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From contemporary bistro’s like Bistro N to family-style Italian restaurants like Maggiano’s to classic steakhouses like Kirby’s, the SMU/Highland Park neighborhood of Dallas offers an array of dining options. Food enthusiasts can enjoy American comfort food at Central 214, or blend the dining and nightlife entertainment at Cuba Libre, listen to live Jazz while indulging in classic Texas cuisine at Hector’s on Henderson, or see and be seen at the popular Hibiscus. Also, by virtue of the university location, there are many more affordable restaurants near SMU that cater to the perpetually small student budget.
SMU / Highland Park Restaurants
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8687 N. Central Expy., Dallas TX 75225
Contemporary American.
Don't let the fact that Bistro N is tucked inside a Nordstrom's department store in Dallas' Northpark Center fool you, this is no average mall food court-type restaurant. Bistro N is a contemporary American bistro, serving elegant dishes ranging from designer sandwiches and pizzas to steaks and seafood entrees, all prepared in an open, exhibition kitchen.
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Hotel Palomar Dallas, 5300 E. Mockingbird Ln., Dallas TX 75206
American, Steak.
Contemporary American comfort food is the order of the day at Central 214, located on the ground floor of the newly renovated Palomar Hotel. Dallas restaurant critics have nothing but good things to say about Central 214 and head chef Tom Fleming. Fleming focuses on seasonal, local ingredients and receives high marks for keeping things relatively simple and letting the ingredients speak for themselves.
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2822 N. Henderson Ave., Dallas TX 75206
Contemporary American.
This massive Dallas restaurant has gained popularity with both young professionals and late-night Dallas restaurant goers. Cuba Libre of Dallas features two-floors and over 5,000 square feet of restaurant and bar area in which to enjoy their signature "pan-Latin" cuisine and extensive cocktail menu.
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2929 N. Henderson Ave., Dallas TX 75206
American.
Dallas restaurateur Hector Garcia brings Hector's on Henderson to Dallas, and with it nightly live jazz, a stylish setting in a former ironworks, and award winning contemporary Texas cuisine. Dishes such as the "bouquet of pheasant," a pan-seared pheasant breast with butter whipped potatoes, thyme bread pudding, creamed spinach and cognac gravy epitomize Garcia’s commitment to local Texas flavors.
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2927 N. Henderson Ave., Dallas TX 75204
American, Californian.
Hibiscus of Dallas is a restaurant with big ideas on everything from the décor to the Pacific Rim-inspired new American cuisine. Hibiscus has gained a reputation for being one of those hip Dallas restaurants where important people go to see and be seen, however it's easy to miss famous faces while staring at the enormous exhibition kitchen and the huge portions of artfully plated steaks, chops and seafood being hefted out of it.
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3525 Greenville Ave., Dallas TX 75206
Steakhouse.
Considered the original Dallas steakhouse, Kirby's Steakhouse has been serving prime, aged USDA beef to Dallas restaurant goers since 1954. Kirby's Steakhouse also offers an ample selection of lobster and seafood dishes, along with patio dining around a fire pit and live jazz and other musical acts Wednesdays through Saturdays.
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8687 North Central Expy., Dallas TX 75225
Italian.
The Dallas location of the popular Maggiano's Little Italy national Italian restaurant chain is located in the Northpark Center Mall, in close proximity to the Dallas Museum of Art and the John F. Kennedy museum. Maggiano's Little Italy of Dallas features weekly dinner and dancing on Sunday nights with live music. The cuisine at Maggiano's Little Italy is Southern Italian served family style.
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307 North Park Center, Dallas TX 75225
Seafood.
Popular with Northpark Mall shoppers seeking an upscale mall dining experience or just a strong cocktail after a little retail therapy, McCormick and Schmick's Seafood flies in over 30 varieties of seafood daily. Dallas restaurant goers also speak highly of the happy hour menu and more specifically the happy hour menu prices at McCormick and Schmick's Seafood.
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11909 Preston Rd. Suite 1418, Dallas TX 75230
Contemporary American.
Despite the restaurant's name, the Mercury Grill of Dallas is no ordinary grill. The contemporary American cuisine with continental notes at Mercury Grill is that of award winning chef/owner Chris Ward, who was a finalist for the White House head chef position in 2005. The Mercury Grill is also noted for its comfortable lounge serving an extensive menu of specialty cocktails and standards.
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7713 Inwood Rd., Dallas TX 75209
Asian, Sushi.
Shinsei Restaurant is an interesting concept combining a laid-back, family friendly atmosphere with a sleek, modern dining room ideal for romantic meals or power lunches. The cuisine is also a dichotomy; all one would expect from a sushi bar, yet with a complete pan-Asian grill menu. It maybe good food or just good karma, but Dallas publications have given quite a bit of positive attention to Shinsei Restaurant.
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4345 W. Northwest Hwy. #270, Dallas TX 75220
Mediterranean.
This popular Dallas neighborhood bistro is often crowded, especially on weekends, but Dallas restaurant goers are willing to deal with the masses as the cuisine at Suze is highly acclaimed. Along with the "soft jazz" ambiance, local artworks and an extensive wine list, the contemporary American creations at Suze emphasize only local, organic ingredients.
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2808 Greenville Ave., Dallas TX 75206
Contemporary American.
A Dallas institution, The Grape first opened its doors in 1972 and since then has been an innovator on the Dallas restaurant scene. The Grape's signature chalkboard menu was the first of its kind in Dallas, and to this day changes daily based on the availability of fresh seasonal ingredients. As the name might suggest, The Grape also features one of the more extensive wine-by-the-glass selections in all of Dallas.
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5330 E. Mockingbird Ln., Dallas TX 75206
Fusion / Eclectic, Polynesian.
Trader Vic's is an American classic: fine dining set in a Polynesian-themed "hut" which happens to be a rather large restaurant and bar. Trader Vic's of Dallas is no exception, and Dallas restaurant goers find themselves at Trader Vic's for unique Polynesian takes on the finest beef, seafood and other seasonal ingredients. But Trader Vic's is perhaps best known for its enormous and quite potent cocktails, such as the infamous "Scorpion Bowl," which boasts of enough rum to mimic the poisonous effects of an actual scorpion sting.
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4513 Travis St., Dallas TX 75205
Mexican, Steak.
With such prestigious Dallas culinary experience as an extended tenure at the world-famous Mansion at Turtle Creek directly under the watchful eye of Dallas culinary dynamo Dean Fearing, chef Amador Mora is carving out his own piece of the big time Dallas restaurant scene with Trece. Chef Mora's focus at Trece is contemporary "high Mexican" cuisine, but aside from the highly acclaimed food, Trece of Dallas features a massive tequila bar with over 120 varieties to choose from.
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