The concept of “Mexican menu + American kitchen” proves subtle but significant at this lively fusion-minded eatery opened by Mico Rodriguez of Mr. Mesero.

Website: meseromiguel.com
Number of seats: 144
Average per-person check: $33
Popular dishes: La rosa pistola: seared scallops with warm coconut and prickly pear broth; mico “12”: 12-ounce “strip a la Mexicana,” serrano, onion, grilled cherry tomato and rice; duck confit crispy tacos with grilled scallions and green tomato marmalade
What people come for: Cocktail menu; Palm Springs-inspired atmosphere.
Address: 2822 N. Henderson Ave.
Phone Number: 214-821-6426

This tapas destination in Trinity Groves takes the Spanish region of Catalonia as inspiration and spins it out on small plates decorated with bites that include lots of seafood and paella that changes by the day.

Website: casarubiadallas.com
Number of seats: 108
Average per-person check: $50
Popular dishes: Alcachofas: crispy artichokes with Meyer lemon, Fresno chile, mojama (salt-cured tuna) and saffron aïoli; gambas al ajillo: gulf shrimp, chile de arbol, garlic chips and piquillo pepper emulsion; tasting queso and embutido plate: meat and cheese sample platter including Fermin jamon Iberico, lomo embuchado, mousse de higado con macetilla vinaigre, azores flores, roncal and montealva.
What people come for: Full Spanish wine list, large selection of sherries and Spanish/South American beers.
Address: 3011 Gulden Ln.
Phone Number: 469-513-6349

Locality is a high priority at this large indoor/outdoor eatery, with ingredients sourced from the Lone Star State and a dynamic program of live country-music acts that keep Texas tradition alive.

Website: therusticrestaurant.com
Number of seats: 560
Average per-person check: $25
Popular dishes: Whipped Texas goat cheese topped with roasted garlic and Texas Hill Country olive oil, served on a wood-grilled baguette; The Rustic Burger topped with house smoked brisket, white Cheddar, wood grilled onion, pablano peppers and Rustic Burger Sauce; molasses-brined bandera Texas quail grilled on hickory, oak, and pecan wood, served with house “bright slaw” and chipotle pecan sauce.
What people come for: Spacious outdoor seating, live music, 40 beers on tap (30 from Texas).
Address: 3656 Howell St.
Phone Number: 214-730-0596
Photo: Claire McCormack

The many charms of basic seafood reign supreme as this laid-back, down-home “seafood joint” in East Dallas, as imagined by co-owners Marc Cassel and Suzan Fries of local Green Room fame.

Website: 20-feet.com
Number of seats: 73
Average per-person check: $15
Popular dishes: Lobster roll; fish and chips; fried Bluepoint oyster po’ boy; pork belly ramen noodles
What people come for: BYOB policy
Address: 1160 Peavy Rd.
Phone: 972-707-7442

The traditions of Texas get a contemporary makeover at this favorite by chef Michael Sindoni adjacent to the Joule Hotel downtown.

Website: cbdprovisions.com
Number of seats: 108
Average per-person check: $40
Popular dishes: Berkshire pig head carnitas with roasted tomatillo salsa, radishes and tortillas; head-on Gulf shrimp and homestead grits with house 'nduja and local peppers; Little Goat Pie with stout-braised cabrito
What people come for: Discerning cocktails, wine and beer; breakfast and lunch service in addition to dinner every day
Address: 1530 Main St.
Phone: 214-261-4500

Jack Perkins, the mastermind behind the beloved burger joint Maple & Motor, opened this barbecue place to join in a rich tradition while giving it an update.

Website: slowbone.com
Number of seats: 85
Average per-person check: $15
Popular dishes: Hickory-smoked brisket; Oora's mac and cheese; jalapeño bratwurst; “brusselflower” (Brussels sprouts with cauliflower gratin)
What people come for: To-go packages for groups of up to 14 people; offsite catering for five to 5,000 people
Address: 2234 Irving Blvd.
Phone: 214-377-7727

Fare from the north of Vietnam is featured at this restaurant opened by partners Jeana Johnson and Colleen O’Hare, former operators of Good 2 Go Taco before a trip to Hanoi changed their dispositions.

Website: mothaibadallas.com
Number of seats: 36
Average per-person check: $40
Popular dishes: Shaking beef with red onion and watercress; caramelized pork belly with soy and palm sugar; marinated grilled fish with ginger, dill and yogurt.
What people come for: A drink menu with eight Asian beers and unusual Asian cocktails
Address: 6047 Lewis St.
Phone: 972-638-7468

This food-forward tavern in Lower Greenvillle leans hard into the art of artisanal sausage-making and charcuterie, with plenty of heavy bar offerings to match.

Website: facebook.com/theblindbutcher
Number of seats: 60
Average per-person check: $27
Popular dishes: Duck poutine with egg, confit and gravy; pastrami eggrolls with creamy mustard; bacon Brussels sprouts; duck fat fries; bacon bratwurst with sauerkraut, mustard.
What people come for: “Hand-cranked sausages,” craft cocktail and beer list, dinner nightly until 2 a.m.
Address: 1919 Greenville Ave.
Phone Number: 214-887-0000

The trendy restaurant row on Henderson Avenue has taken well to this arrival by chef Stephen Rogers and his operator wife Allison Yoder, formerly of Press in California’s Napa Valley.

Website: gemmadallas.com
Number of seats: 55
Average per-person check: $50
Popular dishes: Pappardelle with lamb shoulder, king trumpets, asparagus and lemon thyme; braised veal cheeks with Tokyo turnips, baby carrots, cippolini onions, bacon and black pepper spätzle; grilled striped sea bass with Rancho Gordo yellow eye beans, fava beans and fava leaf pistou.
What people come for: After-theater dinner, late-night full menu nightly until 1 a.m., special wine dinners.
Address: 2323 N Henderson Ave.
Phone Number: 214-370-9426

This pizza joint in the Bishop Arts District takes its pies and toppings seriously, as should be expected from its ties to Cane Rosso, Jay Jerrier’s other revered pizza shop in town (that one more rooted in Neopolitan-style pies).

Website: zolispizza.com
Number of seats: 65
Average per-person check: $15
Popular dishes: 20-inch “New York”-style pizza with hot soppressata; “Grandma”-style pie with thicker crust; weekly hero sandwich specials with zucchini fries; diavoletti: strips of fried pizza dough covered with powdered sugar, sea salt caramel, and warm Nutella.
What people come for: “Slice of the day.”
Address: 202 W. Davis St.
Phone Number: 214-942-9654

A new chef, Andrew Bell, took to the kitchen at this established Arts District bellwether with a pointed approach to seasonality and “respect” for ingredients that don’t need much more to shine.

Website: bolsadallas.com
Number of seats: 40
Average per-person check: $31
Popular dishes: Venison tartare with yellow tomato gelée, quail egg yolk, yucca chips and Worcestershire gastrique; skate with sunchoke, fiddlehead ferns and rhubarb; baby artichoke with heirloom tomato, spinach and fennel purée.
What people come for: New seasonal bar menu.
Address: 614 W Davis St.
Phone Number: 214-367-9367