Things to Do in Dallas (2025)

Deep Ellum’s barbecue icon still draws lines for smoky brisket, beef ribs, and Southern sides. Frequently spotlighted by Southern Living and praised by Dallas food writers, it remains a quintessential Dallas meal and an easy way to taste local tradition.

Open just a few lunches a week, this cult favorite rewards early arrivals with top-tier brisket, ribs, and occasional specials. Long celebrated by Texas Monthly and honored with a Michelin Bib Gourmand, it’s a true Dallas barbecue pilgrimage.

Bookstore, bar, backyard stage, and beating heart of Oak Cliff’s literary scene. Regular readings, patio shows, and a Spanish-inflected selection make it a favorite of local critics and culture writers, and it’s featured in the 2025 indie bookstore crawl.

Part bookstore, part gallery, part community hub, this South Dallas mainstay hosts drumming circles, author talks, and classes alongside a deep selection of Black history and diasporic arts. Praised by local publications and included in 2025 indie bookstore coverage.

A beautifully restored, independent venue where sound quality and artist curation shine. Regularly highlighted by local arts writers, the Kessler books everything from Texas troubadours to rising indie acts, anchoring Oak Cliff’s live-music calendar.

Inside a Hare Krishna temple, this serene vegetarian buffet changes daily and is beloved for its garden courtyard and soothing tamarind tea. Covered by The Dallas Morning News, it’s a uniquely Dallas blend of hospitality, spirituality, and home-style Indian flavors.

Family-run since 1966, this Italian market is where locals stock up on sausages, olive oils, and wines before grabbing the city’s classic deli sandwiches. Frequently praised by D Magazine and the Dallas Observer for its old-school charm and serious subs.

An independent, award-winning brewery with a lively three-level taproom, Peticolas is a Design District hangout for Velvet Hammer devotees and craft beer fans. Regularly cited by Eater Dallas and local guides for tours, events, and a deep tap list.

A revived 1931 movie palace turned indie cinema and event space, Texas Theatre mixes repertory films, premieres, concerts, and podcasts. A fixture in Oak Cliff arts coverage, it also anchors the Oak Cliff Film Festival each June.

Chef-owner Michelle Carpenter’s Cajun-Creole spot brings Louisiana heritage to Oak Cliff with scratch-made andouille, seafood boils, and a sustainability focus. A James Beard Best New Restaurant semifinalist and the first Texas restaurant to earn B Corp Certification.

An intimate Italian restaurant where house-cured salumi and handmade pasta headline. Long adored by critics and honored with a Michelin Bib Gourmand, Lucia distills Dallas hospitality into a few warm tables and a deeply personal menu.

Part urban farm, part café, part community engine in South Dallas. Seasonal plates come from just steps away, and the mission-focused team offers tours, a market, and a coffee house. Often profiled by local outlets for its impact and delicious, simple food.