Veracruz Cafe

The 12 Best Mexican Restaurants In Dallas 2024

"After catching an old horror film at the Texas Theatre, meander over to Veracruz Cafe just a few blocks away. The menu is a mix of Aztec, Mayan, Mesoamerican, and Huasteco cuisine—both the Xalapa-style chile relleno and the blue corn enchiladas are solid bets, especially when paired with the cactus salad and a spicy piña cocktail. In addition to the Bishop Arts spot, they have locations in Cedar Hill and Midlothian." - lee escobedo, gabe bergado, emily smith

Veracruz Cafe - Review - Bishop Arts - Dallas - The Infatuation

"After catching a movie and enjoying the AC inside the Texas Theatre, meander over to Veracruz Cafe just a few blocks away. The menu is a mix of Aztec, Mayan, Mesoamerican, and Huasteco cuisine—both the Xalapa-style chile relleno and the blue corn enchiladas are solid bets, especially when paired with the cactus salad and a spicy piña cocktail. In addition to the Bishop Arts spot, they have locations in Cedar Hill and Midlothian." - Emily Smith

12 Essential Mexican Restaurants in Dallas-Fort Worth

"This spot specializes in the dishes of Veracruz, Mexico. Notable dishes include the blue corn enchiladas with all the expected fillings (including a vegetarian option) and a Xalapa-style chile relleno made with shredded chicken or picadillo ground beef, queso fundido, pecans, and raisins. And, of course, the menu has a load of seafood options, from fish tacos to Sopa de Atlahua, a bouillabaisse with fish, shrimp, scallops, and vegetables." - Courtney E. Smith

17 Casual Lunch & Dinner Spots In Dallas-Fort Worth

11 Essential Mexican Restaurants in Dallas-Fort Worth

Mariela C

Google

I have been visiting Veracruz Café for more than 7 years now and have had countless meals here. I’ve always had a great experience. The staff is very welcoming and greet us with familiarity and comfort. The food is well-presented and delicious. I’ve visited when it’s very busy and full, yet get amazing service every time. I take friends and family here when they are visiting from other cities because they never disappoint. I would recommend getting their margaritas, steak, and shrimp cocktail.

Monica Torres

Google

Serene, quiet and intimate salsa had just the right amount of spice ,my food mouthwatering every bite ,plantains cooked to perfection enchilada so tasty margarita had just the right amount of kick .

Katlynn Nguyen

Google

Reserved a table for our big group and the staff was so attentive, patient, and friendly with us. They offered great recommendations and we most particularly loved the queso with chorizo and tortillas! Such a neat queso pot and we ended up scraping the bowl because it was that good!

Juan Garcia

Google

The enchiladas lacked flavor but cooked fine.. the sauce was tasted like limes. The rice was good the tres leches was okay.

Parisa

Google

Brilliant food! I’d definitely come back if/when I visit this neighborhood again!

Walter Torres

Google

Four other guests and I were excited to eat here this past Saturday. We got to the restaurant at 9:35 p.m., but they refused to take us in, saying it was too late. This restaurant closes at 10pm… We were so upset this happened that we went to Gloria's instead. They took us in and treated us well. I will never come to this restaurant again!

Michael Allen

Google

This place offers big portions and a large menu to choose from. The fajitas were very tender (Much better then Gloria's Restaurant) Lots to choose from on the appetizers also. Great spot at Bishop Arts. Full bar available also has outdoor seating. Prices were on spot for the amount of food you receive. Definitely a must if you are ever in Oak Cliff .

Vicente H.

Google

Excellent food, had the Chile en Nogada, muy rico! Our party of four really enjoyed their food and desserts.

Diana V.

Yelp

I don't know where to start. The service was spectacular. Jose, our waiter, went the extra mile with his extraordinary service. The food was spectacular. One of my daughters and I had the Meat Blue Tacos and everything was perfect. The meat was cooked very well and not at all salty. The salad and cheese were very fresh and the black beans were very tasty and not at all spicy. I ate the whole plate!! My husband ordered the Chile en Nogada and the presentation was beautiful. The filling of the chile was very tasty and he ate it all too. My other daughter ordered the fish tacos and they were very tasty. For dessert we ordered Tres Leches cake and Churros. Both desserts were delicious. We had a wonderful time and left the place very satisfied. Will we be back? Definitely.

