Dallas

17 Fun Restaurants in Dallas You Need to Visit for Your Next Night Out

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One of the main reasons why the people of Dallas love their city so much is that it offers such a lively and exciting restaurant scene. This makes it easy to find a fun spot whenever you want to go out. Whether you’re craving some classic Tex-Mex food or upscale French cuisine, you can find it in this bustling city. If you’re also looking to change it up and try something unique, Dallas also offers plenty of quirky restaurants. Check out our 12 favorites now! 

Fun restaurants in Dallas Cover Image

Are you searching for a fun gift to surprise your loved ones with? Treat them to a virtual GiftYa card! GiftYa cards are completely customizable, making them perfect for any budget and occasion. The gift card recipient can apply their GiftYa card to a number of different places around Dallas, including the restaurants we featured below. And because they’re completely virtual, your loved one never has to worry about losing their card. 

1. Pocket Sandwich Theatre

Small, but cozy dinner theatre offering American cuisine and a full bar

5400 E Mockingbird Ln, Suite 119 | Lower Greenville | pocketsandwich.com

The Pocket Sandwich Theatre is a charming dinner theatre located in Lower Greenville. For 7 months, the theatre remained closed due to the pandemic. However, it has finally opened again! Known for offering “The Most Fun You Can Have in a Dallas Theatre,” the Pocket Sandwich Theatre will offer a fine dining experience paired with an entertaining show. 

On the menu, you’ll find flavorful appetizers, hearty sandwiches, savory pizza, and salads. For dessert, they offer Root Beer Floats, Flavored Cheesecake, and Fudge Brownie Sundaes. In addition to their food menu, Pocket Sandwich also serves soft drinks, beer, and wine. 

“Last night was the second time I've been with my family. I had such a great time. The show was amazing and it was hysterical. They have great food and drinks too.” - Yelp Review

Purchase a GiftYa card for Pocket Sandwich Theatre. 

2. Thirsty Lion Gastropub & Grill

Bustling pub known for its creative and bold menu

350 Las Colinas Blvd W | Irving | thirstyliongastropub.com 

If you’re looking for a casual meal to enjoy alongside your friends, head to the Thirsty Lion Gastropub & Grill. This gastropub offers classic American cuisine, including Bacon Wrapped BBQ Prawns, Hand-Breaded Chicken Tenderloins, and Grilled Burger Sliders. However, the gastropub does branch out to other dishes with their Spicy Tuna Roll, Ahi Poke Stack, and Creamy Queso Dip. Along with their regular lunch and dinner menu, the Thirsty Lion also offers Happy Hour and Brunch. 

“As a gastropub, they provide many cuisines and high quality, scratch-made menu items. My favorite thing to do is get shareable plates and drinks and unwind for date night. Sometimes I just want French fries, a California roll, and creme brûlée with my cider.” - Yelp Review

Purchase a GiftYa card for Thirsty Lion Gastropub & Grill. 

3. La Calle Doce

Popular Mexican restaurant offering fresh and inventive Mexican seafood

415 W 12th St | Oak Cliff | lacalledoce-dallas.com

Declared as the “Home of Mexican Seafood,” La Calle Dolce offers an appetizing variety of authentic dishes. The next time you’re in the mood for Mexican food, you’ll want to go here. Dallas residents have flocked to this restaurant since 1981 for its innovative menu and unbeatable hospitality. 

La Calle Dolce is open for both in-person dining and curbside pick-up. The regular dine-in menu offers delicious meals like the Aguachile de Camaron, Campechana, and Coctel de Pulpo. All of these dishes feature fresh seafood and savory seasonings. If you’d prefer to order out, you can purchase a Family Pack. La Calle Dolce offers a Fajita Pack, Enchilada Dinner Pack, and Tex Mex Dinner. The restaurant also offers a Michelada Pack and Margarita Barrilito! 

“I ordered the whole fried catfish I had seen people post and it comes with fries and beans. It tasted amazing, probably in my top 10 of all time, it came with 2 sauces both of which were really good.” - Yelp Review

Purchase a GiftYa card for La Calle Doce. 

