PLACES TO STAY
The Joule – in the heart of downtown Dallas, this hotel is as chic as it gets. There’s a rooftop pool, world-class spa (it’s AMAZING), two great restaurants, a delicious coffee shop, and houses a couple boutiques featuring of-the-moment designers. The rooms are elegant and hip, but with a modern touch.
The Knox Hotel – Opening in 2026, this Auberge Collection hotel has been hotly anticipated! Situated in the popular Knox/Henderson district and a short drive from the SMU campus, it’s going to the *the* place to stay once it opens.
The Mansion on Turtle Creek – for the fancier adult crowd, this is the crown jewel in Dallas. They have a very popular bar and restaurant, and the rooms are upscale and glamorous. Definitely a cozy spot, and right in the middle between Park Cities and Uptown. Easy access to everything!
Hotel Lumen – if you are visiting SMU, I’d recommend this spot. It’s literally across the street! It’s a rather small boutique hotel, but with a lot of personality. It’s got a big pool and a great in-house restaurant/tavern.
The Ritz-Carlton – A classic luxury hotel in Uptown. Don’t miss Fearing’s, their restaurant! It’s been a Dallas staple for decades.
Hotel Swexan – A swanky hotel in the heart of Uptown! They’ve got a great restaurant and a rooftop pool too.
WHERE TO EAT
BREAKFAST / BRUNCH
Le Bilboquet – this New York favorite made it’s mark on Dallas a few years ago, and has been bustling ever since! Definitely on the fancier side, and a great option for after church brunch or a birthday lunch. Try the Cajun chicken!
Bubba’s – craving Southern fare? This diner is a staple, especially among SMU students. Right on the edge of Snider Plaza, you’ll find the best biscuits, pancakes, breakfast sandwiches, and cinnamon rolls around. Come back at lunch for tasty fried chicken, okra, and more! Regardless of the meal, get gravy.
Origin – this place has awesome breakfast too, but I always go for the Regular Salad. It features roasted brussels sprouts, caramelized onions, pecans and chicken on a bed of spinach. I sometimes ask for double the brussels and leave off the chicken. The best! If I’m more in the mood for breakfast (they serve it at lunch too!), I’ll order the Seasonal Hash Bowl with a side of chicken sausage. It’s local sausage and the flavor is out of this world!!
Sadelle’s – This stylish New York outpost is a go-to for breakfast/brunch/lunch! Spacious, attractive interiors with an equally impressive menu. The Freddy salad is AMAZING! Also love the Leo omelette and the smoked salmon benedict.
LUNCH
Beverley’s – Love this spot for lunch! If it’s a nice day, grab a seat on their patio. Across the street from Clifton Club on Fitzhugh.
Dive – if you’re eating clean or just want some light seafood options, head to Dive. I always order the same thing: the kale salad with grilled salmon. SO GOOD! When I first ate at Dive, I ordered the fish tacos – they are AMAZING, but I’m trying to avoid tortillas and such these days.
The Honor Bar – A go-to in Highland Park Village from the same family as Houston’s, Hillstone, and R&D KItchen!
Hudson House – a popular casual spot for lunch with a couple of locations around town! Highly recommend the ranch chips with avocado dip and the burger!
Mirador – A delicious spot at the top of Forty Five Ten! A vibrant, fresh menu featuring salads, crudos and more.
R&D Kitchen – this classic lunch spot can be found in Preston Center right off Northwest Highway. In addition to awesome sushi rolls, they have great salads (I love the Newporter) and other light options like roasted salmon, a veggie club and more. This is a great spot for a business/work lunch because there is something for everybody – I often have meetings over lunch here!
RH Rooftop Restaurant – This is such a great spot for lunch on a nice day in the Knox/Henderson area!
Parigi – I always love going here with my mom when she’s in town. We looooove the portobello fries, and she always gets the pate. They have a variety of great dishes to choose from! One of my favorites is the pappardelle with lobster – delish!
Rose Cafe – A fresh and flavorful Vietnamese restaurant with fashionable interiors! Delish.
