Contrary to what some may think, the Dallas dining scene offers so much more than barbecue joints, Tex-Mex haunts, and steakhouses. The Metroplex has a plethora of restaurants that double as live music venues, showcasing a variety of genres in lively settings with fantastic food and drinks. In a city brimming with musical talent, Dallasites who want to enjoy dinner and a show have plenty of two-in-one venue options
Whether you prefer a relaxed evening with a moody jazz trio or a night out dancing to an ‘80s cover band, consider this your guide to live music on the Metroplex’s restaurant scene.
Sundown at Granada
This culinary sister venue to Granada Theater on Lower Greenville hosts rock groups, folk artists, cover bands, and more. The thoughtful menu centers fresh and seasonally-inspired ingredients. Alongside burgers and tacos, a number of options cater to gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan diets. Comfort food favorites include truffle mac ‘n’ cheese, beer-battered fish and chips, and smoked brisket tacos. Pair your dinner with one of the dozens of craft beers on offer. 3520 Greenville Ave., Dallas, sundownatgranada.com
The Kitchen Café
From Wednesday through Saturday, live jazz performances make this cozy restaurant feel even cozier. The simple menu includes four entrees and a soup, salad, and dessert of the day. The real draw of the Kitchen Café is the atmosphere, where the stage is the main attraction. Sip a Manhattan, nosh on the raspberry chipotle pork tenderloin with garlic mashed potatoes, and bask in the vibes. 17370 Preston Rd. Ste. 415, Dallas, kitchencafedallas.com
Table 13
Table 13 in Addison hosts local jazz musicians nightly. With dim lamp lighting, exposed brick walls, and white tablecloths, the space has a vintage vibe, the perfect setting for some sultry crooning. Order a bottle of wine alongside classic plates like wedge salad, pasta primavera, and beef Wellington prepared with made-from-scratch puff pastry and tender filet mignon. 4812 Belt Line Rd., Addison, table13addison.com
Smoky Rose
Known for its soul-warming Texas barbecue, this East Dallas institution is a great place to hang while indulging in a cold beer and something tasty from the wood-burning smoker. The sprawling space outside features a lawn dotted with fire pits and patio furniture. The ambiance is reminiscent of a friend’s backyard party, especially when musicians whip out their instruments and start singing country tunes. 8602 Garland Rd., Dallas, smokyrose.com
Mexican Bar Company
Mondays are for mariachi at this Mexican restaurant in Plano, where award-winning band Mariachi Quetzal travels from table to table taking requests and serenading diners. Munch on street tacos and sip margaritas as the music transports you to the plazas of Mexico. The open-air space is colorful and festive with wall-to-wall murals and papel picado spanning the ceiling. 6121 West Park Blvd. Ste. RS-10, Plano, mexbars.com
Lava Cantina
In 2016, a father-son duo from Baton Rouge opened this indoor-outdoor concert venue and restaurant in one. The large space features interesting design details, like a drum chandelier suspended from the ceiling and song lyrics scribbled across the restroom walls. Since its inception, Lava Cantina has seen some big names pass through, including the one-and-only Snoop Dogg, and a host of local musicians and tribute bands. The pub grub hits the spot. Think birria tacos, wings, loaded fries, and pizza. 5805 Grandscape Blvd., The Colony, lavacantina.com
The Rackhouse
This well-kept secret in the Colony has one of the prettiest patios in the Dallas suburbs, complete with a view of Lake Lewisville, where solo guitarists play on weekend nights. The Rackhouse has a well curated whiskey list, and the food is simple and tasty. Their signature is the smash burger, but the menu offers everything from chicken fried steak to street tacos to brisket grilled cheese. 4847 Main Street, The Colony, rackhousetx.com/
St. Martin’s Wine Bistro
A Dallas staple since 1980, St. Martin’s relocated to its new home in 2024 and has since been better than ever. With dim lighting, white linen tablecloths, a dramatic chandelier, and live piano every evening, this French restaurant is among the most romantic spots in Dallas. Pro tip: Two off-menu entrees, lobster thermidor and Tournedos Rossini (a delicious crouton-filet mignon-foie gras stack), are among the tastiest dishes coming out of the kitchen. 4223 Bryan St., Dallas, stmartinswinebistro.com/
Windmills
This upscale Indian restaurant in the Colony doubles as a concert venue, with a sweeping stage at the front of the dining area. Local and national bands perform several nights a week. Windmills is also a brewery, so try one of their original beers with your chicken biryani or shrimp, mango, and coconut curry. 5755 Grandscape Blvd, The Colony, windmills-usa.com/
Eddie V’s Prime Seafood
With locations in Fort Worth and Plano, this classic steak-and-seafood chain hosts nightly live music in the lounge. Grab a seat at the bar and pair those jazz trios with a crisp, cold martini. Start with a lobster bisque poured tableside, before moving on to a filet. The steak enhancements are famously decadent: a seven-ounce lobster tail, crab-stuffed jumbo shrimp, North Atlantic scallops with lemon butter. Multiple locations, eddiev.com/home