David J.

Yelp

Veracruz is a well-established restaurant in the heart of the Bishop Arts area of Dallas. While they offer a few common Tex-Mex dishes, their focus is on cuisine from the Veracruz region of Mexico, including indigenous influences from Mesoamerican, Mayan, Huasteco, and Aztec cultures. Their menu is more likely to feature blue tortillas, rich mole sauces, plantains, and pupusas rather than traditional street tacos. During my visit I had their Xalapa-style chile relleno which was a deep fried chili stuffed with beef, potatoes, walnuts, and raisins, and smothered in a white cream sauce. Veracruz offers bar seating, several small internal dining rooms, and umbrella covered sidewalk seating outside. My visit was on a Sunday afternoon when they were packed with customers. Their frenetic atmosphere was a bit chaotic but their food and service were prompt and attentive. I hesitate to give them five stars due to their rather tired dining rooms and seating, a refresh is needed. But their food and friendly service remains top-notch. If you are ready to go beyond typical TexMex tacos and tamales and try some authentic Mexican cuisine, you should def add Veracruz to your must visit list.

Julia P.

Yelp

This place is very pretty, the interior designs makes you feel like you been transported into a beautiful Latin America oasis. The food was delicious, my sister had the enchiladas and I had a taco tuxpan. The price was fairly good- the service was remarkably our drinks never went empty! Friendly staff.

Amari J.

Yelp

I love the Veracruz in Cedar Hill so I decided to give this one a try. The food was good and hot. I had the steak carnaval. The restaurant was smaller but clean and nice. The margaritas were just ok compared to CH. The service was not up to par with CH at all. The waiter wasn't mean but he also wasn't as helpful either. The service in CH is top notch and for that reason alone I will not be back to this location.

Katya S.

Yelp

I came here for their Enchiladas, but I have to say the margaritas have my heart! Their Enchiladas Suizas were simply delicious, the sauce was just spicy enough and it complimented the cheese perfectly. The star of the show was their margaritas which were both delicious and strong. Their staff was additionally so welcoming and kind, would definitely go back.

Terrance G.

Yelp

Popped in here randomly to grab a drink and quick bite to eat only to discover myself here 2 hours later. The drinks were great from the old fashioned to the drink named the swirl, get it frozen and eat first... they're strong The food was delicious highly recommend the quesabirria tacos. Was perfect combo of meat with the taco. The bartender was great and too care of us and they have plenty of inside room as well as offer room Outside

Brooklyn R.

Yelp

Excellent Tex-Mex in the heart of Bishop Arts- this is the ideal spot for a quiet weekday lunch. Drinks were strong, chips and salsa were delicious, and the food was so tasty. We tried the Blue Corn Cheese Enchiladas and the Chicken Flautas Azules, both were fresh and flavorful. Service is quick in this intimate spot. Can't wait to go back!

LaToya A.

Yelp

Lived nearby for years but first time trying it. We sat outside because the weather was so nice. The servers were very attentive and the food was tasty. I look forward to trying more menu items.

Terry D.

Yelp

Quick seating and service. Parking was ok after circling a few times. Food was great. More attention could be paid to keeping the floor clean. The food was good, tasty and healthy portion sizes.

Demetria C.

Yelp

We stopped at Veracruz Cafe' as a last stop before leaving the Bishop Arts District. We did not order any food, so my review is strictly based on the decor, staff and drinks. I appreciate indulging in exquisite wines and spirits, and the margaritas here did NOT disappoint. The margaritas packed a punch and were bursting with flavor. I'm not sure if the food is made as good as the drinks, but when I return, I'll update this review.

Caitlyn R.

