Restaurants

Dallas is one of the best food cities in the South — and during the World Cup, you'll need fuel between matches. Here are our picks, from legendary Texas steakhouses to hidden gems your hotel concierge won't know about.

THE COPA LUXE BBQ GUIDE

1. Hurtado Barbecue Arlington (Downtown) · The one closest to the stadium. Tex-Mex meets Central Texas smokehouse — the Big Red barbacoa tostada and Texas Twinkies are a whole vibe. Official BBQ of the Texas Rangers. · $$ · 

2. Lockhart Smokehouse — Texas Live! Arlington (Texas Live! at AT&T Stadium) · Sausage shipped direct from the legendary Kreuz Market in Lockhart Lockhart Smokehouse — butcher paper, no forks, no apologies. Walking distance from the pitch. · $$ · 

3. Smoke 'N Ash BBQ Arlington (South Cooper St.) · Tex-Ethiopian fusion that earned a Michelin Guide nod and a spot on the NYT's 2022 Best Restaurants list MICHELIN Guide. Brisket seared with Ethiopian awaze spice is unlike anything your guests have tried. · $$ ·

4. Pecan Lodge Dallas (Deep Ellum) · The most famous BBQ joint in Dallas Wikipedia, and still earns the hype. Order the Hot Mess (stuffed sweet potato) and the beef rib. Expect a line — it's part of the experience. · $$–$$$ · 

5. Terry Black's Barbecue Dallas (Deep Ellum) · Legendary Central Texas BBQ with locations in Austin, Dallas, Waco, Fort Worth, and Lockhart Terry Black's BBQ. Rooftop beer garden, open pit viewing, private event rooms — the full Texas experience, seven days a week. · $$–$$$ · 

6. Goldee's Barbecue Fort Worth (Far South — Dick Price Rd.) · Ranked #3 in Texas Monthly's 2025 Top 50 CultureMap Fort Worth and holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand. The brisket is perfect. Period. Open Fri/Sat/Sun only, 11am–3pm or until sold out GOLDEE's BBQ — plan accordingly. · $$ ·

7. Cattleack Barbeque Farmers Branch (near The Galleria, North Dallas) · A Texas Monthly Top 50 mainstay CultureMap Fort Worth that's only open Wed–Fri lunch and first Saturdays. Free beer while you wait. The brisket and handmade sausages are worth the pilgrimage. · $$ · 

THE COPA LUXE STEAKHOUSE GUIDE 

1. Al Biernat's Oak Lawn + North Dallas · Ask 10 Dallasites to name their favorite steakhouse and at least nine will say Al Biernat's Fine Dining Lovers. Texas Wagyu, Tomahawk ribeyes, world-class wine list, and the kind of old-world service that makes international guests feel like regulars on visit one. The North Dallas location has the best bar in the city. · $$$$ · 

2. Pappas Bros. Steakhouse Love Field / Restaurant Row · USDA Prime beef butchered and dry-aged in-house, paired with a wine list of over 4,000 selections Pappasbros that's won Wine Spectator's Grand Award consecutively since 2011. This is the steak purist's steakhouse — no gimmicks, just flawless execution. · $$$$ · 

3. Nick & Sam's Uptown (Maple Ave.) · Founded by legendary restaurateur Phil Romano Nick & Sam's Steakhouse, with true Japanese Kobe on the menu, a world-class sushi bar inside a steakhouse, live piano, and 500+ wines. The energy here is electric — this is where Dallas celebrates. · $$$$ · 

4. Town Hearth Design District · 64 chandeliers, two Ducatis, and an actual submarine inside a fish tank Lighthouse. Maximalism at its finest. The 90-day dry-aged Tomahawk "Battle Axe" is carved over an open wood-fire grill. Your guests will photograph everything — and eat even better. · $$$–$$$$ ·

5. Nuri Steakhouse Uptown (Cedar Springs) · A Korean steakhouse with a reported $20 million buildout Dallasites101 — silk wallpaper, plush booths, no detail spared. One of only two Dallas restaurants on the World's Best Steak Restaurants list Dallas Observer. Pair your dry-aged strip with Korean gumbo and kimchi fried rice. · $$$$ · 

6.  Knife Italian Steak  Las Colinas (inside The Ritz-Carlton Dallas) · Michelin-starred Chef John Tesar's latest — dry-aged 44 Farms steaks meet handmade pasta and Bistecca Alla Fiorentina in a space Robb Report called one of the most beautiful restaurants in America. Five private dining rooms, a sommelier-selected wine cellar, and a 400-acre resort property. Open seven days a week. · $$$–$$$$  · 