4. Simply Fondue

Classy and chic restaurant known for its fondue, meats, and cocktails

2108 Greenville Ave | Lower Greenville | simplyfonduedallas.com

Who doesn’t love fondue? Located in Lower Greenville, Simply Fondue offers a unique dining experience for visitors. When you dine here, you will be treated with four courses of award-winning fondue. All of their fondue is made with the freshest ingredients from scratch on a daily basis. 

Along with gourmet fondue, your four-course meal will include a salad, entree, and chocolate for dessert. Some of the restaurant’s most popular dishes include the Strawberry and Spinach Salad, Stuffed Mushrooms, Scallops, and Roasted Garlic Chicken. 

“I did the classic four course dinner, that consisted of cheese, salad, entrée, and chocolate. The cheese course was delicious. Still dreaming about it and trying to figure out how to make it at home.” - Yelp Review

Purchase a GiftYa card for Simply Fondue. 

5. The Rustic

The food here is fresh and locally sourced

a group of people outside a building
This looks like a great party at a fun restaurant in Dallas. Image courtesy of Dallas Observer

3656 Howell St | Dallas | therustic.com

The Rustic is a restaurant that offers a lot to its customers. They have an amazing kitchen, backyard, and bar, and also host live music in their space. They like to keep things simple. They make home style meals with farm to table ingredients. Their seafood is from the Gulf, their steaks are from local ranchers, and their dairy is produced by local farmers. They also serve local craft beer and cocktails, which guests can enjoy under the stars. 

“Delicious food- brisket tacos, homemade kettle chips, craft beer. Perfect atmosphere of outdoor space with hydro fans to keep cool and indoor with rustic atmosphere. Our server Sal was a delight! Highly recommend!”–Yelp Review

6. Jinbeh Japanese Restaurant

Upscale Japanese restaurant that serves up unique and flavorful food

2693 Preston Rd | Frisco | jinbeh.com

Craving authentic and flavorful Japanese cuisine? Head to Jinbeh! At Jinbeh, you will find a wide variety of inventive and delicious Japanese dishes. The restaurant is Hibachi-style, which means that you can expect a delightful cooking show with your group. 

If you aren’t sure what to get, we recommend choosing one of their Combo Lunches. The Tokyo Trio, Jinbeh Double Delight, Seafood Lover’s Combo, and Surf N’ Turf Combo are all guaranteed to leave you filled and satisfied. Jinbeh also offers a fine sushi selection you’ll want to sample before your main dish. 

“Dinner with girlfriends. Absolutely the best food with the drinks, sushi, and hibachi. Amazingly attentive staff and great updated look. I can't think of the last time I've loved every drink and food that we ordered.” - Yelp Review

Purchase a GiftYa card for Jinbeh Japanese Restaurant. 

7. Delucca Gaucho Pizza & Wine

All-you-can-eat pizza joint that houses a Brazilian cocktail bar

1628 Oak Lawn Ave, Suite 100 | Design District | delucca.com

Who doesn’t love a classic slice of pizza made from scratch? Delucca is a popular neighborhood pizzeria situated in the Design District. When you go to Delucca, you will be impressed by its contemporary design featuring an open kitchen and dining space. 

As a Gaucho-style continuous dining spot, Delucca has no menu and instead offers a fixed price charge for guests. This means that guests can pay $20 to sample any 20 of the pizzas being offered that day. In addition to pizza, visitors can treat themselves to savory appetizers including their lobster bisque and house-made kobe meatballs. 

“For around $20 per person you have the opportunity to eat 20 different types of pizza, including dessert pizzas! They had some unique flavors like elote, chicken tikka masala and beef and garlic. I'd recommend this place for the pizza lovers.” - Yelp Review

Purchase a GiftYa card for Delucca Gaucho PIzza & Wine. 