Yelp

We visited Veracruz Cafe on a random weeknight. This is a place we have walked by for years, always commenting how good it smelled but never changing our routine to check it out. That was a mistake, this place was wonderful and we should have come so much sooner! The chips and salsa were a perfect start. The salsa was fresh and hot a good amount of heat. For entrees, we ordered the beef fajitas, chicken mole, and beef enchiladas. Everyone was super pleased with their dish and agreed that we want to come back to try more of the menu. The staff was also great and restaurant was clean. 5/5 would recommend and will be returning.

Meghan S.

Yelp

This place is a can't miss! I thoroughly enjoyed the food, service, ambience and the drinks! Everything we tried was delicious! The customer service was attentive and professional. Food comes out hot, fast and delectable! The drinks are divine - you can't go wrong with any margarita choice! The frozen guava margarita hit the spot but they all are fantastic - any of the drinks. It's in the Bishop Arts area so parking can be a little difficult when it's busy so you may need to pay to park in a lot. They were working on the building while we were there but minimal noise. Nonetheless, I love the area, nice crowd, very scenic, plenty of thriving shops nearby. I'll definitely return. Great food, well priced and can accommodate large parties.

Victoria E.

Yelp

This unassuming restaurant turned out to be a delightful surprise. Despite passing by it several times, I finally decided to give it a try when I was in the area and looking for a place to have dinner. From the moment we arrived, I was impressed by the prompt seating and the warm greeting from our waitress. Their menu offers a wide range of options that all seemed appetizing. After careful consideration, I chose the fajita enchiladas. To my delight, the food arrived swiftly and exceeded my expectations. The enchiladas were bursting with flavor, showcasing the skill and attention to detail in the kitchen. I thoroughly enjoyed my dining experience and left with a desire to return and explore more of their enticing menu offerings. The delicious food and genuine service have definitely won me over, and I look forward to future visits.

Genille R.

Yelp

Had the Pipian at the recommendation of a friend. It was delicious. The chicken wasn't dry. The salsa is very good. Had a little kick to it, which I loved. Guacamole was decent. Chips were freshly made. Service was great. Interior is nicely decorated. Parking is troublesome.

Vanessa F.

Yelp

Not extraordinary food but better than I expected it to be. The place was very quiet when I came in for lunch but the staff was attentive and friendly. I had the enchiladas which were delicious; so were the beans on the side! The margarita was Perfect. I was also able to use a YELP discount :)

Patrick R.

Yelp

Veracruz Café is named for Veracruz, Mexico, a city known for being where Spanish Conquistador Hernan Cortez landed in his quest to conquer the Aztec Empire. If THIS Veracruz had been where Señor Cortez landed, however, he'd probably have just sailed right home-- a cuisine this bad simply isn't worth conquering. It's not that the cuisine was particularly bad, per say, but that the value was atrocious. My Girlfriend and I paid $13 for queso-- the most expensive queso of my life-- and the bill + tip (18%) came out to $75. And we didn't even get drinks! I'm okay with prices like this at high class Latin restaurants like Las Palmas in Uptown, but pop into Veracruz for 2 seconds and you'll see they're no Las Palmas. They're a Mom & Pop vibe with outdated 2010s decor, t-shirted wearing servers, and composite wood chairs they got from Restaurant Depot for a 30% mark-off. Their food is the culinary equivalent of their vibe. Chips didn't taste homemade, the queso was nothing special, and my fajita's steak was so average I would've rather slapped a Raising Cains chicken tinder into my corn tortilla instead. The only reason I'm giving Veracruz Café a 3 instead of a 2 is because they staff here were NICE, like really nice. Constantly attentive, very welcoming to my Girlfriend and I even though we came on the later side, etc., Wish I could just hang out there and chat-- as long as they don't make me pay for the food again.

Lindsey B.

Yelp

I love this place, I live in the neighborhood so I got a lot and the food is SOOO good and so fresh! Service is quick and the people were kind!

Monica A.

Yelp

Food was good and service was good aside from when we were still eating and someone came by and started wiping our table around all our plates, thought it was a little weird to interrupt our dinner for and was a first for me. I enjoyed all the veggies with the fajitas and thought they were great! The other dish is cecina and my partner gave it a 4.5/5 and said it was well seasoned!

