By Salah Izzedin

Dallas is a foodie’s paradise, with hundreds of options to suit any palette. There are a few places that stand out, and for good reason. The following is our list of the top 5 restaurants you have to try when you are in Dallas. 

The French Room

The French Room is an upscale restaurant located in the historic Adolphus Hotel in downtown Dallas. Built by Adolphus Busch (cofounder of the Anheuser-Busch Brewing Co.), the hotel was constructed to resemble a German castle with a little American muscle added in the form of height. For ten years after its unveiling in 1912, the Adolphus remained the tallest building in the city.

The French Room maintains the hotel’s Beaux-Arts decor and architecture, with marbled floors and Louis VI-style chairs. Ornate fixtures, including twin Murano glass chandeliers, adorn the space. An adjoining salon features 48 works of art and a grand piano. 

And then, of course, there is the food. The French Room is famed for its afternoon tea, which books out weeks in advance. The bar menu is simple and elegant, with french classics like beef tartare and caviar as first course options. 

Main dishes include the Crystal Valley Farm Chicken, with french morel cream sauce and white asparagus. For a truly indulgent dish, try the Filet Mignon with whipped potatoes, rapini, and Bordelaise sauce. 

Dress Code Note: Jackets are required for all gentlemen and no jeans are permitted.

Fearing’s Restaurant

Centered on a “Bold Flavors, No Borders” philosophy, Fearing’s has a true Texas atmosphere. Founded by celebrity chef and cookbook author Dean Fearing in 2007, the menu centers on fresh, local ingredients with the chef’s signature twists. 

Everything on the menu is delicious, so choosing what to eat is the most difficult part when eating at Fearing’s. If you REALLY can’t decide, let us help: the Maple/Black Peppercorn-soaked Buffalo Tenderloin is absolutely delicious. Served with buttery and spicy jalapeno grits, greens, and a butternut squash taquito with a smoky chili sauce, it is a truly unforgettable dish. 

End the meal on a sweet note with Granny Fearing’s Banana Cream Pie, served with crispy meringue and cinnamon-sugar coated beignets. 

Fearing’s is located in the Dallas Ritz-Carlton. Reservations are strongly recommended.  

The Mansion

Like the French Room, The Mansion offers French-inspired cuisine inside the posh Rosewood Hotel. Their rotating menu features protein and vegetables of the season. Dock Specials are available on certain evenings and may include mouth-watering NY pink scallops or tender Jude Cove Oysters. 

If seafood is not your thing, you can’t go wrong with the boneless ribeye, served with red onion jam and Bordelaise. Pair it with paprika-dusted steak fries for a truly elevated version of “steak-frites.”

If you are looking for a romantic meal for two, we highly recommend the Mansion’s Seasonal Tasting Menu. Choose 5 or 7 courses with optional wine pairings and make dinner an event. 

Dress Code for The Mansion is “smart casual.”

Capital Grille

Capital Grille is a national restaurant with two Dallas locations, Uptown and Ft. Worth. The Grille is a carnivore’s paradise, with Chef’s suggestions including sliced filet mignon with cipollini onions or a dry-aged NY strip with a kona crust and buttery shallot sauce. 

At the Grille, side dishes are big enough to share with the whole table. Pair your steak with creamy lobster mac n’ cheese, roasted wild mushrooms, and the soy glazed brussels sprouts with bacon. 

The Grille now features certain premier wines by the glass. Utilizing a new technology called Coravin, wine can be extracted from the bottle without removing the cork. The wine stays fresh and undisturbed. We’ll toast to that!

Nobu Dallas

If you’re looking for the best sushi you have ever tasted, look no further than Nobu’s. In addition to a full menu of sashimi, ngiri, and maki rolls, Nobu’s also has an extensive main and cold dishes menu. The chilean sea bass with truffle mirin soy sauce melts in your mouth; paired with crunchy, buttery King Crab tempura, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better meal anywhere. 

For a cold entree, you must try the lobster ceviche and white fish sashimi with dry miso. The flavors and quality are unbelievable. For a lighter and satisfying lunch, try a Nobu yellowtail taco with sweet potato tempura.

Don’t leave Nobu without tasting the Caramelized Sobacha Brownie, made with salted caramel, milk chocolate cremeux, and caramel Sobacha gelato. Pair it with one of Nobu’s handcrafted whole-leaf Ikaati teas. 

About the Author: Salah Izzedin

Salah Izzedin has lived in Dallas for over twenty years. He is an entrepreneur and enjoys exploring all the city has to offer.