Ice Rink News

Holiday restaurant pops up at CultureMap City Rink in downtown Dallas

There's a hot new holiday restaurant now open in a cool spot in downtown Dallas: Called Rudolph's Rinkside Cafe, it's a dining pop-up located at the first-ever CultureMap City Rink, presented by Verizon, at Main Street Garden in downtown Dallas.

The cafe is a partnership between DRG Concepts, the Dallas-based restaurant group behind Wicked Butcher, Wild Salsa, and Chop House Burger; Downtown Dallas, Inc. (DDI); and CultureMap Dallas to celebrate the season with a culinary activation that serves rinkside food and drinks.

Located in the center of Main Street Garden at 1902 Main St., the ice rink will be open from November 26 through January 5, 2026. A Tree Lighting Ceremony marked the official grand opening on November 28.

Rudolph's Rinkside Cafe brings DRG’s signature hospitality outdoors with a warm, inviting café serving freshly made churros, Mexican hot chocolate, tacos, nachos, and chips & queso — the perfect fare for skaters and families coming downtown to enjoy the holidays.

“Downtown Dallas has always been at the center of our story,” says DRG Concepts CEO Nafees Alam in a statement. “With Rudolph’s Rinkside Café, we’re extending our love of downtown into an open-air fun activation of our culinary — combining food, community, and celebration in the heart of the city. Partnering with Downtown Dallas Inc. and CultureMap Dallas allows us to create an experience that’s festive, approachable, and unmistakably Dallas."

Food and drink

The full menu of food and drink at Rudolph's includes:

Sips: Eggnog, Hot Chocolate, Spiced Cider, Sodas
Snacks: Kettle Chips, Nachos, Queso
Savory Bites: Chicken Sliders, Tacos (Chicken, Beef, Breakfast)
Sweets: S'mores, Churros

An adjoining cocktail hut (for guests 21-and-up) called the Apres Chalet featuring Shiner Spirits and FLIGHT by Yuengling resides next to the rink, with outdoor lounge seating around solo stove heaters and warm string lights.

Special holiday-themed cocktails include:

Holiday Mule: Ginger mule + Shiner Moonshine + Cranberry Juice
Holiday Screwdriver: Shiner Vodka + Orange Juice + Splash Grand Marnier
Holiday Mimosa: Cranberry Juice + Lamarca
Cinnamon Cider: with Shiner Cinnamon Moonshine
Boozy Coffee or Hot Chocolate with Irish Coffee: Coffee + Jameson + Brown Sugar syrup
Peppermint Patty: Hot Chocolate + Peppermint Schnapps + Whipped cream + Peppermint Stick

Classic cocktails include a Moonshine Margarita with Shiner Moonshine, Agave Nectar, Lime, and Orange mixer; Old Fashioned with Cinnamon Shiner Corn Whiskey; Lavender Rose Collins with Shiner Vodka and Shine Gin; Espresso Martini with Shiner Vodka; and Ginger Mule, also with Shiner Vodka.

There's also wine by the glass including One White Sauvignon Blanc and One Red Cabernet Wine; beer by Yuengling including Yuengling Lager and Light Lager; plus Ready-to-Drink beverages such as Ranch20 Tequila Variety and High Noon Vodka Variety.

Beyond the rink, DRG Concepts will activate its downtown restaurants including Wicked Butcher, Wild Salsa, and Chop House Burger with limited-edition menu items, warm-up cocktails, and “show-your-skate-ticket” specials available throughout the season.

DRG Concepts will also be collecting donations for Toys for Tots at Rudolph’s Rink Side Café and at all dining locations.

Downtown Dallas, Inc. President & CEO Jennifer Scripps says that "together, we’re turning Main Street into a connected experience for Holiday 2025 — where people can skate, dine, explore, and enjoy the city’s holiday magic all in one place."

Ashley Gongora

Hot chocolate at Rudolph's Rinkside Cafe

downtown dallas holidays city rink

This week in gluttony

These are the 8 best food and drink events in Dallas this week

Monarch

Monarch marks five years this week with a five senses dinner.

