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The Guide
The Baldwinn Dallas Hot Picks
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Organized by area, here are a smattering of hand picked restaurants and attractions sure to make your time in Dallas memorable. From diners to coffeehouses, here are our favorites from two native Texans.
Bishop Arts
1417 W. Davis St., Dallas, Texas 75208
Located just outside of historic Bishop Arts is this Atomic-Age-style diner and local watering hole. Stephanie and I love this place because it feels like home. It’s design is unassuming but the food slaps. Nova’s award-winning chef is constantly reworking the menu with seasonal dishes with southern flair but the staples are what bring people back. Try the Hummus or Fried Green Tomatoes to start, snag Steph’s all-time-favorite Grilled Chicken and Peanut Chopped Salad, the Chicken Fried Pork Loin or Veggie Enchiladas as mains, and polish it off with a chocolate brûlée that tastes like the best brownie batter. Nova also serves up excellent Burgers, Pizzas and more on their late night menu.
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321 N. Zang Blvd, Dallas, Texas 75208
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This drop of Barcelona in Dallas has become a new obsession of ours. Sketches Of Spain not only nails the flavors but they understand the vibe. Go here intending to order a ton of food and expecting it to come one plate at a time. The wait staff is on European time so the experience is slow, methodical, and is all about enjoying what’s in front of you, the present. The seared prawns are decadent, the patatas bravas are addicting, and yes, they serve individual sized paellas. Stephanie and I agree though, the star of the show is the goblet sized gin & tonics that have house created syrups that blend well with gin pairings to create a perfect cocktail experience for their cozy patio. OH, and the sangria is delicious…
412 N. Bishop Ave., Dallas, Texas 75208
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Reveler’s Hall should absolutely not be missed. In the heart of Bishop Arts is a New Orleans-style cocktail bar/music hall that feels like a party from open to close. The live bands range from three-piece jazz to Texas Swing to Eastern European Orkestar Jazz. The cocktail list ranges from classics to fun takes on classics and don’t worry if your favorite cocktail isn’t on the menu, chances are the savvy bartenders know exactly how to whip it up. If you’re around on Monday nights, their house band is a trip.
400 W. Davis St., Dallas Texas 75208
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If you’re not from Texas then you shouldn’t leave without a mouthful of smoked brisket, unless you’re vegan, of course. Lockhart is located in historic Bishop Arts. While it’s certainly not the new kid on the block or the most innovative smokehouse, their brisket is always on point. They have frosty schooners of local beers and spicy as hell habanero Mac and cheese (Which is Stephanie’s favorite side). If you don’t like brisket, like Stephanie, they also serve up all of your favorite smokey meats like chicken, turkey, and sausage, with daily specials that rotate. Best part of Lockhart is its location. Get stuffed and walk it off down Bishop Avenue through the shops and bars.
601 W. Davis St., Dallas, Texas 75208
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This is a pure, North Oak Cliff, vibe. It’s a taco shack with no seating, no bathrooms, hardly any parking. Taco El Si Hay is famous for its elotes. If you’re unfamiliar, its roasted corn with either mayonnaise or cream, cotija cheese, and smokey spices. It’s a Mexican comfort food and boy oh boy do they do it right here. Theres always a line for these traditional tacos so be prepared to battle the Texas elements to grab the most traditional bite in the Bishop Arts area and celebrate our diverse culture.
1230 W. Davis St., Dallas, Texas 75208
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So many excellent live music acts tour through this historic Dallas venue. If you’re into smaller, more niche events like film festivals, live music, and more, then checkout the Kessler’s Calendar before you arrive for your stay.
Sylvan Thirty
1878 Sylvan Ave. E150, Dallas, Texas 75208
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If you’re not making coffee at the house or if you need a midday pick-me-up, hit up Houndstooth. Houndstooth is a great little coffee shop. They use Tweed coffee beans that are roasted just down the road in the Design District. They have options to order single origin beans if you’re labor- and environmentally-conscious which feels good and tastes better. Of course, if coffee is too strong or you’re vegan, they also serve non-dairy options along with matcha lattes (Steph’s choice!) and assorted teas.
1878 Sylvan Ave., Dallas, Texas 75208
(Entrance within Houndstooth Coffee)
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Just inside Houndstooth Coffee Shop is the entrance to this tiny, hidden, speakeasy bar. Stephanie and I adore starting our nights off here and/or ending the night here with a nightcap. The insanely creative cocktail menu reminds us of our favorite cocktail dens in New York City. The vibe is a funky swirl of Dutch-Asian minimalism and a lounge you’d see on Mad Men. The elixirs are very involved and take a hot second to make so plan to chill for a minute. This place is exclusive and requires a reservation. We are always happy to help you snag a table!
1868 Sylvan Ave. D100
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In the Baldwin home, Friday night is Pizza Night. Cibo is a go-to place when we don’t feel like cooking it ourselves. Cibo is an Italian market with a wood-fired pizza oven shipped over from Italy. The pizzas aren’t huge but are all made with quality ingredients and are excellent to share. Check out the glass cases for pre-packaged meals you can heat up at the house or for tiramisu. The trip wouldn’t be complete without perusing their excellent and approachable collection of Italian wines separated by region. They’ll uncork it for you on-site or you can take it home. Buono!
