In addition to the historic houses of Munger Place, the hip music venues of Deep Ellum, and the exciting nightlife of Lower Greenville, the area right around the Gaston has a culinary scene that sets it apart from the rest of the city. Here are a few of our favorite restaurants within a short stroll of our front door in East Dallas.
Urbano Cafe
1410 N. Fitzhugh Ave Dallas, TX 75204
Since opening in 2009 at their current location, only five blocks from our location, Cafe Urbano owner Mitch Kauffman has won acclaim for his delicious Italian-focused dishes and commitment to building community. A 20-year veteran of the Dallas restaurant world, Kauffman started with one tiny dining room, eventually expanding to the two adjacent storefronts, adding live music, a cozy outdoor dining area, and space for local vendors to hold pop-ups. You’ll find classic Italian appetizers like Caprese and risotto on their menu, along with veal bolognese and pesto chicken, all for affordable prices. For a uniquely Texas-themed dish, try the pistachio-crusted Texas redfish, known for its sweet and mild taste. If you come for dinner on the weekend, you can make a night of it and venture a couple of doors down after your meal to their connected music venue, Two Doors Down, which often has live music.
Cry Wolf
4422 Gaston Ave Dallas, TX 75214
Although they have only been open for less than a year, Cry Wolf has quickly become a darling of the neighborhood with its wide-ranging plates and inventive cocktails. Their menu focuses on seasonal fare, featuring meat dishes (try their 48-hour beef tongue, as tender as it is flavorful), seafood plates like squid ink spaghetti and grilled razor clams, and vegetarian-friendly roasted carrots and tarragon polenta. Their cocktails are just as delightful, mixed with their house-made Thai basil-infused gin and cinnamon-infused bourbon while putting floral twists on old classics, like their rose petal martini. The decor is classy, with rows of books, modern art on the walls, and an intimate dining room, making for a perfect date spot just three blocks down on Gaston Ave.
Garden Cafe
5310 Junius St Dallas, TX 75214
This favorite of ours takes the farm-to-table concept seriously, as their on-site garden provides many of the herbs and veggies for their seasonal menu. Their brunch menu, served from 10 am-3 pm, is a big hit on the weekends, with southern-influenced dishes like Nashville hot chicken, spicy shrimp & grits, sweet potato pancakes, and french toast. You’ll find unpretentious comfort food on their dinner menu, like roasted chicken, pork loin, and chicken with dumplings, alongside veggie options like vegan alfredo. Their shaded back patio can’t be beaten for ambiance, the outdoor tables surrounded by their well-tended garden and fern-covered walkways. Before or after your meal, take a walk down Junius St, where you’ll find many iconic and classically-designed houses that are the centerpiece of the Munger Place historic district.
Petra and the Beast
601 N. Haskell Ave Dallas, TX 75246
Chef, master butcher, and founder of Petra and the Beast, Misti Norris, is a rising star and respected restaurateur, winning accolades from Esquire, Texas Monthly, and Food & Wine. Starting as a humble pop-up, this hidden gem of an eatery serves richly flavored and cleverly prepared dishes just seven blocks away. Kick off your meal with the charcuterie board, featuring six different types of meat, where Norris’s butcher skills are on full display. The a la carte menu’s specialties are pasta plates like the pork and summer pepper cappelletti and the pappardelle, which has three different types of foraged mushrooms. If you want to imbibe, stop for a bottle of wine on the way, in line with their BYOB policy. For a unique experience, reserve a spot at one of their Saturday-only 6-course tasting menu dinners, which showcase the full range of Chef Norris’s award-winning culinary chops.
Bangkok City Restaurant
4301 Bryan St #101 Dallas, TX 75204
Rated the best Thai restaurant in the city by Dallas Observer’s readers year after year, Bangkok City has been serving authentic Thai food for over 25 years in this location, just a few blocks away from us. Start with appetizers like spring rolls and Thai dumplings, followed by their top-notch Tom Yum soup. Choose from classic Thai entrees like noodles, fried rice, and curries, or opt for the Pla-Rad-Prig, a hard-to-find dish featuring a whole deep-fried red snapper served in a Chef’s specialty red chili sauce. Their extensive menu has something for everyone while bringing the exquisite flavors of Bangkok to our Dallas neighborhood.
Come stay, play, and eat with us at our East Dallas Bed and Breakfast!