7.  Dee Lincoln Prime Frisco (The Star) · The "Queen of Steaks" built this 9,700 sq ft steakhouse inside the Cowboys' HQ complex Cigar Aficionado, with a sushi bar, world-class wine cellar, and — the kicker — Havana Dee's, a speakeasy-style cigar lounge with Padrón, Davidoff, and Partagas behind a hidden door Cigar Aficionado. She also runs a wine bar on the silver suite level of AT&T Stadium D CEO Magazine and has a direct relationship with Jerry Jones. · $$$–$$$$ · 

THE COPA LUXE TEX-MEX & MEXICAN GUIDE 

1. Joe T. Garcia's Fort Worth (Northside) · Open since 1935, named one of "America's Classics" by the James Beard Foundation Wikipedia. The massive garden patio is legendary — fountains, string lights, margaritas by the pitcher. The menu is simple (fajitas or enchiladas), the vibe is everything. Cash only. · $ · 

2. Javier's Gourmet Mexicano Oak Lawn / Uptown (Cole Ave.) · Serving Continental Mexico City cuisine since 1977 Facebook. Upscale hacienda-style dining, tenderloin stuffed with Chihuahua cheese, Mayan-style pork — and a cigar bar and lounge Dallasrestaurants in the back. Wildly popular with the Park Cities crowd. Another cigar tie-in for your concierge. · $$$–$$$$ · 

3. Toca Madera (Opening 2026)East Quarter (Downtown) · A modern Mexican steakhouse from Noble 33 spanning 13,221 square feet with two bars, a private members' speakeasy, and nightly live entertainment including DJs and fire performers CultureMap Dallas. A5 Wagyu tacos, a Flaming Tomahawk carved tableside, and Mexico City energy. If timing lines up with the World Cup, this is your Platinum-tier dinner play. · $$$$ · 

4. Mi Cocina Multiple locations (Uptown, Park Cities, Fort Worth + more) · The Mambo Taxi frozen margarita is basically the official drink of Dallas. Upscale Tex-Mex with brisket tacos, sunset fajitas, and reliable quality across every location. Everyone's been here — and they keep going back. · $$–$$$ · 

5. Meso Maya Comida y Copas Multiple locations (McKinney Ave., Preston Forest, Lakewood, Downtown + more) · A culinary adventure into the fresh, bold, and earthy flavors of authentic interior Mexico Mesomaya. Chef Nico Sanchez's Oaxaca- and Puebla-inspired menu goes way beyond Tex-Mex — think mole poblano enchiladas and avocado margaritas. The real deal. · $$–$$$ · 

6. Mia's Tex-Mex Oak Lawn (Lemmon Ave.) · A Dallas legend — deals have been hashed out over plates of brisket tacos here since 1981 Dallas Observer. Photos of Jerry Jones and Jimmy Johnson still hang on the wall. Tom Landry was a regular. They were serving brisket tacos before it was a trend. No frills, all flavor. ·  $ · 

7. El Fenix Downtown Dallas + Arlington + multiple locations · Founded in 1918 — the oldest chain of Mexican restaurants in the U.S. Wikipedia This is where Tex-Mex was born, Dallas-style. Cheese enchilada plates, tamales, and a line out the door at the downtown flagship every Wednesday. The downtown location has a rooftop patio with private event space Elfenix. · $ · 

THE COPA LUXE FINE DINING & INTERNATIONAL GUIDE 

1. Tatsu Dallas ⭐ Michelin One Star Deep Ellum (Continental Gin Building) · Only 10 seats at the counter, two seatings a night, 14–15 pieces of Edomae-style nigiri from a chef whose family has run a sushi restaurant in Japan for nearly 100 years. This is the hardest reservation in Dallas and the ultimate experience for your Japan landing page guests. ~500/couple. · $$$$ · 

2. Mamani ⭐ Michelin One Star Uptown (The Quad) · Earned a Michelin star just 48 days after opening — the fastest ascent in Texas restaurant history OpenTable. Chef De Lellis ran Joël Robuchon's kitchen in Vegas for nine years. Dover sole in brown butter, veal Cordon Bleu, and a Paris-Brest that Michelin called "pitch-perfect." The hottest reservation in Dallas right now. · $$$$ · 

