The 106 Top Rated Restaurants In Dallas (According to Locals)
I made a bold statement on Instagram the other week. This is nothing new, as I often make bold statements that either make people cheer or hit the unfollow button faster than they learn a TikTok dance. I have a knack for saying things out loud that many people think but have way more self-awareness to actually speak into the universe. However, before I made the statement, I knew in the depths of my soul that it was correct and that people would agree. The statement was:
“Dallas food isn’t that great.”
Now, I am fully aware that we won restaurant city of the year from Bon Appetit last year. And the places listed in that article are all fantastic. I don’t know if it’s because I’ve been here forever or what, but I’m just over the Dallas food scene. This conversation started the other week with my bf and has been on my mind since. We, like so many other Dallasites, have been ordering in left and right throughout this year and it’s only magnified the so-so options available to us. And the thing is, I had these thoughts before the pandemic, too. Dallas is… flashy. And that doesn’t stop at the nightclurbs or the Star or with the injected, 45-but-think-they’re-going-on-25 ladies frolicking around Highland Park village desperately trying to stay relevant. This is a city that cares very much about appearance and less about substance, and that absolutely spills over into the restaurant industry.
So, during one of my Ask Emma segments the other week, when someone asked me what I feel is overhyped in Dallas, I replied “the food scene,” and the “AGREED!” DMs poured in. So many of you agreed, actually, that it inspired me to put our heads together and figure out which Dallas restaurants are worth giving a rip about. It took me a long time to go through all the DMs, but I’ve put together a list of 106 top rated Dallas restaurants that I feel encapsulates all of your responses (to be fair, I took creative liberty with some responses if I fundamentally disagreed. After all, this is my list on my blog).
I give you the ultimate list of the best places to eat in Dallas from local Dallasites themselves. From the best Dallas tacos and Tex-Mex, to the best all-American joints, Thai food, Japanese cuisine, and even some vegan options, you guys provided. Next time you’re in a bind and can’t figure out where to order out from or if you have friends/family in town asking for your suggestions, pull this alphabetical list up and make it your go-to resource for all things dining in Dallas.
ALL-AMERICAN
The Henry (the burger, specifically)
BAKERIES
Boulangerie by Village Baking Co
BBQ
CHINESE
Royal China (did you expect anything else?)
FRENCH
FRIED CHICKEN
DESSERTS
INDIAN
ITALIAN
(^I can attest—this is GREAT pizza^)
JAPANESE
LATIN
LEBANESE
PERSIAN
TACOS
Revolver Taco (and Purepecha)
TEX-MEX
THAI
VEGAN
VIETNAMESE
You are never again allowed to not know what you want for dinner. This list solidifies that.
xox,
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