The heart of any city lies in its downtown district, and the area’s restaurants provide a tasty way to connect to the soul of a place. Beyond the bounty of hotels that draw in tourists and locals alike, the city blocks are abundant with coffee shops, quick-service cafes, and full-service restaurants. Whether you’re noshing at street level, dining high in the sky in one of Dallas’ towering skyscrapers, or slicing into a juicy steak below the ground, Downtown Dallas has plenty to satisfy your cravings, morning, noon, and night.
Monarch
Grab a glass of bubbles at the ground floor check-in desk, then enjoy the elevator ride up to the 49th floor of the National building, where your table at Monarch awaits. As one of the city’s premiere fine dining destinations, Monarch offers some of the most spectacular views in town, with white table cloth-dressed tables lining its floor-to-ceiling windows. The menu features a combination of steaks and Italian fare, making it possible to indulge in a dry-aged ribeye alongside fire-roasted lasagna, an entrée pairing you never knew you needed. 1401 Elm St., 49th Floor, Dallas, monarchrestaurants.com
Partenope Ristorante
If you’ve got pizza on the brain, make a beeline to this corner eatery across from Main Street Garden Park for some of Dallas’s most delicious pies. Spring for a traditional margherita ($18) to truly appreciate the quality ingredients. Or if you’re feeling adventurous, try the Montanara ($18), which has a flash-fried crust that is baked and loaded with the same toppings as the margherita, offering a completely different taste and texture. 1903 Main St., Dallas, partenopedallas.com
Kessaku
Located on the 50th floor of the National building, one floor up from Monarch, Kessaku offers a refined sushi experience with equally spectacular city views. The menu features fresh seafood plates like tuna tataki ($26) and frosted hamachi crudo ($21) along a variety of sushi rolls. For a real showstopper, try the Kessaku Tower, which is an indulgent showcase of A5 Wagyu, caviar, king crab, sushi rolls, and chilled prawns. Order a nightcap and take it to the skywalk to watch the city sparkle. 1401 Elm St., 50th Floor, Dallas, kessakurestaurants.com
Playwright Irish Pub
If you have tickets to any performance venues in the Dallas Arts District, this hangout is within walking distance and offers its guests a traditional pub experience that won’t break the bank. There is plenty of first-come, first-served seating spread across two patios, making it easy to get in and out before the curtains rise, and the menu of pub-style comfort eats like spicy cheese curds ($12) and shepherd’s pie ($21) more than satisfies. Go for the beer-battered fish and chips ($22) with a cold pint, and you’ll be set for the night. 1722 Routh St., Ste. 102, Dallas, playwrightdallaspub.com
Dakota’s Steakhouse
While many Downtown restaurants bank on killer views to wow diners, this 40-year-old subterranean steakhouse focuses solely on what’s on the plate to win over its guests. Its underground location was an ingenious workaround, as the First Baptist Church of Dallas owned the land above and restricted any businesses operating on the same grounds from serving alcohol. The founders of Dakota’s went beneath the street to get around the rule, and today, the restaurant’s steaks, seafood, and cocktails hold equally legendary status. 600 N. Akard St., Dallas, dakotasrestaurant.com
Overeasy
Located on the ground floor of the Statler Hotel, Overeasy captures the essence of a vintage diner and coffee shop with its comfort offerings. Start with a cappuccino from the coffee counter and then try one of the flaky biscuit or croissant sandwiches, breakfast tacos, or pancake stacks. Once the daily lunch menu kicks in at 11 a.m., sandwiches and salads join the party. 1914 Commerce St., Dallas, overeasydallas.com
Tei-An
Tei-An specializes in freshly made soba noodles that star in numerous dishes. From soups and chilled noodle plates to large hot noodle platters, like the indulgent bolognese ($26) which combines short matcha soba with soy ground washu-beef, shiitake mushrooms, cheese, and truffle oil. Rounding out the menu is a selection of sushi. Give the restaurant three days advance notice, and partake in its elaborate omakase experience ($145). 1722 Routh St., Ste. 110, Dallas, tei-an.com
