Dallas
Lynn Wyatt by a swimming pool, 1991. Slim Aarons/Getty Images
Dallas, a modern metropolis in north Texas, is a commercial and cultural hub of the region. Downtown’s Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza commemorates the site of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination in 1963. In the Arts District, the Dallas Museum of Art and the Crow Collection of Asian Art cover thousands of years of art. The sleek Nasher Sculpture Center showcases contemporary sculpture. Here is our guide to Dallas, Texas.
STAY
ROSEWOOD MANSION ON TURTLE CREEK Originally the private residence of oil tycoon Sheppard King, the Mansion was purchased and renovated into a hotel and restaurant in the 1980s. Since then, it’s been a Dallas institution known for understated, perfectly executed luxury. Beyond the pressed linens, each room—beautiful, large, stately—has its own wide balcony. The restaurant feels like a 1920s formal dining room, and the menu has tortilla soup and beef tenderloin. Weekends at the Mansion Bar are a fun, well-kept secret—the Sinatra-esque Hunter Sullivan keeps the crowd dancing until the bar closes. 2821 Turtle Creek Blvd., Uptown; rosewoodhotels.com/en/mansion-on-turtle-creek-dallas
HOTEL ZAZA To some, the décor may seem a little wild; to others, Zaza’s flamboyance is a welcome relief from the neutrals that characterize most hotels. The bones are Mediterranean—tile floors and soaring ceilings—but the guest rooms are a thematic riot, ranging from Moroccan-inspired to Moulin Rouge. The beds are roomy and comfortable, dressed in Italian linens, and the spa has an excellent facial program including impressive peel- and laser-based treatments. While the pool isn’t huge, its location—in a very Zen-ish garden with just a few lounge chairs—feels intimate. It’s the kind of place you want to relax with a book for a few hours before getting ready for a night out. The house bar is good times guaranteed, especially on weekends, thanks to the skilled mixologists, but the nearby Arts District means there are plenty of walkable options for dining, drinking, and wherever the evening may take you. 2332 Leonard St., Uptown; hotelzaza.com/dallas
THE JOULE
Housed in a 1920s Neo-Gothic landmark building, the Joule reopened in 2014, spearheading the revival of downtown Dallas. Located directly across the street from Forty Five Ten, this 160-room hotel has a bustling lobby culture, delectable cocktails, art installations, and on-site shopping, all intended to encourage crossover between locals and visitors. While in the hood, be sure to ogle the mosaic of handcrafted tiles covering a six-story corner building, with new gourmet market Commissary on the ground floor. 1530 Main Street; thejouledallas.com
THE ADOLPHUS HOTEL
Another landmark hotel downtown, the Adolphus originally opened in 1912 as the first luxury hotel in the heart of Dallas. Modeled after a Beaux Arts German castle, the property was recently renovated, but its iconic history still shows through. 1321 Commerce Street; adolphus.com
RITZ-CARLTON DALLAS You pretty much know what to expect from a Ritz hotel and you also know what to expect from Dallas, which is a kind of over-the-top fanciness and an appreciation for the finer things gone a little larger than life. The Ritz Dallas is a perfect conflation of the two. Granted, the rooms are a little traditional, as is the restaurant, and lobby décor, but what else would you expect? It’s the impeccable service, the kids' activities on offer, the days spent lounging by the pool, the Bentleys on call to take you around the city, and the sprawling spa complex that make the stay. 2121 McKinney Ave.,Uptown; ritzcarlton.com
DRINK
MIDNIGHT RAMBLER The Joule’s subterranean mixology bar is somewhere between hipster and Texas classic, serving up some serious old-school cocktails with a twist. Green marble cocktail tables, brass bar stools and accessories, and a walnut ceiling are elegant enough for the Texas environs, while the cocktails—with names like Sister Cel-Ray and Savory Hunter—have a bit more bite. 1530 Main St., Downtown; midnightramblerbar.com
DEEP ELLUM BREWING CO We’ve developed a soft spot for Deep Ellum’s local, craft-brewed beers that you’ll find in a lot of the hipper eateries across Dallas. If anything, it’s fun to see a couple of twenty- and thirtysomethings make a successful business out of a passion project. If you’re in town with a beer connoisseur, the weekly brewery tours and open house are absolutely worthwhile. 2823 St. Louis St., Deep Ellum; deepellumbrewing.com
THE GALLERY ROOFTOP LOUNGE This rooftop bar at the Canvas Hotel—the latest in a crop of younger, hipper hotels—offers spectacular views of the city’s South Side. Come for sunset drinks by the pool or at the bar, take in the Dallas skyline, and make a meal of it, too, thanks to a menu of substantial snacks—hot dogs, tacos, salads, and the like. 1325 S. Lamar St., Downtown; canvashoteldallas.com
LAS ALMAS ROTAS Drinking Mexican beer or mezcal in the back bar here is a singular experience: A statue of St. Jude, the patron saint of desperation, watches over the room. The entire bar (the name means “the broken souls” in Spanish) is a shrine to Mexican culture. And the food—homemade tacos and salsas—and drinks are absolutely authentic. Get the El Topo, a combination of the mineral water Topo Chico, lime juice, and tequila. 3615 Parry Ave., South Dallas; lasalmasrotas.com
DOUBLE WIDE Inside this double-wide trailer you’ll find one of the strongest cocktails in the city. The deceptive vanilla-vodka-and-coffee-liqueur-spiked Yoohoo Yeehaw comes straight out of an old Slurpee machine, is topped with a Maraschino cherry, and tastes like a Tootsie Roll. Drink it on the patio, which is decorated with toilets that artfully overflow with plants, or on one of the couches inside. There’s also a small stage where DJs play vinyl and there’s fantastic live music. 3510 Commerce St., Deep Ellum; doublewidedallas.com
