Design District Dining Guide

Best neighborhood eats: 6 hot restaurants in Dallas Design District

Meddlesome Moth blazed the hipster trail into the Design District when it openedin 2010.

Photo courtesy of Meddlesome Moth
FT33 is a laboratory for chef-owner Matt McCallister to experiment withtechniques and flavor combinations.

Photo by Kevin Marple
Pakpao attracts serious foodies who appreciate its authenticity.

Photo courtesy of Pakpao Thai
Ascension has been praised for its coffee and wine selection, but it's also alikable spot to grab a bite.

Ascension Coffee
At Royal Sixty, longtime caterer Wendy Krispin does a classic ladies lunch everyweekday, such as grilled pimento cheese on pumpernickel.

Apeizza
Oak is the Design District ideal, with its mesh of fine dining and restful,elegant decor.

Photo courtesy of Oak

That the Dallas Design District would rank as one of the hottest neighborhoods for good eats should hardly be a surprise. This once-industrial area was singled out by the city for redevelopment in the mid-2000s. Apartment and lofts have been built, along with galleries, retail and restaurants such as Kay Agnew's Bridge Bistro.

In the past year, some of the city's hottest restaurants have opened in the district, along with a bowling alley called Bowlounge and a wine retailer called the Wine Poste, which hosts tastings nearly every week. The energy has spilled outside the district to streets nearby with openings such as Off Site Kitchen and Slow Bone joining veterans Original Market Diner and Mama's Daughter's Diner, each bringing their own independent, unique spirit.

Here's six spots that answer the question about where to eat in the Design District:

Ascension
Its coffee is unique, and it's been praised as a top wine bar. But Ascension is also a likable, serviceable place to grab a bite. Its welcoming atmosphere is matched by a broad menu that extends from oatmeal and breakfast tacos at breakfast, to light sandwiches at lunch, to chicken and mozzarella penne pasta at dinner.

FT33
The Design District is home to the most buzzed-about restaurant in Dallas. You may think FT33 is a restaurant, but it's really a laboratory for chef-owner Matt McCallister to experiment with techniques and flavor combinations. If you want cutting edge in Dallas, with artistic presentation on the plate, this is the place. The menu frequently changes, but so far they've kept the smoked potatoes, a perfect dish that manages to be both novel and supremely satisfying.

Meddlesome Moth
The Moth blazed the hipster trail into the Design District when it opened in 2010 as this generation's 8.0. That meant craft beer instead of wine coolers and a double dose of bacon on the Cobb salad. The bar staff can be insufferably rude, and the signature "Moth Balls," consisting of ricotta cheese in a cream sauce, is rather funky. But, hey, it was there first, and some of those dozens of beers on tap are unique.

Oak
The first restaurant from husband-and-wife restaurateurs Richard and Tiffanee Ellman (Pakpao, Belly & Trumpet), Oak is the Design District ideal, with its mesh of fine dining and restful, elegant decor. The kitchen has had its bumps with staff turnover, but current chef Richard Gras is on track with a new fall menu featuring dishes like roasted bone marrow with short rib marmalade.

Pakpao
Exotic sibling of Oak (and Belly & Trumpet) specializes in Thai, as prepared by chef Eddy Thretipthuangsin. This Thailand native is hitting the two key demographics: the serious foodies who appreciate authentic dishes such as steamed prawn with mung bean noodle and shiitake mushroom, served in a clay pot, and the trendy diners who love that Pakpao means kite and can see some hanging from the ceiling.

Royal Sixty
Longtime caterer Wendy Krispin does a classic ladies lunch every weekday, with sandwiches, salads, soups and tea, served in a subtly elegant space with tablecloths and chandelier. Dishes such as grilled pimento cheese on pumpernickel with sweet potato fries, smoked salmon and feta cheese omelet, and tilapia on succotash feature just enough innovation to make them intriguing.

