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The Best Dallas Restaurants with Live Music

Eat, drink, and jam out at these spots with live entertainment
Written By: author avatar Diana Spechler
author avatar Diana Spechler
Diana Spechler is novelist and essayist whose work appears in the New York Times, the Guardian, Washington Post, Saveur, Bon Appetit, Harper's, and many other publications. On her Substack newsletter, Dispatches From the Road, she writes essays about travel.
Mariachis performing tableside at Mexican Bar Company. | Photo by Mexican Bar Company
Mariachis performing tableside at Mexican Bar Company. | Photo by Mexican Bar Company

Contrary to what some may think, the Dallas dining scene offers so much more than barbecue joints, Tex-Mex haunts, and steakhouses. The Metroplex has a plethora of restaurants that double as live music venues, showcasing a variety of genres in a lively setting with fantastic food and drinks. The city is brimming with musical talent, with singers and musicians taking to the stage and giving Dallasites a place to enjoy dinner and a show under one roof.

Whether you’re looking to spend a quiet evening enjoying the moody beats of a jazz trio, or you’d rather don your dancing shoes on to party the night away with an ‘80s cover band, Dallas has a place to fit the mood. Consider this guide of live music destinations where you can eat, drink, and rock out.

Sundown at Granada

The Granada Theater on Lower Greenville has a culinary counterpart called Sundown at Granada, which hosts musicians of all types, including rock bands, folk artists, cover bands, and more. The menu is thoughtful, and the ingredients are fresh and seasonally-inspired. There are burgers and tacos, but also plenty of options that cater to gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan diets. Nosh on comfort eats like truffle mac ‘n’ cheese ($9), beer battered fish and chips ($18), or smoked brisket tacos ($14), and pair your dinner with one of the dozens of craft beers on offer. 3520 Greenville Ave., Dallas, sundownatgranada.com

A bande performing at Kitchen Cafe. | Photo by Lisa Reichenbach
A band performing at Kitchen Cafe | Photo by Lisa Reichenbach

The Kitchen Café

From Wednesday through Saturday, live jazz performances make this cozy restaurant feel even cozier. The menu is simple, with a soup, salad, and dessert of the day, and only four entrees on offer. The real draw of the Kitchen Café is the atmosphere, with the stage being its main attraction. Sip a Manhattan, nosh on the raspberry chipotle pork tenderloin with garlic mashed potatoes ($32), and bask in the vibes. 17370 Preston Rd. Ste. 415, Dallas, kitchencafedallas.com 

TABLE 13

Table 13 in Addison hosts local jazz musicians nightly. With dim lamp lighting, exposed brick walls, and white tablecloths, the space has a vintage vibe and is the perfect setting for some sultry crooning. Order a bottle of wine alongside classic plates like wedge salad ($14), pasta primavera ($29), and beef Wellington ($59) prepared with made-from-scratch puff pastry and tender filet mignon. 4812 Belt Line Rd., Dallas, table13addison.com

Smoky Rose

Known for its soul-warming Texas barbecue, this East Dallas institution is a great place to hang while indulging in a cold beer and something tasty from the wood-burning smoker. The sprawling space outside features a lawn dotted with fire pits and patio furniture. The vibe feels reminiscent of hanging out at a friend’s backyard party, and even more so when a singer whips out their guitar, and starts singing folk or country. 8602 Garland Rd., Dallas, smokyrose.com 

Street tacos at Mexican Bar Company. | Photo by Mexican Bar Company
Street tacos at Mexican Bar Company | Photo by Mexican Bar Company

Mexican Bar Company

Mondays are for mariachi at this Mexican restaurant in Plano, where award-winning band Mariachi Quetzal travels from table to table taking requests and serenading diners. Munch on street tacos and sip margaritas as the music transports you to the plazas of Mexico. The open-air space is colorful and festive with wall-to-wall murals and papel picado spanning the ceiling. 6121 West Park Blvd. Ste. RS-10, Plano, mexbars.com

Lava Cantina

In 2016, a father-son duo from Baton Rouge opened this indoor-outdoor concert venue and restaurant in one. The large space features interesting design details, like a drum chandelier suspended from the ceiling and song lyrics scribbled across the restroom walls. Since its inception, Lava Cantina has seen some big names pass through, including the one-and-only Snoop Dogg, and a host of local musicians and tribute bands. The pub grub hits the spot. Think birria tacos, wings, loaded fries, and pizza. 5805 Grandscape Blvd., The Colony, lavacantina.com

author avatar
Diana Spechler
Diana Spechler is novelist and essayist whose work appears in the New York Times, the Guardian, Washington Post, Saveur, Bon Appetit, Harper's, and many other publications. On her Substack newsletter, Dispatches From the Road, she writes essays about travel.

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