It’s fall, y’all. Football is back, school is in session, and September is ushering in one of the busiest—and most delicious—times of the year. As the leaves begin to turn and the air gets a little crisper, Dallas’ culinary calendar is filling up with events that will have feet stomping, mouths watering, and hearts warming.
From Mahjong nights and inaugural awards dinners celebrating hospitality icons to Labor Day weekend festivities, here are the must-attend food and drink events in Dallas this September.
Pilates + Comedy at Crab and Laughs
Sweat now, laugh later. Comedy speakeasy Crab and Laughs is hosting Pilates + Comedy on Friday, September 4. Located inside La Reyna Seafood Bar, Crab and Laughs will convert into a Pilates studio at 6 p.m., followed by a fitness-themed comedy roast hosted by Esperanza Moises of Caliente Comedy at 7 p.m. It’s called balance. The one-night-only event will feature a special menu of light bites, protein bowls, and skinny cocktails. Mats are required, and tickets are available for both the fitness class and comedy or comedy only online. 720 W. Main St., Grand Prairie, lareynatx.com
RANCHO Mezcal Bar Takeover at Walkers’
Walkers’ is Lower Greenville’s newest restaurant, market, and wine bar, and RANCHO Mezcal is taking it over. On Sunday, September 6 from 5 to 10 p.m., RANCHO Mezcal founders Matt Ornstein and Daniel Ayala will be behind the bar pouring four custom cocktails crafted by Ayala and Walker’s bar lead Adam Stein. Expect a Pineapple Shady made with roasted pineapple juice and Montenegro foam, or the Oro y Pueblo with Ancho Reyes, roasted corn, poblano, Amontillado sherry and lime. Executive chef Aldon Reyes will be serving Australian Wagyu hotdogs on Japanese milk bread buns by Mariana Aguayo. 3016 Greenville Ave., Dallas, walkersbar-market.com
Café Ciro Turns Four!
Happy Birthday, Café Ciro! Pleasant Grove’s first independent coffee shop is celebrating its fourth birthday Sunday, September 6 from 4 to 7 p.m. Mexican immigrant Britany Guereca founded Café Ciro on her parent’s front lawn before growing it into a brick-and-mortar Mexican coffee shop. For its fourth milestone, she’s taking the coffee shop back to its roots with a market featuring local vendors, food trucks, and an anniversary latte topped with vanilla ube cold foam, sprinkles, and a cherry. This time, the celebration is happening at their own brick-and-mortar. The family-friendly event is free to attend. 2247 S. Buckner Blvd., Ste. 122, Dallas
Labor Day Weekend at Kilmac’s
Kilmac’s is kicking off their first Labor Day weekend on Sunday, September 6 with a bang. The Taylor Young Band takes the stage at 7:30 p.m. with no cover. The New York-style pizza cocktail bar will fire up the grill for brats and hot dogs, while $7 frozen espresso martinis keep things cool on the garden patio. Get there early, come hungry, and stay late. A DJ set will close out the night, and who really has to work the next day? Not you. 814 W. Davis St., Dallas, kilmacsoakcliff.com
GrapeFest
The largest wine festival in the Southwest returns for its 40th year. Grapevine’s GrapeFest runs September 17-20, transforming Historic Main Street into a four-day extravaganza of wine sipping, grape stomping, shopping, eating, and live entertainment. Festivities include the Judgement of Paris, the People’s Choice Wine Tasting Classic, wine seminars, a Kidzone, carnival and midway, and the Harvest Wine Train. Admission is free all day Thursday and Friday until 5 p.m. Admission for Friday night, the weekend, and specialty experiences can be purchased online. GrapeFest.com
Twosday Tiles at Serve & Sip
Tuesdays are for Mahj. On Tuesday, September 22, Serve & Sip will host Twosday Tiles with influencer AskFoodBitch. The pickleball club, which opened in June, intentionally spans beyond paddles with Mahjong woven into its social calendar. Twosday Tiles will take place at Serve & Sip’s signature restaurant, the Drop Kitchen & Bar. For $25, enjoy a cocktail or glass of wine and everything you need to play, including tiles and racks by local supplier Peace Love Mahjong. Follow AskFoodBitch to be the first to snag tickets when they drop on Toast. 11250 N. Central Expressway, Ste. 105, Dallas, serveandsip.com
2026 Farrah Fawcett Foundation Tex-Mex Fiesta
The Farrah Fawcett Foundation is bringing its Tex-Mex Fiesta to Dallas. Founded in 2015, the biennial gala raises funds for HPV-related cancer research. The event returns to Fawcett’s home state on Thursday, September 24 at the Rustic, honoring actress and cancer survivor Marcia Cross. The event begins at 6 p.m. with margaritas and cocktails, followed by a special performance by Big & Rich. Proceeds benefit Stand Up To Cancer and American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge. Tickets are available online. 3656 Howell St., Dallas, thefarrahfawcettfoundation.com
Chefs For Farmers Food + Wine’s Community Impact Awards
It may be Chefs For Farmers Food + Wine festival’s 16th year, but founder Iris Midler never runs out of ways to recognize the city’s most influential culinary figures. This year, the food-festival-of-the-year is launching its inaugural Community Impact Awards, hosted on Wednesday, September 30 at 6:30 p.m. at CBD Provisions at the Joule. The four-course collaborative dinner, presented by Headington Companies, will recognize leaders excelling in restaurants, hospitality, wine and spirits, and food purveyors. Bob Sambol of Bob’s Steak & Chop House will emcee, and proceeds will benefit Café Momentum. Tickets are available on Resy. 1530 Main St., Dallas, chefsforfarmers.com
