Ye Olde Scarlet Pumpernickel Tavern

This downtown spot is a whiskey and craft beer with a side of hockey and amazing soul-filling bar food. It’s got dive bar grit and is somewhat of a hidden gem in downtown. Fill up on dishes like the smoked meatloaf plate with house ground beef, gravy, mashed potatoes and mac and cheese. The sandwiches […]

Yenat Guada

The injera at Yenat Guada – a light, spongy sourdough bread central to the Ethiopian dining experience – served with virtually every meal here. It also doubles as a customary dining utensil. Just tear off a manageable piece and then use it to pluck your food. Silverware is available upon request, but try the traditional […]

Yia Yia’s House of Gyros

The original Mesquite location of this charming family-owned mini-chain is a tiny dining room full of proof of chef Vasili “Bill” Kaprantzas’ Greek immigrant roots. There’s a poster of the chef’s grandmother, quotations hand-scrawled on the walls and, of course, a bottle of Windex displayed with pride. The Rockwall location, in a shiny strip mall, […]

Yogurtland

Yogurtland, as its name implies, is pretty much Candyland for frozen-yogurt lovers. It’s clean, bright and modern, with a bank of self-serve frozen-yogurt machines on one wall. Flavors range from the expected (chocolate, vanilla, plain tart) to the inventive (red velvet, salted caramel pecan) to the downright outlandish (taro, dragon passion tart). Grab a cup […]

Zaap Kitchen

Greenville Avenue’s own slice of Laos is a good place for newcomers to the cuisine to try Laotian food for the first time. Grab a combo of meat, papaya salad and sticky rice and snack on fried pork riblets, dusted in golden fried garlic, as an appetizer. Nam khao, crispy rice mixed up with jerky […]

Zaguan Latin Bakery & Cafe

A zaguán is the mosaic-tiled entryway of Venezuelan homes, and this bakery and cafe is an entryway to some new tastes. Like traditional Venezuelan cachapas – a thick, sweet-corn crepe filled with shredded beef, Serrano ham or several other fillings, and arepas overflowing with melted Venezuelan cheese. You can make a meal out of cachapas […]

ZaLat

For creative eccentricity, no pizza place in town can top ZaLat, which is unafraid to make a pizza that tastes like pho, elote, a Reuben sandwich or a loaded baked potato. But the flavors aren’t a stoner novelty gimmick; ZaLat builds on a great crust with top-shelf ingredients. Our favorites include the Zealot, ZaLat’s version […]

Zatar Lebanese Tapas & Bar

For this city, for too long, “Mediterranean” food – the euphemism restaurateurs use to avoid racist sentiment – meant a simple diet of gyros, hummus and lukewarm lunch buffets. Zatar Lebanese Tapas ditches the word “Mediterranean” and presents a menu of foods which are difficult, or impossible, to find elsewhere in North Texas. The cheese […]

Zavala’s Barbecue

Texas barbecue gets influenced by Mexican heritage at Zavala’s, and the results are deeply satisfying. Every Friday is taco night, but every barbecue tray can be converted into a taco plate if you ask for tortillas. This might be a hot take, but tortillas are a better barbecue accompaniment than white bread. A slice of […]

Zen Sushi

Zen Sushi’s meditations are focused on the artifacts of the plate, nearly to the exclusion of all else. The surroundings are comfortable yet Spartan and reek of soul, much like the austerity of sushi’s exacting craft and discipline. At the end of the sushi bar is a pulpit to such craft, a space where chef […]

Zero Gradi

Australian-based gelateria and pastry shop Zero Gradi in downtown Dallas – sister store and neighbor of 400 Gradi – is serving some amazing pastries and desserts. Both Gradi concepts are the work of Johnny Di Francesco, an Australian-born and Naples-trained chef. But, this spot is helmed by local pastry chef Lizzy Ramirez. With more than […]