There are so many great places to live in Dallas that it helps to have an expert on your side. The Neighborhood Guide presented by Briggs Freeman Sotheby's International Realty gives you insider access from the agents who live and work there, providing in-the-know info about your possible new community.
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When Melissa Frantz-Ellerman, Global Real Estate Advisor with Briggs Freeman Sotheby's International Realty, moved to the Knox area in 2020, it didn't take her long to fall in love with this Dallas neighborhood. Coming from a 26-year real estate career in Atlanta, she now sings the praises of the Knox District to her friends, family, and clients.
"I love the sense of community in this area, the small-town feel in the middle of a large metro area," Frantz-Ellerman says. "Plus there's the Katy Trail, lots of local restaurants and shops, and it's adjacent to Highland Park."
Knox Street is a vibrant lifestyle destination, offering a unique and elevated vision with more than 80 shops and restaurants — all just steps away from the Katy Trail.
"From chic retail brands to one of Dallas’ most exciting dining scenes, the undeniably energetic and outgoing Knox Street neighborhood is where live, work, and play seamlessly converge," she says. "A curated collection of the trendiest names in fashion, home decor, and wellness are anchored by truly distinct local boutiques and eateries that have continued to welcome generations of patrons."
Frantz-Ellerman describes this energetic area as welcoming, manicured, and safe — so safe, in fact, that she sold her son, a 2021 SMU graduate, a townhome right in the heart of the Knox District.
Frantz-Ellerman offered up a few of her personal favorites about life in the Knox District. Here's her guide to the area:
Where to eat & drink
Distinct dining is at the core of Knox Street's vivacious culture, posting an extremely elevated collection of revered restaurants and cocktail bars, each bringing individuality and an unparalleled experience.
"From the moment I moved to Dallas, I fell in love — and, frankly — right at home with The Charles," she shares.
Since then, Duro Hospitality has opened several restaurants that she frequents, including Mister Charles, situated in the center of Knox. It has been a big success, Frantz-Ellerman reveals, given its location was the iconic former Highland Park Pharmacy.
"I love how they preserved the historic facade on the outside while the interior boasts opulent design, indulgent French and Italian dishes, elevated cocktails, and rare wines," she says.
Other new and notable restaurants recently opened include Anchor Sushi Bar, Green Point, and Le Bloom.
"My most favorite is Rose Cafe, located in The Terminal," she shares. "I love it so much that I went three times the first day, and I now frequent it almost daily. It's a warm and inviting all-day cafe filled with creativity and community spirit, inspired by the elegance of a blooming rose garden. I love how it opens up to the trail, and I usually run into someone I know — it feels like a home away from home."
A multitude of other cuisines abound, including classic French fare at Le Bilboquet and Toulouse, exceptional American fusion at RH Dallas' rooftop restaurant and Georgie by Curtis Stone, masterfully crafted Italian cuisine at Taverna, and a taste of classic Tex-Mex at Doce Mesas. At Grange Hall, chef Julian Barsotti will be opening a new restaurant, Caffe Lucca, in early 2026.
Order freshly baked pastries and hand-crafted lattes to-go at Village Baking Company or enjoy a leisurely al fresco dinner, all just steps from your home. Another option for sandwiches, pastries, and coffee is Georgie Butcher Shop — "everything you love about Georgie, just in a smaller package!" says Frantz-Ellerman.
The Katy Trail Ice House, which sits right along the Katy Trail, is not to be missed. Considered by many to be the best patio in Dallas, this spot is an Austin-style beer garden with tree-shaded tables and 50 beers on tap. "Did I mention it's very dog-friendly, too?" Frantz-Ellerman says. "It is a spot everyone must experience."
Where to play
Dallas' most walkable shopping and dining district is located between prestigious Highland Park and Henderson Avenue, less than three miles from downtown, offering a premier destination for locals and guests to explore and experience along the iconic Katy Trail. A curated collection of the trendiest names in men's and women's apparel, interior design, and wellness are anchored by bespoke local boutiques and restaurants that have continued to welcome generations of patrons.
Whether shopping at Mashburn, Vince, Bardot, or the recently opened Kith, or seeking interior design inspiration at Restoration Hardware, Serena and Lily, and Crate and Barrel, a vast selection of unique lifestyle brands and businesses are around every corner.
From luxe gifts at Grange Hall to Dallas' most acclaimed fitness studios and personal care destinations, including the recently opened Jones Road Beauty, a refreshing sense of place and the warmest of welcomes can be discovered when strolling down tree-lined streets boasting a thoughtful mixture of preserved historic facades, innovative architecture, and charming courtyards.
“I love the ease and encouragement of a healthy lifestyle here," Frantz-Ellerman says. "It’s so easy to just hop on the Katy Trail for a quick run or a long bike ride. My husband and I take long rides on the weekend, shorter ones during the week (with my dog strapped in my basket), and walk to our weekly Wednesday night reservation at our first-date spot, Taverna."
A host of new wellness concepts have joined the neighborhood, among them Alive and Well and O2 Dallas, the latter of which is a pilates, yoga, and retail concept from Aspen.
"In a large city like Dallas, access to the Katy Trail, shopping, restaurants, and the overall charm of the Knox Street area is a special gift and one of the most alluring qualities of the Knox District," says Frantz-Ellerman, who recently served on the Katy Trail 5K committee. "So pair that with your home being right in the middle of it, and life is good!"
Where to live
This area has an eclectic mix of townhomes, single-family homes, and apartment/condo buildings, making it an ideal spot for every stage in life. Frantz-Ellerman lives with her husband, who builds custom homes in the Park Cities, in a home just steps from the Katy Trail.
A new era is on the horizon with Knox Villas, a limited collection of 12 luxury, single-family, three-story residences with private outdoor spaces and terraces. Buyers will be drawn to the private outdoor spaces, elevators, and garages, Frantz-Ellerman says.
One of Dallas’ most ambitious Knox Street projects is a mixed-use development that will feature an Auberge Resorts Collection Hotel and Residences, restaurants, retail, luxury rental building, a boutique office building, and a new park space. In it will be the first Texas location of Sant Ambroeus, the iconic Milanese restaurant that's also popped up in Palm Springs, Aspen, and The Hamptons.
"It will be amazing to have its world-class dining options, from a morning cappuccino to a celebratory dinner, right here in this special neighborhood," says Frantz-Ellerman.
Whether you're an SMU grad like Frantz-Ellerman's son, just building your foundation in Dallas, or an out-of-towner looking for the perfect spot to start the next chapter, the Knox District has something for everyone, and Frantz-Ellerman has the passion, experience, and bespoke service to get you there. If you see her on the Katy Trail or along Knox Street sporting her Sotheby's swag, be sure to stop her for a chat about her favorite neighborhood in Dallas.
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Melissa Frantz-Ellerman lives, works, and plays in the Knox District. For more information on buying and selling a home in the area, click here, email mfrantz@briggsfreeman.com, or call 404-791-3686.
Photo courtesy of Briggs Freeman Sotheby's International Realty
Hop on the Katy Trail or escape to your own backyard retreat.
