12 Prettiest Places to Eat and Drink in Dallas

As anyone who has ever been out to eat in their lives can tell you, atmosphere in a restaurant is a big deal. The right lighting and decor not only can make or break a restaurant but it can set the entire tone for what people believe that restaurant is for. It can make the difference between a restaurant being viewed as an intimate setting for a date or as a casual spot to simply hang out with friends. No matter what the occasion, many people want to dine in a space they believe to be pretty.

We realize that “pretty” is subjective. We also don’t believe “pretty” is synonymous with “fancy.” This list is dedicated to restaurants we believe had a distinct or unique vision that was executed in a visually appealing way. From the dark and moody to the ornate and luxurious, there’s a type of “pretty” here for everyone.

Ayahuasca

334 Jefferson Blvd.

This hidden gem located inside Xaman Cafe in Oak Cliff is easily the moodiest addition to this list. Dimly lit and relying largely on candlelight (some of which offer an amazing scent), the atmosphere in Ayahuasca feels both not of this time and a little bit dangerous, almost like a setting in an old movie. All the black and white artwork is procured from Mexico. It’s obscure and elusive, sexy and relaxing.

Brass Ram

2130 Commerce St.

Our restaurant critic, Chris Wolfgang, had this to say after dining at Brass Ram: “Opulent doesn’t do the space justice. Every table is a leather-bound booth for six, and mid-century light fixtures with Edison-style bulbs provide just enough warm light over each table. (…) While taking in all of the eye candy, it’s fair to wonder if your credit score is good enough to partake in a meal.” Sure it is, we say. If you have a slew of Mad Men-esque cronies, pop for the private dining room bathed in Marilyn Monroe art. But make no mistake, there’s not an unrefined seat in the house.

Crown Block

300 Reunion Blvd.

Atop the Reunion Tower is a giant sparkling ball, a key characteristic of Dallas’ skyline. Inside is a restaurant, Crown Block, which opened in 2023. Polished hardwood floors and plush blue seating make a wide ring around the restaurant — every table has a window view and just about any time of day, the vistas are spectacular. An open seafood bar and dessert bar, plus a large glass exposed wine vault, add to the aesthetics here. If you go, don’t pass on the macaroni and cheese waffles.

Dolce Riviera

2950 N. Harwood St., No. 115

Dolce Riviera has a laidback and nostalgic feel to it and utilizes a clean and calming blue and white color palette throughout. The greenery-filled patio feels like an oasis despite being directly adjacent to the street. The seating is decked out in white linen and pillows that always look pristine despite their constant proximity to red pasta sauce. All in all, Dolce Riviera looks like the nicest, cleanest European resort you ever stayed in has been adapted into an Italian restaurant.

Dragonfly

2332 Leonard St.

Inside the Hotel Zaza, Dragonfly is something of a spectacle. Lights dangle from the ceiling reflecting off the mirror behind the bar, making the room appear even brighter. Every possible surface is covered in art, including eye-catching vintage portraits in the lounge area in front of the bar. The space strikes a balance between being high-end and whimsical.

The French Room
1321 Commerce St.
Inside the historic Adolphus Hotel, The French Room is the very image its name evokes: period European luxury fit for Versailles. Marble floors, gilded chairs and ornate details from the floor to the ceiling will make you feel like Marie Antoinette, a character from The Gilded Age or a little of both. For the full effect, we recommend making a reservation for afternoon tea.

Georgie

4514 Travis St., No. 132

For anyone looking to live out their midcentury retro dreams, a reservation at Georgie is a must. The swooping architecture and warm tones feel straight out of an old movie or an episode of Mad Men. We would say they don’t make them like this anymore, except that Georgie clearly does.

Mister Charles

3219 Knox St., No. 170

This new Highland Park favorite is dripping with luxury: marble checkerboard floors, ornate chandeliers and towering 40-foot ceilings. Mister Charles serves high-end French and Italian cuisine, but the restaurant is the kind of space where they could serve cafeteria-caliber hot dogs and milk cartons and you’d still feel like royalty.

Regines Lounge

4152 Cole Ave., No. 106

An extension of Maison Chinoise, a French-Chinese fusion spot that opened last year, Regines is a speakeasy-style lounge that oozes vintage glamour. The space generally utilizes low lighting, making the areas that are lit seem to glow, particularly the curved ceilings surrounding a stage that hosts live music. Patrons can live out their flapper fantasies with zero chance of a prohibition-era police raid spoiling the fun.

Rise Souffle

5360 W. Lovers Lane, No. 220

Rise brings some French charm to Dallas and makes customers feel like they’re in a romantic movie like Amelie. The twinkling lights, quirky decorative details and unique ability to make every table in the restaurant feel cozy and intimate make this an ideal destination for date nights like anniversaries or Valentine’s Day.

Sixty Vines

500 Crescent Court, No. 160

There’s not a bad seat in the house at Sixty Vines, but the greenhouse dining area is easily the best. With its abundance of trees and greenery, this glass-enclosed space with a retractable roof combines the light and cool climate of a patio with the quiet and comfort of an indoor dining room. Seating in the indoor lounge has an equally light and airy atmosphere, with the greenery paired with rich, warm-toned furniture.

Town Hearth

1617 Market Center Blvd.

If over-the-top opulence is the look you’re going for, welcome home, dahling. This is the Moira Rose of dining rooms. At the very least, Town Hearth should get points for originality. Its distinct decor offers a vintage sports car, an aquarium that houses a Beatles-esque yellow submarine and a fleet of 64 sparkling chandeliers. This may seem like a little much on paper, but the in-person effect is dazzling. Be sure to visit the bathrooms too.