ROUND-UP SALOON A gay country-dance club where everyone is welcome, this is one of the best places to dance in Dallas, whether you’re in work clothes or drag. Early in the evening, there are very serious two-steppers on the floor, but the moment it’s 10:30 p.m., contemporary music comes on and the dance floor is flooded. 3912 Cedar Springs Rd., Oak Lawn; roundupsaloon.com
HIGH & TIGHT BARBERSHOP Behind this Deep Ellum three-chair barbershop there is a speakeasy. During the day, cuts and shaves come with a free beer. At night, down a winding hall, a large, dimly lit back-room bar offers Prohibition-era-inspired cocktails and a stage where local musicians play everything from country rock to rap. The off-menu special—a vaporized shot of vodka—is potent. 2701 Main St., Deep Ellum
LEE HARVEY’S Exactly what you want in a dive bar: nice bartenders mixing strong drinks, a jukebox, and a huge dog-friendly yard. There’s live music in the vein of Mumford and Sons on the weekends. And sitting by the fire pit in the fall is absolute heaven. 1807 Gould St., Cedars; leeharveys.com
MUTT’S CANINE CANTINA The city’s first dog-park/restaurant mashup is absolutely packed on beautiful days—dogs can run off-leash in the one-acre park while owners hang out in the outdoor beer garden. The laid-back restaurant is popular in its own right: The menu focuses on burgers and hotdogs, and adorably, there are options for the canines, too. 2889 CityPlace W. Blvd., Uptown; muttscantina.com
THE GRAPEVINE BAR There are many reasons to visit the Grapevine: potent Tangaritas (frozen margaritas mixed with Tang), pickup games on the basketball half court, and the rooftop with amazing views of the downtown skyline. The laid-back dive bar straddles a few neighborhoods, so it’s almost always busy with an interesting crowd—perfect for people watching. 3902 Maple Ave., Oak Lawn; grapevinebar.com
THE WILD DETECTIVES This independent bilingual bookstore is an amazing spot, day or night. In the morning, stop by for Oak Cliff Coffee Roasters and breakfast tacos; in the evenings, the place transforms into a full-service bar with tapas and a lively backyard. Their events, like Shakespeare in the Bar and poetry and book readings, are absolutely fantastic. 314 W. 8th St., Bishop Arts District; thewilddetectives.com
OPENING BELL COFFEE Every town needs an arty coffee shop with open mic night and free Wi-Fi—with eclectic décor, oversize couches, and great coffee, Opening Bell is straight out of central casting. While the extremely full entertainment calendar makes this more of a daytime study location, there are plenty of tables, so you can find a seat even late in the afternoon. You'll also find all the requisite snacks and drinks, including a long tea menu, doughnuts, and a weirdly good breakfast taco. 1409 S. Lamar St., South Dallas; openingbellcoffee.com
WHITE ROCK COFFEE Run by Nancy and Bob Baker, White Rock Coffee is literally a mom-and-pop operation—there's nothing glamorous about this local spot, but the excellent coffee (roasted by Nancy and Bob themselves) and laid-back vibe make it a mainstay. While there's always a steady stream of customers, it never feels crowded, so it's a good place to get stuff done. The original Highlands Lake location has a spacious lofted space (that's where most of the outlets are), while the new express location has a drive-through if you don't have time to park. 10105 E. Northwest Hwy., Lake Highlands; wrcoffee.com
MURRAY STREET The décor choices here—an Oriental rug, couch/chair/coffee table seating vignettes, big wide garage-style windows—feel residential, which makes it a comfortable place for work. The coffee is pretty Goldilocks perfect (strong, but not too strong), though the real draw here are the sandwiches, served on olive-oil-toasted ciabatta. 103 Murray St., Deep Ellum; murraystreetcoffee.com
DRIP COFFEE The interior of Drip Coffee is really well laid out for work, with a slew of compact tables set up in rows just begging for a laptop or stack of books. The owner is a coffee-industry veteran who roasts the beans himself in small batches; devotees buy the beans in big batches. 4343 Lovers Ln., University Park; dripcoffeeco.com
CULTIVAR COFFEE ROASTERS This coffee bar shares a space with the taco joint Good 2 Go Taco, which means they have unusually good food options for a working coffee spot. Both the tacos and the espressos are neighborhood favorites, so you’ll want to arrive early to snag seating. 1155 Peavy Rd., Reinhardt; cultivarcoffee.com
WEEKEND COFFEE Weekend Coffee is located in the Joule Hotel, and it serves some of the best iced coffee in the city. 1511 Commerce St., Downtown; thejouledallas.com/weekend-coffee
UNION COFFEE Union is a major gathering place for the community in Dallas—it hosts performances, volunteer events, and more. What's really cool for nomadic workers is that no matter what is going on in the space, there is always a conference room or other area reserved for work and study: a lifesaver when you need a place that's reliably quiet. But regulars will remind you that this place is so much more than a coffee shop—it donates 10 percent of its proceeds to a rotating group of community causes and rallies its customers as volunteers and donors to multiply the effect. 3707 Cedar Springs Rd., Oak Lawn; uniondallas.org
RUTHIE’S ROLLING CAFE A food truck with a famous grilled cheese heart attack (aptly called The Boss), which comes complete with slices of BBQ brisket tucked inside. Try this or the mac ’n’ cheese with their soup shooters on a day when you’re feeling particularly indulgent—it’s worth it. ruthiesforgood.com
