Dallas is an enormous city, which means a wealth of fantastic restaurants just waiting to be tried. Of course there’s excellent barbecue, but Dallas’ culinary scene has everything from fresh Italian crudo to savory Japanese specialties, from taco stands to glamorous fine dining. Whatever you’re craving, the city will provide, so sit down and get to know the Best Restaurants in Dallas Right Now.

 

The brainchild of James Beard Award-winning Chef Tyson Cole, Uchi is a wholly unique dining experience, focused on inventive takes on sushi classics and premium seasonal omakase. The signature tastings feature some of the freshest fish around, and are paired with careful selections from an astonishing array of fine wines and sake. Don’t miss the madai crudo with fresh sea bream and asian pear, and the fatty A5 wagyu tataki that melts on your tongue.

 

This savory smokehouse and bar is one of the most distinctive restaurants in Dallas, lovingly combining Asian flavors with Texas BBQ staples for a meal like nowhere else. Sink your teeth into the oak smoked brisket sandwich, topped with papaya salad and an addictive chili aioli, or a bowl of wonton chips and dip. The boozy slushies need to be tried, preferably on the outdoor patio.

 

Candlelit dinners at this neighborhood trattoria are always warm, nostalgic, and full of flavor. Hot plates of handmade pasta, Sicilian pizzas and tall pours of red wine have made Carbone Vino an instant favorite of Dallas diners. Definitely order the signature fried veal chop, but make sure to save room for fresh gelato.

 

It’s hard to improve on Southern food classics, but Chef Tiffany Derry’s cast-iron cornbread has found a way. Sit down for a hearty helping of elevated eats, like the duck-fat fried chicken and Texas wagyu braised oxtails. Don’t leave without a slice of the iconic orange juice cake.

This no-frills KBBQ joint is known for its perfectly marbled meats, featuring some of the finest cuts around. There’s bulgogi, marinated short rib, prime brisket, and the list goes on. The smoky flavors and energetic atmosphere have kept locals and travelers alike coming back for more.

 

What might be Dallas’ most beautiful dining room is also home to some of its most flavorful Mexican food. Specializing in Jalisco-style cuisine, the menu features an array of tacos and seasonal aguachilé, sufficiently spiced and packed with flavor. Grab a salt-rimmed margarita and get to know this exciting venue.

 

This venerated kitchen is practically the authority on indulgent dining. Filet mignon, lobster mac and cheese, and a world-class collection of bourbons have made Yardbird a favorite spot for brunch, lunch and dinner. Everything on the glamorous menu is rich and savory, but the chicken and waffles are truly in a league of their own, and should always be invited to your table.

 

For hot food, cold beer, and consistent excellence: the kitchen staff at Goodfriend are not messing around. The juicy double patty smash burger and addictive frito pie are reliably delicious, and even better when paired with a beer on tap. The outdoor patio is the perfect place to sip and savor, and is even dog-friendly.

 

This stylish Dallas restaurant is the hot new spot for drinks and dinner in style. It’ll be hard to resist ordering every appetizer, like the crispy octopus, duck flautas and iconic pork belly steam buns, but you’ll need to save room for perfectly prepared scallops or a black angus filet. Make sure to round out your meal with the Chocolate Exhibit, a picture perfect box of truffles for you and your party to delight in.

 

The croque madame and French omelet with Boursin have cemented Knox Bistro as the best place to brunch in Dallas. Sweets will be a recurring theme, with a whole host of delicious brunch cocktails and fresh pastries to punctuate your meal. They’re all phenomenal, but it’s hard to top the house-made maple pecan sticky bun.