Culinary Gems: Top Restaurants in Dallas' Chic Enclave

Feast on the flavors of Dallas’ toniest enclave: The upscale town of Highland Park, which is only five minutes north of downtown, is home to several of Dallas’ most popular restaurants in addition to posh shops and some of the most expensive residential real estate in the nation.

Consider Café Pacific, a Highland Park Village institution that has been offering delicious steaks and fresh seafood to regulars for more than 35 years. A-list celebs and nature lovers frequent Mi Cocina for its famed margaritas and Tex-Mex dishes.

Do you feel Italian? Then head to Taverna, a casual Italian eatery known for its risotto and pizza. There is frequently a line outside the door because this establishment is so well-liked. Nonna, a little trattoria that produces some of the greatest house-made pasta in the city, is another place you must see. Talking about local favorites, almost everyone will advise you to visit Javier’s Gourmet Mexicano while in Dallas, where contemporary Mexican cuisine is always in demand.

The Highland Park area has plenty to offer everyone, whether they are searching for a quick lunch location or a fine restaurant meal. Here are the top ten choices that are worthwhile.

NONNA

It comes as no surprise that one of the best Italian restaurants in town is Julian Barsotti’s elegant pocket-sized trattoria, which has a solid track record for its fresh pasta and wood-fired pizzas. Expect to find a variety of seasonal delicacies, such as fried snapper, pheasant packed with shiitake mushroom risotto, and Neapolitan-style pizzas topped with fresh sardines. The picture is enhanced with an extensive selection of Italian wines and sweets like salted caramel gelato and dark chocolate molten cake. No luck getting a reservation? Worry not, the establishment typically leaves a few seats at the bar available for a move.

Nonna is a great choice for a date night venue, making it one of Highland Park’s Top Restaurants.

SACHET

This golden box of a dinner location, located on the outskirts of Highland Park off Oak Lawn, dazzles with a masterfully executed menu of Mediterranean-influenced food inspired by Southern Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. This results in a wide range of fantastic dishes for eating and snacking, from vegetable-laden meze plates (imagine roasted turnips with Syrian red lentil purée and yellow beet hummus) to Moroccan lamb chops, grilled branzino, and Turkish lamb ragu. It’s difficult to go incorrect on the entire menu, but coming with a group and ordering the family-style menu (for 4 or more) where you can dive into a little bit of everything for $45 per person is the amazing pick.

Sachet is the finest location to go when you’re in the presence of folks who like to socialize, thus it’s chosen for Highland Park’s Top Restaurants.

KNIFE DALLAS

Master chef John Tesar’s luxury meat mecca within the Highland Dallas hotel is a sample of a totally reworked steakhouse idea. This means that in addition to old-school cuts like a 45-day dry-aged ribeye and filet au poivre, you’ll also discover new school cuts like culottes, tri-tips, flat irons, and chuck flaps. If steak isn’t your flavor, there’s also an 18-hour boiled crispy pig’s head served with tortillas and salsa, as well as oxtail ravioli, pepper-crusted tuna, and entire roasted chicken. Burgers are also worth trying, they’re regarded among the finest in the state. This is not a restaurant where vegans should go.

Knife is one of Highland Park’s best restaurants because If you’re in the mood for some meat, this is the place to go.

BEVERLEY’S BISTRO & BAR

This New York-inspired restaurant, a recent convert to the region, serves an unusual menu that includes everything from roasted Spanish octopus and ceviche tostadas to chicken schnitzel, lamb chops, and cooked steaks. Jewish-inspired dishes like matzo ball soup and potato latkes topped with caviar and crème fraiche are surprising hits. Cocktails are outstanding, and the wine list is well-curated, with roughly eighteen varieties by the glass. Weekend brunch includes challah French toast, chilaquiles, and hot pastrami with gruyere on marbled rye.

Beverley’s is an elegant haven for the wealthy community, making it one of Highland Park’s Finest Restaurants.