DINE
SHINSEI
More than 10 years ago, friends Lynae Fearing and Tracy Rathbun mused about opening a “little taco stand” together. From that seed sprouted Shinsei, one of the most popular Asian restaurants in Dallas to date. This inviting spot on Lovers Lane serves traditional Japanese dishes such as miso cod and sushi, as well as fusion offerings like chili and herb tempura fish with rice noodles, Thai brussels sprouts salad with yuzu vinaigrette and grilled oysters with Korean chili butter. The gorgeous interiors—mid-century Swedish gone to Japan—are a plus. 7713 Inwood Road; shinseirestaurant.com
TOWN HEARTH
Town Hearth, the latest venture by local restaurateur Nick Badovinus (see Neighborhood Services, below), is spread out over 6,000 square feet and is nevertheless one of the hardest reservations in town to come by. As the name suggests, it has become the de facto gathering place for multigenerational greater Dallas, a spot for parading, people-watching, and living (eating and drinking) large. In true Badovinus style, the aesthetic is carefully curated and, in this case, decidedly OTT, with 64 chandeliers, sports paraphernalia, a fish tank, and a vintage Ducati. With all that pomp and circumstance, it comes as a pleasant surprise that the amped-up comfort food—steaks, a raw bar, whole grilled fish, gourmet tater tots, mac and cheese—are top notch . . . albeit top dollar as well. Can’t get a table or not ready for the full dinner investment? Snag a perch at the bar. 1617 Market Center Boulevard; townhearth.com
NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES
Also on Lovers Lane, visit the original outpost of chef Nick Badovinus’s Neighborhood Services, a purveyor of the town’s New American cuisine. Highlights include raw plates like ceviche and crudo or oysters on the half shell, fried asparagus with a lemon dill Pecorino, West Coast fish-and-chips with a malt vinegar slaw, and the London broil with “voodoo” sauce. 5027 W Lovers Lane; nhstheoriginal.com
LUCIA DALLAS
Located in an attractive historic building in the Bishop Arts District, this independently owned gem serves creative and artisanal Italian fare, including house-made pasta and seasonal specials. Plan ahead if you think you’ll want to snag one (or two) of the thirty-six seats. Foodies flock to Lucia to get a bite of his house-cured salumi, creamy risottos, and Texas Wagyu short ribs. Discuss the deliciousness over milk chocolate and buttermilk panna cotta. 287 North Bishop Avenue; luciadallas.com
MAPLE & MOTOR For anyone who thought that fried baloney sandwiches were pure fiction, this roadside pit stop—where they are served either with mayo, lettuce, and tomato or “cowboy-style” with chili, cheese, and chopped onion—will be a revelation. For everyone else, there are flat-top brisket sandwiches, grilled cheese, BLTs, and quite possibly the best burger in town (but in a town like this, we know these are fighting words). 4810 Maple Ave., Oak Lawn; mapleandmotor.com
TEXAS TRUCK YARD Park it in the yard and snack it up with some of the city’s best food trucks without having to chase them down. Window hop from BBQ and burgers to pad thai and po' boys, order beers while you wait, and then pull up a lawn chair to one of the picnic tables under the breezy trees and let the face stuffing begin. There’s really no better way to spend an afternoon. 5624 Sears St., Knox/Henderson; truckyarddallas.com
TRUE FOOD KITCHEN Dr. Andrew Weil's bastion of healthy, balanced eating is a welcome change to the famously rich local cuisine. Open for brunch, lunch, and dinner, the restaurant serves vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free food with a focus on ingredients that are sustainable and organic. Carnivores will love the grass-fed bison burger, followed by a Double Brown Stout from Dallas brewery Deep Ellum. 1700 Post Oak Blvd., Uptown; truefoodkitchen.com
BUBBA’S COOKS COUNTRY This is just like Grandma used to make—if your grandmother was from West Texas and happened to be famous for her fried chicken. Still in the same converted Texaco Station where it opened in 1981, Bubba’s (the big daddy of the Babe’s Chicken boutique chain) has a retro diner vibe that sets the perfect stage for a Southern comfort food feast with all the trimmings: green beans, mashed potatoes, and black-eyed peas. There's also a drive-through. 6617 Hillcrest Ave., Highland Park; bubbascookscountry.com
GEMMA Owners Allison Yoder and Stephen Rogers brought their passion for friendly fine food and wine with them when they left their posts running Press—one of Napa Valley’s must-go dining destinations—to return to Rogers’s hometown. They poured it all into Gemma and opened the restaurant earlier this year. Always expertly executed but never too fussy, the menu covers a lot of ground, from crudos to duck confit with fried rice, so come late when reservations loosen up and the $2 oysters make an appearance. 2323 N. Henderson Ave., Knox/Henderson; gemmadallas.com
LE BILBOQUET This classic French bistro is wonderfully familiar (probably because it’s exactly like the original in New York). You’ll find the same classics, like chicken paillard, steak frites, and saffron-infused mussels—it’s both reassuring and delicious, though the crowd is what makes it fun. 4514 Travis St., Highland Park; lebilboquetdallas.com