3. Fearing's Michelin Recommended Uptown (inside The Ritz-Carlton) · From chef Dean Fearing, the father of Southwestern Cuisine — this elegant, timeless space is tucked inside the Ritz-Carlton Dallas Observer. The most "luxury hotel dining" experience in Dallas. International guests staying at top-tier hotels will feel right at home here. · $$$–$$$$ · 

4. Monarch Michelin Recommended Downtown (N. Akard St.) · A high-end Italian restaurant by chef Danny Grant with a wood-burning hearth, seafood towers, and from-scratch pasta Dallas Observer. Go big or go home. The downtown location makes it a natural pre- or post-event dinner for guests staying near the action. · $$$–$$$$ · 

5. Tei-An Michelin Recommended Arts District (One Arts Plaza) · Many chefs' favorite restaurant — an elegant Japanese stalwart in the Dallas Arts District Dallas Observer. Soba noodles made in-house, refined Japanese cuisine, and a location surrounded by world-class museums. A more accessible Japanese fine dining option than Tatsu, and a second strong pick for your Japan page. · $$$–$$$$ · 

6. Lucia Michelin Bib Gourmand Bishop Arts District · One of the toughest reservations in Dallas — this Italian restaurant crafts a menu rooted in Italian classics that shifts with the availability of terrific Texan produce Dallas Observer. House-cured salumi, handmade pasta, and a dining room that feels like stepping into the owners' home. Intimate and unforgettable. · $$$–$$$$ 

7. Mister Charles Michelin Recommended + Exceptional Cocktails Award Knox-Henderson · Opulent space with indulgent French and Italian fare and rare wines Dallas Observer. Won the 2025 Michelin Exceptional Cocktails Award — meaning the bar program alone is world-class. Set in a former pharmacy with theatrical, globe-trotting energy. The place to go when your guests want dinner and a scene. · $$$–$$$$ · 

THE COPA LUXE LATE-NIGHT & CASUAL GUIDE

1. Rowdy Cowboy Grapevine + The Colony · A CultureMap Dallas high-energy cowboy-themed sports bar with 32 beers on tap, 35 bourbon and whiskey selections, and 70 large-screen TVs. Scratch-made Texas bar food — a 12-ounce ribeye with sides for $20 on Fridays, brisket-stuffed jalapeños, and scratch cooking from a 30-year veteran chef CultureMap Dallas. Reclaimed barn wood walls, cowhide barstools, and the "Rowdy Cowgirls." The Grapevine location is minutes from DFW Airport. · $ ·  

2. DanSungSa Koreatown (Emerald St., North Dallas) · Open until 3am weeknights and 4:30am on weekends Dallasites101 — the ultimate post-match destination. Korean street food pub with graffiti-covered booths, K-pop on the speakers, soju cocktails, and dishes like spicy rice cakes and fried dumplings. Your guests will think they teleported to Seoul. · $ · 

3. Velvet Taco Multiple locations (Knox-Henderson, Uptown, Fort Worth + more) · Globally-inspired tacos that have zero respect for borders — Nashville hot chicken, Indian tikka, Cuban pig — all in a tortilla. Open late for pickup, delivery, and late-night cravings Velvet Taco. Born in Dallas, now national. The perfect "I don't know what I want" answer. · $ ·  

4. Cane Rosso Deep Ellum + 8 other DFW locations · The most authentic Neapolitan-style pizza in Texas, cooked in a 900-degree wood-fired oven from Italy in under 90 seconds Cane Rosso. Named Best Pizza in Dallas by D Magazine five years running. The Deep Ellum location puts you right in the middle of the nightlife action. · $$  · 

5. Truck Yard Dallas (Lower Greenville) + Fort Worth · A lively assemblage of rotating food trucks with live music, a festive atmosphere, and a huge beer selection DiningOut. The Fort Worth location stays open until midnight weekdays and 1am weekends. A treehouse bar, a photo-worthy school bus, and the most fun outdoor eating experience in DFW. · $ · 

6. Fuel City Tacos South Dallas (Riverfront Blvd.) · A gas station. With legendary tacos. Open 24 hours. There's a car wash, a taco stand, and sometimes longhorn cattle in the yard. This is the most authentically Texas thing on any of your lists. International guests will photograph it, post it, and eat three tacos at 2am. Pure magic. · $ · 

7. Whataburger Everywhere · You cannot make a dining guide for Texas visitors without including this. Open 24 hours, drive-through, and a cultural institution on par with In-N-Out in California — except Texans will fight you if you compare the two. Order the Patty Melt or the Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit (breakfast). Your guests need to experience this at least once. · $ ·