noodles and juicy soup dumplings at this Chinese-American restaurant owned by the Kao family. Try the three-cup chicken, a Taiwanese specialty flavored with tea, salt, pepper and king oyster mushrooms for something unique. 

6025 Royal Ln, Dallas, TX 75230
(214) 361-1771
(214) 361-1771

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Escondido TexMex Patio

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Solid Tex-Mex is on the menu here — enchiladas, nachos, tacos, the whole gamut. But the unique thing everyone has to try is its take on the Mexican pizza. It’s a different ballgame with these fresh ingredients. 

5950 Royal Ln A, Dallas, TX 75230
(214) 471-5929
(214) 471-5929

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Resident Taqueria

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When is a taco not just a taco? When the team at Resident Taqueria makes themselves known as the place to get the best cauliflower taco in town. The seasonal specials and adaptations like duck carnitas and pecan smoked chicken take a visit to this tiny spot into an adventure.

9661 Audelia Rd #112, Dallas, TX 75238
(972) 685-5280
(972) 685-5280

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Rex's Seafood and Market

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Rex’s is a must for seafood lovers. A tray of oysters, a plate of Texas redfish, a side of crab cakes — have it all. Seafood is the star, but the sides and specials always delight.

6713 W Northwest Hwy, Dallas, TX 75225
(214) 758-0566
(214) 758-0566

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District Dallas

5100 Belt Line Rd #544, Dallas, TX 75254

Brunch, dinner, or whiskey are the best reasons to go to this spot — although the wine list isn’t bad either. Don’t miss the duck “beggar’s purses” (a pasta dumpling stuffed with duck confit and a mushroom-based gravy), the crispy sushi rice tots, or the excellent aha tuna salad.

5100 Belt Line Rd #544, Dallas, TX 75254
(972) 239-9300
(972) 239-9300

Cris and John

5555 Preston Oaks Rd UNIT 5, Dallas, TX 75254

Are you thinking of a tray loaded with egg rolls, dumplings, a bao bun, biarria (and ramen consumme to dip it in), and maybe a phoritto or a ramenritto? And perhaps some spicy wings and fries? It’s all a remarkable fusion of Vietnamese street food and Mexican classics. And it’s all finger-lickin’ good.

5555 Preston Oaks Rd UNIT 5, Dallas, TX 75254
(972) 803-4750
(972) 803-4750

Al Biernat's North

5251 Spring Valley Rd, Dallas, TX 75254

Most of the steakhouses seem sequestered to Uptown, with a few sprinkled elsewhere. The go-to steak spot for North Dallas is unquestionably Al Biernat’s, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. Those looking for a fancy night out in this part of town are well-advised to make a reservation.

5251 Spring Valley Rd, Dallas, TX 75254
(972) 239-3400
(972) 239-3400

Nuno’s Tacos & Vegmex Grill

8024 Spring Valley Rd Suite 8024, Dallas, TX 75240

One doesn’t need to be vegan or vegetarian to eat here. Do note it’s a takeout spot with no waitresses or cashiers. Diners can order online or make minimal reservations inside or on the patio. Now, when ordering, don’t miss the trio of biarria with house-made hibiscus barbacoa and mozzarella or the guiso taco platter with that same barbacoa, nopalitos en masa, sour cream jalapeno jackfruit, and mole poblano jackfruit.

8024 Spring Valley Rd Suite 8024, Dallas, TX 75240

Street's Fine Chicken

5211 Forest Ln #108, Dallas, TX 75244

The outpost of Street’s Fine Chicken in North Dallas is excellent for both a quick take-out dinner or a sit-down feast. Choose from tenders or bone-in chicken brined in herbes de Provence, then pair with fluffy biscuits, black-eyed peas, and the famed brie mac and cheese. 

5211 Forest Ln #108, Dallas, TX 75244
(972) 803-5181
(972) 803-5181

Yama Sushi

8989 Forest Ln #112, Dallas, TX 75243

There is always a line to get a table at this hidden gem of a stop in Lake Highlands, even though it’s extended the size of its space. As with most sushi spots, the move is to order whatever is on the chef’s special or picks list. It has a list of distinctly non-fussy rolls and classic sushi and sashimi. Bring a friend who doesn’t like raw fish along as well — it has yakitori, Roboto grill, noodle, and rice menus.

8989 Forest Ln #112, Dallas, TX 75243
(972) 234-3474
(972) 234-3474

Bobbie's Airway Grill

5959 Royal Ln #515, Dallas, TX 75230

Looking for a classic American grill? This recently opened restaurant, in the former Dougherty’s Airway Pharmacy location, has freshly baked desserts and bread, meats that are butchered in-house, and a family thread running through its story. Try the ahi tuna burger, a double-cut pork chop, or Moroccan chicken salad.

5959 Royal Ln #515, Dallas, TX 75230
(214) 272-8754
(214) 272-8754

TJ's Seafood Market & Grill Preston Royal

6025 Royal Ln #110, Dallas, TX 75230

TJ’s has been the seafood market for serious fish enthusiasts in North Dallas and beyond for three decades. Stop by for super-fresh fish to cook at home from an ever-changing selection, or din-in on coconut curry steamed mussels, fish tacos, or a buttery Connecticut lobster roll. 

6025 Royal Ln #110, Dallas, TX 75230
(214) 691-2369
(214) 691-2369

Royal China Restaurant

6025 Royal Ln, Dallas, TX 75230

Dallasites come from miles to enjoy Chinese and Taiwanese favorites, including hand-pulled noodles and juicy soup dumplings at this Chinese-American restaurant owned by the Kao family. Try the three-cup chicken, a Taiwanese specialty flavored with tea, salt, pepper and king oyster mushrooms for something unique. 

6025 Royal Ln, Dallas, TX 75230
(214) 361-1771
(214) 361-1771

Escondido TexMex Patio

5950 Royal Ln A, Dallas, TX 75230

Solid Tex-Mex is on the menu here — enchiladas, nachos, tacos, the whole gamut. But the unique thing everyone has to try is its take on the Mexican pizza. It’s a different ballgame with these fresh ingredients. 

5950 Royal Ln A, Dallas, TX 75230
(214) 471-5929
(214) 471-5929

Resident Taqueria

9661 Audelia Rd #112, Dallas, TX 75238

When is a taco not just a taco? When the team at Resident Taqueria makes themselves known as the place to get the best cauliflower taco in town. The seasonal specials and adaptations like duck carnitas and pecan smoked chicken take a visit to this tiny spot into an adventure.

9661 Audelia Rd #112, Dallas, TX 75238
(972) 685-5280
(972) 685-5280

Rex's Seafood and Market

6713 W Northwest Hwy, Dallas, TX 75225

Rex’s is a must for seafood lovers. A tray of oysters, a plate of Texas redfish, a side of crab cakes — have it all. Seafood is the star, but the sides and specials always delight.

6713 W Northwest Hwy, Dallas, TX 75225
(214) 758-0566
(214) 758-0566

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