Best Eats & Drinks in Uptown Dallas

Uptown Dallas has earned its reputation as one of the city's most dynamic neighborhoods for dining and nightlife.

Just north of downtown Dallas and connected by Klyde Warren Park, this bustling district offers everything from upscale steakhouses and contemporary Japanese cuisine to historic bars and locally roasted coffee. Whether you're a longtime resident of our Uptown Dallas luxury apartments or just visiting the area, Uptown delivers a diverse mix of eats and drinks that cater to every taste and budget!

This handy guide breaks down some of the most popular spots in the neighborhood across three of our favorite categories: restaurants, bars & breweries and cafes. From award-winning sushi to rooftop cocktails to hazy IPAs, here's where (and where!) to eat and drink in Uptown Dallas right now!

Best restaurants, bars, breweries & cafes in Uptown Dallas

Restaurants

Uptown's restaurant scene is as varied as the people who call the neighborhood home. Here, you'll find everything from casual Gulf Coast seafood to splurge-worthy steakhouses with international influences. These five spots represent some of the best and most popular dining options in the area.

Uchi Dallas

With a low-lit, warm vibe and gorgeous plating technique, Uchi has established itself as one of the best Japanese restaurants in Dallas! The contemporary sushi spot occupies the downstairs level of its building while its sister concept, Top Knot, operates upstairs. Uchi is part of the acclaimed restaurant group that originated in Austin and has since expanded to several cities.

What sets Uchi Dallas apart is its creative approach to traditional Japanese cuisine, with a menu that emphasizes high-quality fish and innovative preparations that go beyond standard sushi rolls. Omakase-style tastings are popular here, too, so allow the chef to guide your experience through a series of seasonal courses. The restaurant also offers a full bar with an impressive selection of sake and Japanese whisky!

Reservations are recommended as the dining room fills up quickly on weekends!

S&D Oyster Company

If you're craving something more casual and coastal, S&D Oyster Company delivers New Orleans-style seafood in the heart of Uptown. Located just a block away from our Downtown Dallas apartments, this family-owned spot has been serving fried oysters and Gulf shrimp for years. The menu reads like a trip to the Louisiana coast with options like broiled flounder, broiled trout and classic po'boys.

S&D has a loyal local following thanks to its no-fuss atmosphere and consistent quality. It's the kind of place where you can grab a table for a casual weeknight dinner or bring out-of-town guests who want to experience Southern seafood without the stuffiness. The full bar and takeout options make it versatile for however you want to enjoy your meal.

Catch Dallas

For something more on the upscale end, Catch Dallas brings the glamour of its New York City flagship restaurant to Uptown's Maple Avenue. This is the Texas debut of Catch Hospitality Group, and it absolutely lives up to the hype! The restaurant is set inside a renovated historic high-rise that once hosted a variety of world-renowned guests, the likes of which include Judy Garland and Elvis Presley!

The menu focuses primarily on seafood, with standouts like truffle sashimi, tableside hot-rock Japanese Wagyu and lobster mac and cheese. Sushi options are plentiful, too, and the presentation definitely matches the high-energy atmosphere. Catch has a reputation for celebrity sightings at its other locations, and the Dallas outpost especially draws a well-dressed crowd. Reservations are strongly recommended here, and expect a scene on weekend nights!

Nuri Steakhouse

Uptown's steakhouse scene got a major addition in August 2024 when Nuri opened its doors. 

This is not your typical American steakhouse, either. Nuri blends classic steakhouse tradition with Korean influences thanks to owner Wan Kim, the restaurateur behind JOA Korean BBQ. 

Steaks here are sourced from top Texas ranches and are grilled to absolute perfection. What makes Nuri unique is its "East meets West" philosophy, so you'll find both traditional appetizers and Korean-influenced options on the menu — the dueling Eastern and Western beef tartares showcase this approach well. Sides and sauces offer a mix of familiar steakhouse flavors, alongside Korean-inspired additions to expand the already complex menu. 

Written by the Seasons, The Quad

Originally a Bishop Arts local favorite, Written by the Seasons opened a second location at The Quad development in Uptown. 

This farm-to-table restaurant earned a spot on Michelin's Recommended list in 2024 and it's easy to see why: the menu changes with the seasons and emphasizes locally sourced ingredients prepared with the utmost care.

The Uptown location has a moody and romantic atmosphere that makes it ideal for date nights. Popular items have included kimchi pancakes, dayboat scallops, grilled salmon and pistachio pavlova, and the espresso martini is a crowd favorite as well. 

Because the menu evolves throughout the year, there's always something new to try on a return visit! Reservations are recommended especially on weekends.

Bars & breweries

Uptown is known for its nightlife and the bar scene here ranges from historic landmarks to buzzy rooftops. Whether you want craft cocktails in a 150-year-old house or skyline views from eight stories up, these four bars deliver.

Bowen House

Bowen House operates inside a Registered Texas Historic Landmark dating all the way back to 1874! The mid-Victorian house was one of the first to be built in the then-farmland area of northwest Dallas, but was converted into a bar in 2014 and has since become one of Uptown's most beloved watering holes. The exterior still looks the part of a period home complete with a shady front patio. Inside, there’s an all-modern bar with a focus on craft cocktails and quality food.

