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
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
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
