With so many flashy new restaurants opening up around Dallas, it’s always worth visiting or revisiting some of the classics—especially those housed inside some of the city’s most iconic structures. These are the kind of places defined by original architecture, interesting details, and maybe a few creaks and imperfections. Often, it’s inside these storied locations that diners can feel the presence of decades of laughter, entertainment, and flavor. If these walls could talk, they’d probably beckon you in for a bite.
Campisi’s Egyptian Lounge
Built: 1940’s
Restaurant Opened: 1950
What do the mob, the assassination of President JFK, and Dallas’ “first” pizza have in common? At the center of it all: an Italian restaurant known as The Egyptian. Confused yet? The first is rumor, the second is lore—and Campisi’s original location is widely considered the birthplace of pizza in Dallas, as well as the oldest Italian restaurant in Texas. Step back in time with one of Campisi’s famous thin-crust pies in a dining room that might just make you believe the stories… 5610 E. Mockingbird Ln., Dallas, campisis.us
The French Room
Built: 1912
Restaurant Opened: 1912
Is a (possibly) haunted hotel built in 1912—with a surviving piano whose twin sank on the Titanic—historic enough for you? Inside the Adolphus Hotel Downtown, the French Room is a restaurant so steeped in history it’s a good thing its Murano glass chandelier-bedecked ceilings are so high. After the restaurant’s 2017 renovation, many assumed the designers had removed the original murals, when in fact those famous cherubic, floral scenes weren’t original at all—they were added in the ’80s. 1321 Commerce St., Dallas, adolphus.com
The Mansion Restaurant
Built: 1925
Restaurant Opened: 1980
Originally a private residence, this 1920s-era building remains one of the most well-known in town. Hand-carved fireplaces, marble floors, and a sweeping staircase greet you as you enter the Mansion on Turtle Creek, home to the Mansion Restaurant. The richness isn’t limited to the architecture, however—the menu is varied and contemporary, anchored by an opulent tasting experience with wine pairings that shouldn’t be missed. 2821 Turtle Creek Blvd., Dallas, rosewoodhotels.com/en/mansion-on-turtle-creek-dallas/
Stock & Barrel
Built: 1900
Restaurant Opened: 2014
When chef Jon Stevens moved to Dallas from San Francisco, he discovered the old Safety Glass Company building on Davis Street and set out to transform it into what is now the Michelin-recognized Stock & Barrel. A true Dallas mainstay, the restaurant delivers globally inspired fare in a comfortable-yet-cool setting. Stevens preserved just three original walls, but the building’s framing lumber lives on as a rustic accent wall—a subtle nod to the structure’s past within its now industrial-chic interior. Don’t leave without ordering the toffee croissant bread pudding for dessert. 316 W. Davis St., Dallas, stockandbarreldallas.com
The Woolworth
Built: 1913
Restaurant Opened: 2013
Originally Woolworth’s Five and Dime, the Woolworth is now a bar and restaurant with large, storefront-style windows flanking its door and a balcony overlooking Elm Street below. The menu offers the type of American fare you’d expect from a steakhouse, plus both “timeless” and “trending” cocktails like the spicy mule and a pumpkin spice smash. 1520 Elm St., Dallas, thewoolworthdallas.com
The Mayor’s House By Selda
Built: 1910
Restaurant Opened: 2023
How’d you like to sample Turkish cuisine in a 100-year-old home once owned by the mayor of Oak Cliff? Built in 1910, the Mayor’s House is now one of several spots around the metroplex serving Mediterranean fare—but the only one doing it in such a beautifully preserved, historic setting. Imagine savoring the last bites of tender lamb chops or chicken shish when a lavish platter of desserts arrives, testing your resolve. Go ahead and give in—the desserts are dreamy. 635 N. Zang Blvd., Dallas, seldaoakcliff.com
Mister Charles
Built: 1930s
Restaurant Opened: 2022
For many Dallasites, there are few storefronts as iconic as the original Highland Park Soda Fountain, which was built in the 1930s and bought by Duro Hospitality in 2022. Now one of the most expensive see-and-be-seen restaurants in town, Mister Charles is a flagship restaurant in the Duro Hospitality Group’s portfolio, which also contains the Charles, Sister, Norman’s Japanese, Cafe Duro, Chumley House and El Carlos Elegante. Instead of egg salad sandwiches and malts, folks now flock to Mister Charles for lobster salads and martinis. 3219 Knox St., Dallas, mistercharlesdallas.com
Town Hearth
Built: early 1900’s
Restaurant Opened: 2015
Originally the Continental Gin factory, Town Hearth is one of the most boldly decorated steakhouses in Dallas, complete with a giant fish tank housing a yellow submarine, 64 chandeliers, and layers of rustic, steampunk-inspired design. The vibe fits the space—and the Design District—perfectly, leaning into its industrial roots. Chef-owner Nick Badovinus created the restaurant as a reflection of his own time in Dallas. Order one of the famed burgers at the bar, or settle in for a Delmonico steak and a cocktail. 1617 Market Center Blvd., Dallas, townhearth.com
Celebration
Built: 1940s
Restaurant Opened: 1971
After more than 50 years on Lovers Lane, Celebration Restaurant has seen the Dallas dining scene grow and evolve. There are a few things to know about this longtime favorite. First, it was likely Dallas’ first farm-to-table concept. Second, its popularity led to an expansion into multiple adjacent buildings, including a carryout market. Third—and most importantly—Celebration lets you order “seconds” of select menu items, included with the price of your entrée. Selections change daily, and everything is made from scratch. Fun fact: Celebration was once named one of the Top 10 home-cooking restaurants in the country by the Food Network. 4503 W. Lovers Ln., Dallas, celebrationrestaurant.com
Zodiac Room
Built: 1914
Restaurant Opened: 1953
The golden era of department stores may be over, but stepping into the Zodiac Room inside the flagship Neiman Marcus in downtown Dallas still feels like a ritual. Picture walking in after a marathon shopping trip and being greeted with the restaurant’s famous complimentary broth and warm popovers with strawberry butter. That now-iconic pairing didn’t arrive until 1955, when Helen Corbitt took over the kitchen, cementing both in Dallas dining history. Decades later, the lunch-only restaurant was slated to close about a year ago, but no matter what happens next, the memories made at the Zodiac will never fade. 1618 Main St., Dallas, neimanmarcus.com
Bowen House
Built: 1874
Restaurant Opened: 2013
The oldest building on this list, Bowen House is a cocktail den serving thoughtful food in a uniquely atmospheric Uptown Dallas setting. Walking up, it’s easy to imagine the space as Ahab Bowen’s family farmstead in the late 1800s. The wood-slat exterior has been carefully preserved, and settling in with a cocktail in the front courtyard feels like a step back in time. Inside, a simple yet elegant menu—featuring dishes like escargot, foie gras, and a lobster tea sandwich—pairs seamlessly with both classic and inventive, expertly crafted cocktails. 2614 Boll St., Dallas, bowenhousetx.com
Cenzo’s Pizza
Built: 1933
Restaurant Opened: 2023
Turns out some of Dallas’ best pizza can be found inside a former laundromat—once a taqueria, and before that, an old gas station in Winnetka Heights. Cenzo’s leans into a classic neighborhood vibe, by design of chef and co-owner Chad Dolezal. Original wood rafters have been reclaimed and repurposed into tables, and old garage doors discovered in the attic add to the charm. Along with a renovated patio, the space feels like a thoughtful homage to everything it’s been. Order one of the 11 pies named after local streets and settle in like a regular. 1700 W 10th St, Dallas, cenzospizza.com