Lauren H.

Yelp

This is a very cute little restaurant and the food is so very delicious! I had the taco salad which was plenty big. The sauce on the side has a smoky chipotle flavor. The queso is questionable at first glance, but trust me, the flavor is really good. We came in on a weekday afternoon. Not too packed at all. Sat at the bar and received excellent service. Will certainly go back to try out their margaritas.

Madison L.

Yelp

I love the food and drinks here very filling the drinks are very strong though so if you are a lightweight only one drink will do you good! Also the staff is so friendly and they are very fast about their service. I always get the enchiladas every time I come here.

Casey W.

Yelp

The food looks as good as it tastes! Cute lunch/dinner spot with some eclectic decor. They were playing Hispanic music when we were there. I like when places play the music from their cultural. It really adds to the ambiance. One star taken off because my friend and I were there for lunch and were handed dinner menus with higher prices. I had to ask for lunch menus and they said sure I can get you a lunch menu. Which made me think they are giving people dinner menus during lunchtime on purpose.

Josh P.

Yelp

So I have been here many times and this place is always amazing. In my opinion they have the best margaritas in town after two you are sure feeling it. The food is very delicious and good. This is a great place to hang out with family and friends here in bishop arts. Karen is the most amazing waitress she answered every question we had thank girl. So if you are in bishop arts come try them out

Rock G.

Yelp

The Service is exceptional, The food is on point. Our dishes where so good it was a joke. This is a cool vibed place with an awesome ambiance. This place is good for families, friends, or date nights.

Shay J.

Yelp

Stopped in for lunch with some friends and we had the best time. As a first time visitor of Dallas, TX I immediately fell in love with the Bishop Art District - which reminded me of the art district in my city. The drinks were delicious my friend and I ordered frozen margaritas which were delightful.

Hannah S.

Yelp

Tucked away in the lively streets of Bishop Arts, Veracruz Cafe is a captivating escape boasting a charming ambiance and exceptional service. Finding street parking nearby was a breeze, on a week night, setting the stage for a delightful experience. The staff's warm welcome and genuine attentiveness created an inviting atmosphere. I opted for the beef tacos and a paloma to drink.. The beef was a bit dry but the toppings were very fresh(the guacamole was the star of the show). The paloma was refreshing and a nice size.

Suzette H.

Yelp

Amazing food! Hands down the best restaurant in Bishop Arts Districts , it had great service and the food came quickly and tasted home made but more elevated. Loved it so much 10/10 recommend.

Michaela W.

Yelp

Firstly, let's start with the service. It was extremely slow. My friend and I were seated for 15 minutes before someone came over to take our order. The complimentary chips and salsa? The salsa is okay but the chips are horrible, hard, and cardboard taste better. In addition to this, I RARELY send food back but this place? I had to. I ordered the Pedro's sampler and it was honestly disgusting. I'm not sure if it was the cheese that was used or what but nothing on the plate tasted good. It's very hard to mess up fried food and a basic chicken quesadilla, so I was really disappointed. I'm not sure how this place has such great reviews but do yourself a favor and skip this restaurant.

Maya T.

Yelp

Came here for lunch and it was delicious. Took a star off because the service wasn't the best, we didn't know who our server was, they all seemed to help each other out which was nice. I got the carne asada and it was flavorful. It was a lot of food and the chips and salsa were tasty. I tried the mango margarita and it was delicious. Highly recommend this place if you are in the area.

Guy H.

Yelp

Sorry, Veracruz. I'm going to have to take a star away. Our visit tonight was more than bumpy and I'm not being nit-picky. First, let me give credit for using paper straws! I mentioned an extra star for environmental awareness and kicked the review up from 2 stars to 3 for this. On two previous visits, everything was great. Tonight, however, we didn't make it past the appetizer and drinks. Bottom line the drinks were delicious but weak. the Mexican Egg rolls were soggy and not hot. In addition, the decor is getting stale and I felt closed in. Time for some owner to inject so TLC into this place.

Robbie G.

