Tastemaker Best Neighborhood Restaurants

Best neighborhood restaurants in Dallas bring comfort to Tastemaker Awards

We're counting the days until the climax of our first CultureMap Dallas Tastemaker Awards, where we celebrate the movers and shakers of the local food and beverage industry.

We hope you've enjoyed getting to know the city's sharpest sommeliers, best pastry chefs, brightest rising stars, buzziest breweries and friendliest bars. We've talked shop with the best bartenders and worshipped the best chefs. We've encouraged readers to cast their votes for the best new restaurant.

All of the winners will be announced at our big event on May 6.

Now we get to one of our most favorite categories: neighborhood restaurants. These are the places that win your heart not only for the fine meal they dish out, but also for their dependability, non-judgmental mien and comforting familiarity. It's like being at home — but better.

Here are the nominees for Best Nneighborhood Restaurant:

Carbone's
Supremely practical Italian deli-restaurant comes from Julian Barsotti, chef-owner of Nonna, as an homage to his ancestors' sandwich shop in New York. His goal is to celebrate Italian-American food traditions and to make as many items in-house as he can. The neighbors love: spaghetti with Italian meatballs.

Dive Coastal Cuisine
Casual but upscale restaurant in Snider Plaza from Franchesca Nor fits into the neighborhood perfectly, with its fresh, healthy vibe. Menu offers turkey burgers, seafood, salads, light sandwiches and vegetarian options. The neighbors love: ahi tuna wrap.

Hattie’s
Pioneer in Bishop Arts helped set the stage for ensuing gentrification. Refined and distinctly Southern, the restaurant does homey dishes such as shrimp and grits, mac and cheese, and chicken and waffles. The neighbors love: prosciutto-wrapped figs stuffed with walnuts and blue cheese.

The Grape
Dallas' original neighborhood restaurant with impressive wine list manages to draw a clientele from beyond its Greenville Avenue address. Owners Brian and Courtney Luscher have done more than merely keep the flame alive; they make it burn brighter than ever. The neighbors love: Sunday brunch burger and mushroom soup.

Goodfriend Beer Garden & Burger House
With original chefs Jeana Johnson and Colleen O'Hare no longer involved, this East Dallas burger bar is less about the food and more about the stellar beer list. But perhaps no restaurant on this list is more revered by the folks nearby. The neighbors love: Pepper bomb burger with harissa sauce and chipotle cheddar.

Le Bilboquet
Transplanted bistro from New York does fancy French classics such as steak au poivre, not always well, in Travis Walk. But hello, this neighborhood's not about eating; it's about being seen on the patio. The neighbors love: fish with fennel and tomato.

Neighborhood Services
Chef Nick Badovinus' mini-chain even has "neighborhood" in the name of his upscale rendition of a neighborhood restaurant. Between the glossy-yet-hip scene and robust food, Badovinus has his finger on the pulse of Dallas diners. The neighbors love: chicken liver mousse.

R+D Kitchen
Little sibling of Houston's is smaller and less proper, with a streamlined California ambience and vaguely healthy menu that fits its Preston Center address to a T. Nicely lit bar serves its pretty clientele well. The neighbors love: Asian chicken and noodle salad.

Urban Crust
Upscale pizzeria was an early settler in old downtown Plano. Good wine list, above-average pizzas and an unfussy atmosphere keep 'em coming, despite new competition such as Lockhart Smokehouse. The neighbors love: Black and Blue pizza with sirloin, caramelized onions, blue cheese and basil pesto.

Goodfriend Beer Garden & Burger House

Photo by Robert Bostick

Goodfriend Beer Garden & Burger House

unspecified series554589738

Pub News

Queens Head English pub to open in storied Deep Ellum Dallas location

Courtesy photo

undefined

There's a new English pub coming to Deep Ellum: Called Queens Head Pub, it'll open at 2713 Elm St. in the storied space that was once home to the legendary Green Room.

The opening is slated for May, timed to coincide with the arrival of the FIFA World Cup 2026, with a goal to serve as a destination for match-day celebrations, live music, and neighborhood gatherings — an authentic and spirited setting where fans can unite over the game. (FIFA matches in Dallas will run from June 14-July 14.)

The Queens Head Pub will mark the second concept from Deep Ellum Collective, who in September 2025 launched The Terrace, an elevated event space at 2554 Elm St. with a spacious rooftop patio boasting views of downtown Dallas.

Led by longtime neighborhood veteran Eric Bradford (of Bomb Factory fame), Deep Ellum Collective is working on a series of projects aimed at revitalizing this iconic entertainment district while introducing fresh, community-driven hospitality experiences.

“Queens Head Pub captures the spirit of a traditional English pub while embracing the energy and authenticity of Deep Ellum,” Bradford says in a statement. “This is more than just a pub — it’s a gathering place that celebrates tradition, camaraderie, and the vibrant culture of the neighborhood. As our second concept, it sets the tone for what’s to come as we continue to introduce projects that contribute to the revitalization of this historic district.”

They promise that the pub will deliver the charm and tradition of a classic British public house, but with a Texan sense of hospitality, with full pints, hearty plates, and a welcoming atmosphere for "after-work regulars, match-day diehards, first dates, old mates, or anyone seeking a place that feels instantly familiar."

Food & drink
The menu will comprise elevated Britain pub fare, with entrees such as fish & chips, shepherd’s pie, steak & ale pie, and bangers & mash. Starters include Scotch eggs, sausage rolls, and curried mussels.

Other highlights include Guinness beef stew, the QHP Burger, and indulgent desserts such as toffee bread pudding.

The bar will serve imported and domestic draft beers, English ales, full pints, and expertly poured Guinness. There'll be craft cocktails, and an approachable wine and spirits menu.

Rendering of interior of Queens Head Pub, opening in Deep Ellum.Courtesy rendering

Design
Led by Droese Raney, the design recreates a traditional English public house that preserves the history of the space. The project combines the former Green Room space with the neighboring property to create a venue spanning 6,000 square feet. At its heart stands a striking 40-foot bar that incorporates the original Green Room bar — believed to date back to the 19th century — maintaining a tangible connection to the building’s storied past.

The space includes cozy nooks, communal tables, a relaxed lounge area, and a private dining space. A rooftop patio spanning 2,000 square feet will offer both covered and open-air areas designed for year-round use and a variety of social experiences.

Materials used include reclaimed hardwoods, stained wood, brass accents, tin ceilings, and hand-painted mirrors — many sourced from antique dealers in Round Top, Texas. They'll be open Tuesday-Sunday starting at 11 am. Follow the progress on Instagram at @queensheadpubde.

deep-ellum openings