Dallas and Fort Worth certainly have some great steak and barbecue places, but there’s much more to the dining scene there these days. Southwestern Cuisine was invented at Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek, and it’s still a maturing and growing movement. There’s also small family restaurants, husband-and-wife chef/owners, gastropubs, trattorias, and ethnic places. Here’s our favorites:

1. The Best Restaurants in Dallas-Fort Worth
Dallas and Fort Worth certainly have some great steak and barbecue places,
but there’s much more to the dining scene there these days. Southwestern
Cuisine was invented at Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek, and it’s still a
maturing and growing movement. There’s also small family restaurants,
husband-and-wife chef/owners, gastropubs, trattorias, and ethnic places.
Here’s our favorites:

2. 1. Fearings
Fearing’s Chef Dean Fearing became known as the €€Father of
Southwestern Cuisine€€ while serving the long-time chef at Rosewood
Mansion on Turtle Creek. He left to open his own restaurant in the
Dallas Ritz-Carlton Hotel in 2007, and Fearing’s has since won numerous
awards. Fearing’s is refined, yet comfortable. The food is Southwestern and
innovative, often taking simple street foods and elevating them to a higher
level with the use of fresher ingredients, unique combinations, and amazing
presentations. The numerous dining areas each feature their own unique
décor. The service is dependable without being overbearing. Be sure to stop
by the Rattlesnake Bar for a pre-meal cocktail – read more here (Photo
by Sarah_Ackerman)

3. 2. SMOKE
SMOKE is a perfect marriage between an awesome barbecue joint and a
slightly upscale farm-to-table eatery. Chef Tim Byres, formerly of Stephan
Pyles, opened the place in 2009 with partners Christopher Jeffers and Chris
Zielke. At SMOKE, the barbecued beef brisket is served on china on tables
with white tablecloths. All of the meats are smoked on-site and the jellies,
jams, and butter are made in-house. Don’t just go for dinner either
– Southern Living proclaimed SMOKE as having the “Best Breakfast in
Texas.” SMOKE is located in the historic and lively Belmont Hotel. The
inside has an oddly fashionable 1970’s flair, and the place is bustling with a
central bar and two dining rooms – read more here (Photo by John Tornow)

4. 3. Stephan Pyles
Stephan Pyles is located in a modern space in the Dallas Arts District and
offers post-Southwestern cuisine with Mediterranean influences. Simple,
traditional foods of the Southwest such as catfish, peppers, and black beans
are used in innovative ways to create a brand new cuisine. Cooking methods
include lots of mesquite and hickory. The ceviche bar, the glass-enclosed
kitchen, and the 20-seat communal table create a warm, convivial
atmosphere. Stephan Pyles, the chef, is regarded as one of the founders of
Southwestern cuisine along with Dean Fearing – read more here (Photo
by Brad Murano)

5. 4. Hattie’s Restaurant
Hattie’s Restaurant serves upscale Southern comfort food that leans a bit
toward low-country. The restaurant is located in Oak Cliff€€s revitalized
Bishop Arts District – in fact, it was one of the first restaurants in the area
when it opened in 2002. The space features a split-level dining room with
high tin ceilings and a tiny bar that turns out awesome cocktails. The vibe is a
bit hipster and yuppie, but friendly – read more here (Photo by Kristen
Taylor)

6. 5. Tei-An
Tei-An is an upscale soba noodle house in the Arts District in downtown
Dallas. The decor at Tei-An is sexy and opulent, with dim lighting and
minimalist design. Cozy seating surrounds a large central rock fountain, and
the rooftop dining offers a perfect spot to enjoy a cocktail with an excellent
view of downtown. The soba noodle dishes are a great choices for lunch or a
solid dinner. To go all-out at dinner, consider the seven-course omakase
dinner. Tei-An Chef/Owner Teeich Sakurai is a James Beard award nominee
for Best Chef Southwest – read more here (Photo by Brad Murano)

7. 6. Jimmy’s Food Store
Jimmy’s Food Store offers amazing deli sandwiches piled high with house-
cured meats, plus homemade Italian sausages and meatballs, pastas, cheeses
and Italian wine – all in an East Dallas market. Jimmy DiCarlo opened the
place in 1966 as a grocery and originally catered to the local Latin American.
In 1997, the DiCarlo family decided to capitalize on their heritage and
concentrate on Italian foods. Their house-made Italian sausage became such a
hit that they now make 2,500 lbs. every week and sell much of it to Dallas
restaurants. They make homemade meatballs using an old family
recipe. Ironically, the Cuban sandwich is a customer favorite – read more
here (Photo by Luis Tamayo)