Yelp

Really cool atmosphere you can go by yourself you can take your wife or your girlfriend or your boyfriend...a pretty large establishment.Good food, it was hot. I had the Chili Relleno, refried beans and rice with corn tortillas on the side. Also a most delicious Mango margarita it was a large, it's cold and really really good!

Robert V.

Yelp

The food was very good, the spices and flavors were reminiscent of authentic Mexican cuisine. The service was a bit slow, but polite and accurate. The ambiance inside and out is fun and colorful, making the experience more enjoyable for my children. The pricing commensurate with the style of food served. Overall I enjoyed this place and would return were it not so far from home.

Lulu M.

Yelp

Cool place but food was just ok. Rice was mushy and bland. My hubby loved the fish tacos. I had a chicken quesadilla and the pico was a couple days old since the onion was already clear. The Guacamole was brown but still tasted ok.

Jim B.

Yelp

Found this place in Dallas. The Margaritas were some if the best I have ever had. And they were just house Margaritas. The food was excellent. Great bartender and servers. Can't wait to cone back to Dallas to visit again!

Luis A.

Yelp

Really good food. I went there on a Monday night. The service was fabulous. The perfect spot for a good date.

M E.

Yelp

Excellent Food, Margaritas, and service. Great atmosphere! There isn't any music blasting where one can't hear the other people at their table conversing. We will be back.

Ilynn M.

Yelp

We had a nice time after driving for 3 hours to Dallas. The host was accommodating and attentive. We sat outside because it was great weather fort it. Margaritas on the rocks rocked! Dinner was good and tasty! My husband ordered the Pipián which made him reminisce of when he was in El Salvador. I had the Nachos Nathan and they did not skimp on the meat! It was good and I normally do not order it. On another note, I live this vibe out here. So I asked Jeffrey an employee there to take our picture outside and he was so nice and took several for us. Thanks @Jeffrey. Also thank you to Humberto who kept checking on us since we asked to sit outside. We ended the night with tres leches, flan and coffee. Oh and loved the Bishop Arts district. It's cute that my husband's reads eighth street like "calle ocho " lol I would come back! Note- did not take pics of meal because the street lighting was not good to take pictures of meal outside.

Rosalyn P.

Yelp

Good food and service although I'm not a big Dan of franchise restaurants. I will still continue to come back due to the atmosphere.

Matthew M.

Yelp

Great service and great food. Best question I've had and top 5 salsas! -3 I had a chimi changa it was delicious

Ciro C.

Yelp

Food is great, very authentic cuisine, from the main dishes to the appetizers and drinks.

Lila C.

Yelp

We moved away from the area about 7 years ago. This was always one of our favorite date night spots. Unfortunately all we have of good memories is the past. We came back to the area for a week of fun and reconnecting. And of course we had to stop in here. The table was so small that two glasses of water two beverages a basket of stale chips and two small bowls of salsa. Covered the table. The husb dropped his silver ware on The floor. The salsa got spilled. The entrees came out. Not sure what it was they served me. But it had no resemblance to what I have ordered in the past. I gave the waiter all the extra stuff off of our table just to make room for two dinner plates. Now I love plantains when they are done correctly, they literally just dropped a banana in the deep fryer and cooked it to dry and tough, the breaded steak item was of the quality of meat that I truly believe they bought it at the dollar tree. There was so much breading that it was not able to stick to the meat that was paper thin. The salad, was basically a bowl of lettuce. No dressing, The rice cold and gummy. The funny thing is. How fast they ignore you. The waiter never stopped by after dropping our meals. The food was obviously horrific as it was left on my plate. And not a word was said about was something wrong? Yes something was wrong the entire experience sucked. When we visit again. We will make it a point not to visit here again. This is just proof you can't go home again.

Penny K.

Yelp

I've walked past this restaurant many times when venturing out into Bishop Arts and finally popped in with a friend to try it! The restaurant is quaint and cozy - a really nice setting for date night or small friend gathering. I ordered the taco salad with beef and it was a generous portion but just ok. Nothing spectacular or memorable, but good enough if you have a hankering for Tex Mex food. Service was good and friendly, nothing to complain there. I might come by again, but there are other Mexican restaurants I'd rather go to.

