Dallas, Texas
Big boots, bold flavors, and a skyline that means business.
Dallas doesn't do anything small — from its gleaming downtown skyline to its legendary BBQ pits and stadium-sized sports culture, this city swings for the fences at every turn. Dig into smoky brisket, chase tacos through Oak Cliff, catch a blues set in Deep Ellum, and shop the boutiques of Bishop Arts before the Cowboys kick off on Sunday. It's a city of contradictions done right: cosmopolitan and cowboy, flashy and deeply rooted.
Where to eat in Dallas
- Pecan Lodge
Legendary brisket lines Order: Brisket, jalapeno cheddar sausage, and a slice of pecan pie. - Terry Black's Barbecue
Central Texas style in Dallas Order: Brisket plate with sides — no sauce needed. - Lucia
Intimate and exceptional Order: House-made pasta and the daily cured meat board. - Trompo
Al pastor masters Order: Trompo tacos straight from the spit. - Cattleack Barbeque
Reservation-only BBQ temple Order: Brisket, pork ribs, and the jalapeno cheese bread. - El Fenix
Dallas Tex-Mex institution since 1918 Order: Cheese enchiladas with chili gravy and a margarita. - Meso Maya
Upscale south-of-the-border Order: Mole verde with the tableside guacamole. - Knife
Texas beef done right Order: Dry-aged strip with bone marrow butter. - Sissy's Southern Kitchen
Down-home and devout Order: Fried chicken, pimento cheese, and the banana pudding. - La Ventana
Patio swings and late-night tacos Order: Breakfast tacos and frozen margarita on the swing-bar patio. - Bread Winners Cafe
Weekend brunch institution Order: The cinnamon roll french toast and a bloody mary. - Rapscallion
Neighborhood southern bistro Order: Whole grilled fish and the fried chicken biscuit. - Sachet
Airy and inventive Order: Mezze spread and the wood-fired lamb chops. - Uchi Dallas
Innovative Japanese-Texas fusion Order: Maguro sashimi and the crispy rice with salmon. - Beto & Son
Father-son creative Tex-Mex Order: The breakfast taco flight and the birria quesatacos. - Ellen's Southern Kitchen
Friendly and filling Order: Fried chicken and waffles and the grits. - Mirador
Sunday rooftop scene Order: Chilaquiles verdes and a frozen hibiscus margarita.
Annual events in Dallas
- State Fair of Texas
Big Tex presides over the biggest state fair in America - 3 million visitors, Fletcher's Corny Dogs, fried food innovation, country music, and the Red River Rivalry game. - Deep Ellum Arts Festival
Three days of street art, live music, and local food across Deep Ellum's muraled blocks - one of Dallas's best free festivals. - Dallas International Film Festival
A week of world cinema, premieres, and filmmaker panels anchored at the Alamo Drafthouse - Texas's top film festival. - Dia de los Muertos (Oak Cliff)
Dallas's vibrant Day of the Dead celebration - altars, marigolds, live music, and the community procession through Oak Cliff's streets. - AT&T Byron Nelson
One of the PGA Tour's most fan-friendly stops - a week of world-class golf just north of Dallas with a well-known party atmosphere in the stands. - Cinco de Mayo on Henderson
Dallas's biggest Cinco de Mayo street party - Henderson Ave shuts down for live music, margaritas, and a massive crowd celebrating Mexican culture. - Untapped Music Festival
A curated craft beer and live music festival drawing top Texas and national acts to Fair Park alongside 100+ craft breweries. - Dallas Arboretum Dallas Blooms
The Southwest's largest outdoor spring floral festival - 500,000 blooms, outdoor concerts, and lakeside views at the arboretum.