8. Paradiso

Dine inside of a lush, green eatery

a restaurant with tables and chairs
This atmosphere can put you in a good mood. Image courtesy of A Girl From Texas

308 N Bishop Ave | Dallas | paradisodallas.com

Paradiso is a full-service restaurant inspired by Southern European cuisine. It is located in an idyllic shaded garden where customers get to enjoy brunch, lunch, and dinner. You can choose to eat out on the patio or inside where you are surrounded with lush greenery. Their menu focuses on fresh, seasonal ingredients cooked in house. They also offer craft cocktails at both their indoor and outdoor bars. 

“Loved it! Great atmosphere and good food! Our server was very attentive and we definitely recommend all of our friends to go there!”–Yelp Review

9. Sundown at Granada

Healthy restaurant specializing in farm-to-table fare

3520 Greenville Ave | Lower Greenville | sundownatgranada.com

Located in Lower Greenville, Sundown at Granada offers live music, a gorgeous outdoor patio, and delicious food for visitors looking for a fun night out. Inside, you’ll find a cozy and rustic dining space where you can enjoy creative dishes such as the Turkey Meatloaf, Sundown Burger, and Freebird Chicken Sandwich. During their special music nights, you can also enjoy live music on their outdoor patio. 

“Their truffle Mac is the best. Hands down. Thick and creamy. Oh yeah. I can't say enough good things about this place. Their seasonal menu changes are on point and brunch drink prices are 2 thumbs up.” - Yelp Review

Purchase a GiftYa card for Sundown at Granada. 

10. Uchi Dallas

Hip Japanese joint

817 Maple Ave | Arts District | uchidallas.com 

This hip Japanese joint run by award-winning chef/owner Tyson Cole is located in the Arts District of Dallas. 

They offer hot and cold tastings such as Madai Crudo and Wagyu Tataki, respectively, as well as makimono, toyosu, and sushi and sashimi.

If you want to leave it up to the chef, you can order off of the Omakase menu. You can choose from either Chef’s Tasting (ten courses), Signature Tasting (six courses), or Vegetarian Tasting. Rest assured, you won’t be disappointed with what they come up with.

“WOW!! This place is amazing. Best food experience I've ever had and I am a huge foodie. Even if you don't like sushi there's a lot of other items you can get that taste great and don't contain any raw meat. So great!!” - Yelp Review

11. Public School 214 

School-themed gastropub

3700 McKinney Ave Ste 148 | Uptown | psontap.com  

Class is in session at this school-themed gastropub. 

For your first lesson, you’ll want to grab some Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower or Bacon Cheddar Tots for the table. Next, you’ll choose your main from a wide selection of pizzas, seasonal plates, and sandwiches and burgers. You’ll ace the class if you remember to get dessert! We recommend the Old School Brownie Pie or the Nutella Cookie Sandwich. Yum!

They have beer, wine, and fun cocktails like the Tropical Berry Lemonade and the Fresh Water Dream.

“This place is AMAZING!!! Food 10/10, drinks 10/10, vibes 10/10. DEFF coming back and I have recommended this place to everyone since I went! My favorite thing by far was the poke nachos. I'm literally in love!! I'll be back soon!!” - Yelp Review

12. Truck Yard

This place will have a different food truck around each visit

a group of people sitting at tables and chairs in a courtyard
This looks like a fun place to spend an afternoon. Image courtesy of Texas Truck Yard Dallas

5624 Sears St | Dallas | truckyarddallas.com

Truck Yard is kind of a dive bar garden with a huge backyard. They offer live music, food trucks, and booze, and have a reputation for being an adult playground. It is a place that is welcome to anyone and gets visited by all kinds of people. They will even happily welcome your dog! 

You can order from the bar menu or from food trucks. The food trucks are always different from day to day, so you can enjoy different foods every time you visit this place! Food trucks include The Drunken Chicken, Avilla Aprepa, Southern Gourmet, and many other amazing options.

“My fiancé and any friends we have taken here thoroughly enjoy this place. Always has some delicious food trucks, not to mention the bartenders that work there are great. They also have love music everyday there and it's great for relaxing and enjoying time with friends or even meeting new people.”–Yelp Review

13. Royal 38

Your neighborhood bar with 20+ signature cocktails

2301 N Akard St | Dallas | royal38.bar 

We are suckers for signature cocktails, that’s why we love Royal 38. From the Green Tara (a vodka based drink made with real green tea) to the 100 Calorie Margarita (all natural with no added sugar), we just can’t get enough of these drinks.

