Hot List: 15 great bars and restaurants to visit in Dallas-Fort Worth in May 2023

For the first time in Hot List history, we’re starting with a list of great bars, then following with a list of great restaurants. All of these must-visit spots are North Texas gems that you should find room for in your social calendars in May 2023. But the reason we’re focusing on bars first is because we’ve seen a flurry of news around them in Dallas-Fort Worth this season. Grab a friend and make happy hour plans.

5 great bars

Sometimes, a no-frills bar is a great place to wind down after a long day. These five bars are a mix of very old and brand-new.

The Dallasite in Old East Dallas

The Dallasite opened 50 years ago.(Michael Hogue/Staff Illustrator)

One of Dallas’ heartiest bars, The Dallasite, just celebrated its 50th birthday. According to our research, The Dallasite is the oldest woman-owned bar in the city. It’s occupied three addresses in Dallas under one tough-as-nails boss, Rhonda Nail. Today, it’s catty-cornered from Jimmy’s Food Store in Old East Dallas. Stop in for a delightful dive-bar atmosphere: shuffleboard, cold beers and drunken karaoke.

The Dallasite is at 4822 Bryan St., Dallas.

Old 75 Beer Garden in Richardson

Old 75 Beer Garden is located along U.S. Highway 75, north of Spring Valley Road.(Courtesy of Old 75 Beer Garden)

Despite the word “old” in its name, Old 75 Beer Garden is new. It’s a 20,000-square-foot restaurant and bar with live music and lawn games. Think “Matthew McConaughey backyard vibes,” owner and founder Kirk Hermansen says. You might want to roll your eyes, but you know exactly what he means. And it sounds great.

Old 75 Beer Garden is at 740 S. Central Expressway, Richardson.

The Stoneleigh P in Uptown Dallas

Tom Garrison opened the Stoneleigh P in April 1973. Did he think it would last 50 years? No... — Tom Garrison opened the Stoneleigh P in April 1973. Did he think it would last 50 years? No way.(Lola Gomez / Staff Photographer)

We’re back to an oldie but a goodie. The Stoneleigh P just celebrated its 50th anniversary on Maple Avenue — a serious feat in a fickle city like Dallas. The P is a place full of wacky memories, of fundraisers for politicians who won and lost; of 24-hour dance marathons, just because; and of celebrity sightings, despite its counter-culture persona. Eventually, the P will move to a new location in Uptown because owners Tom and Laura Garrison couldn’t strike a deal with the landlord to extend the lease beyond April 2024. You’ve got plenty of time to get a cheeseburger and a beer and sit in one of those squeaky booths.

The Stoneleigh P is at 2926 Maple Ave., Dallas.

Tina’s Continental in Deep Ellum

We’d been impatiently waiting for Tina’s Continental to open in Deep Ellum. Tina’s is a little bitty bar in one of Dallas’ oldest buildings. What impresses me is the focus: Tina’s is a martini bar with no food. How simple, how delicious.

Tina’s Continental is at 3309 Elm St., Suite 115 (in the Continental Gin building), Dallas.

Veritas Wine Room near Knox-Henderson

So far, I’ve written about a dive bar, a backyard bar, a burger and beer bar, and a martini bar. What other bars do we love? Wine bars! The fifth and final bar on our May 2023 Hot List is Veritas, the cozy wine spot that almost closed on Dallas’ Henderson Avenue. (Stop me if you’ve heard this one, but lease negotiations with landlords seem to be more contentious than ever in Dallas right now.) Veritas’ owners figured it out, and the 15-year-old wine den will remain open. It’s time to go back and raise a glass.

Veritas Wine Room is at 2323 N. Henderson Ave., Dallas.

Now, let's talk about restaurants! Emmy Barsotti grew up eating at Carbone's Fine Food and... — Now, let's talk about restaurants! Emmy Barsotti grew up eating at Carbone's Fine Food and Wine on Oak Lawn Avenue in Dallas. Her favorite dish was the spaghetti and meatballs, and it's on the menu at Carbone's replacement restaurant Barsotti's Fine Food and Liqueurs. Barsotti's opened in mid-April 2023. (Daniel Barsotti)

10 great restaurants

If you’re seeking a great lunch spot, date-night dinner or a restaurant to gather with friends, check out this list of new and newly-inspiring Dallas-Fort Worth eateries.

