11 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.

If you can get to the Stockyards, you shouldn't miss dining at Lonesome Dove, where sophisticated and exotic food is served in a setting of brick walls, rustic hardwoods, and a pressed-tin ceiling. Chef Tim Love's creations include kangaroo carpaccio nachos with avocado relish, chili-rubbed foie-gras brûlée, and grilled New Zealand red deer chops served with truffle mac and cheese. Less adventurous options include, at lunch, meatloaf with barbecue sauce, chipotle mashed potatoes, and sautéed spinach and a grilled ham-and-cheese sandwich with tomato-basil soup.

Fans rave about the steak at Bob's, aged for four weeks and served in manly portions—22-ounce bone-in ribeye, 22-ounce bone-in strip, 28-ounce porterhouse. Rack of lamb is also popular. Entrées are served with a giant glazed carrot and the potato of your choice. Additional sides include creamed corn and creamed spinach.

Marble tables, dark wood accents, French doors, and an Italian marble floor create a sleek look in this underground restaurant, accessible by elevator. (If you're driving, you can use the complimentary valet service outside the elevator.) The granite outdoor patio, with lunch and dinner seatings, has a five-tier waterfall. By day you'll join the Downtown business crowd; at night the restaurant takes on a more romantic, candelit feel. The menu relies heavily on dry-aged steaks and seafood. The bone-in 16-ounce fillet is a popular choice. Steaks are à la carte; side dishes include creamed spinach, jumbo onion rings, and baked potatoes.

Regulars have been returning to this Far North Dallas (about 12 mi from Downtown) steak house for almost 20 years. The crowd is primarily button-down corporate during the week and couples and groups out for fun on the weekend. Popular appetizers include baked crab cakes and shrimp cocktail. The real draw is the prime beef, cut off the loin for each order; the filet mignon is another big seller.

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.

Escape the nearby strip malls and traffic and spend some down time in this French-styled bistro in Far North Dallas, where folks come as they are. The dining room is decorated with Provençal blues and yellows and floral prints. Try the cassoulet, roasted chicken or duck, or one of many seafood specialties. Leave room for dessert; the menu is almost as extensive as the entrée choices.

Expect a cozy and sexy vibe in this Uptown steak house. A grand piano sits in the dining room, providing background music nightly beginning at 7. Specialties include Chateaubriand for two, served with forest mushrooms, carmelized onion, and foie gras; the center-cut beef is carved tableside. The steak options are plentiful—10-ounce filet mignon, prime bone-in 16-ounce fillet, prime 22-ounce Cowboy cut (a French-cut bone-in rib eye). Lighter appetites can opt for seafood specialties such as sesame-crusted ahi tuna, diver scallops, or tortilla-crusted Atlantic salmon.

Loyal Pappas fans love the contemporary atmosphere here and the cut and flavor of the dry-aged beef. The dining room is less masculine and better lit than typical steak houses but still feels a bit formal and special. The filet mignon, offered in three weights, is the most popular cut of beef, and au gratin potatoes and creamed spinach are popular side dishes. The wine selection is legendary, as are the cigars offered—60 sizes and brands.

Though it doesn't look like much from the outside, this is one of Tarrant County's best restaurants, with a legendary crispy roast duck, lamb, fresh fish, excellent daily specials, and a long wine list. The prix-fixe option ($39.95 for four courses) makes dinner an affordable taste of French country cuisine. The intimate French-inspired dining room holds just 16 tables.