Rise No. 1 – this spot is perfect for a ladies lunch – it’ll make you feel like you’re back in Paris! The menu is primarily souffles (savory AND sweet – I get both!), but also has delicious appetizers, salads and entrees for those picky eaters. I always request to sit on the covered porch! The inside is beautiful but dark – that’s a better choice for dinner!
The Teak Room – Formerly known as The T Room at Forty Five Ten, this local favorite was reimagined within The Conservatory in Highland Park Village. The food is phenomenal and it’s a stylish place for ladies who lunch!
DINNER
Anchor Sushi Bar – A stylish and buzzy sushi spot on Knox Street!
Bistro 31 – An elevated restaurant in Highland Park Village serving seafood, pasta, steak and more! My mom and stepdad love this spot! Also open for lunch.
The Charles – A favorite in the Design District for a nice Italian dinner out!
El Carlos Elegant – A fun Mexican restaurant in the Design District with delicious food and a festive ambiance!
Gemma – This spot on Henderson is a favorite neighborhood bistro and always a winner! Reservations required.
Georgie – A great Australian steakhouse in the Knox-Henderson neighborhood with amazing cocktails and lounge-y, chic interiors.
Green Point Seafood & Oyster Bar – A fun spot for dinner on Knox! Don’t miss the tuna tartare on toast – out of this world!
Il Bracco – One of my favorite Italian spots in Dallas! The spicy gemelli is life changing. Also open for lunch!
Javier’s – this is a must if you want a real Dallas experience. It’s on the fancier side and it’s ALWAYS busy, so make a res. Get a skinny marg, then order the Filete Cantinflas – it’s basically a juicy, sliced steak stuffed with Mexican cheese. It is out.of.this.WORLD. Stop in the cigar bar after dinner for a post-dinner cocktail!
The Mexican – If you want Mexican but looking for an elegant ambiance, make a reservation here!
Mi Cocina – I don’t go here very often because it’s sooooo full of children and families all the time (I’m not against it, but sometimes it’s just easier to go to Mr Mesero), but this spot must be included on this list. It’s a Dallas staple and many Dallas natives will claim it’s the best Tex-Mex around. Shop around Highland Park Village (Celine, Chanel, I’ll take it all!) before you sit down for dinner here. My friends always want to order the white queso, but I’m partial to the yellow. The brisket tacos are ridiculously good!
Mister Charles – If you’re looking for a fancy spot for a celebratory dinner or special date night, make a res here! Beautiful interiors, impressive cocktails and a delicious menu.
Mot Hai Ba – for a casual dinner, this Vietnamese spot really hits the spot. Don’t miss the garlic noodles!
Nonna – if you love a good handcrafted pasta, make a res a Nonna. The bolognese is to die for! The decor is understated and simple, leaving the food to wow you. And it totally does.
Odelay – This quickly became my favorite Tex-Mex spot in Dallas when I lived in Devonshire! Everything is delicious.
Oishii – if you are a sushi lover, head over to this joint. The ambiance/decor is not impressive, but the second you get your order you’ll be glad you’re there! It’s great for casual dinner with friends or easy date night. I highly recommend the TriBeCa roll (my fave) and the Royce roll. Both are amazing!!
Rafa’s Cafe – Amazing Tex-Mex with casual dive-y vibes next to my old neighborhood, Devonshire.
Sachet – If you’re craving Mediterranean, head here! The interiors are pretty and they can do larger tables, so it’s a good spot for a group din!
Shinsei – for date night, make a reservation at Shinsei. It’s got an upscale vibe, great cocktails, fresh sushi and delicious Pan-Asian cuisine. You have to get Katina’s crispy rice, the braised pork steam buns, the Thai fried rice (it’s sorta spicy – soooo yum), the tempura spicy tuna roll (trust me – best texture/flavor combo)
HAPPY HOUR / BARS
Clifton Club – A lounge on Fitzhugh serving cocktails and a selection of yummy snacks! I went to this spot a bunch before I moved.
Devonshire Club – A chic new cocktail bar and social club on Lovers Lane!
Double D’s – A design district favorite for a weekend night out!
