How did Addison earn its reputation as the restaurant capital of the U.S.? In a city of 16,000, measuring just 4.4 square miles, Addison offers nearly 200 restaurants — that’s how!
Food lovers from across North Texas keep Addison on their must-go list, for good reason. On top of the indisputable depth and breadth of diversity of restaurants to satisfy a range of demanding palates, Addison’s choices are largely independently owned and home-grown. Foodies know they won’t find this many good bites anywhere else.
Al fresco, all day and night: Never before has patio dining been more popular, and Addison’s supply satisfies foodies. At Vidorra, an outdoor party begins with flaming queso fundido and continues with fried avocado tacos, washed down with The Gold Digger, a frozen mango margarita with chamoy-tajin rim. Fresh air seating pairs beautifully with an iced seafood tower of oysters, crab claws, tuna tartare, and shrimp cocktail at Hudson House, the place also known for sublime lobster rolls and butterscotch sundaes. Patio time at Gloria’s Latin Cuisine means ceviche tostadas, Salvardoran fried yuca and pupusas, and blackened red snapper. At a sunny table at Mendocino Farms, enjoy a crispy Thai chicken sandwich on a toasty brioche bun, avocado-quinoa superfood salad, or an ancient grains bowl topped with chimichurri steak and roasted shishito peppers. Yard House’s modern beer garden serves up fried calamari, classic sliders, four-cheese spinach dip and barbecued chicken pizzas.
Newest on the dining scene: Look for the much-anticipated opening of Loro from Austin’s two James Beard Award-winning chefs, Aaron Franklin and Tyson Cole. The Asian smokehouse and watering hole is famous for curried brisket rice and snap pea-toasted coconut salad among starters; and oak-smoked salmon in cucumber-yuzu broth in the mains category. Barbecue lovers, rejoice — Oak’d brings its delicious and stylish smokehouse goods and renowned desserts to town with a new brewery on-site. Welcome also Brentwood (a sister restaurant to the celebrated Hudson House), a major player with stone fireplace, prime steaks, rotisserie specialties, and an in-house bakery producing brioche and rosemary focaccia. Fresh from San Francisco, the wine-and-whiskey bar called District promises tantalizing sharables like charcuterie and cheese boards, burrata with black truffle and sunchokes, fontina-spinach arancini, and lamb meatballs with chermoula-tomato sauce.
Tried and true always wins: Open since 1988, Nate’s Seafood & Steakhouse is the perennial fave for Louisiana crawfish, chargrilled Gulf oysters, Creole gumbo, and Cajun surf & turf. Kenny’s Wood Fired Grill remains the place for French onion soup, jumbo lump crabcake with remoulade, and New York strip with truffle butter. Chamberlain’s Steak & Fish brings clientele from around the country for its spice-seared ahi tuna, Lobster Thermidor, American bison strip steak, and 40-day aged prime bone-in ribeye. Neighborhood Services starts the grazing with crispy asparagus, spicy pimento cheese with corn chips, and ceviche, and wows with big plates like short rib stroganoff and Angus flat iron steak frites. A charming boho vibe is irresistible at Southern-accented Ida Claire, which woos with smoky-fried cauliflower with buttermilk dressing, fried green tomatoes, Nashville hot chicken with pimento cheese toast, and bacon-studded shrimp and grits. And check out Addison originals that grew to become national chains, like Fogo de Chao, Texas de Brazil, Genghis Grill, and Cantina Laredo.
Fun & games & food: Groups gathering for laughs at Addison Improv also find good eats in nachos, fried pickles, chicken Caesar salad, and plates of salmon and steak. Likewise at TK’s, comedy comes with sides of fried artichoke hearts, mozzarella crostini, short rib mac ‘n cheese, burgers, and pizza. Sidecar Social invites you to play shuffleboard, ping pong, darts, and bocce ball and get your karaoke on while noshing on bruschetta, hummus, tacos, flatbreads, and blackened chicken pasta, with craft cocktails on tap. At Addison Ice House, celebrate game-watching parties, live music at Vitruvian Park, and trivia nights with mini-corn dogs, queso tots, pulled pork tacos, and buffalo wings.
Whatever you are craving, Addison is sure to have an option for you. With 22 hotels in its 4.4 square-mile area, why not make it a foodie weekend? Learn more about Addison at www.visitaddison.com.
