Editor’s choice: 12 go-to Dallas restaurants from our local expert

At this Italian restaurant at the Kimpton Harper Hotel, freshly made noodles are on full display in a glass-walled room. Sample the goods through hearty mains like fettuccine with wild mushrooms and white truffle or capellini arrabiata with mussels, shrimp, and calamari. This restaurant is also loved for its intimate bar, a famously delicious brunch, and a whipped burrata with grilled sourdough bread that’s—truly—life-changing.

Dallas teems with Tex-Mex, but the latest addition to the Mexican Sugar restaurant collection (the other locations are in Las Colinas and Plano) is a total knockout—and not just because of a massive agave spirit collection. Brown leather booths and a second-story outdoor patio set a warm scene. The corn tortillas are housemade, the lobster queso is the best in the business, and all that top-shelf tequila means the cocktails are some of the city’s most delicious.

One of the coolest parts about Dallas’s dining scene is discovering how many amazing restaurants are tucked into unassuming strip malls. Edoko Omakase is one such top-of-the-line sushi spot in the most unlikely suburban location, so it’s one of those places you only know if you’re in the know. The omakase is consistently fresh and innovative, featuring, for example, sea urchin shooters and wasabi octopus, and the sake collection is beautifully curated.

Nothing says “Dallas” quite like the 1,500-pound crystal horse chandelier that hangs over the bar in this swanky steakhouse. It’s worth bellying up and grabbing a cocktail just to ogle the 4,075 countless crystal beads. Take in the opulent ambiance, rodeo-chic touches, and decadent menu. This is a perfect place to enjoy an intimate evening over oysters on the half-shell, a wagyu strip, and a few martinis.

Some restaurants just have all the good vibes, and Lovers is a prime example–it could be the top-tier lobster roll, the sophisticated oceanic decor, or the impeccable service, but it’s probably a magical combination of all three. Come with a couple of friends, order a cold bottle of white, and share jumbo lump crab cakes and a tuna tartare tower for a memorable night out.

This international chain is a hotspot for high-quality pan Asian comfort food. Feel free to show up ravenous, because the wait between ordering and eating is refreshingly short. Dig into apps like dumplings and baos, plus heartier options that include a whole ramen menu and a selection of spicy curries. Wagamama’s speedy service and come-as-you-are attitude are reasons you’re going to become a regular.

When I get a seafood craving, there’s something about Truluck’s that feels like an answer to a prayer. With two Metroplex locations and another 10 around the country, it’s mastered comfort food from the sea. Must-orders include chilled stone crab claws, Maine lobsters, and miso-glazed sea bass with crab-fried rice. Bonus points for the Texas-sized portions.

Good pizza can be hard to find, but Cane Rosso slings some of the best Neapolitan pies in town. Seven locations dot the Metroplex, and the North Dallas outpost has an especially cozy atmosphere. It’s inviting, always bustling, and the place to go with a group to share a couple of pizzas and throw back a few beers. Fresh pasta, chopped salads, and classic Italian appetizers—the cheesy wood-fired garlic bread is a winner—round out the crowd-pleasing menu.

When only steak and seafood will do, head to Eddie V’s. With its dim lights, live-jazz trios, and oversized bar, it channels a sexy, secret lounge—even though there are 30 of them around the country. If you’re craving fish, kick things off with lobster tacos in housemade tortillas before making way for steamed Chilean sea bass. But if it’s a steak night, the tartare prepared tableside is a solid way to start a blockbuster meal.

Uchi’s debut Austin location opened in 2003 and made such a splash that the Hai Hospitality group opened six more around the country—including a Dallas edition in 2015. The flawless Japan-inspired star has an omakase menu that never fails to surprise. The servers know the menu inside out, so fully trust them to choose the best sake pairings for innovative dishes like kombu-cured flounder and snow crab maki with cashew pesto.

Cadot is the antithesis of a stereotypical French restaurant—there’s nothing stuffy about it, for starters. The adorable decor mixes refined and informal touches like white tablecloths, simple wooden chairs, a displayed wine collection, and homey curtains on the windows. It’s a serious charmer, and because it’s owned by Jean-Marie Cadot, a French chef who cooked in several MICHELIN-starred restaurants in Paris, the food is next-level. Don’t miss the escargot.

True to its name, this restaurant (one of three around Dallas) is a friendly local spot offering hearty hits like cheeseburgers, pork chops, and beef tenderloin. The food is beautifully prepared, consistently great, and designed for pairing with creative cocktails. Neighborhood Service’s elegant but laid-back atmosphere makes it ideal for a date or a catch-up with close friends, especially when the weather’s nice and you can grab a seat on the outdoor patio.