Inwood Tavern – A dive bar at the intersection of Lovers and Inwood! This was always a go-to when I lived in Devonshire.
The Rustic – similar to The Happiest Hour, this spot has a chill vibe with a massive outdoor seating area with lots of picnic tables. The perfect place for an afternoon outside! They have a large outdoor stage and often have live music.
Time Out Tavern – Another casual dive bar on Lovers Lane near Devonshire! Similar vibes to Inwood Tavern, but they have those photo hunt games – so fun!
The TruckYard – for a more quirky experience or to try something new, spend a few hours outside at The Truckyard. This outdoor bar features a bunch of airstream trailers and food trucks, along with mismatched outdoor furniture for a funky trailer park vibe. Grab a beer and enjoy. This spot is walking distance to a bunch of the best spots on Greenville, so you won’t run out of things to do!
The Mansion Bar – as I mentioned earlier, The Mansion houses a very popular bar featuring live music on Thursday, Friday and Saturday every week. Very fun to go to after dinner for a night cap!
THINGS TO DO
Klyde Warren Park – on a nice day, head outside and grab lunch or a snack at one of the food trucks lining Klyde Warren Park! There are a couple of great restaurants right on the park (Lark on the Park and Savor) too!
Perot Museum of Nature and Science – I hate to say I have not visited the Perot Museum yet, but it is apparently super cool and fun for all ages! Spend a rainy afternoon here to check out the magnificent gems & minerals hall and definitely stop in the earthquake simulator.
Knox/Henderson – A lot of shopping and great restaurants along Knox, McKinney and Henderson!
The Katy Trail – another great activity on a nice day is to walk on the Katy Trail. I do this at least once a week! Just grab a friend and go!
Highland Park Village – this is THE place to shop for high-end designer goods in Dallas. With boutiques like Chanel, Celine, Khaite, Dior and more, you get that Madison Avenue feel in the heart of Dallas.
NorthPark Center – head here if you’re hoping to hit up some department stores (Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom, to name a couple) or explore the bevvy of great boutiques like Diptyque, J.Crew, Intermix, H&M, Lululemon and more! Tired from shopping? Stop at the Theodore for a cocktail and bite to eat. There’s also the AMC Theatre if you were hoping to catch a flick.
Forty Five Ten features high-end avant garde designers (think Dries Van Noten and Moschino) and luxury gifts – unique pieces you’ll not often find at a standard department store.
Elements and EDIT by Elements (store within a store), is a well-curated collection of contemporary and high-end designers like Zimmermann, MSGM, Missoni, 10 Crosby by Derek Lam, and more. It’s also a great spot for gifts as well, featuring the likes of Andra Neen accessories, Fornasetti candles and a new section dedicated to personal fragrance.
Just past Elements on West Lovers is Canary, a bright little boutique highlighting on-the-rise high-end contemporary brands like Veronica Beard, Marissa Webb, Stella Jean, Roksanda Ilincic, and more – such a cute store!
Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden – another awesome place to spend a beautiful day outside is the Arboretum! Explore the expansive, flourishing grounds filled with breathtaking blooms, gardens, ponds and art installations throughout the year. In the fall season around Halloween they even have a pumpkin village! So fun.
Nasher Sculpture Center – if you’re interested in the art scene, take a trip over to the Nasher Sculpture Center to discover the impressive outdoor museum.
Fair Park – throughout the entire month of October, Fair Park is home to the State Fair of Texas. If you happen to be in town during this month, definitely go! From carnival rides and games, to rodeo shows and petting zoos, there’s something for everybody. Did I mention the food? Each year, hundreds of vendors cook fry up the most delectable treats like like fried oreos, fried snickers, fried PB&J, turkey legs, funnel cakes, etc. You’ll gain ten pounds, but it’s totally worth it.
Bishop Arts District – just a short drive over the Trinity River will take you to Oak Cliff and the Bishop Arts District. This funky little neighborhood features a bunch of great restaurants and unique shops. The feel of this district is very different from the rest of Dallas, and trick you into thinking you’re in a different city altogether!
Dallas Design District – There are a bunch of great restaurants and bars in addition to some great interior design shops in this neighborhood!
