It’s nice to see The Charlotte getting in the fight for reservations.
Photo by Kayla Enright
Half a million reviews later, OpenTable confirms what’s hot and what’s not in Dallas. Although we’ve got our own opinions and insights, namely our recently updated list of the top 50 restaurants in Dallas.
However, OpenTable recently published its updated list of the most-booked restaurants in Dallas. Every month, it analyzes over half a million new dinner reviews and sorts the results by location to help us discover new and old favorite restaurants.
The most recent update welcomed two underdogs (all things considered) to the most booked restaurants in Dallas. One from a burgeoning chef and the other, EVELYN, has extended its tenure on this list and has no problem keeping its shiny new dining room full. Unfortunately, yes. The RH Rooftop is still on this list, even with those $20 truffle fries.
Il Bracco
8416 Preston Center Plaza
Il Bracco is a consistent contender when it comes to OpenTable reservations. It serves modern takes on classic Italian dishes like the whole leaf Caesar salad, cacio e pepe with pasta made in-house and tiramisu. It opened in the Park Cities in May 2019 and has brought diners in by the droves ever since. Did you know they serve their famous Bracco, a frozen cocktail made with Grey Goose, Aperol, New Amsterdam and fresh grapefruit, by the half-gallon? They also sell full sheets of tiramisu. They’re definitely onto something.
EVELYN
1201 Turtle Creek Blvd.
EVELYN opened in the Design District last spring, and clearly, it’s still riding on that grand opening high. This Old Hollywood-inspired steakhouse is one of the latest places to be seen, eat and drink in the same building. They have a main dining area where they serve caviar, wagyu appetizers and steak cuts, and plenty of seafood in a tower if that’s what you prefer. If you venture out of there, try not to get lost. Three other rooms are dedicated to private, intimate or lively apres-dinner affairs.
Crown Block
300 Reunion Blvd.
Whether we like it or not, we all look up to Crown Block. No, literally. This restaurant’s dining room has one of the best views of the Dallas skyline, so we’d hope the city wouldn’t take it for granted. Whether people make reservations out of necessity or as an insurance policy for their evening view is up to them, but it’s easy to see why this would be at the top of anyone’s short list. The menu is a bit of a catch-all with steak, seafood and sushi, and it also does an all-you-can-eat brunch on the weekend that may just be the best value at the top of their elevator.
The Charlotte
2822 N. Henderson Ave.
Chef Wyl Lima’s touch on The Charlotte’s menu made it an instant favorite in the Knox/Henderson area when it opened. American comfort food is reimagined with international flair, and no one is questioning why so many Dallasites want to dine here (they also want to sit next to the giant teddy bears). We can’t blame them.
Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille
2100 Olive St.
Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille has all the right ingredients to be one of the most booked restaurants in Dallas: an award-winning menu, Texas roots and an intimate view of downtown Dallas. Perry’s started as a butcher shop in Houston in 1979, and by 1986, tables and chairs were added to the shop. Next thing the family knows, they’re opening the very first Perry’s Steakhouse in 1993. It’s famous for its Pork Chop Friday, attentive service and upscale two-story atmosphere. Their website shows many of their running specials, including off-menu items like the award-winning white bean pork chili parked there.
Al Biernat’s
4217 Oak Lawn Ave.
If you don’t have a reservation at Al Biernat’s, you’re throwing ‘bows through waves of regulars to try and get a seat. Al’s motto was and will always be “more than a great steakhouse,” and it’s easy to see why they’ve made it to this list. Everyone wants to come here for the food, but they also celebrate graduations, birthdays, engagements and other life-changing events. There are a few worn-in leather seats in Dallas that can wine and dine you with the comfort of being at home, and Al’s eponymous restaurant does just that.
Nick & Sam’s
3008 Maple Ave.
It’s officially been a year since the Luka trade, and judging by this list, everyone is using all the money they saved on home games to sulk over “The Luka” on Nick & Sam’s menu. It’s a 77-day dry-aged 77-ounce New York strip served with mushroom Barolo placed right under their tribute to the previous Mavs legend, Dirk. (Damn, still hurts.) But you don’t need to be a basketball fan to dine here. It’s been an Uptown staple for fine steaks since 1999. A half-page menu is dedicated to different steak cuts like American Prime and Australian Kobe. While they relish in tradition, they don’t shy away from newcomers, like adding red crab elote to the array of sides. That’s worth saving a seat for.
RH Rooftop Restaurant
3133 Knox St.
Why? Restoration Hardware’s rooftop feels cemented to this list, and at this point, we’re on our hands and knees begging everyone to go somewhere else. It’s a wonder that, despite the plethora of options, people dine here and make the avocado toast one of the most popular dishes on the menu. The same menu that sells a side of truffle fries for $20.
Hudson House
4448 Lovers Lane
There are plenty of Hudson House locations across Dallas, but it seems the original Lovers Lane location has that extra special touch. Diners love the smashburger here, but lest we forget all the other great burgers in Dallas that don’t require a reservation.
The Mexican
1401 Turtle Creek Blvd.
Many new restaurants are slated to open in the Design District this year, which means the neighborhood has a lot more eyeballs on it than usual. Where are they looking? At the Mexican, which serves elevated Mexican-style food in a posh atmosphere. Don’t overlook the library of tequila they have displayed behind the bar.