Michael V.

Yelp

My favorite place for Mexican food in Dallas. The bartender Erica makes the best Mexican mojitos. She always waits on me no matter what table and gives outstanding service. Their salsa great it is mild but good flavor. I have had almost everything on the menu and it is all excellent. Their mole sauce the best I have had ever. They have outdoor seating. The inside is pretty cool interior. Coco is down the street skip it come Here.

Sean S.

Yelp

Horrible, awkward, uncomfortable service and barely edible food. Was sat in the very back of the restaurant at a very small two top. There was hardly any room for all our food. Service was slow and weird. Ordered one entree to go and it was brought out on a plate with the rest of our food. Ordered ground beef tacos and got chicken. And then on our final bill we were charged for a carafe of mimosas at $15 because the server got carafe confused with the word coffee, which we had ordered. At first he said the charge was for the coffee mimosa that we ordered. Who's ever even heard of a coffee mimosa?! All the food had an odd taste to it. When I finally got my ground beef tacos they were topped with cojita cheese instead of a more appropriate yellow cheese. And the sauce for the tacos was something you would only use on fish tacos. Very odd. I personally won't be back, but this place has been there a while now and survived COVID, so knock yourself out if you must. Out of all the cool places to eat and drink in Bishop Arts, I highly recommend trying someplace else.

Sabtecha S.

Yelp

One of my favorite places to eat Mexican food. Authentic Mexican food. Service is excellent.

Rosario G.

Yelp

Good food, the enchiladas are good, but they're not enchiladas suizas, the fish tacos are delicious and the jarochitas are okay. The salsa and chips are delicious!!Uncomfortable small tables, needs more staff.

Paula S.

Yelp

The food was awesome. Louise was amazing. We were in a hurry and needed to grab a Uber to the airport. Food was out quick and it was delicious. Louise made the experience so awesome. Great Carnitas tacos and iced tea.

Derrick T.

Yelp

Maaaaaaaaann this place is the shit!!! We fell in here one night after walking the bishop arts district... the chips and salsa was BUSSIN!! So I already know that's a good indicator. We ordered the top shelf Margarita and that thang had us TIPSY TIPSY!!! They added a floater of Grand Marnier on top of the frozen Margarita but I swear they added one at the bottom too!!! That joint was STRONG I normally dislike individual nachos but these thangs won me over!!! Brisket was BUSSIN!! Paired well w the cheeses and beans they used and the chips never got soggy!!!! for me

Felipe A.

Yelp

Ambiance is good for a small place. I ordered the fish tacos and they were great!!! Our waiter was good, checked up on us regularly. Nice small place to eat. I will trying another drink next time...too strong, lol

Kevin Z.

Yelp

What a find! Popped in last night for dinner and what we were pleasantly pleased. Seating outside, at the bar and a variety of tables. We sat at the bar since it seems like forever since last we got to do so. The bartender was very friendly and had great recommendations for food. We started with margaritas and guacamole. The margaritas were on point. The guca was so so. Almost immediately after we sat down we were provided chips and salsa. The chips had a good crunch to them. The salsa had a bit of spice to them. But the entrees, that's where we stopped in flavor town! Upon arriving, I asked our bartender what a couple of his favorites were. He suggested a few and we selected a couple of his suggestions. RED SNAPPER VERACRUZANA (Pan-seared red snapper fillet topped with salsa veracruzana. Served with rice and mixed vegetables) - Not one thing was left on this plate. POLLO CARNAVAL (Grilled chicken breast topped with queso fundido, mushrooms and pickled jalapenos. Served with rice and a side salad) - I loved this. One of my favorite dishes hands down. So flavorful. There was so much I had to get a box for the leftovers. Even the next day it was just as amazing. While in our Uber to Veracruz, our driver raved about Veracruz. He went on to say that others have also had great reviews of Veracruz. Those were great signs prior to arriving. The food, service and atmosphere all reflected that. Found a new staple during our visits to Dallas!

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Veracruz Cafe - Review - Bishop Arts - Dallas - The Infatuation

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