Deep Ellum
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2814 Elm St., Dallas, TX 75226
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We had to have a sushi place on our list, right? Deep Ellum, which is a 12 minute Uber ride away, is the pop & counter culture neighborhood in Dallas. It feels more like Austin’s 6th Street than the usual Dallas vibe. It’s a great place to find live music, bar/club hop, or get a tattoo on the fly. We recommend starting the night off with some food! Chef Jimmy Park’s influence on Nori Handroll Bar is what makes this special. Jimmy has since moved on to create more experiences in Dallas but the quality at Nori remains. Nori is a classic sushi bar. There are no reservations and the restaurant seats no more than twenty or so at the bar. It’s not a place you go to get wacky sushi rolls but classic sashimi, nigiri, and handrolls. The star is the fish and the technique. If you’re a true sushi lover this place will hit the spot. They also do a premium Omakase on the weekends that you can sign up for online or just give them a call in advance.
Lower Greenville
2114 Greenville Ave., Dallas, Texas 75206
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Lower Greenville has undergone a huge facelift recently with additions of great eateries and higher end bars but it has somehow kept its edge. The St. Paddy’s Day Parade still moseys down Lower Greenville every year to Dallas’ drunken delight. The newest addition to LG is Carte Blanche. Stephanie and I had the awesome experience here for my birthday recently. We indulged in a 12 course tasting menu with premium wine pairings and it was dynamite. Believe it or not, Texas has zero Michellin Star restaurants. Carte Blanche is the closest thing to that elevated, artistic food experience that we’ve found. If you love a food experience then hop online and try to capture a reservation at Carte Blanche in advance of your trip. One more note about Carte Blanche. They open very early in the morning as a bakery as well. When we tell you that the croissants alone are world class we are not lying. It’s first come first serve so if you wake up with the sun get there!
Uptown
3300 Oak Lawn Ave. Ste. 110, Dallas, Texas 75219
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There’s nothing fancy or special about Si Lom other than every meal comes out hot and fresh. Having been to Thailand I can genuinely say that traditional tastes, flavors and methods are hard to find in Dallas, Si Lom has a few of those things on the menu. The Laab salad is yummy and the Green Papaya Salad is refreshing. Their Pad Thai isn’t super traditional but very tasty. The menu item we love most is the Basil Chicken Wraps. They’re not traditional fare but addicting, for sure. Don’t be afraid to ask them to turn up the heat…
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4217 Oak Lawn Ave., Dallas, Texas 75219
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So, let’s talk about steak. There are only a few true steakhouses in Dallas that I would steer you away from, pun intended. If you google “Best Steakhouses In Dallas” you’re sure to land on something above average. Al Biernat’s is a Dallas staple. This place is constantly bustling and if you’re there at the right times you might catch some Dallas sports royalty here too. It’s a frequent haunt for regulars like Jerry Jones, Troy Aikman etc. Nothing on the menu at Al Biernat’s misses. The steaks are cooked impeccably, the seafood is fresh, and the sides are decadent. They have a top notch wine list which makes this place an excellent place for a celebration, date night, or business meeting. The atmosphere is as stuffy as, say, Del Friscos so business casual is acceptable even on the weekend.
2121 McKinney Ave. Dallas, Texas 75201
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I’ve added Fearing’s because it is truly a taste of Texas. Fearing’s is located on the first floor of The Ritz Hotel just outside of downtown. If you arrive early or stay late you must grab a drink at the infamous Rattle Snake Bar. It is the best people watching location in all of Dallas. At Fearing’s most food is cooked near or on Mesquite coals which gives an authentic Texas flavor. Try the Antelope with the Rabbit Enchiladas. It’s an excellent twist on all things Dallas, rich, indulgent, but grounded. My personal favorite here is the bread service with the smoked butter, oh, and Dallas’ best margarita, in my opinion.
Design District
1621 Oak Lawn Ave., Dallas, Texas 75207
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BEER LOVERS, Meddlesome Moth is your place. Over 75 beers on tap from all over with many local favorites. The food has a Mediterranean flare and is mostly shareable sizes. MM is a great place for a casual get together or happy hour!
1628 Oak Lawn Ave. Ste. 100, Dallas, Texas 75207
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Stephanie and I love this place. Great for groups, kids or just a fun early dinner location, Delucca is like an All-You-Can-Eat Brazilian Steakhouse but with Pizza! With 10-12 different style pizzas (including dessert pizzas) that endlessly come around to your table until you put your stop sign up, you’ll surely find something you LOVE! Our favorites are the Chicken Tikka Masala Pizza or the Garlic Steak. The also serve traditional Caipirinhas if that’s your thing.
Downtown
1401 Elm St. 49th Floor, Dallas, Texas 75202
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Want to see and be seen? Monarch is the new “it” place in Dallas. On the 49th floor of the Thompson Hotel Downtown the views are excellent. It’s definitely a whole vibe. Our first visit to Monarch we witnessed our first “Hype Group” in a restaurant. Monarch literally had employees walking around to tables peddling shots to groups who looked to be celebrating something ala a Vegas pool party day club. Monarch does it’s best to put good food in front of you but the restaurant is too much of a party and always a touch over crowded for you to truly appreciate the food. Get a reservation, dress to impress, and go to party. You won’t be disappointed even if it’s not your scene.
The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
411 Elm St., Dallas, Texas 75202
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Part of the allure of Dallas are the events of the JFK assassination. There are tours, monuments, and a kick ass museum. If you love history, or enjoy a delving into a conspiracy theory then check this out!
1909 Woodall Rodgers Freeway Ste. 403, Dallas, Texas 75201
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Even seen a park built on top of a freeway? Well, Heres your chance! It’s a neat green space that sprawls East and West creating a divider between Downtown and Uptown. On any given day there are food trucks, yoga classes, and live music. Great place for families with kids and a date! Check the website for events.
