It should come as no surprise that Irving has so many top-shelf restaurants. Situated northwest of Downtown Dallas, the city draws both Dallas and Fort Worth diners, as well as travelers landing just 10 miles away at DFW. Moreover, Irving is known for its diversity and its dining scene reflects cuisines from all over the world.
Irving is also home to Las Colinas, a mixed-use development populated by more than 2,000 companies, including 230-plus restaurants. Within the last few years, a few dining destinations have put Irving on the map, including a fine-dining Indian restaurant and a halal-certified Wagyu barbecue joint. This list of Irving’s best restaurants offers a mixture of buzzy contemporary spots and old-guard neighborhood favorites.
Monaco
A chic European fusion restaurant with a Texas twist, Monaco slings homemade pastas, made-from-scratch pizzas, and French and Italian entrees like lemon-garlic branzino, osso bucco, and duck confit. Monaco also offers a wine club that gives members a 15% discount on wines, a complementary weekly wine flight (with purchase), and free twice-monthly tastings. 5238 N. O’Connor Blvd. #134, Las Colinas, themonacorestaurant.com/
Empa Mundo
With its checkerboard flooring, flags of the world strung beneath the ceiling, and dollar bills plastered all over the wall, this casual, order-at-the-counter Argentinian restaurant is dedicated exclusively to freshly made empanadas. The turnovers come with a wide variety of sweet and savory fillings, including cheese steak, brisket, Texas Twinkie, and banana and Nutella with marshmallow. Pro tip: Buy a bottle of the homemade chimichurri sauce so you never have to live without it. 3977 N. Belt Line Rd., Irving
Mr. Max Izakaya Restaurant
Izakayas like Mr. Max are reminiscent of Spanish tapas bars, the portion sizes perfect for sampling a number of Japanese snacks. Mr. Max’s bar scene is lively, and part of the fun is slipping out of your shoes and sitting at one of the low wooden tables. Pair a bottle of sake with an order of sashimi and tasty dishes like eel omelet and steamed monkfish liver with ponzu sauce. While it changed hands in 2014 after a brief closure, Mr. Max has been a beloved Irving staple for decades. A second location recently opened in Richardson. 3028 N. Belt Line Rd., Irving, mrmaxtx.com
Familia Restaurante
An Irving institution since 1993, Mexican restaurant 7 Salsas closed in 2019 when its owner Roberto Villa retired. Four years later, to the delight of old 7 Salsas loyalists, Villa changed his mind about retirement and opened Familia Restaurante. Tex-Mex favorites like queso fundido and enchiladas meet classic Mexican recipes, including camarones mojo de ajo and pollo poblano. Cozy booths give the place a diner feel, with south-of-the-border touches like terra cotta-style flooring. 5330 N. MacArthur Blvd. Ste. #108, Irving, familiarestaurantetx.com
Kafi BBQ
Silicon Valley tech guy turned pitmaster Salahodeen Abdul-Kafi opened this halal-certified barbecue joint and swiftly drew lines around the parking lot. Here, Texas barbecue meets fine dining-quality food. Meats are seasoned with a rub that Abdul-Kafi spent years perfecting, sides are made from scratch, and the Wagyu has a marbling score of nine out of 12. While Kafi has been an important addition to the halal dining scene, it caters to a much broader demographic: anyone who loves barbecue. Kafi is open Friday to Sunday, and arriving early is recommended because Abdul-Kafi often sells out by 5 p.m. 8140 N. MacArthur Blvd. #100, Irving, kafibbq.com
Edoko Omakase
Its discreet location in a Las Colinas strip mall may be unexpected, but the hidden-gem factor is part of what makes Edoko so special. Belly up to the bar in the sleek, minimalist space and let the chef feed you whatever’s fresh. The six-course omakase includes samplings of nigiri, maki, and sashimi, but dining a la carte lets you create your own adventure. Choose among sushi and robata selections, like chicken skewers, grilled yellowtail collarbone, and uni shooters. The carefully curated sake list stands among the best in the Metroplex. 1030 W. John Carpenter Fwy. #100, Irving, edokolascolinas.com
Sanjh
This spectacular fine-dining Indian restaurant in Las Colinas garners praise not only for its food, but for its cocktail program that pays homage to various regions of the Indian Subcontinent. Concoctions include the Kammagani, crafted with bourbon washed in moong dal halwa, a pudding-like dessert from Rajasthan in northwest India; and the Sandalwood Hi Ball, made with sandalwood-infused Tito’s, ginger, and lime. A decadent paneer tikka combines paneer, nuts, spices, herbs, and cream. 5250 N. O’Connor Blvd. Ste. 146, Irving, sanjhrestaurant.com
The Ranch at Las Colinas
Fireplaces, neon signs, an exposed timber frame, and crystal chandeliers dangling from the ceiling create an elegant ranch-chic ambiance in this restaurant that celebrates all things Texas. The menu highlights ingredients sourced from local farms and ranches, and even the cocktails pay homage to the Lone Star State. Pair Ranch Water, Frozen Texas Tea, or the rye- and bourbon-based Cowboy Carajillo flavored with tobacco-vanilla syrup with a rib eye, chicken fried steak, or a double-cut pork chop. 857 W. John Carpenter Fwy., Irving, theranchlc.com
Via Reál
In a Metroplex full of Tex-Mex restaurants, Via Reál a staple of the Irving dining scene since the 1980s, offers something unique. The menu leans into Santa Fe-style cuisine, combining Mexican and Southwestern ingredients. . Sea bass enchiladas are served with adobo shrimp. The chicken Monterey arrives atop a bed of poblano rice with a roasted red bell pepper sauce. Save room for the vanilla bean flan. 4020 N. MacArthur Blvd. Ste. 100, Irving, viareal.com
InSo
This newbie is named for the Indus Region, an early urban society in what is now Pakistan and northwestern India. While the menu includes elements of Indian cuisine, the majority of the offerings are fusion dishes. Think chicken Tikka tacos, lamb kebab banh mi, and tea-smoked pork spare ribs. The stylish decor includes plant chandeliers, semicircle banquettes, and a marble bar. At night, the restaurant transforms into a club where DJs and live musicians perform. 3165 Regent Blvd., Irving, insousa.com
Cork & Pig Tavern Las Colinas
One of seven locations, the Las Colinas outpost of this Texas-based gastropub is an appealing place to grab a cocktail and some calamari. The bright, open space, exposed-brick walls, and polished wood floors invite diners to linger over wood-fired pizzas, grilled salmon with jumbo lump blue crab, and crispy fish sandwiches. Craft beer lovers will have a wide selection, including options from a number of local breweries. 5224 N O’Connor Blvd., Irving, corkandpig.com/las-colinas/
Pacific Table
This seafood restaurant pays homage to the cuisine of the Pacific Northwest, where food is farm-fresh or straight out of the ocean and local ingredients reign supreme. Overlooking the manmade lake in Las Colinas, both the indoor and outdoor seating options provide a peaceful setting for an intimate dinner. Enjoy a variety of sushi, lobster rolls, trout almondine, or miso salmon, and don’t forget to pair your dinner with one of the wines from the beautiful, glassed-in cellar on display in the restaurant. 5238 N. O’Connor Blvd. #136, Irving, pacifictable.com/las-colinas/
