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7 Incredible Hidden Gems in Dallas, TX

San Pedro’s
Barsotti’s
Mariscos El Chuy
Mami Coco
Forestwood Garden Tea Room
Namo
Ellen’s
San Pedros Dallas
San Pedro’s
Pasta at Barsotti's Dallas
Barsotti’s
Marisco's El Chuy Dallas
Mariscos El Chuy
Enchiladas at Mami Coco Dallas
Mami Coco
Sushi at Namo Dallas
Namo
Brunch at Ellen's Dallas
Ellen’s

Are you looking to discover new restaurants in Dallas that offer good eats off the beaten path? While it’s no secret that Dallas has a vibrant culinary scene, there are still plenty of well-kept secrets when it comes to the best places to eat without crowds and fanfare. The best part about discovering hidden gems in Dallas is that you won’t have to wrestle crowds just to get a table. Are you ready to impress your dinner companions with knowledge about the best spots to eat in Dallas that nobody else knows about? Here’s a look at seven hidden gems in Dallas, TX.

 

San Pedros Dallas
Photo Credit: Yelp.com

San Pedro’s

2445 West Northwest Highway (Suite 102), Dallas, TX
(972) 807-9064

San Pedro’s serves up hearty portions of authentic Honduran cuisine in Dallas. Patrons feel right at home in a welcoming atmosphere where street-style fare and tropical flavors come alive. You definitely want to come for the flour tortillas! San Pedro’s is also the best spot in town to enjoy a Central American breakfast menu that’s served all day. The pollo frita cena, tacos Hondurenos, and San Pedro’s pinchos are just some of the standout options from the main menu.

 

Pasta at Barsotti's Dallas
Photo Credit: Yelp.com

Barsotti’s

4208 Oak Lawn Avenue, Dallas, TX
(214) 522-4208

Start with the antipasti, end with cannoli, and discover why Dallas diners love Barsotti’s. Barsotti’s is an Italian-American restaurant with a reputation for serving up huge portions of phenomenal food. You’ll know you’ve picked the right spot from your first bite into the ricotta garlic bread. Pasta lovers will become enamored with the ravioli with plum tomato, lasagna bolognese, linguini and clams, and spaghetti and meatballs. The smothered veal chop, snapper and spinach, and sausage and peppers are also incredible. Make sure to start the feast off with a salad made of hearts of escarole with red onion, walnuts, and pecorino.

 

Marisco's El Chuy Dallas
Photo Credit: Yelp.com

Mariscos El Chuy

9757 Webb Chapel Road (Suite A), Dallas, TX
(972) 940-2981

You might nearly drive past this hidden gem! While Mariscos El Chuy is small and unassuming, there’s no better place for ceviche in Dallas. One of the reasons why this restaurant remains such a hidden gem is that the exterior isn’t much to look at. The inside is a different story! Everything on the menu here is fresh and delicious. The ladies in the kitchen provide friendly, fast service that will make you feel like you’re being fed by friends.

 

Enchiladas at Mami Coco Dallas
Photo Credit: Yelp.com

Mami Coco

4500 Bryan Street (Suite B), Dallas, TX
(469) 996-2834

Mami Coco has what many taco snobs consider to be the best street tacos in Dallas! In fact, the only debate over this restaurant comes down to deciding if the red sauce or verde takes the crown for being the best sauce in Dallas. The chicken, steak, and pork tacos here are stuffed with meat, seasoned to perfection, and destined to make you crave more almost as soon as you leave. The huge and crispy chicken flautas served with creamy green salsa, chipotle salsa, pickled cucumber, lettuce, cotija cheese, and onions is just one of the many standout options from the menu. The very reasonably priced food here is served fresh and hot!

 

Forestwood Garden Tea Room Dallas
Photo Credit: Yelp.com

Forestwood Garden Tea Room

5337 Forest Lane, Dallas, TX
(972) 308-0060

Forestwood Garden Tea Room is a lovely tea room nestled right in the middle of an antique mall! Enjoy a little feast after exploring a wonderland of antique treasures. Most people outside of the antiquing crowd in Dallas have no idea that this gem even exists. The sandwiches, salads, waffles, pancakes, and yummy sides are terrific at this enchanted spot!

 

Sushi at Namo Dallas
Photo Credit: Yelp.com

Namo

3699 McKinney Avenue (Suite 305), Dallas, TX
(214) 484-5151

Namo is a great sushi spot in Dallas that doesn’t get the attention it would if more people knew about it! Namo is nestled in the West Village neighborhood of Dallas. The sashimi, nigiri, and maki are all expertly prepared by the chefs. In fact, most entrées are served one piece at a time! The freshness of the fish is evident from the first bite. 

Brunch at Ellen's Dallas
Photo Credit: Yelp.com

Ellen’s

1790 North Record Street, Dallas, TX
(469) 206-3339

Ellen’s is the best place in Dallas for old-fashioned comfort food! The Southern flavors and friendly atmosphere here will make you feel like you’re in a friend’s kitchen. Everything is made from scratch daily. Ellen’s makes it easy to get eggs cooked pretty much any way that eggs can be cooked. If you’re having trouble picking sides, just go for one of the signature breakfast options that’s been perfectly curated to offer all the right fix’ns.

For more recommendations on where to eat and drink in the city, check out our Dallas page here