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This week in gluttony

Caviar crowns the 8 best food and drink events in Dallas this week

Punk Noir/Instagram

Punk Noir will host a caviar tasting this week.

Indulge this week with not one, but two, caviar events along with other luxe experiences like a Burgundy wine tasting and Amalfi Coast brunch. There's also opportunity to keeps things more laid back with a summer burger party, and even a humorous dinner with a former TV writer from The Simpsons.

Wednesday, July 15

Caviar & Wine Tasting Experience at Punk Noir
This guided wine and caviar tasting will feature wines from Hyde Vineyards Estates paired with Altima caviars in a bump-and-sip setting at the new Punk Noir tasting-menu restaurant on Turtle Creek Boulevard. Tickets are $50, and the tasting will run from 6-8 pm.

Thursday, July 16

30th DFW Restaurant Week Reservation Day Happy Hour at The Stoneleigh Hotel
The historic Stoneleigh Hotel will host a kickoff party in conjunction with reservations officially opening for the 30th annual DFW Restaurant Week. Visit the hotel from 4-6 pm for complimentary passed appetizers, samples of Stella Artois beer and Penfolds wines (the official beer and wine of DFW Restaurant Week), chalice engravings, a shuffleboard competition with prizes, and a champagne toast at 5 pm. (DFW Restaurant Week runs August 10-September 7.)

Friday, July 17

Red Burgundy Wine Tasting at Pappas Bros. Steakhouse
Join the Pappas Bros. Steakhouse sommelier team for a tasting of rare wines from Burgundy, France, including selections from the storied Cote d’Or. A dozen wines are included at various stations as well as paired hors d’oeuvres. The tasting is $150 and will run from 6-8 pm.

Saturday, July 18

Sun's Out, Buns Out Patio Party at Loro Asian Smokehouse & Bar
Embrace peak summer heat with a playful party built around burgers - and buns - at both Loro Asian Smokehouse locations (East Dallas and Addison). Guests can expect $10 sandwiches, like smoked pulled pork, pork katsu, smoked brisket, and smoked chicken, along with $8 “Porch Pouches” and a popsicle pop-up with free popsicles from 1-4 pm, or while they last.

National Caviar Day at Dee Lincoln Prime
The Frisco steakhouse will offer an indulgent special pairing to mark National Caviar Day. The menu includes two caviar “sammies” – butter-toasted mine Hawaiian rolls with chive crème fraiche and premium caviar – paired with the new Dee Luxe Sour, made with Hendrick’s gin, Lillet Blanc, white crème de cacao, and Supasawa premium sour cocktail mixer. The pairing is $65. Call 214-387-3333 for reservations.

Sunday, July 19

A Taste of the Amalfi Coast at Monarch
Experience a taste of coastal Italy paired with sweeping views of the Dallas skyline. The prix-fixe menu includes warm focaccia, heirloom tomato caprese, lobster benedict, rigatoni carbonara, lemon ricotta pancakes, steak and eggs, and more. The brunch is $95 ($35 for kids under 12), plus tax and gratuity, with the option of adding bottomless mimosas for $33 more. Seating times run from 10 am-1:30 pm.

Championship Match Watch Party at Columbian Country Club
Celebrate the end of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a final watch party at Columbian Country Club featuring DJ music, an ice luge, soccer-themed décor, and drinks sponsored by Don Julio, Casamigos, and La Marca. Admission is free and the party will run all day from 1 pm-2 am. Match time is 2 pm.

Bill Oakley's An American Culinary Curiosity Dinner at Vector Brewing
Bill Oakley is the Emmy Award winning former show writer of The Simpsons TV series, and he’s teaming up with Vector Brewing for two nights of dining and imbibing. This seven-course dinner event will offer a “secret” menu of rare regional American foods and a humorous talk by Oakley. Tickets are $135, with an optional beer pairing for $25 more. The dinner begins at 7 pm both Sunday and Monday nights.

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This week in gluttony

Caviar crowns the 8 best food and drink events in Dallas this week