Planning a trip to Dallas, Texas? Read all about our day eating and drinking through Uptown! From fun brunch patios to intimate date spots.
Sometimes the best way to relax and unwind is to explore your own city! I have lived in the Dallas suburbs for over 10 years. During that time, massive construction has occurred throughout the Dallas-Ft. Worth area. The Uptown, Dallas neighborhood has really gained popularity throughout the past decade. Uptown is the place to live, work, and play!
I've had brunch in Uptown once before and it was spectacular. There's so much do, especially with the expanding West Village shops and eateries. The mixed-use development is so interesting and just a trolley ride or walk away from downtown Dallas.
Cloud 9 Living is an experience gift company that offers unique and memorable experiences as gifts. They have experiences ranging from NASCAR ride-alongs, food tours, golf lessons, spa days, and more!
I chose the Uptown Dallas Food Tour and brought along my husband. We spent a rainy Saturday afternoon eating and drinking our way through Uptown while learning tidbits of the historic and trendy neighborhood.
What I loved about this tour, besides the food (obviously) was how it brought together 14 foodies from different parts of Texas, Oklahoma, even Georgia! We got to visit 5 top restaurants and bars in Uptown, plus ride the trolley to Klyde Warren Park.
The Experience Coordinators with Cloud 9 are very easy to contact and will relay any food allergies/restrictions you have to your tour guide. After this tour, I'm interested in checking out the other food tours they offer in Napa, San Antonio, and Portland!
The Rustic
Our first stop was The Rustic, which I've seen hundreds of photos of on my Facebook and Instagram timelines. It's a casual restaurant and venue that offers locally sourced food, Texas beers, and live music. To taste, we were given their smoked cheddar grits, country baked eggs, toast, kale salad, and peanut butter pie. We couldn't eat anything here but the rest of the foodies raved about everything!
Baboush
I've wanted to visit this festive restaurant for years! I appreciated the vibrant colors and traditional interior design. The food did not disappoint either! They served us Moroccan sweet tomato, hummus, babaganoush spreads with pita bread, beef cigars, and chicken shawarma. That was my first time tasting babaganoush and I can't wait to learn how to make my own homemade version! Those fries with sumac seasoning were amazing too-another recipe I'll have to try out for myself.
After our delicious tasting at Baboush, we caught the McKinney Avenue Trolley! The trolley is free and connects three major areas: Cityplace West Village, the McKinney Avenue corridor, and the Arts District. We rode the trolley through the West Village and McKinney Avenue corridor to Klyde Warren Park.
I've only been to Klyde Warren Park a couple times but each time I visit it's expanded in size and activities! The 5-acre park is over the Woodall Rodgers Freeway and opened in 2012. It's a great place to visit on a mild day in Dallas! They have a large grassy area, multiple playgrounds, food trucks, lawn games, and events.
Tacos & Tequila
Next on our food tour was another hot spot I've heard great things about! TNT is a casual yet contemporary local chain serving awesome tacos and tequila! Their margarita on the rocks was one of the best drinks I've had in a while. As for food, we tried their chips & salsa, steak tacos, and elotes. My husband loves steak, so after I took a satisfying bite I gave him the rest of my taco. He loved it! I loved their sweet potato chips and salsa.
Big Al's McKinney Avenue Tavern
Bisous Bisous Pâtisserie
This adorable and intimate bakery is known for its macarons, French pastries, and coffee bar. The colors are fun and inviting and I wish I was able to enjoy those little rounds. Since our awesome tour guide knew I couldn't have eggs, he gave us vegan cupcakes from Unrefined Bakery! A gluten-free, soy-free, non-GMO, organic bakery, that also has vegan other allergen-free options. My husband gave me his because he knows how much I love vegan treats and I loved their lemon cupcake!
We received a complimentary experience for this review. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own!
jessrunsblessed says
What a wonderful way to tour the eats in the city!!! And the trolley - what a neat idea!
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Totally!! I love it 🙂
Kate Van Vleck says
I've never been but all that yummy food is calling me in that direction! Looks fabulous!
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Yesss, it was all so great! Thank you 🙂
Emily @ Made of Stories says
Now I want to visit Dallas even more!
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Come on over!!
Elise Cohen Ho says
My goodness, this looks like a wonderful time. I have been to Dallas a few times and see that there are still many more things to experience.
Jenna | The Urben Life says
It was such a fun way to spend what could have been a lazy Saturday! I hope you get the chance to visit Dallas again!
Alyssa says
Love my city and hearing about new places to eat in Dallas!! Uptown is definite somewhere my husband and I frequent and I know he will want to try tacos and tequila!
Jenna | The Urben Life says
That's awesome to hear!! They have a rooftop deck and I can't wait to go back to sit up there!
FitSlowCookerQueen says
Omg all this food looks delicious! I visit friends in Dallas once a year. I can't wait to try some of these places. Pinned for future reference, thank you!
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Thank you!! Awesome, I hope you have a great time when you come!
RikaConfesses says
I've also lived in Dallas for several years, although I don't get to uptown much recently (even though I used to work there). I guess it's just kinda of hard to drive around/find parking. But, the trolley is a nice solution to that, I may take my nephews to go try it this weekend. There are some good resturaunts picks on here, The Rustic is awesome.
Jenna | The Urben Life says
I totally understand, the parking down there can be a little crazy! We actually found free parking in the West Village–they have garages. Also, The Rustic has a large parking lot! I hope you two have a great weekend 🙂
Stephanie says
Great pictures, the foods look delicious! Thanks for sharing your experience of the Uptown Dallas Food Tour. It looks like something I'd enjoy doing one day. It's a great way to explore the area.
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Thanks, I really appreciate that! Great, let me know if you're ever in the Dallas area. I'd love to give you more suggestions 🙂
Ronnie says
This food looks so delish! I love eating at restaurants that have really good and different food. I wish there was something like Cloud 9 where I live. That's great!
Ronnie
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Thanks, the food was delicious!! Cloud 9 has several locations, so maybe you can find one near you or within traveling distance for a short getaway!
Melanie says
I am ALL ABOUT a good brunch! A brunch tour?! Sign me up!! Tacos and Tequila would definitely be where it's at for me. What a fun experience!!
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Right!!! Yes, their margarita was amazing!
Krystin says
Ahh, I love this guide! I've never been to Dallas before but it's always been on my list!
Krystin
http://www.girlinbetsey.com
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Thank you! I hope you get a chance to visit sometime.
Nicole says
These all look so amazing! I was in Houston once for a writing conference, and all they fed us the entire five days was tacos. Even breakfast tacos with eggs and bacon. I truly thought it was the only food they had in Texas, so I'm very happy to know that's not the case 🙂
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Thank you! Omg haha, that is truly hilarious! We love our tacos here (even for breakfast) but we do have more than just that! They should have given you some BBQ 🙂
Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Health says
this sounds like a fantastic way to explore Dallas..I am in Fort Worth and I am new to some of these places..Baboush & Rustic is def a fav.
Jenna | The Urben Life says
It totally is 🙂 Oh, yes! I will go back to Baboush time and time again! I rarely make it out to Ft. Worth but I love it over there
jordyngalan says
The tacos looks so good omg! Street tacos are my fav! Love all your pictures too!
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Thanks so much!! They were so fresh, can't wait to go back there and sit on their rooftop. They have locations in San Antonio and Austin too!
daneen rogers says
I've been to Houston and San Antonio, but have yet to visit Dallas...it looks like an amazing time! Your food pics made me drool lol
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Thank you, it was a great food tour!! I used to live in Houston and I visit San Antonio often. I love all the food SA has to offer 🙂