TEI-AN This sleek, minimalist destination inside One Arts Plaza is best known for its noodle dishes: hand-cut buckwheat soba served cold with dipping sauces, tonkatsu ramen served in a thick and hearty broth, and bowls of piping-hot udon loaded with Japanese mountain vegetables of the season. Explore the daily specials or leave the meal in the hands of chef Teiichi Sakurai, who will take you on an all-out trip through the best seasonal flavors Japanese cuisine has to offer from the land and the sea. In short, the omakase is worth the splurge. 1722 Routh St., Arts District; tei-an.com
DIVE COASTAL CUISINE You’ll find clean eats with a sunny disposition here. Chef Franchesca Nor keeps her fresh seafood-and-veggie-forward fare simple but never, ever boring at this bright and cheery lunch and dinner destination in Highland Park. The super casual, mid-century modern space is a great spot to go with friends and share a few salads, ceviches, and tartares. Or dig into a hearty wrap or sandwich all to yourself. Bonuses: It’s very kid-friendly and practically gluten-free. 304 Rankin St., Highland Park; divecoastal.com
AVILA’S We may have found the home of the chimichanga. With a menu that features a mix of old family recipes and local flavors, Avila’s is a must for authentic Tex-Mex. Tacos, tamales, and quesadillas will satisfy any hankerings for Mexican, but if you want to get into the local realness, then go for the chili relleno, chicken mole, and guisado de puerco (pork stewed in a rich pepper sauce) served with rice and beans. Just give in to the queso and order extra chips. This is one hole in the wall you won’t want to miss. 4714 Maple Ave., Oak Lawn; avilasrestaurant.com
LOCKHART SMOKEHOUSE Get in while the getting is good at this Central Texas–style smokehouse: When the day’s brisket, pork chops, chicken, and sausages run out, that’s that. If you’re not sure what to order, don’t be shy—ask for a sample. Meat is sliced to order and handed over wrapped in butcher paper, and the pickles, onions, bread, and crackers flow freely. Round out your Big Tex–worthy meal with blue cheese slaw, baked beans, and extra extra creamy mac ’n’ cheese. 400 W. Davis St., Bishop Arts District; lockhartsmokehouse.com
BOLSA Surrounded by independent stores and galleries, this all-day eatery in the Bishop Arts district is kind of the perfect neighborhood spot. Housed in a restored historic building, it has a slightly industrial, patinaed vibe that runs through both the more casual café and the wine bar. Go in the day for great coffee, a generous Cobb salad, and the best turkey burger in town. At night, it's great for dinner dates at the cozy restaurant/wine bar, which serves up hearty dishes—pork chops, merguez—complemented by a great wine list that delves deep into the Californian wine scene. 614 W. Davis St., Bishop Arts District; bolsadallas.com
RISE NO. 1 There’s something pretty charming about this Francophile restaurant located in Inwood Village. As its name suggests, the specialty here is the soufflé, which they’ve totally mastered in all its forms, both savory and sweet. Each comes prettily plated on traditional French dishware, making it the kind of fanciful place you might take your daughter for a special treat. If you’re just along for the ride and not a huge fan of the dish, there are plenty of healthier, equally French-inflected options to choose from. 5360 W. Lovers Ln., Bluffview; risesouffle.com
GRANGE HALL Grange Hall, with its gothic, cabinet-of-curiosities vibe, is the yin to Dallas’s glitzier yang. There’s a pretty gorgeous range of home goods—Ted Muehling candlesticks, Astier de Villate ceramics, Cire Trudon candles—along with really stunning jewelry. They just opened an on-site café, too, that serves artfully arranged food and an encyclopedia's worth of teas. This is inarguably one of Dallas’s very best stores. 4445 Travis St., Knox/Henderson; ufgrangehall.com
CBD PROVISIONS This gem at the Joule Hotel does far more than serve the hotel's own guests with a tight, well-edited menu of exactly what we all want at every meal: In the morning, it’s the frittata; at lunch, it’s a healthy quinoa bowl; and at dinner, it’s pretty much anything that can be served with a side of their award-winning fries. Beyond feeding the hotel’s guests—and from very early in the morning until very late—it stands as one the best casual dining destinations in Dallas. 1530 Main St., Downtown; thejouledallas.com/cbd-provisions
NONNA Tucked away in a nondescript Highland Park strip mall (which locals will describe as “across from Whole Foods”), the upscale Italian joint is one of the city’s most beloved destinations for salumi, perfectly crisp thin-crust pizzas, and classic bolognese, with a terrific wine list to round out the meal. 4115 Lomo Alto Dr., Oak Lawn; nonna-dallas.com
PECAN LODGE The wait can be a long one, especially because Pecan Lodge sticks to a schedule that’s dictated by meat quantities. In other words, if they run out of meat in their on-site smoke pit that day, you won’t be enjoying Dallas’s best BBQ. We were, however, lucky enough to get our hands on their world-renowned brisket, and it was perfectly smoked, absolutely decadent, huge, and totally delicious. The ribs are equally insane. 2702 Main St., Deep Ellum; pecanlodge.com
SACHET Husband and wife Stephen Rogers and Alison Yoder opened Dallas favorite Gemma more than four years ago, and it’s still hard to get a reservation. Their newest project, Sachet, takes the same fresh approach to Mediterranean food in a much more casual, laid-back setting. The menu's small plates (all on pretty white pottery) are meant to be shared: We love the tabbouleh, roasted eggplant dip, and pickled turnips with Syrian lentil purée. The floor-to-ceiling wine cellar is impressive and filled with little-known varietals, not to mention amazing ouzo. If you’re not able to get a table, the high-top bar is fantastic for people (and plate) watching. 4270 Oak Lawn Ave., Highland Park; sachetdallas.com