In order to not break the bank, go to Happy Hour Wednesday through Friday 4 - 6pm and Sunday 4 - 6pm. You can get a selection of cocktails and food for under $10, as well as $1 off all wine and beer. 

Be sure to try the Lobster Fried Rice and the Ahi Tuna Nachos!

“I highly recommend Royal 38. I'd rather keep this place a secret, but that would be selfish! Thoughtful and tasty formulas with exotic ingredients executed with care and precision by his amazing bartending staff. I'll definitely be back.” - Yelp Review

14. The Dinner Detective

Murder mystery dinner theater 

944 S Lamar St |Downtown |thedinnerdetective.com 

If you want your next date night to be more than just dinner and drinks, then The Dinner Detective is perfect for you. 

Solve and hilarious yet challenging murder mystery while you enjoy a delicious dinner. 

The best part: The action happens all around you! Any person in the audience can end up being a part of the show - even you! 

So be prepared to enjoy a good meal and be a part of the show at this murder mystery experience that is unlike any other!

“A group of us went and we had the time of our lives! They had us cracking up the whole time. You won't be disappointed. The food was really good and I wasn't expecting that. Bring a date or friends. Do it!!!!” - Yelp Review

15. Hungry Belly

Korean and Japanese fusion

2818 N Fitzhugh Ave | Lower Greenville | hungrybellydallas.com 

Whether you want a bento box, sushi, or Bulgogi, Hungry Belly is the place to go for all of your Japanese and Korean cravings. 

Unlike most fusion restaurants, a quality over quantity menu is still of the utmost importance here at Hungry Belly. In addition, they source their ingredients fresh from local farmer’s markets.

We recommend the Bulgogi Bento Box, as it’s a perfect blend of Japanese and Korean flavor.

“This place was next level good. It doesn't look like much; but the food was LEGIT. The Sesame chicken has to be the best I have ever put in my mouth. And tuna tower was delicious as well! Highly recommend!” - Yelp Review

Dallas offers a wide variety of exciting and creative restaurants. Which ones are your favorites? Let us know in the comments. We love hearing from you!

16. The Porch

This restaurant has several unique offerings

a burger and fries on a plate
This combo always makes a great lunch. Image courtesy of Dallas Observer

2912 N Henderson Ave | Dallas | theporchrestaurant.com

The Porch is a restaurant with a great venue and superb food options. They have a brunch menu and an all day menu. You can choose from several appetizers, soups, salads, burgers, sandwiches, and specials. The specials include short rib stroganoff, scottish salmon, and crispy pork shank. They also serve great sides like cornbread with jalapeno honey butter and garlic mashed potatoes, along with desserts like gooey butter cake and bread pudding. 

“Ordered delivery through Grubhub and went with the spicy crispy sandwich and it was literally oozing with flavor. So simple but so delicious and the sauce only made this event better. Even through the delivery, the fries are still crispy and the perfect pairing for this sandwich.”–Yelp Review

17. In-N-Out Burger

One of the most popular chains in the west

a tray of burgers and fries
These burgers will make your time out even better. Image courtesy of Eater

7940 N Central Exwy Dallas | Dallas | in-n-out.com

If nothing else seems interesting, you can always try an American classic. In N’ Out Burger is a popular fast food restaurant that people from all over the country rave about. It is often said to have the best burgers of any fast food joint. If you’ve already tried it, you probably love it, and if you haven’t, you should definitely get to it!

“I most certainly would never pass up on a Chance to eat In-N-Out. It is by far one of the best chains to exist, they deliver a superb level of quality that never disappoints. This location I have visited several times and it never seems to take to long and I always experience good customer service.”–Yelp Review

Dallas offers a wide variety of exciting and creative restaurants. Which ones are your favorites? Let us know in the comments. We love hearing from you!

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Trae Bodge

Trae Bodge is the shopping expert here at GiftYa. Trae helps people find the best deals and ideas on popular new items to purchase.

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