Our Top 20+ Best Places to Eat In the Dallas Metroplex

Since it is Valentine’s week, I thought it would be fun to do a write up of 20 of our favorite places to hit in the Dallas, Texas area on date night, in case you are looking for something delicious and aren’t sure where to start! I’m including both my favorite and my husbands top menu picks. There is a wide variety of cuisine and price points on this list. These aren’t in order of favorites because they change depending on our mood!

UPDATED JUNE 15, 2023

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Fairview Farmers - located in Fairview on stacy road

I have loved EVERYTHING I have eaten here. Not only is the food delicious, but it’s BEAUTIFUL! Open for breakfast and brunch. Such a fun place for a girls birthday lunch out.

Hillary’s Favorites: The OG Avocado toast, Berry French Toast, and the Salmon Salad

2. Asian Mint - Dallas off Forest Road

This is a little hole in the wall Bangkok Thai place, but oh so good!! We like to stop here when we are on our way home from a visit to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Dallas Temple. One thing I love the most about this place is the coconut ice cream for dessert!

Warren’s Favorite: Curry

Hillary’s Favorite: Pineapple Cashew Fried Rice

3. Spice Creations- located in Allen on McDermott

If you are looking for some delicious Indian food- this is your jam. They have a fabulous buffet, if you are new to their cuisine. I really liked trying that at first to see what I liked. The Garlic Naan is a MUST!

Warren’s Favorite: Saag Curry

Hillary’s Favorite: Tikka Masala Curry

4. The Cheesecake Factory - Frisco, Stonebriar Centre

This menu is so extensive, I could never get through it all. There are so many things I love here, that I am going to give my top choices in different categories. This is fun for a date, but also a blast for a girls lunch or night out.

Warren’s Favorite: Reese’s Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake Cheesecake

Hillary’s Favorite Appetizers: 1. Sweet Corn Tamale Cakes and 2. Thai Lettuce Wraps

Hillary’s Favorite “Super Foods”: Vegan Cobb Salad (minus the beets with salmon added)

Hillary’s Favorite Salad: Sheila’s Chicken and Avocado Salad

Hillary’s Favorite Entree: Chicken Madeira (though I very often get an appetizer or salad as my main dish!!)

Hillary’s Favorite Dessert: 30th Anniversary Cheesecake (with a side of raspberry coulis)

5. Noodle Wave- Frisco off the 121 near Preston

This is a great Thai lunch place. They offer a spice scale of 1-4 on a lot of their foods. My husband can handle a 2 or 3, but I’m happy with a 1.

Warren’s Favorite: Crispy Chicken Green Curry

Hillary’s Favorite: Summer Rolls and Cashew Chicken

6. Cheddars- Located in Allen off Stacy Rd

If you’re looking for some home scratch cooking, with reasonable prices, this is the place to come. I really like coming here when I need a steak in my life, but don’t want to pay steak house prices. If I’m in more of a salad mood, I also love their Blackened Salmon Salad.

Warren’s Favorite: Sirloin Steak

Hillary’s Favorite: Blackened Salmon, Broccoli Casserole and Baby Carrots for sides

7. Gloria’s - Located in Fairview off Stacy Rd

Gloria’s is known for their Latin cuisine with both Salvadorian and Tex-Mex specialties, and the most delicious desserts!

Warren’s Favorite: Enchiladas de Gloria

Hillary’s Favorites: Carne de Res Asada Salvatex (the fajitas are also fabulous!)

Order First, Then Sit Down:

If you don’t want a wait, or you are meeting up with an unknown number of friends, these are some of our favorite places to go:

8. Velvet Taco - in Dallas off Preston Road (several in the metroplex)

This restaurant isn’t your typical Mexican restaurant, instead it’s all about fusion. We love all the bold flavors they offer. It’s fun to go as a group because everyone seems to have different favorites!

This is a place where you order first then sit down it’s also open super late, so it’s a great place to hit when you’re out later.

Warren’s favorite: Spicy Chicken Tikka, Korean Fried Rice

Hillary’s favorite: (I love Warren’s favorites, too!) Mexi Cali Shrimp, Beer Battered Cauliflower, Elote & Chips

9. Zoe’s Kitchen- Fairview off Prairie Rd

This is always somewhere I choose when I need a good dose of veggies and protein. If you are looking for something small- I’d suggest a cup of their tomato soup. Perfect for a cold day!

