Dallas is a city of life—both past and present. No neighborhood reflects that better than Deep Ellum. Nestled in the north crook of where the I-75/45 meets the I-30, this locale has served as a center for residences and commerce since 1873. The name Deep Ellum operates like a slang reference to its location, which centers around Elm Street. When it comes to this neighborhood today, a mix of historic buildings, modern street art, music venues, and restaurants line the streets.
And oh, the restaurants! Within the 0.5 square mile neighborhood, more than sixty food options await, ranging from high end provisions to dive bar bites. Here, we lined up the best restaurants in Deep Ellum for whatever you’re craving. Check it out!
If you’re looking for something more specific, read up on our picks for the best dim sum in Dallas.
Want to live near your favorite Deep Ellum restaurants? AptAmigo is here to help. Our local apartment experts know the buildings and their amenities so that they can quickly pair you with a place that matches all your preferences — gustatory included.
Where to Eat in Deep Ellum
For Pizza – Cane Rosso
Address: 2612 Commerce St, Dallas, TX 75226
Cost: $$
Restaurant Overview: Opened in 2011 by Jay Jerrier, this pizza place serves one specific style — Neapolitan. And it is Oh. So. Good! A Neapolitan pizza (originating in Naples, Italy) is made with a simple, thin dough, placed in a 700- to 1000-degree oven, and baked for only 60 to 90 seconds. A slightly charred and yet still soft slice emerges, adorned with only mozzarella, sauce, and perhaps a few simple toppings. Jerrier spent years training at the Associazone Verace Pizza Napoletana (AVPN), where Master Pizzaiolos protect the art of this impressive and historic pizza style. At Cane Rosso, he mixes this classic staple with new flavor combinations to invent some seriously unique pies.
What to Eat: If you want to adhere strictly to the Neapolitan style, order the classic Margherita pizza with housemade mozzarella, tomato sauce, and olive oil. If you want to get wild, try something like the Betty (bolognese, sausage, ricotta, housemade mozzarella, prosciutto), the Honey Bastard (housemade mozzarella, hot soppressata, bacon marmalade, habanero honey), or ask what the special pie of the month is.
For Barbeque – Pecan Lodge
Address: 2702 Main St, Dallas, TX 75226
Cost: $$
Restaurant Overview: Rain or shine, a line always wraps around the corner when the doors open at Pecan Lodge each day, and for good reason. They keep the wood-burning fire pit running 24/7 to ensure a large selection and quantity of meats with a perfect smoky char. Plus, they make almost everything from scratch, including grinding and stuffing their own sausage. Get here early because they close the doors when they run out of food and that can happen as early as mid-afternoon on a busy day.
What to Eat: Meat. The mac is good. The slaw is decent. But the meats are where it’s at – brisket, sausage, chicken. Try it all! It’s served Texas-style with some wonder bread, onions, and pickles on the side. It’s amazing, but it’s still BBQ (so, not fancy).
For Sushi – Deep Sushi
Address: 2624 Elm St, Dallas, TX 75226
Cost: $$$
Restaurant Overview: Opened in 1996, Deep Sushi claims to be the oldest sushi place in Deep Ellum. But nothing appears outdated about the menu or ambiance here. Today’s Deep Sushi features simple seating and an impressive bar, both of the sushi and alcohol varieties. The menu caters to a sophisticated palate with classic sashimi and roll choices alongside modern inventions, such as their veggie rolls made with ingredients like asparagus and sweet potato tempura.
What to Eat: Start off your meal with one of their classic appetizers, such as Gyoza (Japanese dumplings), or go for something off-kilter like the “Honeymoons” (Deep fried jalapenos stuffed with crab meat, cream cheese, and topped with eel sauce). For the main course, choose from one of their classic rolls or a veggie roll.
For Burgers – Twisted Root Burger Co.
Address: 2615 Commerce St, Dallas, TX 75226
Cost: $$
Restaurant Overview: Sometimes you just want an amazing burger, and you don’t want to dress up and go to a fancy restaurant to find it. That’s where Twisted Root Burger Co. comes in. The first Twisted Root opened in Deep Ellum in 2006. The founders, Chefs Jason Boso & Quincy Hart, quickly grew to local notoriety and gained national attention when featured on Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives in 2009. Since then, they have expanded their locations, but the burgers and the vibe remained carefree and casual.
What to Eat: Eat like a king when you choose the Millionaire Burger (wagyu beef, aged cheddar, truffle aioli, garlic mushrooms, bacon, dark beer sauce, and crispy tobacco onions). Or, keep it simple with the All American (double burger with American cheese and bacon). Non-red meat eaters will find plenty here for themselves too, with options like a Happy Pilgrim (turkey burger) and the Vegabond (chickpea, black bean, brown rice, & quinoa burger).
For Tacos – Revolver Taco Lounge
Address: 2701 Main St Suite 120, Dallas, TX 75226
Cost: $$$
Restaurant Overview: Chef and owner Regino Rojas has been making waves in Deep Ellum since Revolver Taco opened there in 2017. Just one year later, he was nominated for a James Beard Award for Best Chef in the Southwest. He has been a semi-finalist for various James Beard Awards every year since. The restaurant offers pickup and delivery service for tacos and some other Mexican staples. Or, you can make a reservation to eat in the exclusive dining room, which offers a chef’s tasting menu for $150 a person.
What to Eat: If you can manage it, go for the Purepecha Room, which serves up the freshest and most unique creations Chef Rojas can dream up. The tasting menu changes with availability and the seasons, so you’ll always be surprised. For normal carryout and delivery, you can’t go wrong with the classic carnitas, al pastor, or lengua tacos.
Related: What to Expect When Moving to Dallas Alone
Find Your Dream Apartment in Dallas
Just as everyone has their own tastes when it comes to food, everyone has their own special needs and desires when it comes to finding an apartment. That’s why AptAmigo is here to help. Our Apartment Locators understand that each client is a VIP, and we’re there to help match you to your tastes. Plus, unlike eating out in Deep Ellum, using AptAmigo is completely free! Call to get started today.
Jeanette Smith is a writer, editor, and freelancer based in Dallas, Texas. Find out more at JeanettetheWriter.com.
