All I can say is- It is about time. I have lived here long enough, dined here frequently enough, and explored this city more than most. Many of you ask through instagram and via email about my favorite Dallas spots, so I figured it was time to create a Dallas City Guide. All of my personal favorite spots from hotels to restaurants to workouts to shopping are right here. If you don’t come to Dallas for the pretty homes, there is plenty else to do as you can see from below. Eat, drink, and shop!
Also, I am sure I am leaving categories and places out…forgive me!
P.S. Please send best wishes to our friends in Houston and surrounding areas. The recovery will be long and the rebuild will take years. They need our support!
THE BEST
Hotels
An iconic hotel from the Dallas based Rosewood chain. The charm of the Mansion bar and the beautiful chinoiserie wallpaper will make you feel like you are in an oasis in the heart of Dallas.
A beautiful resort in the heart of uptown Dallas that is consistent in service. Chef Dean Fearing’s namesake restaurant offers an excellent dinner. Be sure to check out the Rattesnake bar for a lively and interesting nighttime scene.
Restaurants
Breakfast
Imagine any and all types of toast, as well as other delicious breakfast items at this Dallas breakfast spot. A great atmosphere and great food!
A casual go-to for classic and fresh breakfast items. They have great gluten free selections too.
Lunch
Elizabeth Chambers Hammers (fun fact: wife of actor Armie Hammer) opened her second Bird Bakery location in the heart of Highland Park Village. It is the perfect lunch spot to grab a sandwich and a sweet treat. I personally love the California Turkey!
Dallas is the home of Neiman Marcus, so it is no wonder that we love their restaurants as well. Neimans at Northpark offers the casual and fast Mermaid Bar (amazing chips and turkey chili). It also houses the NM Cafe on the top floor. Enjoy popovers with Strawberry butter and consume broth. It is a staple to refuel during a day of shopping.
photo via paper city
Forty Five Ten is a downtown Dallas-based department store that is beyond your chicest dream. The top floor restaurant, Mirador, is a fun and light-filled place to grab a bite. I personally love the pasta there.
They have one in Beverly Hills and Montecito, so it is not a surprise that the crowd at the Highland Park Village outpost is just as chic. I adore the fresh greyhound, the burrata on toast, and the ahi tuna salad with fresh avocado.
Dinner
I love pasta and while many new Italian restaurants have opened around town, this is still the best. Don’t be discouraged by the strip mall facade, the food is some of the most delicious in town.
Another NYC transplant that never dissapoints. The atmosphere is beyond chic, the staff is the most professional, and the food is always good. It is known for the cajun chicken, but I adore the steak au poivre (grass fed beef too).
The best seafood in Dallas. A wonderful atmosphere and perfectly cooked fish (and this is coming from a Floridian).
Dallas has so many steakhouses to choose from, but I really think Al’s is my favorite. It has a pulsating energy and a lively crowd. Last time I was there I dined next to a table of cowboys (Dallas Cowboys to be exact).
The best and most creative sushi. I would venture to say one of the best in the country (bold of me, I know).
From the chefs of Mirador, I adore this new Italian restaurant. Amazing pizza and pasta, as well as a great environment in the design district.
This Mexican McKinney Avenue outpost serves some of the best queso and spicy guacamole around. The margaritas do the trick!
I love a good pok bowl, and the hip West Village eatery serves amazingly fresh ahi tuna and salmon. They have a great rose selection, as well as yummy matcha drinks. Perfect after an afternoon SoulCycle session.
A small and intimate sushi restaurant in an uptown strip mall. It is some of the freshest sushi around.
Mia’s for the brisket tacos and Mi Cocina Highland Park Village for sunset enchiladas and a visit to the Monkey Bar upstairs.
Bakery
The White Chocolate Raspberry Cake is the best in town.
They make the most beautiful and creative cakes.
Happy Hour
Some may find this odd under the “Happy Hour” category. If you pick up a bottle of wine from their store, they will serve it to you in their quaint store. They serve an amazing charcuterie board as well. Great to sit outside on a beautiful day.
Coffee
The cutest there is…the lavender latte is a must.
Shopping
The most beautiful dresses created by Mexican seamstresses. Unique to Dallas and incredibly well made.
An icon and trailblazer in the Dallas fashion community. So many top-notch finds.
Almost like a local Barney’s, Stanley Korshak at the Crescent in uptown Dallas has a great selection of the clothes. The Shak and the cosmetics department are some of my favorites.
St. Michael’s Woman’s Exchange
My mom’s favorite store in Dallas
A Dallas original
One of the best gift selections for the home.
Workouts
This upbeat pilates workout will leave your legs shaking and your spirits (and booty) high. It has the best batch of instructors around.
Sometimes you got to put a spin on it.
Walk Around
This trail runs from the heart of Highland Park all the way to downtown Dallas. It has just the right amount of shade and just the right amount of fun bars and restaurants when you need to stop and hydrate.
A short drive to East Dallas and you will feel like you arrived in another city. A beautiful lake trail that looks onto beautiful homes. It is complete with a dog park and close to the neighboring arboretum.
Facial
Go see Alison at Eleven Wellness Spa. She gives the best facials that will leave your skin glowing and gorgeous.
Mani/Pedi
Mini Luxe
Mini Luxe has a plethora of locations around Dallas and they provide a very clean and posh pedicure and manicure.
Spa
The Spa at the Joule has all the fun waterworks you want out of a spa experience. The cave-like grotto is a fun way to start your spa day.
Mall
Northpark Center. The best selection of stores in one spot. Don’t bother going anywhere else.
Being a Tourist:
Go see the grassy knoll and the vantage point from Lee Harvey Oswald in what used to be the Old Dallas School Book Depository. An amazing display of history.
Place to Donate
This school is privately funded and provides a rigorous academic education for those children in one of the most underserved zip codes in Dallas. It truly changes lives.
Other amazing things to know-
Get your bags and shoes fixed at Deno’s
Get pretty modern calligraphy done by Moore Ink
Get something monogrammed at Ellis Hill
Buy a pretty orchid at Tom Thumb (best $25 you will ever spend on a double stem)