MESO MAYA Appropriately set inside a former tortilla factory, this restaurant mixes Oaxacan- and Mayan-style dishes from chef Nico Sanchez. The Budin Azteca, something of a tortilla lasagna, and Cochinita Pibil (braised pork) are delicous, and the serrano-berry margarita is incredible. The lush patio is perfect for an afternoon cocktail, and there’s a cute, casual small taqueria, La Ventana, where you can get street tacos and drinks. 1611 McKinney Ave., Oak Lawn; mesomaya.com
THE FRENCH ROOM When the French Room opened in 1912, it was one of the fanciest restaurants in Dallas. More than a hundred years and a serious restoration later, it still is. The dining room is very Versailles, with pastel glass chandeliers and gilded crown molding. Chef Michael Ehlert’s menus are all prix fixe—three or seven courses. The latter is deliciously experimental, full of surprises and thoughtful wine pairings. 1321 Commerce St., Downtown; adolphus.com/restaurants-bars/the-french-room
THE RUSTIC State pride is strong at this Uptown restaurant and bar—note the life-size metal longhorn outside the front door and the huge Lone Star flag made of Shiner beer cans that hangs over the bar. The pretty outdoor space, named Pat’s Backyard for part-owner and country singer Pat Green, has live music on the weekend, and there’s tons of room for kids and dogs to run around. 3656 Howell St., Uptown; therustic.com
KALACHANDJI’S Plopped down in the middle of a quiet residential neighborhood, Kalachandji's Hare Krishna Temple feels a little random. But the pay-as-you-wish Ayurvedic vegetarian and vegan buffet restaurant alone is worth the trip: Get the cardamom-turmeric rice, vegetable curries, daal, and sweet tamarind tea. It’s easy to spend an entire afternoon here, so go for it. There are also great yoga classes, a calming meditation room, and Tai Chi in the garden. 5430 Gurley Ave., Old East Dallas; kalachandjis.com
CAFE MOMENTUM The entire team at this beautiful New American dinner spot is made up of teenagers released from juvenile delinquent facilities. Their yearlong internships at the Café give them both life and job training. The seasonal, local menu from head chef Chad Houser is fresh and original, and the vibe is in every way uplifting: One wall is devoted to a collaborative art piece titled the “I’m Thankful Plate Project,” where past interns have written about gratitude on plates from the restaurant. 1510 Pacific Ave., Downtown; cafemomentum.org/dallas
FERRIS WHEELERS BACKYARD & BBQ Amazing smoked ribs, jalapeño hot links, queso topped with brisket, tons of local beer on tap, plus the Gentleman’s Handshake (a Lone Star with a shot of whiskey) are absolutely reasons to come here. But the huge backyard is the real draw. Among the picnic tables and twinkling lights, a fifty-foot-tall, fully functioning Ferris wheel runs every evening. It’s the perfect place to go on a warm evening, especially if you have kids. 1950 Market Center Blvd., Design District; wedothisandthat.com/ferriswheelers
ORIGIN KITCHEN & BAR Distilling down to the essence of American cuisine these days is tough, especially with the new crop of chefs redefining it into a type of New American fare. Origin, however goes back to basics, serving the traditional, hearty American food that fueled our childhood dinners. Tender, fall-off-the-bone short ribs on a bed of creamy, goat cheese grits, burgers made with the finest American bison, buttery Brussels sprout salads. Come hungry—and we mean hungry—and start with predinner drinks at the white subway-tiled bar. Appetite whetted, scoot into one of the cozy booths for what can only be described as an all-American feast, accompanied by a robust wine list. 4438 McKinney Ave., Knox/Henderson; originkitchenandbar.com
ZIZIKI’S A seat on the sunny patio at Ziziki's with a tableful of salty, tangy, fresh traditional Greek food is a pretty ideal way to spend a summer afternoon. The spanakopita—flaky filo pastry stuffed with seasoned spinach and feta—is a fail-safe crowd-pleaser. The keftedes (lamb meatballs in a sharp tomato sauce) are ideal to share, as are the souvlaki skewers. No meal here is complete without a bowl of Ziziki's heavenly baklava-flavored ice cream to round it off. All the buttery, sweet, nutty tastes of baklava in creamy, cold form. 4514 Travis St., Knox/Henderson; zizikis.com
ODD FELLOWS Oddfellows is a celebrated brunch institution in Dallas—on Saturdays, the wait for the duck chilaquiles and fried chicken is hours long. But stop by in the morning or afternoon during the week and you'll find a quiet coffeehouse, perfect for nursing a coffee and emptying out a full inbox (the Wi-Fi is just as strong outside on the patio). They're especially proud of their espresso, which is made in a gleaming, luxury La Marzocco machine. 316 W. 7th St., Bishop Arts District; oddfellowsdallas.com
SNAP KITCHEN DALLAS Snap Kitchen has revolved around grab-and-go meals since 2010, making it one of the older companies in the relatively new healthy premade meal space. There are convenient pickup locations in Austin, Houston, Dallas, and Chicago, and while it doesn’t technically do delivery, you could easily arrange one through TaskRabbit. Snap also offers a twenty-one-day "commit" program, which offers healthy takes on hearty meals, like gluten-free beef stroganoff, bison quinoa hash, chicken butternut squash macaroni, and fettuccine and vegetable “alfredo.” The cooking style is relatively free from the niche health foods that turn some people off of clean eating, making it an easy transition for health-food rookies. snapkitchen.com