Warren’s Favorite: Shrimp Kabob with Greek Salad

Hillary’s Favorite: Steak Kabob’s with roasted vegetables and hot potato salad

10. Hutchins BBQ- McKinney off Tennessee

This is our favorite BBQ joint- and there are a LOT of BBQ restaurants in Texas! The wait can sometimes be out the door- but it is totally worth it!

Warren’s Favorite: Sliced Brisket, Jalapeno Cheddar Sausage and Fried Okra

Hillary’s Favorite: Sliced Brisket, Smoked Turkey and Broccoli Salad

11. Chuys- located in East Plano off Central Expressway North

If you love Tex Mex, this is your place. Our favorite time to go is during Happy Hour on weeknights because you get free access to the queso bar. Ahhh their queso is amazing and they have beef, refried beans, chips, and salsa you can grab there as well. Grabbing an order of their Creamy Jalapeno sauce is an absolute must!!

Warren’s Favorite: The Elvis Presley Platter

Hillary’s Favorite: Half and Half -Chicken and Beef Fajitas

12. Shake Shack - Plano & McKinney

We first tried Shake Shack when we were in NYC (see that post here), and we are so happy to be able to eat there locally now! They have tasty burgers with very fresh and soft buns.

Warren’s Favorite: The Smoke Stack

Hillary’s Favorite: Chocolate Custard

13. Rosa’s Cafe - Allen

We used to visit Rosa’s in Amarillo, TX on our way to Utah. Our kids love watching the fresh tortillas being made. This Mexican place is easy on the budget and great when you need a quick stop.

Warren’s Favorite: Enchiladas

Hillary’s Favorite: Bean Burrito (ask for black beans! and fill it up with pico from the salsa bar)

14. Elke’s Cafe - Allen

This is another really fun lunch spot. They have a lot of tasty sandwiches.

Hillary’s Favorite: The Other Nutty

15. Max’s Donuts - Allen

These donuts are the best we’ve ever had. They are also gigantic!!

Warren’s Favorite: Maple Bar, Glazed

Hillary’s Favorite: Chocolate bar

16. Mattito’s - Dallas off Forest Rd

They have delicious Mexican food!! We love stopping here before or after we worship at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Dallas Temple. Ask for the “Bob Armstrong Dip". It’s a secret menu item that is guacamole, queso, and ground beef combined!

Warren’s Favorite: Carne Asada y Enchilada

Hillary’s Favorite: Lite Fajitas

17. Napoli’s - Allen off exchange pkwy

This Italian food is great to go, for lunch or a sit down dinner. It’s a little hole in the wall place with great prices.

Warren’s Favorite: Combo plate: Shells, Lasagna & Manicotta

Hillary’s Favorite: Lobster Ravioli and a side salad with the house dressing

18. Roman Cucina - Allen off Bethany

I love the ambiance of this Italian sit down restaurant. It fills up fast, so if you have a larger group, get there right at 5pm when they open so you don’t have to wait for a long time.

Warren’s Favorite: Sausage Lasagna

Hillary’s Favorite: Lemond Cream Sauce & Shrimp

19. Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille - Frisco by Stonebriar Centre

Perry’s is on the expensive side, so this is a place we come with company or for celebrations. Our FAVORITE thing to get here is the pork chop. This is the most amazing pork chop I’ve ever eaten and I’m not even crazy about pork. It is normally $49, but if you go on Friday for lunch you can get it for $19 !!

Warren’s Favorite: Dinner Cut Pork Chop

Hillary’s Favorite: Fried Asparagus with Crab

20. Halal Guys - Plano off preston rd

We love this food so much, we have our own version we made at home. I need to get the recipe up on the blog for you. It’s super tasty. We love these Middle Eastern flavors. The white sauce is what makes this extra delicious. Get some of the red sauce if you want to add some heat!

Warren’s Favorite: Beef or Chicken Gyro Platter

Hillary’s Favorite: Falafel Platter

21. Harvest - McKinney Square

This menu is is a seasonal menu so it is always changing. It is amazing with it’s locally sourced food and really fun vibe. The hours are limited and you will want to grab a reservation.

Warren’s Favorite: Chicken Fried Chicken

Hillary’s Favorite: Hummus and Sweet Potato Chips