This Week in Gluttony

These are the 7 best food and drink events in Dallas this week

Tacolandia comes to the Dallas Farmers Market for the fifth year on October 5.

Photo courtesy of Dallas Observer

This week is a busy one on the food events front. If you are itching for a good foodie festival or a sophisticated wine dinner that may or may not break the bank for a good cause, don't hesitate any longer to buy your tickets. Bon appétit throughout the week.

Thursday, October 3

Bubbly Q at Fearing's
Chef Dean Fearing and event chairs Leila Bergquist and Melanie Carroll headline this event that serves as the Young Texans Against Cancer's biggest fundraiser of the year. (It's also one of the buzziest YP events in Dallas.) Guests can enjoy bites from Beverley's, Bisou Bisou, Central Market, Imoto, Nobu, Parigi, Salum, The Charles, and more while sipping on cocktails mixed by Eddie "Lucky" Campbell and Roxor Gin. Tickets start at $110, and the event kicks off at 6 pm.

Friday, October 4

Out of this World Cheese Pairings at Scardello Artisan Cheese
The folks at Scardello Artisan Cheese are dubbing this one of the best classes that they've ever put together. Why? Because cheese is great on its own and with classic accompaniments, but when it is matched up with more unexpected items, the results can be mind blowing. Come taste for yourself. Tickets are $40, and the class starts at 8 pm.

TACA Party on the Green at Elaine D. and Charles A. Sammons Park
The Arts Community Alliance (TACA) presents this chef-driven event that supports the arts in North Texas. Everyone from Jon Thompson of Zaytinya to Freddy Sulis of The French Room prepare bites that will excite every party palate. There's also an open bar, live entertainment, wine pull, live and silent auctions, and music by the DJ Lucy Wrubel. Tickets start at $350 (remember, it's for charity), and the event kicks off at 6:30 pm.

Saturday, October 5

Plano Food and Wine Festival at The Shops at Willow Bend
Guests have the opportunity to sample over 100 wines and food from more than 20 local restaurants while listening to live musicians and watching demos from North Texas culinary experts. This family-friendly event also features a play zone for kids and more than 100 boutiques and shops for those who are in the mood for a little retail therapy. Tickets start at $20, and the event kicks off at 2 pm.

Tacolandia at Dallas Farmers Market
This fifth annual event involves an outdoor taco-sampling portion unlike any other, from more than 30 local restaurants. From urban contemporary to authentic street-style, tacos will be plentiful and enjoyed alongside beer and cocktails via the cash bar. There will also be live music and awards handed out for best tacos in various categories. Tickets are $25, and the fun starts at 4 pm. A portion of the proceeds benefits the North Texas Food Bank.

Park & Palate's "Dinner in the Park" at Klyde Warren Park
In anticipation of the Grand Taste later in the month, guests enjoy a three-course seated dinner under the stars with sommelier-chosen wine selections. There'll also be live music and dancing. Proceeds from the event benefit Klyde Warren Park and its programming, which allows for thousands of visitors to enjoy free events annually. To purchase seating or to make a donation, contact Ann Whitley Wood at 214-716-4500 or info@klydewarrenpark.org. Group seating starts at $3,500, and dinner starts at 6:30 pm.

Monday, October 7

Italian Wines with Leonardo Pisani at Momo Italian Kitchen
Wine expert Leonardo Pisani invades Momo Italian Kitchen, offering guests the opportunity to sample regional Italian wines from the Serendipity Wines Portfolio. The best news? The sampling is complimentary with dinner, and wines can be enjoyed by the glass or the bottle if you find one that you particularly enjoy. The evening includes special retail pricing on the bottles to take home to enjoy later. Samplings start at 5:30 pm.

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Best Happy Hours

Where to drink in Dallas right now: 5 special happy hours for September

Malai Kitchen

This is a most distinguished edition of Where to Drink, CultureMap's monthly column bringing news of the best happy hours around. Distinguished, because these aren't just the cheapest deals. These happy hours are all a little extra, whether it's gourmet chef-driven food, unique location, or a special Korean twist.

Here are the best happy hour destinations for September 2026:

Cipher Lounge
Unique new entertainment venue and lounge in downtown McKinney is an escape room-plus-restaurant and bar, combining food, cocktails, and escape-room experiences under one roof. The Cipher Lounge is not your typical bar or escape room. The lounge boasts a sophisticated atmosphere with craft cocktails and upscale bites. You can stop in before or after the escape room, but you can also just come in for food and drink. And fortunately, they do a happy hour Wednesday-Friday from 2-6 pm with $3 off flatbreads & dips, $3 off well cocktails, $2 off domestic beers, and $1 off import and craft beers.

Malai Kitchen
Small local chain specializing in southeast Asian cuisine is a perennial, with four locations including the original at West Village in Uptown Dallas. They recently expanded their already generous happy hour with more to eat and more to drink, still with the same scratch-made kitchen behind all of it. Signature cocktails are $4 off. Their celebrated house-brewed beer is $6, and their happy hour wines are a cut above: Aveleda Vinho Verde white from Portugal, and Vina Eguia Tempranillo red from Spain, $8 per glass. Bites are $8 or two for $15 including Vietnamese meatballs, cucumber salad, shishito peppers, grilled satay, fried imperial rolls, spicy edamame, Thai chicken wings, and potstickers. Hours are Monday-Friday 3-6 pm, and all day Sunday.

Nuri Steakhouse
Korean steakhouse in Uptown recently launched "Geonbae Hour," its elevated take on happy hour, inspired by the Korean tradition of “Geonbae,” meaning cheers. Featured bites include oysters, bulgogi beef tacos, steak tartare cigar, and truffle popcorn, $7 to $9, plus a Wagyu burger with kimchi-glazed bacon and white cheddar for $20. Drinks include their unique renditions of classic drinks like an old-fashioned, margarita, and negroni for $10; plus beer, wine, and soju, the Korean spirit. It's offered Monday-Thursday 4- 6 pm and all day Sunday.

Two Hands
Australian-style all-day cafe founded in New York, which opened a location at The Quad in 2025, has what it calls a "snacky hour," which is short and to the point: a smashburger for $10, plus $10 cocktails, $3 off glasses of wine (including red, white, and sparkling), and $5 draft beer. Cocktails include martinis (dry or dirty), espresso martini, margarita, aperol spritz, old-fashioned, Negroni, and bloody Mary. Snacky hour is offered every day from 4-6 pm.

Written By the Seasons
Chef-driven concept has two locations in Dallas: Bishop Arts and The Quad. Both host an admirable happy hour 3:30-5 pm Monday-Saturday, with half-off on bottles of wine and significant snacks, including some of their signature dishes. There are smoked Texas pecans, cheese & charcuterie board, boquerones with arugula & crostini, mutabal (the middle-Eastern eggplant dip) with olives and crispy flatbread, and their acclaimed kimchi pancakes, priced from $5 to $12. There's also a burger with American cheese, and a veggie sandwich with cucumber, avocado, daikon sprouts, and shaved carrots on wheat — both $18.

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