The 12 Best Restaurants in Deep Ellum

Deep Ellum is experiencing some growing pains, but the food scene has steadfastly kept the neighborhood afloat.

Since the 1920s, this area east of downtown has hosted the city's best bars, live music venues, and, naturally, a reputable nightlife scene. The restaurants here offer a healthy mix of upscale, fast-casual and casual spots for a daytime or late-night fix.

There's authentic Japanese ramen, Cajun food and Neapolitan-style pizzas, all near one another, and most of them are open late.

But please don't get fussy about parking; we recently scouted lots, garages and meters, and there's ample space.

Here are our 12 favorite restaurants in Deep Ellum.

Cane Rosso

2612 Commerce St.

For more than 15 years, Cane Rosso has been steady in the ever-changing Deep Ellum neighborhood. Legit Neapolitan pizza has been perfected in the Naples-built brick oven, abiding by the standards of the Verace Pizza Napoletana Association, which means each pie is cooked at about 900 degrees for about 90 seconds. The monthly specials are worth a gander, otherwise, the main menu is full of winners like the Honey Bastard (hot soppressata and bacon marmalade and habanero-infused honey). The salads are great as is the pizza. And, they recently brought back their weekend brunch and the breakfast sandwich is insane.

Tatsu

3309 Elm St.

Given that Tatsu was the first and only restaurant in Dallas to be awarded a Michelin star, it would be a culinary crime to leave it off this list. But be aware this ain't no casual drop-in. It's a reservation-only omakase restaurant only for parties of one to four. Reservations are released on the first and 15th of each month at 8 a.m. for two weeks beyond the release date. All reservations are paid for in advance and cost $185 per person, not including taxes, fees and any drinks you order. Getting a reservation here is akin to getting concert tickets — they sell out in minutes. Plan it right, and you may snag one of the most sought-after dinner seats in Dallas.

Ichigoh Ramen Lounge

2724 Commerce St.

With noodles imported directly from Sapporo, Japan, Ichigoh Ramen Lounge is one of Dallas' staples for ramen. It has  regular, monthly special, soupless and vegetarian ramen that are created using one of four broths made in-house using traditional recipes. There are about a dozen toppings you can customize your ramen with and an appetizer menu full of savory, umami-filled favorites.

St. Pete's Dancing Marlin

2730 Commerce St.

For 30 years, St. Pete's has been a kitschy coastal dive bar with upscale fare. They've got burgers and a solid happy hour, but dig a little deeper in the menu for things like Mama's Baked Garlic, which is whole roasted garlic bulbs with feta and toasted marble rye. The Dancing Tuna Sandwich has been good for three decades, but if you want something different, try the chicken-fried tuna. Yep, for real. The bowls of pasta are comforting, particularly the Diablo with spicy marinara, sauteed veggies and shrimp.

Revolver Taco Lounge

2646 Elm St.

Revolver Taco Lounge has been listed in the top 10 best tacos in the state by Texas Monthly, awarded Best Mexican Food in Dallas by D Magazine and makes our list of Top 100 Restaurants in Dallas every year. Some argue that authentic Mexican tacos are just as good as an A5 wagyu steak dinner, and with the variety of tacos and plates, you may be a convert, too. Locally, Revolver has gone viral for the Sunday brunch buffet, which runs from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. and offers fresh, hand-pressed tortillas prepared by a couple of abuelitas.

LOCAL Restaurant

2936 Elm St.

LOCAL opened inside Dallas' oldest standing hotel (circa 1908) in 2003. The seasonallydriven restaurant is coming up on its 25th anniversary, proving its commitment to becoming a destination for those supporting their independent spirit. Chef Tracy Miller, who owns and runs the restaurant envisions a spot that creates "a satisfying, genuine and unique dining experience that encourages lingering," per the website. The menu is seasonal and always changes, but usually features soups, salads, entrees with classic proteins, flavorful sides and a well-rounded dessert menu.

Armoury D.E

2714 Elm St.

Another staple Deep Ellum institution, Armoury D.E. features eclectic Hungarian food and other odds and ends served until late. Come for drinks and live music out back, then linger for the food. They often have specials, which they announce on Facebook, so don't miss out on a chance to try those. At the time of writing this, it's an Elm St. Hot Chicken sandwich that has a double-decker of panko-breaded chicken thighs with house-made hot sauce, pickles, avocado and mayo.

Terry Black's BBQ

3025 Main St.

Ask anyone where to eat in Deep Ellum and Terry Blacks always flows off the tongue smoothly. This barbecue spot started in Austin and spread to Dallas in 2019; and while it's an out-of-towner, it has a devoted local following. Lines are usually long at any given time, but moves quickly, and waiting in them is worth it to get your hands on the beef ribs. Get there early to avoid sold-out menu items.

Brick & Bones

2713 Elm St.

The folks behind Brick & Bones know their güey (like "way" in English) around some fried chicken. They serve a classic menu with buckets, baskets and sandwiches, with the option to add sides like habanero bacon mac and poblano mashed potatoes. Cocktails are rotated out seasonally. Seal off your evening with the house-made banana pudding. Best of all? It's open until 2 a.m. Isn't your ideal nightcap on a drunken Saturday a chimichurri chicken sandwich? Ours is.

Niwa Japanese BBQ

2939 Main St.

Niwa Japanese BBQ is a yakiniku-style restaurant where you grill your own bite-sized pieces of meat, seafood and other ingredients over charcoal. It makes for an entertaining date night or ideal weekend plans with groups. On Tuesdays, It has a special during which some plate combinations are only $10 (like shrimp, New York strip and shishito peppers), plus cocktails for $8. Fridays and Saturdays are the two days to indulge with the all-you-can-eat special for $39 per person (disclaimer: everyone at the table must participate). Either way, bring your appetite and try to save some room for the unique desserts.

AllGood Cafe

2934 Main St.

AllGood Cafe has been a beacon for comfort food with a side of live music in Deep Ellum for 25 years now. We love the Southern dishes infused with South Texas flare, like their "World's Best" chicken-fried steak along with huevos rancheros and South Austin Migas. Blue plate specials each day of the week ring at $11.99. We recommend the spicy fried chicken sandwich. As the bottom of the menu says, "After a long night of partying ... We still look great the next morning." Follow AllGood on Facebook for live music lineups.

The Free Man Cajun Cafe & Lounge

2626-2630 Commerce St.

Apart from hosting local jazz, swing and Dixieland bands every night at 7 p.m., The Free Man Cajun Cafe serves an unabashedly Southern menu with Cajun favorites like jambalaya, po' boys, gumbo and apps like crab-stuffed jalapeños.  Lunch specials start at 11 a.m. every day and happy hour is on weekdays from 5-7 p.m., offering $3 drafts and wells and select half-price appetizers. Start with the muffaletta sandwich but then keep the dessert menu in mind: There's a bacon cheesecake with whiskey sauce and caramel.