The drink menu includes classics like a proper Martini alongside creative options like a roasted ube-infused Japanese whisky highball with nori syrup. The cheeseburger here is considered one of the best in Dallas, and the kitchen also turns out some exceptional escargot, steak tartare and cacio e pepe. It's a rare combination of historic ambiance and contemporary bar culture!

Quarter Bar

Quarter Bar is an energetic rooftop spot on McKinney Avenue that draws a perpetually social crowd. The atmosphere here is lively, and the late-night menu keeps things going well past typical dinner hours. Rooftop seating offers views of the Uptown skyline and the outdoor decks are perfect for those late-night social hangouts. 

Quarter Bar is a good choice if you're looking for a buzzy scene with craft cocktails and a younger crowd. The vibe is upbeat without being overwhelming, and the rooftop setting provides a nice escape from street-level traffic and bars.

Upside West Village

For skyline views and a more polished atmosphere, Upside West Village sits a whole eight stories above Uptown atop the Canopy by Hilton Hotel in West Village. The rooftop bar and restaurant offers both indoor seating and an outdoor patio with a fireplace wall, matching any kind of atmosphere you’re looking for.

The drink menu here features unique craft cocktails along with wine (by the glass or bottle) and local craft beers. The food menu includes vegan options, seafood and ranch selections prepared by the in-house chef. Upside is a popular spot for after-work drinks, date nights and private events — plus, the unobstructed views of the Dallas skyline are hard to beat!

The Rustic

The Rustic is a Texas-style bar and restaurant with one of the largest patios in Dallas, with a sprawling outdoor space that hosts a packed calendar of live music throughout the year. It's a laid-back destination that combines restaurant dining, bar drinks and entertainment all in one place.

The menu here focuses on Texas comfort food, while the bar serves a wide range of craft cocktails and local beers. If you're looking for a casual night out with live music and plenty of room to spread out, The Rustic is the place to go!

Katy Trail Ice House

Tucked along the Katy Trail near the Katy Trail Train Statue, this outdoor beer garden is your go-to spot for a sunny afternoon beverage. If you go, it’s easy to see why it’s been hailed as the Best Beer Garden in Dallas (and one of the largest in America)!

With a huge patio featuring outdoor firepits, shady oak trees, space heaters and a pet-friendly atmosphere, this beer garden is a local favorite for watching sports and social gatherings. Their fifty-foot long bar (yes, you heard that right!) serves fifty beers on tap, as well as house cocktails and made-from-scratch smoked BBQ. Their burgers are some of the best around, too!

Cafes

Coffee culture is alive and well in Uptown with options ranging from neighborhood staples to Latin-inspired newcomers.

Sip Stir Coffee House

Sip Stir has been an Uptown go-to since opening in the West Village shopping area back in 2013. The modern and airy coffee shop is known for quality coffee, housemade syrups and a welcoming community atmosphere, and the space works well for business meetings, casual hangouts or solo work sessions.

Popular drinks include house drip coffee, espresso drinks, the Salted Caramel Frost and their house matcha!

White Rhino Coffee

White Rhino started as a small coffee shop in Cedar Hill in 2007 and has since grown into a local chain with over 13 locations, including spots in Uptown and Downtown Dallas. The brand is known for friendly service and a dedication to small-batch roasts.

Seasonal drinks rotate throughout the year, with options like salted honey cream cold brew in spring and spiced Mexican mocha in fall. The food menu includes breakfast tacos, maple-glazed chicken biscuits and loaded sweet potato hash, so you can get your daily fix of both caffeine and cuisine with ease! The Uptown location offers plenty of space to settle in, too, if you’re looking for a good place to study or do some remote work.

Hola Cafe

Just a block away from our Fountain Place luxury apartments in Downtown Dallas, Hola Cafe brings Latin-inspired coffee to Uptown at its second location, following its success at their original Oak Cliff shop. Founded by Jeniffer Avila who grew up in Honduras helping her grandmother harvest coffee beans, Hola has developed a cult following for both its aesthetic and its tasty drinks.

The minimalist black-and-white space is Instagram-worthy, and the classic menu features signature drinks like Mexican mocha, dulce latte, horchata cafe and tiramisu matcha. Warm bread with butter and strawberry jam is a simple but satisfying bite to pair with your beverage, and coffee-free options like strawberry milk and matcha are also available.

Final thoughts

Uptown Dallas packs a lot of quality eating and drinking into a trendy, walkable neighborhood. Whether you're after a special-occasion dinner at Catch or Nuri, a casual seafood meal at S&D, cocktails in a historic home at Bowen House or a simple latte at Sip Stir, the options are plentiful. The neighborhood’s dining scene continues to evolve, with new openings at developments like The Quad constantly popping up, while longtime favorites continue to hold their ground and prove their quality. 

Whatever you're in the mood for, Uptown has something worth trying!

Enjoy!

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