Dallas is home to some of the country’s best restaurants, many of which are a major splurge. Three cheers for the workaround: dining in during happy hour.
While the years after the pandemic saw a slump in the popularity of happy hour, with restaurants no longer able to count on the 5 p.m. office exodus, they started upping the ante to entice the work-from-home crowd. Today, the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is teeming with exciting happy hour destinations to consider.
High-end restaurants, known for hosting marriage proposals and special occasion dining, are far more accessible during non-peak hours on weekdays, and they give diners plenty of tasty reasons to venture in. Steakhouses sling premium meat sliders, while sushi joints slash their prices in half. Consider this guide of some of the most pleasantly happy hours in the Metroplex to get the most bang for your buck.
Monarch
In Dallas, everyone wants to go to this fine-dining Italian restaurant because everyone has heard about the view. Perched on the 49th floor of the National building, the dining room is half-ringed by wraparound windows, with no other restaurant in the city affording a more dramatic picture of Downtown. While dinner at Monarch can be an investment, happy hour, appropriately coined “Golden Hour”, renders a nice taste. Offered in the bar and lounge from 5 to 6:30 p.m., Sunday through Friday, the menu includes a raw-bar seafood tower for $35 or a salumi board for $20. Even if you opt for nothing more than $12 arancini and a glass of wine, you’ll be able to bask in the glory of the restaurant’s million dollar views. 1401 Elm St., 49th Floor, Dallas, monarchrestaurants.com
Uchiko Plano
Uchiko is part of Hai Hospitality’s collection of Japanese restaurants that are helmed by James Beard Award-winning chef Tyson Cole. Uchiko offers all of the great sushi that its wildly popular sister concept, Uchi, is known for, plus dishes from the wood-fired hearth. The happy hour menu, offered from 4 to 6 p.m. daily, is extensive, but the crown jewel is the omakase. Depending on the number of courses, cuts, and pairings, the “market price” for omakase during dinner service can lead to a bill that is neck-deep in the hundreds. The happy hour version, which showcases six courses including dessert, costs $120 for two. At $60 a person, this is a fantastic way to experience one of the top sushi restaurants in the Metroplex without breaking the bank. 7801 Windrose Ave. Ste. H 150, Plano, uchiko.uchirestaurants.com
Café Madrid
At this Spanish tapas bar that’s been a Dallas staple for decades, choose among nine “tapitas” (little tapas) during happy hour, offered from 5 to 6 p.m, Monday through Thursday. Each is marked at half price, so ordering all nine will set you back just $46. The menu includes the most popular tapas, like marinated mixed olives; Spanish omelet; and gambas al ajillo, or garlic shrimp. Order a pitcher of sangria, kick back, and be swiftly transported to the bustling cafes of Spain. 4501 Travis St., Dallas, cafemadrid-dallas.com
Gemma
This Dallas stalwart flew under the radar for years until it underwent an all-out remodel in late 2023, reemerging with a fresh look and revamped menu. The restaurant was always good, but it got much better. Everyone took notice, including the Michelin Guide, which awarded it a Bib Gourmand in 2024. The American bistro showcases elegant plates like spicy salmon tartare ($18), leek tarts ($16), skirt steak ($34), and Dutch chocolate cake ($16). Those who want to check out the restaurant without a full commitment, can visit during happy hour from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, during which oysters are half off at the bar. 2323 North Henderson Ave., #109, Dallas, gemmadallas.com
Loro Asian Smokehouse and Bar
This Asian smokehouse offers a full menu of small plates that, while not exorbitant, can add up. By contrast, the weekday happy hour menu, offered from 2 to 6 p.m., features many of the same dishes at a discount. Grab some friends and share plates like the smoked shishito queso ($7), pulled pork tostadas ($8), and smoked wings with miso blue cheese ($9). As a bonus, Loro’s well-curated craft beer list and boozy slushies are marked down to just $5 at happy hour. Multiple locations, loroeats.com