Barsotti’s Fine Food and Liqueurs in Highland Park

Surely you’ve heard about that pesky trademark lawsuit between Carbone’s and Carbone. It’s over now. So it’s goodbye, Carbone’s; hello, Barsotti’s. You can call it a “new” Italian restaurant if you want to, but Barsotti’s is basically the reincarnation of Carbone’s on Oak Lawn Avenue, with a fresh coat of paint. Owner Julian Barsotti and GM Jonathan Neitzel are still running the family-friendly restaurant. Here’s a peek inside.

Barsotti’s Fine Food and Liqueurs is at 4208 Oak Lawn Ave., Dallas.

Burger Schmurger in Expo Park (and beyond)

Dave Culwell prefers to call himself a backyard cook and not a chef. He's making some of the... — Dave Culwell prefers to call himself a backyard cook and not a chef. He's making some of the best burgers in Dallas.(Lola Gomez / Staff Photographer)

Check out a story called “This is the best burger in Dallas right now,” where I gush over a double-double cheeseburger from a backyard chef. The best place to find this burger is inside Craft and Growler, a brewery in Expo Park where Dave Culwell is borrowing their kitchen six days a week. His company, Burger Schmurger, also does birthday parties, picnics and food fests.

If you’re serious about burgers like I am, I’ll ask you to do three things. 1, Read the story. 2, Eat the burger. And 3, Follow him on Instagram. Who knows where he’ll pop up next.

Burger Schmurger does private events and sells burgers and fries at Craft and Growler, 3601 Parry Ave., Dallas. It’s open Tuesday through Sunday, dinnertime only.

Crown Block in downtown Dallas

The avocado crunch roll at Crown Block in Dallas has mango, avocado and cucumber and is... — The avocado crunch roll at Crown Block in Dallas has mango, avocado and cucumber and is vegetarian. The restaurant atop Reunion Tower in Dallas opened April 17, 2023.(Sarah Blaskovich/Staff)

It’s going to be tough to snag a reservation at Crown Block; it’s the hottest seat in Dallas right now. But it’s worth it to plan ahead, because this restaurant at the top of Reunion Tower is really something to see. Crown Block replaces Wolfgang Puck’s Five Sixty restaurant and aims to bring some sophistication to Dallas’ most iconic dining room. We’d love to hear what you think of it if you’ve been there.

Crown Block is on the 18th floor of Reunion Tower, 300 Reunion Blvd. E., Dallas.

Hurtado Barbecue at Globe Life Field in Arlington

That's me giggling as Evan Grant bites into a Hurtado Barbecue beef rib on Texas Rangers... — That's me giggling as Evan Grant bites into a Hurtado Barbecue beef rib on Texas Rangers opening day. It's a giant hunk of meat that can feed several people.(Liesbeth Powers / Staff Photographer)

You’re going to need a Texas Rangers baseball ticket to get to Hurtado’s food stand inside Globe Life Field in Arlington. But it’s worth it: Hurtado is selling what Rangers Insider Evan Grant believes is the best food in the entire ballpark. The beef rib is the way to go, but get in line early, because only a few dozen of these gorgeous hunks of meat are available at each game. If you miss out on the beef rib, go for the birria tacos.

And if you’re not at a Texas Rangers game at all, visit Hurtado Barbecue on 205 E. Front St. in Arlington. That location doesn’t come with a view of the game, but the food there is great, too.

Hurtado Barbecue is on the main concourse, near left field, between Sections 142 and 101. Globe Life Field is at 734 Stadium Drive, Arlington.

