Apps Outdoors

These 5 standout Dallas restaurant patios invite you to feast al fresco

There’s no better time to be outside in Dallas than spring, and no better place to dine al fresco than The Plaza at Preston Center.

With one of the city’s best collections of neighborhood patios, The Plaza is where locals go to soak up sunshine, enjoy a breeze, and dig into unforgettable meals. From sleek Italian spots and vibrant Mexican fare to classic American staples and health-forward favorites, every restaurant here offers a patio that’s as inviting as the food is delicious.

Once a patch of gravel roads with a bold vision, The Plaza at Preston Center has become one of Dallas' most beloved destinations for shopping and dining. Built in 1950 by Sam Lobello and his father on leased land from the Caruth family, The Plaza was home to Neiman Marcus’ first branch store and, decades later, welcomed the University Park Public Library.

Now, as it celebrates 75 years, The Plaza continues its legacy with a stellar lineup of locally loved and nationally admired restaurants — many of them boasting some of the best neighborhood patios in the city. Here’s where to grab a seat, order something delicious, and enjoy Dallas dining at its finest.

R+D Kitchen (opened 2007)
Effortlessly stylish and always buzzing, R+D Kitchen serves up elevated classics like sushi rolls, burgers, and rotisserie chicken. Its cozy, covered patio is perfect for people-watching and lingering lunches, wrapped in the warmth of neighborhood charm and a polished, West Coast vibe.

True Food Kitchen The Plaza at Preston Center True Food Kitchen.Photo courtesy of The Plaza at Preston Center

True Food Kitchen (opened 2013)
Health-conscious but flavor-packed, True Food Kitchen brings anti-inflammatory, seasonal dishes to a spacious and sunny patio lined with greenery. It’s a haven for fresh-pressed juices, hearty bowls, and wellness-forward cocktails — perfect for diners who want feel-good food that actually tastes amazing.

il Bracco (opened 2019)
This modern Italian spot quickly became a hit thanks to its house-made pastas, crudo, and expertly crafted cocktails. With a stylish patio that feels both relaxed and refined, il Bracco at The Plaza was such a success, it sparked expansion to other cities — proof that good design and great food are always in demand.

il Bracco The Plaza at Preston Center il Bracco's patio is well equipped with umbrellas. Photo courtesy of The Plaza at Preston Center

Photo courtesy of The Plaza at Preston Center

Sushi under the sun at R&D Kitchen.

Muchacho (opened 2019)
Bright, bold, and full of flavor, Muchacho blends modern Mexican cuisine with a vibrant yet cozy patio setting. From mezcal margaritas to creative tacos and ceviches, it’s no surprise this spot has grown beyond Dallas. The original location remains a local favorite for al fresco dining with serious flair.

Muchacho The Plaza at Preston Center Muchacho. Photo courtesy of The Plaza at Preston Center

Frenchie (coming soon)
Get ready for Parisian charm in the heart of Dallas. Frenchie, the latest addition to The Plaza’s dining lineup, will offer French-inspired cuisine with a dreamy new patio perfect for long lunches, sunset dinners, or a glass of rosé under the stars. The renderings already promise a magnifique vibe.

Whether you're in the mood for pasta, power bowls, tacos, or timeless American fare, The Plaza at Preston Center has your table waiting — preferably outside, under the Texas sky. Here's to 75 years of flavor, flair, and unforgettable patio moments.

Restaurant debut

Mexican restaurant Sueño debuts with tequila lounge in Snider Plaza Dallas

Photo courtesy of Sueño

Tres Leches de Horchata at Sueño.

The highly anticipated second location of acclaimed Mexican restaurant Sueño is making its debut in Dallas — and it's bringing a tequila lounge with it.

Officially called Sueño Cocteleria Mexicana, the elevated Mexican restaurant from founders Julio Pineda and Cristian Lujano, is opening at Dallas' Snider Plaza on Wednesday, June 10. The restaurant is located at 6600 Snider Plaza, in a 6,259-square-foot space with a main dining room, patio, and a dedicated tequila lounge called Alma Agave.

The opening comes about eight months after Sueño first revealed plans to expand from Richardson to the popular Dallas shopping center near SMU. Founded in 2021 by cousins Pineda and Lujano, both originally from Mexico City and raised in Texas, Sueño quickly earned a following for its refined Mexican cuisine, cocktail program, and hospitality.

The Dallas location is a partnership with Bellomy Hospitality Group, the local company behind S&D Oyster Company, Rex's Seafood, and Caché.

At the center of Sueño's cuisine is its in-house masa operation, which uses heirloom blue and yellow corn to make nixtamal daily for tortillas, tetelas, and tlayudas.

The kitchen is led by executive chef Cristos Andrade, a native of Monterrey, whose menu blends traditional Mexican flavors with influences from French, Italian, and Japanese cuisine, the release says.

$Sue\u00f1o$ Pollo à la Plancha.Photo courtesy of Sueño

Menu highlights include:

Bone Marrow Pork Belly with salsa tatemada, avocado puree, and bone marrow-infused crema Oaxaqueña
Tamarind Ponzu Sashimi Scallops with cucumber, avocado, and fried parsnip
Sushi-Grade Ahi Tuna Tartare with serrano tomato herb vinaigrette
Jalisco Birria Tacos with braised lamb, consommé, cheese, onion, cilantro, and lime
Enchiladas Suizas with pulled chicken, cheese, and creamy poblano sauce

Live-fire dishes are a highlight of the menu and will include:

Wood-Fired Carne Asada with Rosewood Ranch New York strip and chorizo enfrijolada
Pollo a la Plancha with pipián verde
Fire-grilled fajitas with chicken, sirloin, pork belly, or a combination of meats
Salmon a la Crema with white wine mushroom sauce

An exciting addition to the new location is Alma Agave, an intimate lounge dedicated to tequila, mezcal, and other Mexican spirits, according to a release. The 23-seat space is designed as a destination of its own, the owners say, serving cocktails along with small plates inspired by different regions of Mexico.

The beverage program showcases tequila, mezcal, and lesser-known Mexican distillates, as well as ancestral drinks such as tejuino and tejate, they say. Cocktails incorporate housemade ingredients, fermented elements, masa foam, and squash-based sodas.

$Sue\u00f1o$ Pretty cocktails at Sueño.Photo courtesy of Sueño

"With this location, we really focused on how the experience unfolds for our guests," says Lujano in the release. "From the front window where masa is prepared to the open kitchen and into the intimacy of Alma Agave, every element is designed to draw people in."

The restaurant was designed by Mexico City-based JSa and Arlington's ch_Studio. According to the release, the design draws inspiration from traditional Mexican haciendas and incorporates volcanic stone, wood, leather, handwoven textiles, and artwork by Mexican artisans. A patio "reinterprets the Mexican courtyard," they says, as a shaded, inviting space for outdoor gatherings.

"For us, this project is deeply personal," says Pineda. "It's about honoring where we come from while creating something meaningful for our community — an experience that celebrates Mexican culture through food, drink, and genuine hospitality."

Sueño will open for dinner service and weekend brunch beginning June 10. Hours will be 4-10 pm Monday-Thursday, 4-11 pm Friday, 10 am-11 pm Saturday, and 10 am-10 pm Sunday. Alma Agave will be open 4-11 pm Sunday-Thursday, and 4 pm-midnight Friday-Saturday.

Reservations are now open through Resy.

mexican cuisine snider plaza sueno tex-mex openings