AudVia105 min walk
Downtown Dallas is the story of a city that kept betting on itself. From Neiman Marcus's 1907 gamble that Dallas could support luxury retail to the Adolphus Hotel's Flemish Baroque grandeur, from the Majestic Theatre's vaudeville palace to the Praetorian Building's early skyscraper ambition — the historic commercial core holds a century of civic aspiration. The Flying Red Pegasus still rotates above Commerce Street. Union Station still anchors the south. And between them, the Mercantile Bank Building, Fountain Place, and a dozen other landmarks tell the story of a city that was always in a hurry to become something more.
Arriving by rideshare or taxi?
The best drop-off point for this tour is Magnolia Hotel / The Flying Red Pegasus.
Or start anywhere — tap any location below to begin. The list sorts by distance from where you are.
Dallas's most storied fine dining room, inside the 1912 Adolphus Hotel. The most formal meal in the city.
1321 Commerce St, Dallas, TX 75202
Food trucks and casual dining around the park that proved downtown Dallas could support genuine public space.
1592 Main St, Dallas, TX 75201
A buzzy brasserie inside the Joule hotel.
Order: Pork tomahawk; beignets
1530 Main St, Dallas, TX 75201
A classic steakhouse tucked below street level downtown.
Order: Bone-in ribeye
600 N Akard St, Dallas, TX 75201
Lively saloon-style bar tucked into the historic Adolphus Hotel downtown. Stiff drinks, queso, and burgers in a grand old room.
Order: Chips and queso, a burger, a cold cocktail
1321 Commerce St, Dallas, TX 75202
Stylish restaurant and cocktail bar inside the 1913 Woolworth building on Elm Street. A nod to its five-and-dime past with a modern downtown buzz.
Order: Craft cocktails, shareable plates, brunch on weekends
1520 Elm St #201, Dallas, TX 75201
Authentic Neapolitan kitchen in the historic Titche-Goettinger building on Main Street, across from Main Street Garden. Naples-style pizza and pasta done with real heart.
Order: Wood-fired Neapolitan pizza, fresh pasta, the antipasti
1903 Main St, Dallas, TX 75201
Cult-favorite, scratch-made New York-style bagels in the downtown Woolworth building. Worth the early-morning line for one of the city's best bagels.
Order: A fresh bagel with Nova lox, the specialty schmears
1520 Elm St Ste 107, Dallas, TX 75201
Downtown's go-to sports bar near the Farmers Market, with elevated tavern fare and cocktails. A relaxed spot to catch the game.
Order: Tavern burger, shareable bar bites, a cocktail
333 S Harwood St, Dallas, TX 75201
Chef Victor Hugo's New American spot in a historic building near the Dallas Farmers Market. Thoughtful cocktails and a fresh take on the classics.
Order: A seasonal cocktail, the chef's New American plates
600 S Harwood St, Dallas, TX 75201
A downtown craft taproom in the historic Dallas Power & Light building — the most on-theme stop on this tour. Every beer is named for a Dallas landmark, including a Flying Red IPA that raises a glass to the horse over your head.
Order: The Flying Red IPA, or the Nine Volt Belgian tripel (named for the Power & Light building it's poured in)
1508 Commerce St, Dallas, TX 75201
The Omni Dallas's pizza-and-wine spot, named for the restored 1934 Pegasus standing on the hotel's lawn — the original sign, brought back down to street level. Hearth-baked pies and wine on tap.
Order: The Carne (sopressata, pepperoni, sausage) or a classic Margherita
555 S Lamar St, Dallas, TX 75202