16. Fearing’S
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (214) 922-4848
Address: 2121 McKinney Ave.
Description: After a two-decade career at the Mansion on Turtle Creek, star chef Dean Fearing opened a place of his own at another prestigious address. In each of seven distinct dining venues under one roof, the popular southerner does much to please his ever-ardent fans, with pecan-crusted halibut, crab tacos, and—at brunch—stunningly good fried chicken.
17. The Mansion On Turtle Creek
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (214) 559-2100
Address: 2821 Turtle Creek Blvd.
Description: True, the dress code is gone, but don’t kid yourself—this is still a swell spot to dine. Now, the dining room has been toned down with contemporary chandeliers and paintings; there’s a terrace hangout with fire pit for drinking; and the bar’s rocking. The signature lobster tacos and tortilla soup remain, but the rest of the menu undergoes regular reworking to keep up with current food trends. You can always find good steak, fish, salads, and desserts.
18. Nana
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (214) 761-7470
Address: 2201 Stemmons Freeway
Description: You’ll enjoy a panoramic view of Dallas if you dine at this five-star restaurant on the 27th floor of the Hilton Anatole Hotel. Chef Anthony Bombaci tantalizes with such dishes as ahi tuna tartare with passion fruit and wasabi ice cream, a prize pick on the tasting menu at this elegant dining room. A stunning wine list and polished service make this a must-visit.
19. Stephan Pyles
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (214) 580-7000
Address: 1807 Ross Ave.
Description: The beloved co-founder of Southwestern cuisine and creator of the legendary, defunct Star Canyon renovated a mid-century office building in the Arts District to much acclaim. Much praise goes to his sampler of ceviches, as well as prime picks from a shellfish bar, but you can never go wrong with his cardamom apple stuffed with pulled pork, steamed salmon over crab risotto, tuna escabeche, and the signature cowboy rib eye with red chile onion rings.
20. York Street
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (214) 826-0968
Address: 6047 Lewis St. at Live Oak
Description: This intimate establishment delineates the genius of chef-owner Sharon Hage, whose loving touch is seen in everything from the handpainted dinnerware and burnished pewter chairs to the organic meats flavored with freshly picked herbs. She changes the menu daily, but you can expect lovely things such as pan-seared rabbit, succulent Jamison lamb chops, fresh veggies from friends’ gardens or the farmers market, along with special touches like complimentary dry sherry with almonds and olives, and post-dinner specialty teas.
21. Asian Mint
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (214) 363-6655
Address: 11617 North Central Expressway, #135
Description: Can’t decide if your palate is hungry for Thai or sushi? Head to Asian Mint, beloved for both. The curries are heavenly and devotees swear this is the best pad thai in town. Get a strong coffee to go with green tea ice-cream cake or with jasmine crème brûlée. And don’t worry that the exterior looks off-putting; the interior is modern and soothing.
22. Bistro B
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (214) 575-9885
Address: 9780 Walnut St. at Audelia
Description: Big, busy, and packed with young and old, this Vietnamese restaurant serves a fine pho with sliced rare steak, brisket and flank steak, and rice noodles, aromatic with subtle layerings of anise and coriander. The grilled pork over superfine vermicelli is a knockout with sliced green papaya on top and a boat alongside filled with mint, two kinds of basil, shredded carrot salad, cilantro, and crunchy fried onion.
23. Five Sixty
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (214) 741-5560
Address: 300 Reunion Blvd. East
Description: High atop Reunion Tower, inside the rotating, sparkling ball overlooking downtown and the city beyond, Wolfgang’s new pan-Asian effort proves to be sheer genius. Cool and sleek, the restaurant woos with beautiful sushi offerings and treatments in lamb, cod, and beef that hint of exotica. A well-chosen wine and sake list deserves a good look, too.
24. Green Papaya
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (214) 521-4811
Address: 3211 Oak Lawn Ave.
Description: The namesake dish, a green papaya salad, offers a tart, clean treat for the palate at this modern Vietnamese favorite in Uptown. Noodle dishes prove pleasing, as do pho and other soups, and smooth, cool spring rolls.
25. Nobu
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (214) 252-7000
Address: 400 Crescent Court (Maple at McKinney Av
Description: The 10th installment in the Nobuyuki Matsuhisa–Robert De Niro international dining sensation made a big splash in Big D upon opening in the Crescent Court in 2005. Serene and utterly hip, this is the place to people-watch while nibbling sushi, sashimi, seared fish, and even steaks with South American treatments.
26. Peggy Sue Bbq
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (214) 987-9188
Address: 6600 Snider Plaza
Description: A favorite in the SMU area for more than a half-century, this cutie in Snider Plaza appeals to families. Smoked pork ribs and chicken are excellent, and the sides—like ranch beans and potato salad—are hard to beat. Don’t even think of skipping the cobbler for dessert.
27. Sammy’S Bar B Que
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (214) 880-9064
Address: 2126 Leonard St.
Description: Tucked away behind the Hotel ZaZa in Uptown, this comfortable, friendly cafe gives off a delicious aroma that you’ll dream about weeks after experiencing. Try the brisket-sliced sausage combo platter, but leave room for the bodacious apple-crumb pie, too. If you want, sit outside on the breezy patio.
28. Sonny Bryan’S “The Original”
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (214) 357-7120
Address: 2202 Inwood Rd.
Description: A cramped little smokehouse with nearly a century of experience, this is Dallas’s favorite little barbecue shack. Get a chopped beef sandwich or a rack of pork ribs with an ice-cold longneck, but be sure to grab one of the warm sauce bottles, too. Then park yourself in one of the old school desks that serve as seating. Just be sure to arrive before mid-afternoon, when the food often runs out.
29. Burger House
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (214) 361-0370
Address: 6913 Hillcrest Ave.
Description: The late Jack Koustoubardis opened this Dallas institution in 1951. It’s known for the incomparable Double Double Cheeseburger and zesty french fries generously sprinkled with Jack’s “secret” seasoning salt (you can purchase some while you are there). Over the years, Burger House has expanded to multiple locations, but we still like the cramped original with its framed photographs of local sports heroes and covered patio.
30. Goff’S Hamburgers
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (214) 520-9133
Address: 6401 Hillcrest Ave.
Description: Relocated to tidy digs facing SMU, this institution changed hands but still offers the exceptional charcoal-grilled burgers that have been popular for more than 50 years. The hickory with cheese version is simply perfect, but regulars find it hard to pass up the chili cheeseburger. Fries are excellent, as are the apricot fried pies. Check out the old football photos on the walls.