8. 7. Tillman’s Roadhouse
Tillman’s Roadhouse serves upscale cowboy cuisine in a casual, funky
establishment in the eclectic Bishop Arts District of Dallas. The decor is
rustic and has a hipster/hunting lodge feel with reclaimed wood, red velvet,
antlers on the wall, and chandeliers. The lively bar is one of the coolest
around. The restaurant was originally known as Tillman’s Corner and has
been open for over 20 years. Sara Tillman started the restaurant with her
husband, Ricky, and she took the leadership role when he passed away in
1997 – read more here (Photo by Mercy For Animals MFA)

9. 8. S&D Oyster Company
S&D Oyster Company serves fresh Gulf seafood in a historic building that
seems lost in time. In fact, the decor was essentially unchanged for the past
three decades until a recent expansion and renovation was completed.
The Dallas institution is reminiscent of an old New Orleans seafood house –
bow-tied waiters offer courteous and quick service, cocktail sauce is made
table-side, cold beer is served in large goblets, and the oysters are fresh. The
menu is simple, everything is good, and the prices are reasonable. With the
new addition, S&D now has a courtyard for outdoor dining, two wood-
burning fireplaces, and a full bar – read more here (Photo by blakeburris)

10. 9. Mansion at Turtle Creek
Mansion at Turtle Creek Chef Bruno Davaillon prepares contemporary
American cuisine with French influences in one of Dallas’ most highly
regarded restaurants. Guests can dine inside in the elegant dining room or
outside on the candlelit terrace, and meals can be ordered either a la carte or
from a selection of chef’s tasting menus with optional wine pairings. The
romantic restaurant is perfect for special occasions – read more here (Photo
by Joye~)

11. 10. Nonna
Nonna is an authentic and charming small Italian restaurant on the edge of
Highland Park. Chef and owner Julian Barsotti makes everything – from thin-
crust Neapolitan pizza from a wood-burning oven to sophisticated lobster
ravioli – all using local, organic, and sustainable ingredients whenever
possible. The menu changes according to ingredients available. The intimate
setting is actually located in a strip mall, but entering the charming space is
like traveling to the old world. Start with the house-made salumi and cheese
before moving on to the crisp and inventive salads. There are usually 10
freshly pastas from which to choose, and there is also a five-pasta tasting
plate available, plus delectable daily entree specials – read more here (Photo
by Luca Nebuloni)

12. 11. Lonesome Dove Western Bistro
Lonesome Dove Western Bistro serves up “Urban Western Cuisine” in Fort
Worth’s Historic Stockyards District. Chef Tim Love is a former winner of
the Iron Chef Showdown, and his menu starts with western ingredients and
traditional dishes, but things get elegant quickly, and rules get broken along
the way. For quenching a thirst, Lonesome Dove has an impressive wine list,
and signature cocktails include a Jalapeno Cucumber Margarita and a frozen
shot of Tuaca liqueur. Lonesome Dove has a well-worn, saloon-type feel,
and the restaurant recently renovated with a deck, new art and light fixtures,
and new wood flooring – read more here (Photo by dbrooksNY)

13. 12. La Duni Latin Cafe
La Duni Latin Cafe offers European tradition mixed with Latin American
passion in this casual Highland brassiere. Husband and wife team owners
Dunia and Espartaco Borga opened their restaurant in 2001 as a way to
follow their passion for cooking, and the dishes reflect their many years of
travelling through Latin American countries such as Brazil, Argentina,
Mexico, Perua, Colombia, and Venezuela. The wine list is excellent and
specializes in South American and Spanish varieties. La Duni is enjoyable
any time of day and is perfect for a coffee, wine, snack, or a meal, but be sure
to save room for their Quatro Leches Cake – read more here (Photo by Jeff
Eaton)

14. 13. Cane Rosso
Cane Rosso makes authentic Neapolitan pizza with fresh ingredients and
super-thin crust in Dallas’ Deep Ellum neighborhood. Founder Jay Jerrier
became obsessed with pizza on his honeymoon in Italy. When he returned
from his trip, he constructed a pizza oven in his backyard. Things grew, and
now he has his own restaurant in Deep Ellum. Everything is authentic: the
tomatoes are San Marzano and are crushed in-house, the mozzarella is made
in house, and many of the meats come from a New York Salumeria. Good
beer and solid wines are available to accompany the pizza – read more
here (Photo by The Travelista)

