Best places to eat, drink, and play in Downtown Dallas

Downtown Dallas doesn’t get enough credit for all the cool places it offers for a day of exploring or a night out on the town. For a sprawling city made of suburbs, I love the change of pace that downtown gives me and how it transform from a driving city to an almost pedestrian one. With cool new restaurants, shops, and bars popping up so often, I thought it would be great to share some cool places to check out the next time you venture into the city. I’ve partnered with Visit Dallas to share this round up of some of my favorite local spots in Downtown Dallas.

But first…coffee

Copper Bar: Stop inside Forty Five Ten and grab a latte and a pastry at the Copper Bar. It’s a super cute corner of the store, but you can also sit on their gorgeous patio. They also serve bubbles and wine. If you drop in the evening, make sure to visit Mirador, their restaurant. The view is amazing.

Weekend Coffee: Right inside the Joule Hotel, is another adorable coffee shop. The Joule’s lobby is quite perfect for the quick business meeting, work date, or coffee catch up.

Ascension: Located inside Thanksgiving Tower, pop in for coffee, lunch, or even wine and happy hour. I’m definitely a fan of their chai ginger latte.

I Am The Juice Place: If you’re not in the mood for coffee or need an afternoon pick me up, swing by and grab a juice to go. I love the affirmations associated with each juice and they use the freshest ingredients.

For more coffee options in downtown, you can check out this roundup here.

Grab a bite to eat

City Hall Bistro beckons the hungry with delicious and simple European fare. Tucked away inside the newly renovated Adolphus Hotel, this makes for a fantastic lunch or date night spot. I highly recommend the paella. You can also read about my amazing staycation at the Adolphus Hotel and my recent experience at City Hall Bistro.

Omni Hotel Dallas: if you like options, you can find a variety of fun restaurants at the Omni Hotel. I particularly love Texas Spice, but you can also lunch at the Restaurants on Lamar which includes Cafe Herrerra, Little Katana, Biergarten and Coal Vines. Or, if you’re feeling fancy, there’s also a Bob’s Steakhouse.

Alfredo pizza from Coal Vines

Americano inside the Joule Hotel offers plenty of fantastic options for lunch and dinner. If you’re also a fitness junkie, Vital Studio and Americano partner once a month to host crunch and brunch. For the price of $40, that gets you a rockin’ class and a set menu for brunch.

Ascension: Another great spot for lunch as well. Order a sandwich and salad combo for lunch or their yummy salmon salad if you’re craving something light. Lots of great options here and the space is gorgeous.

Gather Kitchen is the spot for anyone looking for a healthy lunch on-the-go that you can customize based on your dietary needs. You can build your own bowl and choose from tons of toppings and delicious proteins or choose one of their signature bowls. Hit up that patio during lunch and get some fresh air while you’re at it.

Time to grab a drink

Photo Cred: Ginger Marie Harper

Don’t tell Supperclub – Dallas’ most recent addition is this unique supperclub that combines food, cocktails, and a mesmerizing show all into one evening. Sip as you watch professional fire breathers, acrobats, and more.

The Mitchell – If you’re a craft cocktail connoisseur, definitely stop by The Mitchell. They love patrons that can appreciate a good Old Fashion. If you’re lucky, you may catch live music while you sip.

Midnight Rambler – Head inside the Joule hotel to their basement bar for delicious craft cocktails and retro vibes.

Places to visit

AT&T Performing Arts Center: Aside from wonderful shows and performances, there are a number of free fitness events happening as part of their Local Motion series. Check out their calendar of events here.

Dallas Museum of Art: If you’re feeling artsy and adventurous, stop by the DMA. I love their Late Nights at the DMA that occurs on the third Friday of each month. The museum is opened till midnight and tickets are $10. After checking out the exhibits, you can easily walk to a nearby restaurant or bar for drinks. Find the calendar and programming here.

Nasher Sculpture Center: The Nasher is one of my favorite places to visit. The garden is breathtaking and I highly recommend taking advantage of til Midnight at the Nasher. It’s also held at the same time as Late Nights at the DMA so you can definitely combo the experience. Or, if you’re on a budget, get free admission on the first Saturdays of every month. The center is quite beautiful during the daylight hours. Learn more about those events here.

Main Street Garden: Looking for another spot to visit? Head to Main Street Garden, grab a taco, and have a sit. Great place for families and pets with plenty of places to sit and shade from the sun.

Klyde Warren Park: There’s always something going on at the park. Whether it’s live music, dance classes, fitness classes, or full on productions of featured events, there’s something for everyone. You can check out their calendar of events here.

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Hope you enjoyed this round up of neat spots to check out in Downtown Dallas. This is a great visitors guide to send to any friends or family visiting the Big D. Don’t forget to head over to Visit Dallas where you can find other ways to rediscover this amazing city and make #DallasBigMoments.