Ngon Vietnamese KitchenPhoto by Ngon Vietnamese KitchenLocated on the bustling restaurant row in Dallas’ Lower Greenville neighborhood is Ngon Vietnamese Kitchen, which serves elegant Vietnamese classics prepared in the Hanoi style. Ngon’s dishes draw inspiration from family recipes as well as a buzzing food culture. They are vibrant and full of flavor. The portions are generous, but not “Texas-sized”, so you won’t get a food coma after lunch. Ngon is a cornerstone in the area. It was a breakout success before it was awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand award in 2024. The dry or wet noodles are both delicious, but the mango salad is a must-try. The perfect balance between tangy, crunchy, green mango and gently poached shrimp, squid and a mouthwatering dressing of fish sauce, topped with fried peanuts and shallots. It’s sweet and salty with a pungent aroma. It’s no wonder that every table orders this dish. Just outside the city limits, in Richardson, TX, you can find the best Iraqi cuisine in the Metroplex. Salam Grill, Al Baghdadi’s restaurant, excels in family style dining. The sandwiches and small plates may be great but the family-style meals are what makes this place stand out. Order a platter of tender lamb tikka and shish tawook (marinated chicken with yogurt and spices), saffron-flavored rice, hummus and baskets of hot khubz. The food is cooked on charcoal-burning grills which give it a mouthwatering aroma and char that electric grills can never hope to replicate. After dinner, visit the bakery to satisfy your sweet tooth. Behind the counter, you can see spiral displays of z’labia (Texans may call it funnel cake). Baklava in diamond-shaped trays, adorned with pistachios, is fried behind the counter. Daheen, an aromatic, gooey cake soaked in cardamom-infused syrup, is cut into thick squares to order. These places bet big on Texas style dining. From chic, contemporary Western vibes, to classic steakhouse bluster. The high, rounded ceiling frames the horseshoe-shaped bar of local watering holes. It has a West Texas rustic-chic vibe with its intimate seating and terracotta bound cacti both inside and outside. Far Out is located near the state fair grounds, in an area that’s largely uninhabited just outside of Downtown. It feels like a refuge from the chaos of the city. The menu is a familiar one from chef Misti Orris (formerly of Petra and the Beast), and features ferments, pickles and preserves. The menu is playful, drawing from many different inspirations. Texas, however remains at the core of its universe. Try the duck confit salad on a warm summer evening: A trio cool herbs (mint basil cilantro) with red cabbage, crunchy jicama and a creamy chile dressing, topped with a juicy duck confit. Far Out’s Western-inspired decor (and even larger patio) creates a casual, cool environment that encourages more stories (and drinks) under the Texas skies.