Nick & Sam’s Steakhouse in Uptown Dallas

Server Benny Bajrami laughs with guests at Nick & Sam's. (Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)

Nick & Sam’s server Benny Bajrami is a legend in Dallas — and possibly the highest-paid waiter in our city. Next time you go to Nick & Sam’s, consider asking to sit in his section. But be prepared to get in line; Bajrami has also served Tony Romo, Mariah Carey, Jamie Foxx, Luka Doncic and more. Claire Ballor tells a touching story about how Bajrami became the most sought-after server in Dallas.

Nick & Sam’s Steakhouse is at 3008 Maple Ave., Dallas.

Quince in Fort Worth

Quince has opened in Fort Worth

New Fort Worth restaurant Quince has to have one of the best new patios in all of North Texas, so remember it next time you’re in Tarrant County and the weather is wonderful. The menu is an eclectic mix of ceviche, sushi, burgers, steaks and risottos. The dining room is beautiful — good for a date or business dinner.

Quince is at 1701 River Run (in the WestBend development), Fort Worth.

Ramble Room in University Park

Among the sandwiches on Ramble Room's dinner menu is a corned beef reuben on marble rye. (Kathy Tran)

Since the pandemic, it’s been tougher to find great lunch spots in Dallas-Fort Worth. Ramble Room is one to try: It’s open for lunch and dinner, seven days a week, serving American food like upscale salads, sandwiches and pastas. I loved the Caesar Brussels as an appetizer.

Ramble Room is at 6565 Hillcrest Ave., Dallas. Parking is available in the garage behind the restaurant; bring in the ticket stub to get it validated.

Ranchman’s Ponder Steakhouse in Ponder

It's the cutest dang place.(Shafkat Anowar / Staff Photographer)

Texas has a bunch of out-of-the-way restaurants we love to love. Perini Ranch in Buffalo Gap is one. Leona General Store, near I-45 between Dallas and Houston, is another. Ranchman’s belongs on that list of beloved Texas eateries. This 75-year-old restaurant was closed for three years during the pandemic — for about 1,100 days. Yes, I was counting, because so many Dallas Morning News readers cared about this historic, small-town chicken-fried steak joint where bankers and cowboys sat side by side. Ranchman’s has reopened, but owner Dave Ross begs you to be patient with his staff. He only gets one shot at making a second first impression.

Ranchman’s is at 110 W. Bailey St., Ponder. Lunch only, for now.

Taj Mahal in North Dallas

Charanjit Gill, 60, and Gurmeet Gill, 57, are the owners of Taj Mahal, which reopened in its... — Charanjit Gill, 60, and Gurmeet Gill, 57, are the owners of Taj Mahal. The restaurant reopened in its new location in North Dallas in March 2023 after being closed for 13 months.(Imela García / Imelda García)

Beloved Indian restaurant Taj Mahal, open in Dallas since 1986, has relocated and reopened in North Dallas. Chef-owner Charanjit Gill hopes the restaurant looks and feels like its former home. That restaurant was closed for 13 months, our Imelda García reports, and regulars were missing the chicken tikka masala, vegetable korma and tandoori chicken.

Taj Mahal is at 10219 N. Central Expressway, Dallas.

Zavala’s Barbecue in Grand Prairie

Barbecue pitmaster and restaurateur Joe Zavala is a character. If you see him at Zavala's in... — Barbecue pitmaster and restaurateur Joe Zavala is a character. If you see him at Zavala's in Grand Prairie, stop him for a photo and a chat.

It’s bbq szn in Texas. When the weather is pleasant, it’s my favorite time of the year to grab a picnic table and share some brisket with friends or family on a Saturday morning. You don’t need a fork, you don’t need a plate. Pull Zavala’s brisket apart with your hands, then stuff it into a tortilla.

There’s a lot of attention coming to Grand Prairie’s EpicCentral development, but let’s not forget this hometown gem serving some of the region’s best ‘cue.

Zavala’s Barbecue is at 421 W. Main St., Grand Prairie. Open Thursday, Friday and Saturday only, starting at 11 a.m.

Coffee lovers, you can walk to Mas Coffee Co. (owned and operated by the Zavala family) before or after eating barbecue. It’s at 105 W. Main St., Grand Prairie.