There is so much more than just great barbecue and Tex Mex to experience on a foodie adventure to Dallas and Fort Worth. Eating out now has a conscience, and a world-class dollop of culture – plus there’s also an extraordinary range of local craft beer to choose from.
The best restaurants in Dallas are a foodies delight
Downtown Dallas, with its newly renovated hotels like the ultra-cool Adolphus has hiked the CBD’s hip factor up a notch. The city has seen a host of new restaurants, cafés and shops open in recent years – which are changing the feeling of this inner city completely. Also breathing fresh new life into the Texan city is its diverse Arts District.
Dallas offers an incredibly diverse Arts District spread over 20 blocks encompassing 68 acres. This walkable downtown hub of creativity features art for all the senses with award-winning museums, performing arts venues, restaurants and bars.
Where to eat in the Arts District
In addition to the great food truck scene at Klyde Warren Park, these are two of the best restaurants in Dallas, located in the precinct:
Flora Street Café: Located in the Arts District, Chef Stephan Pyles is bringing an intimate, modern scene together with dazzling attention to food. Try the lobster club for lunch, or the crispy Colorado lamb belly for dinner.
Savor: Lunch with a view! Located in Klyde Warren Park, this restaurant offers new American dishes, classic cocktails and desserts in sleek surrounds with floor-to-ceiling windows. It’s the perfect place to sip wine on tap and watch the park buzzing with activity.
Flavoursome Fort Worth
Only a 45 minute drive away, Fort Worth, on the other hand, is a city which still has the authentic western cowboy flavour whilst also having all the sophistication and culture of a big city.
It’s Cultural District features five internationally recognised museums which are housed in a beautiful park-like setting: the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame; Amon Carter Museum of American Art; Kimbell Art Museum; Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth and the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. Acclaimed for their architecture, each museum maintains exquisite collections and programs.
Where to eat in the Cultural District
Press Café: Situated in a brand-new building overlooking the Clearfork of the Trinity River, this modern yet casual cafe offers a mix of classic sandwiches and fresh salads, and is also celebrated for its burgers. The award-winning Café Burger comes with an Angus beef patty and huntsman cheese – an English blend of sharp double Gloucester striped with Stilton, which helps to cut through the sweetness of the caramelised onion. The meal is completed with sliced pickles and watercress on a poppy- seed bun.
Waters Restaurant: Located in the lovely Sundance Square among the many culinary experiences, Waters Restaurant is the best spot for fresh oysters. Chef and owner, Jon Bonnell says if you are an oyster lover, the ‘Dirty Dozen’ is a must. “We bring in at least six different varieties of oyster every day, and the dirty dozen is a perfect sampling of a pair of each one.
The connection Dallas and Fort Worth is now even more accessible, with the new TEXRail commuter train connecting Fort Worth to the airport. The DFW airport sits right in the middle of both cities, so access is easy.
For more information on both cities, visit visitdallas.com and fortworth.com, or take a Texas Road trip with us and explore Dallas and Fort Worth.
