Dallas is a great city. With more restaurants per capita than any other city in the US, it’d be impossible for me to put together a full list of my favorite spots to eat and drink (because I eat and drink a LOT), but I’ve pulled together SOME of my favorite restaurants and a couple other spots I enjoy for visitors to our fair city. I’ll add to it in the future … but it’s a good place to start!
EAT & DRINK
TRINITY HALL
An Irish pub fashioned after a pub in Dublin, Trinity Hall offers a wide selection of whiskeys, food for any special diet needs, live music, and too many events to begin to list. Go for a refreshing Crabbie’s Alcoholic Ginger Beer Moscow Mule on a warm evening on their patio … it doesn’t get too much better than that. (If you want to try Crabbie’s for yourself, check it out at a tasting or event next week during Crabbie’s Week! They’re doing fun activations all over Dallas.)
5321 E Mockingbird Ln #250 (Mockingbird Station), trinityhall.tv
E BAR TEX MEX
If you were a fan of Primo’s back in the day (like eight years ago), then this is your spot; the owners and chefs from Primo’s moved here when the new owners took over. It’s by far my favorite Tex-Mex in Dallas–though I’m not sure if it’s the food or the nostalgia.
1901 North Haskell Ave Suite #120, ebartexmex.com
PARLIAMENT
This craft cocktail spot is one of my favorite places in all of Dallas. The bartenders know what they’re doing, so trust them and don’t be a dick. Visit on a week night to get the full effect or during happy hour (which is surely one of the best values in Dallas) or while it’s raining. (They offer their hh prices anytime it rains!)
2418 Allen St (Uptown), parliamentdallas.com
POKEY O’S COOKIES AND ICE CREAM
Guys … you’ve got delicious cookies and Blue Bell Ice Cream and they make them into a sandwich. It doesn’t get much better than that.
3034 Mockingbird Lane, pokeyos.com
(Full disclosure … my parents own this place. But try it out and tell me it’s not delicious enough to be on this list.)
SHOP
SOCIETY BY JACKSON VAUGHN
This little candle and knick-knack shop is impossible to leave empty-handed. They have clever Dallas-centric cards
403 N Bishop Ave (Bishop Arts District), shopatsociety.com
Courtesy of Society
WEST ELM
This minimalist home goods and furniture store may be a chain, but they always have the coolest haute barware and even some unique goodies like bitters and syrups to try out. Don’t miss their section featuring goods from local makers or the wine candles.
5307 E Mockingbird Ln #100 (Mockingbird Station), westelm.com
GYPSY WAGON
Ladies can get a little hippy dippy here with a fun selection of clothing, jewelry, and accessories and fun home items.
2928 N Henderson Ave (Henderson Ave), the-gypsy-wagon.com
BULLZERK
The goods and duds from this local shop are fresh and delightfully subversive. Because, really, “Dallas: it’s what everyone in Dallas is talking about.”
1909 Greenville Ave (Lowest Greenville), bullzerk.com
GET OUT
With all the drinking I do in dark bars, sometimes I need to spend time in the sunlight.
CEDAR RIDGE PRESERVE
This is about as good as “hiking” in Dallas gets without making a day of it. Enjoy plenty of trails and some decent views, just make sure to take plenty of water.
7171 Mountain Creek Pkwy (Cedar Hill), audubondallas.org/cedar-ridge-preserve
KLYDE WARREN PARK
The park perched on top of a highway offers daily, free activities, and plenty of green space. Check out the food trucks that are different every day and Savor for a cocktail.
2012 Woodall Rodgers Freeway, Suite 403 (Downtown), klydewarrenpark.org
DALLAS ARBORETUM
I love outdoor activities, and outdoor events that you can take your own goodies to are even better. That’s why the concerts at the Arboretum are a can’t-miss for me. Take a picnic (complete with booze) and enjoy the themed music, or simply visit to enjoy the grounds.
8525 Garland Road (Lakewood), dallasarboretum.org
***I am a paid endorser for Halewood International Limited and received compensation, including free product, for support of Halewood International Limited and its products.***