City Tavern
Many of the residents of Downtown’s high-rise dwellings flock to City Tavern as their go-to watering hole after a long day at work or for a weekend of day drinking. Burgers, tacos, ice-cold beer, and stiff cocktails make this easy-going spot a fantastic choice when you need a food or drink fix and a friendly, unpretentious vibe. 1514 Elm St., Dallas, citytaverndowntown.com
Montage
Located inside the JW Marriott Dallas Arts District, Montage gives guests views of the Downtown skyline and the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge in the distance. As the hotel’s primary restaurant, you can show up for any meal of the day and expect a first-class experience centered around Texas classics. Expect seared crab cakes ($28) with Texas legume salad; honey-glazed quail ($38) with braised collard greens; and espresso and ancho smoked bone-in short rib ($98) large enough for two. The prix fixe performance menu ($75) guarantees you’ll be out by 7:00 p.m. if you’re seated by 5:30, making it a wonderful dining option before the symphony at the Meyerson or the latest Broadway musical at the Winspear Opera House. If you have time to linger, visit Vincent’s Sky Bar, located on the hotel’s 11th floor for a cocktail and epic views of the city. 800 N. Harwood St., Dallas, montagerestaurantdallas.com
Cafe Momentum
Good deeds and great food go hand-in-hand at this non-profit restaurant that spawned a nationwide movement and locations in Atlanta, Denver, and Pittsburgh. The restaurant employs interns aged 15-19 years-old who have come out of the criminal justice system, with the goal of teaching life skills that will break the cycle of crime and income inadequacies. More than 1,200 teens have been part of the paid program, with many embracing bigger roles and serving as mentors themselves. The seasonal farm-to-table food they prepare and serve, with highlights including French onion soup ($12) and smoked fried chicken ($26), will make you feel warm and fuzzy inside, too. 1510 Pacific Ave., Dallas, cafemomentum.org
Scout
This Statler Hotel hangout is a lively place to grab a burger and beer and then partake in activities like bowling, ping pong, billiards, and big-screen sports games. Start with an all-star martini ($12) and then dig into one of the stacked burgers, like the triple-patty Texas ($20) layered with pico de gallo, lettuce, and buttermilk ranch. 1914 Commerce St., Dallas, scoutdallas.com
Little Daisy
Creole and French traditions are the through line for the menu at this restaurant inside the National building (where Kessaku and Monarch also reside). The cheerful 9th-floor space evokes the mood of a Parisian cafe and sets the scene for French comforts with some Cajun flair, like brick chicken with truffle risotto ($38), gumbo ($14), and chocolate chess pie ($11). 1401 Elm St., 9th Floor, Dallas, littledaisydallas.com
Ellie’s
This HALL Arts Hotel restaurant was named in honor of the founder of the property’s mother, Ellie Hall, who loved to bring people together over lavish meals. The menu takes an elegant approach to comfort eats like wagyu beef meatballs ($18), grilled citrus salmon ($45), steak frites ($45), and blueberry cobbler ($15). Grab a seat on the terrace and bask in the buzzy energy from the Arts District below, or settle inside among the spectacular art collection before or after a visit to the Dallas Museum of Art. 1717 Leonard St., Dallas, elliesdallas.com
Wild Salsa
In a city known for its bounty of Tex-Mex fare, the Mexico City-style cuisine at this vibrant restaurant is a welcome change. Fill your bell with chicken tinga taquitos ($12), lamb shank barbacoa ($38), a chipotle shrimp torta ($16), and Sonoran chicken enchiladas ($19). Pair with a spicy wild-rita ($14), made with jalapeño and roasted pineapple-infused tequila or a pitcher of sangria for the table, and you’ve got yourself a fiesta in the making. 1800 Main St., Dallas, wildsalsarestaurant.com
