The best popsicles in Dallas live at Encanto Pops. The glow of color-changing globe lights sets the tone at this funky Oak Cliff spot, where the Diaz siblings offer their updated take on traditional Mexican paletas. Adventurous palates will be charmed by innovative flavors like pico de gallo, Gansito and avocado soursop. Pair a pop with an agua fresca for a combination that really takes the edge off the heat — no small feat in Texas. This just may be grounds to elevate the Diaz family to sainthood status.

From cookies to brownies to bars, once you walk inside Kessler Baking Studio and get a whiff, you'll throw your whole diet away. But owner Clyde Greenhouse doesn't stop at sweet treats. He's serving up packaged nuts and confections that can serve as the perfect gift. Pro tip: Start your weekend the sweetest way possible by stopping in for Cinnamon Roll Saturday.

There's no way anyone can deny — or compete with — the taste of Rudy's fried chicken. This no-frills spot is a southern Dallas staple that brings all walks of life to its location on Lancaster Road. Despite occasional long lines, no one seems to mind the wait. Don't forget to ask for extra seasoning.

Recipe Oak Cliff is not your average juice bar. Whether you're ordering from the menu or chatting it up with owner Tisha Crear, who always has a great suggestion, Recipe Oak Cliff makes you feel at home — if your home was stocked with plant-based meals and fresh juices and smoothies. If you're feeling timid, start with the fresh watermelon juice.

Sweet Georgia Brown is one of the first places folks recommend when asked about soul food, and it's not hard to see why. Load up on your favorites like ribs, fried chicken, collard greens and mac-and-cheese. This cafeteria-style staple is open daily, but if you want to avoid the after-church crowd on Sundays, get your fix in late afternoon.

The Dallas Farmers Market has a lot of goodies, but a true gem is the Trinidad and Tobago family-run spot Caribbean Cabana. Why? They're bringing the flavors you yearn for in Caribbean food, from island favorites like oxtails to the jerk chicken sandwich that's impossible to eat in one sitting.

Meat is obsolete — at least that's how the vegan food truck SoulGood makes you feel. This food truck is serving up goods that'll satisfy any palate, plant-based or not. The fan favorite is the Vin Diezel, a vegan hot dog topped with vegan chili, banana peppers, sauerkraut and sweet relish.

"Craft" and "artisanal" ice cream was uber-hot in Dallas this year, with new shops opening all over the area. But our favorite spot to get a cool treat is actually a long-running chocolate shop: Dude, Sweet Chocolate. You'll only find one soft-serve flavor at a time, but this rich, velvety ice cream comes topped with the chocolatier's stellar chocolates as garnish. Seasonal flavors like peach with orange blossom cream and peach compote bring us back every few weeks to sample owner Katherine Clapner's new concoctions.

A new kid on the block, Humble Pie brings familiarity to East Dallas. From classic fruit pies like cherry and apple to coconut cream pie, owner Sean Jett emphasizes that simplicity is the key ingredient that keeps folks coming back for more. Pro tip: Cool off this summer with a slice of lemon icebox pie.

No high-end restaurant in Dallas can rival the consistent excellence of Tei-An. Teiichi Sakurai's flagship Arts District restaurant is one of the best Japanese restaurants in the entire country, and the best way to prove it is to order from the page listing the day's specials, featuring ultra-fresh seafood flown in just hours before on an airliner from Tokyo. Tasting menus showcase either a collection of Sakurai's greatest hits or a sampling of new, seasonally influenced items. Two regular features are must-orders: a bowl of soba noodles, which are made from scratch in the kitchen, and the nutty, almost savory, entirely magical black sesame mousse.