Lark’s Guide to Dallas’s Best Food, Services, Shopping & More

Though most of us aren’t born and breed Dallas-ites, we all love our adopted home town. Here’s Lark’s guide to Dallas’s best food, drink, hang-out spots, shopping, beauty and more. Whether you are a local looking for the best place to get your hair done, or traveling through and looking for can’t-miss food stops, we’ve got you! It’s taken some time to curate this list over the last decade of living in Dallas- but I think we’ve got it pretty well down to perfection. Welcome to the best of Dallas, Texas!


The Best Food & Drink in Dallas

Best smoothie in Dallas

Ali’s favorite smoothie, Juiceland’s Wild Child. Dallas Foodie Hotspots

In the mood for pasta? Sushi? Just need a quick drink or treat? Check out our favorite spots that are Dallas foodie hotspots in our book!

The best pasta: Il Bracco’s Cacio y Pepe

The best sushi: Uchi’s Dayboat Scallops. Pro tip - eat them upside down!

The best healthy drink: Juiceland’s the Wild Child. Order it swirled (not blended) and add the coconut yogurt.

The best lunch: La La Land’s Avocado Toast

The best cocktail: Standard Pour’s Watermelon Basil Margarita

The best treat: Swig’s Diet Raspberry Dream (Janelle) or Dirty Dr. Pepper (Ali). And you can’t leave without a sugar cookie!

The best office birthday treat: Susie Cakes’s Lemon cupcakes

The best Tex Mex: Jose on Lovers’ Enchiladas Suizas or Torchy’s queso


The Best Services in Dallas

Best interior designers in Dallas? Lark Interiors, of course. (Hair by @theblondewhisperer, skin by sun-damage savior Savannah Boda, botox by Kenz at Peak Beauty, and brows by The Brow Project.)

Trying to find a new everything when you’re new in town (or even when you’re not!) is exhausting! It’s taken some time and money finding out which services we can’t recommend to confidently share our favorite trusted Dallas service professionals with you! Whether you’re in need of a florist, stylist or dog grooming- the gangs all here.

The Best Dallas Interior Designers: Duh! Lark Interiors

The Best Skincare in Dallas: Savannah Boda Aesthetics. I’ve been seeing her for two years now and have definitely aged backwards.

The Best Dallas Injectors: Kenz at Peak Beauty & Karen Adams at Austin Reddick Dermatology

The Best Blonde Hair in Dallas: Jenn Armstrong (@theblondewhisperer)

The Best Dallas Balayage: Leighann Shelton (@balayage_dallas)

The Best Haircut in Dallas: Jermaine Mendoza at FORM Salon

The Best Microblading in Dallas: NIcole at The Brow Project

The Best Stylist in Dallas: Paula Newlands (@styledby_paula)

The Best Make-up Artist: Katie Moyer (@makeupandskinbykatie)

The Best Dog Grooming in Dallas: Furry Tails. It’s doodle grooming won’t leave your dog looking Gollum in Lord of the Rings.

The Best Florist in Dallas: White Wing Floral. No cheesy roses and baby’s breath here.


Best Places to Go in Dallas

Best places to visit in Dallas. Never, ever miss the spring tulips at the Dallas Arboretum

Locals- listen up! This list is for you too! Even if you’ve lived in Dallas for years I bet there’s a few of these you have yet to cross of your list. Next time you’re looking for something fun to do in the city check out out this list of our favorite Dallas attractions.

Alamo Drafthouse: Warm chocolate chip cookies while you watch a movie is the absolute best

The Kessler Theater in Bishop Arts: Where all your indie music dreams can come true

The Dallas Arboretum: Proving natural beauty can exist even in our heat

The Perot Museum of Nature & Science: Don’t forget the second floor robotics section for some fun STEM-focused family time and bottom floor for the best toddler play space around.

The Fort Worth Stock Show: This is a Patton family tradition. We love to see the beautifully brushed cows and crazy-looking chickens

National Cowgirl Museum: Speaking of Fort Worth, the Cowgirl Museum is a surprise win. Check it out!


Best Places to Shop in Dallas

Did I mention that shopping is in my job description? I have a lot of experience with vendors here in Dallas and these are the ones I keep going back to:

Mary Cates: A go-to for coffee table books, lamps, and case goods (if you don’t have access to a designer with good accounts)

Thrift Studio: Dwell with Dignity’s bi-annual Thrift Studio. Not only does this event give you access to trade-only pieces of furniture, but it’s curated by local designers. And it all goes to benefit a great cause!

Northpark Center: Duh. Did you know Northpark’s Neiman Marcus make-up counter is the number one make-up counter in the country? Plus, Christmas isn’t complete without seeing the trains and gingerbread display.

Mecox Gardens: Another great local furniture store and accessories store

If you get a chance to try any of these places- let us know what you think! And if you’re looking for more can’t-miss Texas events check out our post on Round Top. Who knows, maybe I’ll see around next time I stop in Thrift Studio.

Janelle Patton