Fried chicken wings with orange glaze garnished with microgreens, served with fried fish filets and a side of creamy dipping sauce in a gray bowl, accompanied by a drink in a plastic cup on a dark table.
A thin-crust pizza topped with cheese, shredded cheese, mixed greens, and sprouts on a white plate, with a bowl of salad in the background.

Hive Bakery

If you can make the trip to the suburbs, Hive Bakery is worth it. It’s owned by a TikTok creator and podcaster I follow, so I stopped by to fangirl. Her political views show up in the bakery—decor and merch focus on female empowerment with a dark, moody vibe. Even at noon the display had lots of pastries. We bought four and they were delicious. The bakery sits in a small shopping area with plenty of parking front and back. Staff were friendly. One downside: they no longer serve coffee, but there are several coffee shops nearby, so we took our pastries to go.

5 Star Experience

A white coffee cup filled with black coffee on a white saucer and a blue mug with white whipped cream topped with cinnamon, on a wooden table.

Where you Should (and Shouldn’t) Eat in Dallas

Storefront with large glass door and window displaying the number 360, and a sign for Hive Bakery with hours of operation. The door has various stickers and emojis at the bottom.
Display case with assorted cupcakes, including lemon blueberry, pumpkin chocolate chip, and chocolate fudge, with handwritten labels.
Menu

Cerulean Blue Coffee House

This coffee shop is a few doors from Hive Bakery and we needed coffee, so we went in. It’s beautiful inside, with a modern coffee-house feel and lots of blue. The menu has coffee and food, including seasonal items. There’s plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. Service was quick and they bring orders to your table.

5 Star Experience

Grutogi Bistro

This bistro, near Hive and Cerulean, was perfect for lunch. Cozy farmhouse vibe, plenty of seating despite being small. Small menu but lots of choices—breakfast all day, paninis, soups. Friendly, fast service and excellent food.

5 Star Experience

A bowl of fresh mixed greens with diced tomatoes, red onions, and a drizzle of balsamic vinaigrette. There is a plate of fried chicken wings and a sandwich in the background, along with a glass of iced beverage on a dark table.
A plate of crispy French fries topped with fresh herbs and a sandwich with bread, fried chicken, and vegetables, served with a drink in the background.
A plate with a grilled cheese sandwich, a bowl of tomato soup, and a small plate of salad in the background.
A decorative bowl containing three fried potatoes, avocado slices, pickled onions, a small cup of salsa, garnished with microgreens, served with yellow rice, black beans, and diced pineapple.

We take trips to Dallas usually about once a year so I will add to this page after each trip with new experiences. Please let me know if you have suggestions for our next Dallas trip! Don’t forget to check out where we stayed and what we did.

Vegan Food House

This converted house-restaurant sits in a residential area about 10 minutes from downtown Dallas. Street parking is free; we found a spot on a Wednesday, but weekends can be tricky. A small front patio offers outdoor seating, but we ate inside because it was raining.

Inside there’s plenty of seating and you seat yourself. It’s noisy—loud music and window AC units—so not ideal for a quiet meal. The menu is huge; check it online beforehand. There are no paper menus—you scan a QR code—though the website kept refreshing and was annoying to use. You order and pay at the counter, so it feels more like fast food than a full-service restaurant.

The food was okay but not outstanding. Prices are typical for a vegan place; I wouldn’t rush back.

3 Star Experience

Menu
Menu
Menu
Interior of a cozy cafe with wooden tables, black chairs with gray cushions, hanging Edison bulb lights, large windows on the left, potted plants, a woman sitting at a table on the right, and a group of people walking towards the exit at the back.
Menu
A display case with various baked goods including cupcakes with different toppings, cookies, and bars labeled with their flavors like blueberry pie, pistachio, apple cinnamon roll, and s'mores. Some labels contain explicit language.
Two cold beverages in clear glasses with ice and slices of lime on top, sitting on a wooden table near a window.
Two sandwiches cut in half with visible ingredients of shrimp, bacon, cucumbers, and lettuce, served on a wooden tray with a small bowl of cherries and a napkin. In the background, another sandwich, cherries, a napkin, a spoon, a mug, and a glass of juice on a wooden table.
Two half sandwiches with shrimp, ham, green onions, cheese, and bread in a restaurant setting.

The Hampton Social

Located in Downtown Dallas. Parking is paid and a headache, so walk or rideshare if you can. It was busy and loud at lunch, but we were seated right away. Make reservations for dinner.

The place feels upscale coastal with velvet seats and fancy decor. The menu focuses on seafood, with a few vegetarian choices and a large drink menu. When asked about water, ask for tap — bottled flat or sparkling is $9 and they don’t mention tap as an option.

We liked the Brussels sprout appetizer. Entrees were weaker. My husband’s coconut tofu disappointed: chunky hummus, jar-like sauce, only four tofu pieces, and felt thrown together. My lobster grilled cheese with soup was decent, but had very little lobster.

We both feel that this place is overpriced for what you actually get. Also note, there is an automatic 18% gratuity added to your bill. It’s not optional. They state the entire amount goes to the wait staff and it is up to you to add more if you wish. We did not wish.

2 Star Experience

What Should I Do in Dallas?
Where Should I Stay in Dallas?
Interior of a modern restaurant with wooden and upholstered seating, large windows, and city buildings visible outside.
A bowl of braised meat garnished with sliced almonds and chopped green onions on a wooden table.