Top Dallas Lunch Spots

The best restaurants in Dallas for ladies who lunch

The situation is all too familiar: You and your girlfriends are on a group text, trying to figure out where to have lunch. Chances are you're looking for a place that offers great food, good people watching and, perhaps, an atmosphere that will generate a beautiful Instagram picture. Am I right?

Lucky for all you lunching ladies, there are plenty of restaurants in Dallas for a leisurely and lovely midday meal. Here's our list of the best places to get dressed up and dine with your besties — where it's never too early for a little bubbly.

Bistro 31
Described as an elevated European bistro, the restaurant offers dishes inspired by French, Italian and Spanish cuisine. The location, in the heart of Highland Park Village, is the perfect perch to watch the people strolling through the luxury shopping center. Whether it's a salad or steak frites, the meal is always spot-on, especially when washed down with a carefully crafted cocktail.

Grange Hall
This is the newcomer in the bunch, as the group behind the avant garde floral and gift shop expanded its repertoire last fall with a restaurant next door. Sharon Hage designed the menu, and Chad Martin mans the kitchen, turning out well-composed dishes such as spring Swiss chard frittata with saffron ricotta toast and lobster parsnip chowder.

Le Bilboquet
This New York import serves elevated French fare in a light and bright white tablecloth environment. Try the lobster roll, crab and avocado salad, or cold poached salmon. An impressive wine list makes it easy to spend a leisurely afternoon on the patio catching up with friends.

Mercat Bistro
This intimate European bistro, decorated with recycled and reclaimed antiques from all over the world, is tucked away in the Harwood District. Start the meal with a glass of wine and charcuterie board or bruschetta; for a lighter option, there is a lovely salad with asparagus, lemon vinaigrette and organic soft-boiled egg. If the weather is right, stake a claim on the patio and settle in for an espresso or digestif.

Rise No. 1
Whether you crave sweet or savory, this soufflé temple at Inwood Village hits the spot. Located in a prime Park Cities location, the pretty restaurant also serves soups such as marshmallow and French onion, entrée-sized salads, and a selection of cheeses — and if you like the ceramics on which they are served, those are available for purchase. Seltzer is house-made, lemonade is fresh-squeezed, and wine and champagne can be done by flight.

T Room
If the T Room were a high school senior, it would definitely be nominated as most attractive in the yearbook. The polished eatery befits its Forty Five Ten address, and it's always packed with fabulously dressed women enjoying signature panini, quiche and salads — conveniently available in myriad combos. Post-lunch, a shopping spree may be in order.

True Food Kitchen
This restaurant at the Plaza at Preston Center has been packed since its arrival in Dallas in late 2013. The food here is healthier but still tastes good, such as the quinoa burger with a side of kale. This may be the most kid-friendly spot on the list, as we commonly see moms in their Lululemon workout gear, babies on hip, searching for their girlfriends. The bright, plant-infused decor reminds us of a spring day in LA.

Zodiac at Neiman Marcus Downtown
This is Dallas' palace for ladies who lunch. Located on the sixth floor of Neiman Marcus downtown, the beautiful environs provide respite from the bustle of Main Street. The meal still begins with complimentary consomme and a popover with strawberry butter, which can be followed by salad, sandwich or heartier entrée such as chicken paillard Milanese. Diners always seem to be enjoying a glass of champagne, because the occasion calls for it.

Parigi
A Parisian-inspired bistro with a New York edge, Parigi has been doing its thing for three decades. The menu changes every other week based on what's in season and guest feedback, but signature items remain, including beef tenderloin, fish of the week and the famous Caesar salad. Chef-owner Janice Provost has been steadfast in her mission to make this restaurant the most welcoming in the neighborhood.

Tartare of ahi tuna with crushed avocado, hearts of palm, cucumber and Meyer lemon vinaigrette at Bistro 31.

Photo courtesy of Bistro 31

Tartare of ahi tuna with crushed avocado, hearts of palm, cucumber and Meyer lemon vinaigrette at Bistro 31.

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Red letter opening

Dallas bar veterans open Italian speakeasy-restaurant in Denton

Photo courtesy of Red: Italian

Exposed stone walls and a backlit glowing bar anchor the subterranean space at Red: Italian.

A new speakeasy lounge serving high-end Italian food has arrived at a cool historic building in Denton. Called Red: Italian, the subterranean restaurant opened in the basement of Ruby Rodeo, a bar and live music venue located at 122 N. Locust St. on Denton Square.

The concept comes from Victor García and Mike Church. García spent years at Truth & Alibi — the popular speakeasy lounge disguised behind the faux storefront of the Deep Ellum Candy Company — before acquiring the same space for Scarlett Lounge and Kitchen in Deep Ellum in 2024. Church, a commercial pilot, trained at The Culinary School in Fort Worth and the Ritz-Carlton to refine his passion for cooking.

The business partners say they fell in love with the historic nature of the 1877 building in Denton, which housed Andy’s Bar for 30 years.

“We have always loved the building — it is the oldest building on the square. We saw the vision and loved the aesthetics for both our Ruby Rodeo and Red: Italian concepts,” Church says.

After opening Ruby Rodeo, the duo launched Red: Italian this month. Church notes that the "red" naming convention across their concepts — Scarlett, Ruby, and now Red — nods to his favorite color, a symbol of passion, and the red wines and tomato sauces central to Italian dining.

Church’s passion for Italian cuisine defined the menu, which he created alongside executive chef Denise Gabrielle, his former culinary school instructor. Gabrielle brings decades of hospitality experience from the Westin Hotels, The Wigwam Resort in Litchfield Park, Arizona, and most recently, The Taste Project in Fort Worth and Arlington.

The 58-seat underground space — which includes 10 seats at the bar — serves elevated Italian classics. Entrees range from $25 to $40, with menu highlights including:

Spicy sausage lasagna with arrabbiata sauce
Cacio e pepe bucatini
Chicken piccata
Braised lamb leg
Mediterranean Sea bass
Shrimp diablo
Espresso-crusted filet mignon with Italian seasoning

Appetizers are priced under $15 and include house-made fried mozzarella, stuffed mushrooms, grilled artichokes, bruschetta, meatballs, and flatbreads. The kitchen also serves salads, featuring a classic Caesar and a house chopped salad with nine toppings.

Shrimp diablo served over pasta with toasted slices of bread at Red: Italian.Photo courtesy of Red: Italian

Desserts feature house-made panna cotta, ricotta-amaretto Italian cheesecake topped with drunken cherry sauce, and a table-side bananas Foster served with house-made amaretto gelato.

The bar program leans into Italian flavors with options like an Italian margarita made with house limoncello, tequila, amaretto, and simple syrup, alongside a peach Bellini and a smoky Godfather. The wine list spotlights Italian bottles and a selection of Napa Valley options.

“The place has the perfect intimate, upscale, fun Italian wine and food ambience,” Church says.

While entering Red doesn't require a password, it still has an off-the-beaten-path entry that is characteristic of speakeasies. Social media posts direct patrons to "look for the red awning" adjacent to Ruby Rodeo’s black awning. A set of red stairs leads guests downstairs to a door with a small sign reading "Red:".

To preserve the speakeasy atmosphere, cell phone use is discouraged. The space also features subtle Easter eggs for guests to discover, such as conversation starters tucked beneath the napkins.

Following a sold-out opening weekend, Red: Italian is now open, with an official ribbon cutting planned for September (exact date to be announced).

Hours are Tuesday through Sunday from 5-10 pm, with last seating at 9 pm to wrap up dinner service before Ruby Rodeo’s live music starts upstairs at 10:30 pm.

speakeasy italian restaurant denton