EMPORIUM PIES This adorable shop specializes in spectacular pies, whether you like them creamy and topped with thick, brûléed meringue or filled with fresh fruit with a crumble on top. Owners Megan Wilkes and Mary Sparks change the menu four times a year to reflect the season, but the super popular Smooth Operator (chocolate cream with a pretzel crust) and Drunken Nut (bourbon and pecan) are available all year long. 314 N. Bishop Ave., Bishop Arts District; emporiumpies.com
ART | CULTURE
DALLAS MUSEUM OF ART The permanent art collection here cannot be dismissed: There are Monets, Manets, and Rauschenbergs, plus one of the largest Impressionist and Post-Impressionist collections in the country. But all that said, the museum’s design and local crafts holdings from around the world are just as impressive, from pre-Columbian artifacts to African masks and ceremonial attire to Eero Saarinen’s Tulip Chair. The DMA’s boxy building was designed by architect Edward Larrabee Barnes, and the stunning NSG was conceived by Renzo Piano. 1717 N. Harwood St., Downtown; dma.org
NASHER SCULPTURE GARDEN Adjacent to the Dallas Museum of Art and open to the public since 2003, this private collection, owned by the Nasher family, is one of the most stunning in the world, including works by everyone from Auguste Rodin and Paul Gauguin to Richard Serra, Ellsworth Kelly, and Tony Smith. The grounds match the work with a sprawling garden by Peter Walker and a glass Renzo Piano pavilion that barely interrupts the landscape. And not to be missed (from May until October): The Nasher hosts the ’til Midnight program, staying open late for film screenings and outdoor concerts. 2001 Flora St., Downtown; nashersculpturecenter.org
RACHOFSKY HOUSE The Rachofsky House by Richard Meier is the private home and contemporary art collection of Cindy and Howard Rachofsky. 8605 Preston Road; rachofskyhouse.org
STATE FAIR OF TEXAS The Texas State Fair is everything you might expect: country-and-western shows, livestock competitions, roller coasters, and food booths that will fry just about anything. Less expected are the tiny homes exposition, where every dwelling is less than 300 square feet, and the vegan-food pavilion. Open for only three weeks a year, the fairgrounds are filled with ornate Art Deco buildings built in the 1930s, and there’s also a lake you can paddle across in a swan boat. 3921 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., South Dallas; bigtex.com
DALLAS CONTEMPORARY This non-collecting museum has been pushing the boundaries of the Dallas art scene for thirty years. Mary Katrantzou and Richard Phillips are just a few of the artists who have shown work here, and entry to the museum is always free. Members get access to the show-opening parties, which are absolutely worth it. 161 Glass St., Design District; dallascontemporary.org
KATY TRAIL Ranging along the tracks of a long-abandoned railroad line, the Katy Trail is a beautifully landscaped three-and-a-half-mile running/walking/biking path that cuts through some of the busiest parts of town. It makes for a great jog, with CrossFit equipment stops scattered along the way. katytraildallas.org
PEROT MUSEUM OF SCIENCE & NATURE Opened in late 2012, the new science museum is a must-see, not only for its stunning permanent exhibits and traveling shows but also for Thom Mayne’s groundbreaking sustainable building, which boasts a glass-enclosed staircase that cuts right through the structure. There is so much to see here that you might want to break it up into a couple of trips, but our favorite by far is the gems and minerals hall, which among other phenomena, includes an amazing five-foot geode. Plus, if you have little ones, the Children’s Museum alone is practically worth the day trip with all its requisite slides, crawl spaces, and sandpits. 2201 N. Field St., Downtown; perotmuseum.org
KLYDE WARREN PARK
This park is located above the Woodall Rodgers Freeway and connects uptown with the Downtown Arts District. The promenade is particularly popular for its bevy of food trucks, jogging trails, dog run, and weekly events like yoga, dance classes, and meditation meet-ups. klydewarrenpark.org
THE LOUNGE HERE
Located in East Dallas, the Lounge Here, aka Here, is a bar and restaurant conceived and created by Julie Doyle and Tony Barsotti, two multihyphenate creatives whose intention is to “whisk guests away into another place and time.” Locals love this unique, thoughtful destination, with decor inspired by 1970s airplane lounges; a snacks and small plates menu featuring renditions of Southern specialties; and a carefully curated cocktail, spirits, and beer offering. Don’t miss the live music on Songbird Sundays. 9028 Garland Road; theloungehere.com
FORT WORTH RODEO Every January and February, the Rodeo descends on Dallas Fort Worth livestock, horse shows, bull riding and more. fwssr.com
KIMBELL ART MUSEUM Located in Fort Worth, outside of Dallas, the Kimbell Art Museum houses the private collection of Kay and Velma Kimbell in a building designed by Louis I. Kahn. 3333 Camp Bowie Boulevard, Fort Worth; kimbellart.org
SHOP
FORTY FIVE TEN
Forty-Five -en, Dallas’s best-known retail mecca is located in a 40,000-square-foot space on Main Street in historic downtown Dallas. 1615 Main Street; fortyfiveten.com
HIGHLAND PARK VILLAGE
The Dallas version of Rodeo Drive. Céline, Saint Laurent, and Hermès are present, and the Royal Blue Grocery hits the spot for lunch, snacks, or a cold press, while the Highland Park location of the über-popular Mi Cocina chain houses the Monkey Bar on the second floor, a great perch for people-watching over its signature Cadillac margarita. 47 Highland Park Village; hpvillage.com