BISTRO 31

Bistro 31 is a renowned elegant getaway with a hip St. Tropez ambiance and a jewel of a cocktail-cum-sushi den tucked away at the peak of the luxury shopping paradise of Highland Park Village. The menu is inspired by the Mediterranean coast, so imagine dishes like lamb meatballs over polenta, whole roasted Branzino, steak frites, and tagliolini with truffle cream. Bistro 31 also offers lunch and Sunday brunch, with specialties like quiche and savory crepes packed with Gruyere and ham. The beverages menu features champagne, wine, beer, and creative cocktails, as well as a comprehensive whiskey and tequila choice. Free up space for desserts, which taste just as good as they seem.

Bistro 31 is the ideal location to have a cocktail and folks in Highland Park Village, making it one of the city’s greatest restaurants.

TAVERNA

The prices are modest, and there’s a dish on the menu for almost everyone, even those who are gluten-intolerant, which is why this rustic Italian gem is so well-liked. Longtime Dallas restaurateur Alberto Lombardi also owns the Toulouse Café right next door and Bistro 31 in Highland Park Village. The eatery is a part of his expanding empire. The menu also includes house-made pasta, fish, veal, and beef in addition to the wood-fired pizzas and risotto (served in six versions). There are many different appetizer options, reasonable wines, and sweets like cannelloni baked from order.

Taverna is a preferred approach for Highland Park’s Top Restaurants since it serves you excellent Italian food at a fair price.

TOULOUSE CAFE AND BAR

Café Toulouse, with all the trappings of a real bistro, would be at home on the Left Bank of Paris as it is in Dallas. The menu, which is available for lunch, supper, and Sunday brunch, includes everything from mussels to croque madames, frog legs, bouillabaisse, and duck confit. A wide assortment of wine by the glass is an added treat. Soufflé must be ordered, but make sure to order it ahead of time. Try to get a spot on the terrace to observe the action on the Katy Trail.

Toulouse Cafe is a top selection for superb brasserie food in a casual environment, making it one of Highland Park’s Best Places to eat.

JAVIER’S GOURMET MEXICANO

This Highland Park establishment has been open since 1977 and serves modern Mexico City dishes in its cuisine. So don’t arrive expecting tacos or enchiladas. Cabrito fajitas, Mayan-style slow-roasted pork, and ancho chile marinated charbroiled quail are among the options. Begin with a grilled sandwich and chorizo panela cooked at the table and end with cajeta crepes. If cigars are your thing, do not even miss Javier’s fancy cigar lounge after dinner. Expect to see a few A-list celebrities while you’re there.

Suggested for Highland Park’s Top Restaurants because Travel + Leisure publication ranked Javier’s as one of the top Mexican eateries in the nation.

CAFE PACIFIC

Since 1980, Café Pacific has been an excellent dining destination in Highland Park Village, where it offers seafood and meats to regular customers. Escargots, grilled fish, fresh lobster, and beef tenderloin with béarnaise are all on the menu, and the ambiance is classy and refined. Try the chocolate pecan ball before you go, Kerry Vincent of Food Network’s “Best Thing I Ever Ate” rated it as the best dessert she’s ever had. Just remember to wear your glad rags, T-shirts, shorts, and flip-flops are not acceptable.

For a business lunch or special event, Café Pacific is a wonderful choice for Highland Park’s Top Restaurants.

MI COCINA-HIGHLAND PARK VILLAGE

This always-booming cantina has been a Tex-Mex hotspot for over twenty years, attracting not only natives but also A-list celebrities. What’s the charm? Without a doubt, the restaurant serves an excellent array of tacos, nachos, fajitas, enchiladas, and other popular dishes. And there’s a reason to love its mind-blowing queso blanco and a never-ending supply of handmade salsa and chips. The Mambo Taxi, a frozen margarita blended with brandy-laced sangria, is the main appeal here. If you consume more than two of them, you’ll need a taxi to get home. Was it mentioned that there’s also a fantastic roof lounge here?

Suggested for Highland Park’s Top Restaurants because Mi Cocina is the place to go for Tex-Mex, dining experiences, and powerful drinks.