Highland Park

Occupying a sprawling corner of one of Dallas’s busiest thoroughfares, Highland Park Village has been reigning supreme over the Dallas shopping scape since the '30s—in fact, it was the country’s first shopping center and gained historic landmark status because of that. It also has to be one of the country’s fanciest: Stella McCartney, Hermeès, Harry Winston, Tom Ford, and Chanel all have outposts here. (It is also home to the goop pop.)

Celebrated interior designer Emily Summers just opened her own showroom in Highland Park Village, and it's is a pretty great source for inspiration. Her style is undeniably refined without being cold—lots of gorgeous velvets and other luxe fabrics on nice clean lines.

You’ll get a taste of modern day Southern hospitality in every sip of vodka-spiked sweet tea. Settle into a seat on the screened-in porch of this cozy spot in Henderson and keep the squash puppies and chili fried oysters (topped with cane vinegar green sauce and Sissy’s spicy mayo) coming. Braised beef short ribs and the smothered T-bone will tempt you, but who are we kidding? One mixed bucket of house spiced, buttermilk soaked, fried chicken for the table, please.

You’ll find clean eats with a sunny disposition here. Chef Franchesca Nor keeps her fresh seafood-and-veggie-forward fare simple but never, ever boring at this bright and cheery lunch and dinner destination in Highland Park. The super casual, mid-century modern space is a great spot to go with friends and share a few salads, ceviches, and tartares. Or dig into a hearty wrap or sandwich all to yourself. Bonuses: It’s very kid-friendly and practically gluten-free.

This classic French bistro is wonderfully familiar (probably because it’s exactly like the original in New York). You’ll find the same classics, like chicken paillard, steak frites, and saffron-infused mussels—it’s both reassuring and delicious, though the crowd is what makes it fun.

This is just like Grandma used to make—if your grandmother was from West Texas and happened to be famous for her fried chicken. Still in the same converted Texaco Station where it opened in 1981, Bubba’s (the big daddy of the Babe’s Chicken boutique chain) has a retro diner vibe that sets the perfect stage for a Southern comfort food feast with all the trimmings: green beans, mashed potatoes, and black-eyed peas. There's also a drive-through.