A 49th-floor restaurant will mark five years this week with a dinner set to engage all five senses. The week is also busy with a paella patio party, a barbecue fest, chocolate tasting soiree, and a wine mixer themed after a movie known for its comedic gold.

Thursday, May 28

Beats & Bites at Terra
Eataly’s rooftop restaurant Terra just refreshed its focus to highlight seasonal ingredients centered around a new wood-fired grill. Now the restaurant will launch its summer Beats & Bites series. Enjoy live jazz paired with a special menu of three chef-curated bites and a choice of craft cocktail for $20. The program will run on Thursdays throughout the early July from 5-8 pm.

Paella Night at Bucket & Rope
The New American restaurant located in the Dallas Farmers Market District will showcase the spirit of Spain during its monthly paella party on the patio. Chef Victor Hugo will serve Spanish paella, communal style, straight from the pan. Reservations are $48 and the evening begins at 6 pm with passed appetizers before paella service at 7 pm.

Monarch Five-Year Anniversary “Five Senses” Dinner
The wood-fired Italian restaurant on the 49th floor of The National downtown will mark its fifth anniversary with a five-course dinner intended to tantalize all five senses. Patrons can expect dramatic tableside presentations, Antinori Italian wine pairings, live entertainment, and an after party upstairs at Kessaku with dancing, DJ music, cocktails, and bites. The menu includes a “sound” course with tuna carpaccio inspired by ocean waves, a “feel” course with prosciutto, mozzarella and Ossetra caviar, a “smell” course with wagyu Italian sausage flambé, and more. The dinner is $250 and begins at 6 pm. Add the after party for $50 more, or $125 on its own.

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit BBQ Fest
The original Dickey’s Barbecue Pit will celebrate National Brisket Day and its 85th anniversary with the inaugural BBQ Fest, a fundraiser benefiting The Dickey Foundation. The family-friendly event will feature live music, barbecue samples, raffles, and a friendly eating competition between members of Dallas Fire-Rescue and the Dallas Police Department. Admission includes a Rancher’s Premium Sausage Sandwich and a Big Yellow Cup. May 28. It'll take place 3-6 pm at the original Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, 4610 N. Central Expwy. Tickets are $10.

Saturday, May 30

Drink North Texas Wine Festival
Taking place at the Frontiers of Flight Museum, this all-day wine tasting event will feature samplings from a dozen North Texas wineries. Sip and stroll amid a collection of aircraft while enjoying live jazz, food vendors, and shopping, too. Ticket start at $38 for regular general admission pricing and the event will run from 10 am-8 pm.

Catalina Wine Mixer at Cane Rosso
Cane Rosso White Rock will host its second annual patio party (named for a scene in the comedy Step Brothers) with wine stations, cocktails, live action food stations, and live music. Menu highlights include grilled mortadella with chimichurri, panzanella salad, vodka pasta with Calabrian chicken meatballs, and porchetta sliders. Tickets (which are expected to sell out) are $40, and the event will run from 5-9 pm.

Sunday, May 31

For the Love of Chocolate at Dude, Sweet Chocolate
Dallas’ pioneering artisan chocolate shop will host its annual evening of chocolate and food tastings. The $110 ticket includes cocktails; bites by guest restaurants and chefs including Georgie, Taco y Vino, Snap BBQ, and more; and of course, chocolate. The event begins at 5 pm.

Chef Collective Dinner at Meridian featuring David Uygur from Lucia
Meridian has launched a guest chef dinner series featuring local chefs cooking alongside executive chef Eduardo Osorio at the Village Dallas restaurant. Next up is David Uyger of the Michelin-recognized restaurant Lucia. A tasting menu will be served and 20 percent of the $185 ticket price will be donated to Meat Fight, a nonprofit that supports those living with multiple sclerosis. Reservations available all evening starting at 5 pm.