GRANGE HALL Grange Hall, with its gothic, cabinet-of-curiosities vibe, is the yin to Dallas’s glitzier yang. There’s a pretty gorgeous range of home goods—Ted Muehling candlesticks, Astier de Villate ceramics, Cire Trudon candles—along with really stunning jewelry. They just opened an on-site café, too, that serves artfully arranged food and an encyclopedia's worth of teas. This is inarguably one of Dallas’s very best stores. 4445 Travis St., Knox/Henderson; ufgrangehall.com
V.O.D. Shop owners Jackie Bolin and Liz Thompson were the first to bring a new breed of understated labels to Dallas (and quite possibly to Texas as a whole)—for one, they’re known for their Isabel Marant buy, but they also stock Alexander Wang, Acne, Thierry Lasry, Coqui Coqui candles, and a trove of vintage in collaboration with Archive in Austin. You’ll find Chanel, YSL, Dior, and Hermès. 2418 Victory Park Ln., Downtown; vodboutique.com
STUDIO SEBASTIAN Operating out of the same airy corner space since 2000 (the business dates back to 1997), husband and wife Sebastian and Kobie Ahmadi have been showing prominent international designers from Tom Ford to Matthew Williamson in their beautifully appointed, whitewashed showroom. They are often the first to get new and interesting labels (particularly since Barneys shuttered its doors in Dallas), including Paul Andrews. 6730 Snider Plaza, University Park; studio-sebastian.com
CABANA This store was once literally housed in a cabana on owner Merry Vose's property. However, when her covert, by-appointment operation was shut down by the city, she took her fan base to Lovers Lane. It's equally easy to miss there, which only adds to the allure and sense of discovery upon spotting the unmarked lavender door. The same mix of pretty, affordable labels—MiH, Monrow, Steven Alan, Nili Lotan—abounds. Vose has since opened a bigger sister store, Canary. 4711 W. Lovers Ln., University Park; cabanacanary.com
CANARY Merry Vose’s Cabana is a siren song in Dallas for all the women who love pretty, easily wearable labels, and so in response, she opened up Canary—a bigger, splashier store just down the street. The space is equally homey and filled with a mix of lesser-known finds like Christian Wijnants, SEA New York, and Each x Other. 4609 W. Lovers Ln., University Park; cabanacanary.com
YLANG 23 Ylang 23 offers an encyclopedia’s worth of jewelry designers (its website is one of the better sources online). Whether it’s tiny stack rings from Jennifer Meyer or opal-bedecked earrings from Nak Armstrong, there is something for every price point. 8300 Preston Rd., University Park; ylang23.com
NEIMAN MARCUS Neiman’s was born in Dallas, and no trip to Texas is complete without a visit to the mother ship (there’s the original downtown one and a bigger outpost in Northpark). Here, you’ll experience the sort of service that Stanley Marcus described in his epic book, Minding the Store, which is a must-read for anyone who loves retail. But we digress: The shoe department here is particularly epic, and dressed models still roam the floors, making it a wonderfully old-world experience. 400 Northpark Center, University Park; neimanmarcus.com/stores/dallas
FORESTWOOD ANTIQUE MALL In a state known for its antique fairs, you’re bound to stumble across great vintage troves, this one being one of the very best. As its name suggests, it’s an antique mall, not a shop, and you should expect to spend some time. You’ll find everything from Murano glass chandeliers to Art Deco dining tables to Chinese lacquered everything. Bonus: They ship everywhere. 5333 Forest Ln., North Dallas; forestwoodmercantile.com
MADISON Run by interior designer sisters Kirsten Fitzgibbons and Kelli Ford, this shop is one of the city's best resources for great gifts. They carry Baccarat crystal, Mottahedeh ceramics, and an array of kids' books and coffee table books, but what sets them apart is their personalization service—they’ll monogram, emboss, or engrave pretty much anything. (In fact, they’re doing the monogramming for everything at the goop pop in every conceivable color, including neons.) 45 Highland Park Village, Highland Park; hpvillage.com
MIRON CROSBY This is where to get cowboy boots. Handmade in a factory that’s been making custom boots for more than 150 years, these are the best. Full stop. The classic silhouette comes in three heights, and you can find classic stitching, metallic chili-pepper appliqués, cactus embroidery, an especially chic rock-and-roll constellation inspired by the West Texas sky—you name it. 25 Highland Park Village, Suite 201, Highland Park; mironcrosby.com
DOLLY PYTHON The selection of vintage clothes, arranged by decade, is fantastic. On the weekends, Nancy Lloyd gives disturbingly accurate tarot readings. 1916 N. Haskell Ave., Old East Dallas; dollypythonvintage.com
SET & CO Husband and wife Jennifer and Adam Littke’s incredibly charming home and kitchen store is one of the best places in Dallas to find handmade ceramics, textiles, cookbooks, and more. The clean, modern pieces have a laid-back California vibe, and they make gorgeous gift boxes—you can choose a premade one or create your own—always tied beautifully with herbs. 841 W. Davis St., Oak Cliff; setandco.com
THE TASCHEN LIBRARY Locaated inside the art-filled lobby of the Joule hotel, this small library is lined wall-to-wall with gorgeous books from the German publisher. On the weekends, they host a delightfully unfussy afternoon tea (with champagne). While the books themselves are remarkable, the ceilings—tiled with mid-century mosaics by Millard Sheets that were salvaged from the wrecking ball in 2006—are spectacular, too. 1530 Main St., Downtown; 1530main.com
DALLAS FARMER’S MARKET FOOD HALL In 2016, the Dallas Farmers Market underwent a major renovation, and one of the unused buildings was transformed into the Shed—an amazing indoor local food hall. We love nourishing bone broth from Stocks and Bondy, Mexican furniture at the Dallas Antique Company, truffle-infused cheese from Scardello, and, of course, the fresh local produce. 920 S. Harwood St., Downtown; dallasfarmersmarket.org/the-market