15. 14. Abacus
Abacus is a sleek Kent Rathbun restaurant that opened in 1999 and quickly
set a new standard for Dallas dining. Offering globally-inspired cuisine with
Asian overtones, the restaurant elevates comfort food to an impressive level.
The menu is offered as either a la carte or tasting menus with wine pairings
from the vast cellar. Kent Rathburn has since become a celebrity chef after an
appearance on Iron Chef America in 2008 – read more here (Photo
by California Avocados)

16. 15. Lucia
Lucia is small and extremely popular – Dallas locals make a reservation a
month in advance before flocking to this intimate Bishop Arts District
trattoria. Set in a historic 1920’s building and containing only 32 seats – plus
4 seats at the bar, Lucia celebrates Italian food and the communal spirit of
dining in a charming space. Chef David Uygur runs the open kitchen while
his wife Jennifer oversees the front of the house. The pastas at Lucia are
homemade, but the dishes are not strictly Italian – they use Italian as a base
for more creative tangents, which makes dining there an exciting adventure.
The flavor combinations are unexpected, but always seem to work. Most
everything is house-made and worth sampling, from the salumis to the bread,
pasta, and gelato – read more here (Photo by Luca Nebuloni)

17. 16. Hibiscus
Hibiscus opened way back in 2005, but the restaurant has aged gracefully
and learned enough new tricks to remain one of Dallas’ best dining
destinations. The restaurant is located in a historic building in
the funky Knox-Henderson district. Inside, a California redwood bar fronts
an open kitchen, and the stylishly rustic decor features a fireplace, deep
woods with iron and stone accents, and deep leather booths. Chef Graham
Dodds joined Jason Ferraro at Hibiscus in 2013, and together they have
created an excellent farm-to-table restaurant featuring New American fare
with a West Coast influence. The elemental cooking the menu changes
seasonally according to what’s available, but diners can always depend on
bold flavors and creative preparations. To accompany the food, there are
enticing cocktails and a large, 14-page wine list – read more here

18. 17. Spiral Diner & Bakery
Spiral Diner & Bakery in an astonishingly good vegan, organic restaurant in
Dallas’ Oak Cliff neighborhood. Even diners who are not vegan line up on
Sunday mornings for their unlimited Vegan Pancakes with Organic Agave
Nectar. Everything at Spiral Diner is fresh, organic and vegan – and darn
tasty. Amy McNutt founded Spiral in 2002 in the Fort Worth Rail Market.
The place became popular immediately, and in 2004 the restaurant moved to
its current location in a 1932 building on Magnolia Avenue. A Dallas location
in the Bishop Arts District opened in 2007 – read more here (Photo
by YoLaGringo)

19. 18. Pappas Bros. Steakhouse
Pappas Bros. Steakhouse is actually part of a small chain that’s
headquartered in Houston, but it’s consistent ranked as one of the best
steakhouses in the country. All steaks except for the filets are dry-aged in-
house, and even more-flavorful bone-in cuts are available for a few dollars
more. The wine list seems endless at over 2,300 selections, and there are four
sommeliers on staff to help with it. The restaurant is one of only two
restaurants in Texas to earn The Grand Award from Wine Spectatormagazine,
which is their highest honor – read more here (Photo by stu_spivack)

20. 19. Meddlesome Moth
Meddlesome Moth is a Dallas gastropub with and eclectic menu designed
for sharing and over 40 quality beers on draft. The space is sleek and modern
with plush booths and stained glass artwork of Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry,
and Elvis. There’s a fun outdoor patio in the back. Beer suggestions are listed
next to the menu items. For those not in a beer mood, there’s also a great
selection of wines and craft cocktails – read more here (Photo by Daniel
Lobo)

21. 20. Twisted Root Burger Company
Twisted Root Burger Company is a chef-driven burger joint that also makes
its own root beer and ice cream. It first opened up in 2005 and is located in
the Deep Ellum neighborhood of Dallas. The restaurant doesn’t just have
regular beef burgers – Twisted Root is famous for crazy meats like camel,
elk, ostrich, alligator, and beaver. In fact, there many choices to be made
before placing your order – burgers choices include 11 different types of
meat, plus a veggie burger. There’s also 3 types of buns, 23 burger toppings,
5 fried side items, 28 bottles beers, and 9 kinds of shakes – read more
here (Photo by Collin Harvey)
Featured photo by Luis Tamayo. All photos CC-BY-2.0.
See our list of the 49 best things to do in Dallas-Fort Worth here.