The heart of East Dallas is White Rock Lake, a sprawling 1,015-acre city escape. With more than nine miles of biking and hiking trails, the lake draws neighbors and visitors from across Dallas on weekdays and weekends alike. Nestled between residential enclaves of landmark eight-figure estates and buzzy culinary hotspots, the area is as much a community hub as it is a destination.
Whether you’re reading a book on the dock, working up an appetite rowing on the water, or breaking a sweat on the trail, White Rock Lake is surrounded by restaurants well worth the stop. Here are the best places to grab a bite around the lake, from chicken Caesar salad wraps to pizza that tastes like it came straight from Naples.
Keller’s Drive-In
Keller’s Drive-In is a relic of a bygone era. Founded in 1950 by Jack Keller, the drive-in burger joint is the definition of a no-frills, budget-friendly classic. Its neon red-and-green glow beckons hungry diners to pull up to the shaded stalls and order a poppy seed bun stuffed with shredded lettuce, mustard, tomato, cheese, and onions, all for around $5. Round out the meal with fries, tots, or onion rings and a drink, and you’ll still come in comfortably under $10. 6537 E. Northwest Hwy., Dallas
Birdie’s Eastside
From the team behind Preston Hollow’s beloved Escondido Tex-Mex Patio comes another patio-centric crowd-pleaser. Birdie’s Eastside opened in 2023 inside the former Luby’s Cafeteria, refurbishing the iconic space into a 20,000-square-foot bar and grill anchored by a massive 7,000-square-foot patio made for sunny afternoons and frozen Sauvignon Blanch slushies. The menu is just as expansive, with brunch and late-night offerings alongside a mouthwatering Parmesan-doused chicken Caesar wrap served with crispy waffle fries. 6221 E. Mockingbird Ln., Dallas, birdieseastside.com
Smoky Rose
Across the street from the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, Smoky Rose pairs a chef-led kitchen with an epic, tree-shaded patio. The restaurant smokes up “Tex-Que,” blending low-and-slow barbecue technique with Tex-Mex flair. The brisket queso is a cult-favorite. For the full Smoky Rose experience, order the Chicken-Fried Prime Brisket. It’s a comforting house original featuring a 12-ounce cut with mashed potatoes, green beans, and pepper gravy. 8602 Garland Rd., Dallas, smokyrose.com
Burger Schmurger
One of Dallas’ best burgers is just minutes away from White Rock Lake. Burger Schmurger began as a post-pandemic smashburger pop-up by chef Dave Culwell before landing a permanent home in Lake Highlands, thanks to a partnership with This and That Concepts, the group behind Double D’s and Tiny Victories. Inside, the vibes are high with retro dive-bar energy, where seared, lacy-edged patties come stacked with American cheese, fragrant grilled onions, Schmurger dill pickles, and the house’s signature Schmurger Sauce. 718 N. Buckner Blvd., Ste. 100, burgerschmurger.com
Goldie’s
With a dark interior, burgundy booths, gilded fixtures, and a climate-controlled patio, there’s never a bad time to visit Goldie’s. This Lake Highlands gem seats 26 inside, 40 on the patio, and eight at the intimate marble-topped bar, and has some serious range. Stop by for a bubbly-soaked date night, celebration, or business dinner featuring a spread of dressed-up comfort foods. It’s the kind of spot where the staff knows you by name, the cosmos comes with a splash of pomegranate juice, and Grandma’s Ragu will have you coming back for more. 9850 Walnut Hill Ln., Ste. 305, Dallas, goldiesdallas.com
Olivella’s Pizza and Wine
Olivella’s has been a Dallas pizza staple since opening near Southern Methodist University in the 2000s. In Lakewood, it’s the go-to for both Neapolitan- and Roman-style pies. The black truffle pizza is a no-sauce pie topped with gooey mozzarella, Italian ham, mushrooms, truffle oil, and black pepper that can win over even the most devoted pizza purist. The menu goes well beyond pizza, bringing Naples, Italy to Dallas. There’s a sommelier-picked wine list, Mama’s Meatballs, salads, pastas, paninis, tiramisu, and weekend boozy brunch pouring $3 mimosas. 6465 E. Mockingbird Ln., Dallas, olivellas.com
White Rock Alehouse and Brewery
On Saturdays, you’ll find run clubs and marathoners log miles along trails circling White Rock Lake. On Wednesdays, they recharge at White Rock Alehouse and Brewery. The locally founded brewery is a haven for large groups and beer buffs. Carb-load with award-winning Big Thicket Blonde, jalapeño-and-sausage Texas Heat flatbread, and bacon, cheddar, and chive Tater Kegs served with zesty jalapeño ranch. Watching macros? Ranch water fits the bill without skipping the social hour. 7331 Gaston Ave., Ste. 100, Dallas, whiteerockalehouse.com
Hudson House
Martini lovers rejoice. Hudson House is the stop for buttery lobster rolls, juicy burgers, and ice-cold martinis. This New England-channeling raw bar delivers one of Dallas’ best happy hours. Pull up a bar stool at the Lakewood restaurant’s posh bar weekdays from 3 to 6 p.m. for half-price martinis, $3 East Coast oysters, and $10 cheeseburgers. Order the Bleu & Gold, a dressed-up dirty martini finished with golden bleu cheese salt and house-made bleu cheese olives. 4040 Abrams Rd., Dallas, hudsonhouse.com
Mot Hai Ba
Mot Hai Ba is a portal to global flavors through the lens of chef Peja Krstic. The Michelin Bib Gourmand-recognized Lakewood restaurant blends French technique with Vietnamese cuisine, guided by Krstic’s whole-animal philosophy and a passion for cooking passed down by his grandfather. Settle beneath the glow of bulb lights on the tranquil patio and dive into a ginger- and lemongrass-scented grilled duck hearts, kimchi and foie gras dumplings, and the Le Sang cocktail, a bold mix of gin and turmeric. 6047 Lewis St., Dallas, mothaibadallas.com
SusieCakes
Tucked into Hillside Village Shopping Center, SusieCakes is the destination for scratch-made cakes that taste straight out of grandma’s kitchen. The bakery sticks to the basics: butter, whole milk, flour, eggs, sugar, and buttercream frosting. Cupcakes make for the perfect sweet treat, but the cakes steal the show with seven signature flavors and a plethora of design options. Can’t decide? Opt for the cake flight, made for serious sweet teeth who want it all. 6441 E. Mockingbird Ln., Ste. 150, Dallas, susiecakes.com
The Lounge Here
The Lounge Here invites East Dallas and beyond to savor the finer things: good food, good tunes, and good company. Owned by Julie Doyle, co-owner of neighboring Good Records and a pillar of the Dallas music scene, the stylish lounge strikes a balance between laid-back and swanky. East Dallasites love it for the warm hospitality, live music on Tuesdays, and soul-satisfying Southern dishes such as deviled eggs, fried green tomatoes, shrimp and grits, and a chicken-fried ribeye. 9028 Garland Rd., Dallas, theloungehere.com
Bagel Bros
Brothers Johnny and Ruben Gomez are well-loved bagel slingers in the Lakewood area. After Ruben sold Benny’s Bagels Lakewood in 2024, the brothers returned for a sequel with Bagel Bros. The bagel newcomer opened in the fall, slicing more than a dozen bagel varieties. The menu features a pork roll, eggs, and cheddar bagel sandwiches, along with biscuits, bowls, and lunch options, including a nostalgic pizza bagel. 9219 Garland Rd., Ste. 1102, Dallas
