8 Best Restaurants in Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas

Dallas celebrity chef Dean Fearing has been winning over new fans with his namesake restaurant in the Ritz-Carlton with three graciously designed rooms: friendly, bustling Dean's Kitchen, the more formal Gallery, and an airy glassed pavilion. Fearing's creations hint at his Southwestern roots, but rely more on his adventurous spirit and relationships with regional and global producers. The maple-marinated buffalo tenderloin is pleasantly sweet, nestled near jalapeño grits and a butternut squash taquito. Every plate reveals a similar layering of flavors, colors, and textures, such as cod atop hijiki rice, stacked with tempura-fried herbs and surrounded by a complex miso-clam broth. For dessert, butterscotch pudding and whipped cream are served next to hot apple fritters and a scoop of praline ice cream.

Here at Mansion Restaurant, simple flavors are layered to produce complex results, such as slow-braised short ribs, poached lobster with risotto, and porcini-crusted filet mignon. Count on dining with DFW's most moneyed folks, who relish the legendary service and exquisite surroundings. The interior design successfully marries contemporary furniture, fixtures, and artwork with the grand, historic feel of the Italian Renaissance–style residence built in 1925. Lunch is less expensive but still fashionable. Views of the landscaped grounds are lovely from the veranda. The outdoor seating is also open at night, lending a more casual feel to one of Dallas's most revered institutions.

It doesn't get much more laid back in Dallas than the AllGood Cafe, which doubles as a live-music venue on weekends. Local and Texas music is a big deal here, and tunes take precedence over decor. The kitchen turns out breakfast standards like omelets, giant pancakes, and migas (Mexican-style scrambled eggs), until 3 pm. The lunch and dinner menus include just-right chicken-fried steak and the spiciest, most filling version of King Ranch Chicken (a layered, gooey mess of corn tortillas, chicken, peppers, cheese, beans, and more) in town. Giant windows allow a great view of the street life of Deep Ellum, and there's a little room for outdoor seating.

The in-house bakery at this café turns out fresh breads and pastries. Regulars love the raspberry–chipotle chicken sandwich for lunch; the buttermilk pan-fried chicken breast is a good choice for dinner. Sunday brunch is popular with the young professionals who live nearby. The large, popular patio offers an excellent view of foot traffic.

The eccentric menu here draws eccentric diners all hours of the day. Locals appreciate the bottomless cups of coffee (with several choices at a self-serve bar), extensive omelet and crepe offerings, Tex-Mex inspired entrées, and decadent baked goods. Standouts include crepes stuffed with chicken, spinach, and mushrooms, and French toast covered with fruit, raspberry sauce, and crème anglaise. Breakfast is served all the time, and they're open 24 hours on weekends.

The healthy, organic menu at this laid-back restaurant blends Mediterranean-style cuisine with flavors from the American Southwest. Fabulous breakfast options include cloud cakes (ricotta pancakes with fresh strawberries and crème fraîche) and migas (Mexican-style scrambled eggs). If the weather's nice, ask to be seated on the spacious back patio, where you'll likely spot children playing on the restaurant's lawn and fort.

Like a culinary tour of Latin America, La Duni's showcases vibrant flavors from Mexico, Central America, and South America, with occasional side trips to Cuba. Citrus-sparked specialty drinks set the mood for roasted chicken napped with a sauce of Champagne and tart oranges or carne asada—beef marinated in lime juice and grilled, all accompanied by caramelized plantains, black beans, and rice. Desserts include the muy rico (very rich) cuatro leches (four milks) cake or chocolate-hazelnut Nutella cake.

There's been a restaurant of some sort in this building since the 1930s; the original pressed-tin ceiling is still in place. The bistro attracts diners from the neighborhood as well as a lot of folks from horse shows and other events at Will Rogers Memorial Center, just 2 mi away. Known for its pasta, wood-roasted entrées, and chicken-fried steak, and weekend prime rib, the restaurant also has seven tables on a patio with umbrellas to ward off the Southwestern sun. Breakfast is available weekends.