CREDO DALLAS This beauty store stocks a huge assortment of skin care and makeup from some of our favorite brands (de Mamiel, Ilia, Kypris, and RMS Beauty to name a few) along with our own goop by Juice Beauty. Bring in your makeup bag, and the Credo team will help you find clean, cruelty-free replacements for everything. There’s also a Tata Harper spa that offers facials, waxing, makeup lessons, and more. 7700 Windrose Ave., Plano; credobeauty.com
SPA
THE SPA AT THE JOULE The sleek subterranean spa beneath the Joule hotel offers both traditional and experimental spa treatments in a relaxing environment. Many of the facials use Tata Harper products; body treatments include Swedish massage, cupping therapy, and Thai table massage; and there are brow treatments from threading to microblading by local brow expert Rula Sharkawi. There’s a steam room with a giant amethyst shining in the corner (thought to encourage tranquility), a sauna, showers, and the Vitality Pool, a body-temperature pool with jets that gently massage the skin. Book a 50-minute or longer service and get a free spin, kickboxing, or yoga class at the neighboring Vital Fitness Studio. 1530 Main St., Downtown; thejouledallas.com/wellness/the-spa
HOTEL CRESCENT COURT SPA This sprawling spa complex operates out of the Hotel Crescent Court, so a full day is well spent here: They offer private yoga and Pilates classes, a health-centric café, and treatments that range from the basic (manis and pedis) to the intense (hardcore lymphatic-draining treatments). We love that the spa is open to kids, too, with a full menu of kid-friendly treatments (and snacks in the café). 400 Crescent Ct., Uptown; crescentcourt.com/wellness/spa/
JOANNA CZECH Dallas friends swear they’ve experienced the best facials of their lives at the hands of Joanna Czech, who incorporates LED therapy into her treatments. After studying biology in Poland, she made a name for herself in NYC before adding her studio here in Dallas in 2012. Instead of selecting a treatment from a menu, your aesthetician analyzes your skin, discusses goals with you (which could be anything from treating sun damage to glowier skin for an event that evening), and then gets to work. Every facial focuses on treating and supporting the lipid (top) layer of skin, and you can add on microcurrent, hyaluronic acid patches, oxygen infusion, microneedling, and more as you need. Czech’s eponymous skin care line is clean and absolutely fantastic. There is a second location in New York City. 2410 Victory Park Ln., Design District; joannaczech.com/pages/dallas
HOUSE OF DEAR HAIR STUDIO Holly Dear’s Uptown hair studio is always packed. Whether you book an appointment with one of the founders (you might have to wait) or one of the other super talented stylists, this is place to go for edgy-but-lived-in cuts and colors. It’s known for natural-looking balayage, but you can also get braids and blowouts at the bar in the back. 3317 McKinney Ave., Suite 101, Uptown; houseofdearhairsalon.com
THE PILATESBARRE Drawing from a combination of techniques from Pilates, strength training, cardio, and ballet, Meghann O’Leary, the founder of The PilatesBarre, has put together a roster of classes diverse enough to avoid repetition fatigue. Using a revamped Pilates machine known as the BarreFormer, the fifty-minute sessions target both big and small muscle groups. Classes are small, and the instructors are very hands-on and ready to get in there and make adjustments. 6815 Hillcrest Ave., Park Cities; thepilatesbarre.com
BLUSHINGTON DALLAS A cheery space that resembles a blowout bar (champagne pours are always on offer), this is the place you come to get ready for drinks, dinner, a wedding, you name it. On the menu: a full makeup application, brow touch-ups, fake-lash application, a twenty-minute Tata Harper facial. It's great for groups if you're traveling with a pack. They make house calls, too. 4218 Oak Lawn Ave., Highland Park; blushington.com
ROSSI + KING Come to this relaxed, cozy salon founded by Joshua Rossignol and Sarah King Lynch for a transformative haircut, color, or extensions. Rossignol’s textured cuts give hair a natural lift; Lynch was a student of LA colorist Tracey Cunningham and is especially brilliant at creating perfectly sun-kissed blonde. And the rest of the small team is talented and skilled, too, so book freely. At the back of the salon there’s a fully equipped photography studio for rent, should you need head shots, glamour shots, etc. 136 Glass St., Design District; rossipark.com
PINK PEDI SALON This airy, brick-walled nail salon was one of the first in Dallas to go clean, nontoxic, and sustainable. Local fashion designer and nail artist Lucy Dang is dedicated to making every treatment a safer, more luxurious experience for both customer and technician. All the products used—there are effervescent bath bombs, custom-blended aromatherapy oils, and rich shea butters—are made in-house. Get the VIP, which combines a shoulder massage, collagen-boosting treatment, multiple scrubs, and a mud mask, all made specifically for feet: It’s beyond relaxing. 1888 Sylvan Ave., Trinity Groves; pinkpedi.com/
BODYBAR FITNESS This super challenging Pilates studio offers cutting-edge classes to tone strong, lean muscles. The fifty-minute classes incorporate reformer work, the chair, and a restorative stretch-and-release class that’s designed to work on tight fascia and increase flexibility and mobility. 4514 Travis St., Highland Park; bodybarpilates.com/dallas