How to Spend a Day in the Bishop Arts District, Dallas
- Amy Harris
- 11 minutes ago
- 6 min read
Tucked away just south of downtown, Dallas’ Bishop Arts District is one of the city’s most charming and creative neighborhoods. Known for its eclectic mix of boutiques, art galleries, coffee shops, and chef-driven restaurants, this walkable district is perfect for a laid-back day of exploring. We live about 35 minutes from this area so it's a little out of the bubble for us but we love getting over there to enjoy a great meal or an entire afternoon. Whether you’re a Dallas local or a weekend visitor, this neighborhood is worth the visit, here is how to spend the perfect day in Bishop Arts.
Morning: Coffee, Brunch & Strolling the Streets
If you are the type who enjoys a morning latte and a sweet treat, you are in the right spot. There are several coffee shops in the area where you can get your morning brew and a delicious croissant or pastry, here are a few of my favorites...
Espumoso Caffè, a cozy spot with great coffee and Latin-inspired pastries
Village Baking Co. Has a great variety of pastries, sweet treats and a solid coffee and tea list.
La Reunion is a Coffee and breakfast bar in the morning and they stay open all day and turn into a bar at night where they mix up some really good cocktails and offers a few menu items too, they are open until 12 am, making them the bar with the longest open hours in Bishop Arts
If you are more like me and my husband and enjoy a longer brunch and maybe some mimosas (mainly champagne with a spritz of OJ) there are also some great places to relax and enjoy a leisurely brunch! Check out these for the Best Brunch in Bishop Arts
Oddfellows: This is a longtime neighborhood institution serving classic American cuisine with some seasonal dishes, they have a huge patio, a very popular weekend brunch with delicious food, and an extensive specialty coffee and tea list and full cocktail menu. They get very busy and on a beautiful day it can be hard to snag a patio seat
Encina: I haven't tried their brunch yet, but I plan to soon! I have heard it's one of the best in the city. They are known for their blue corn pancakes which are apparently so popular you can buy the mix at H-E-B
This Michelin Star farm to table restaurant serves a more upscale brunch, with what we found to be a bit of a limited menu. However, my husband enjoyed his burger and the breakfast sandwich was good. I like this restaurant more for dinner.
Taco y Vino: Head to this beloved Bishop Arts taco spot if you want to brunch any day of the week! They serve up some hearty brunch items like Chilaquiles, Huevos Divorciados, and Brisket Con Huevo plus you can get a bottle of bubbles and a variety of juices for only $20!
Midday: Shopping, Galleries & Local Finds
Once you are fueled up check out some of the unique shops that make Bishop Arts so special and distinctive.
Pop into Dirt Flowers for a fresh bouquet, check out spinster records where you can find new and vintage vinyl records, or find a unique gift or curated good at the Urban Owl. As you wander through the Bishop Arts Market streets you will find boutiques of all kinds, art galleries bookstores and so much more!
Afternoon Cocktails and Chill
After all that shopping, I don't know about you, but I am ready for a drink, there are several cool bars or places to grab an expertly crafted cocktail!
My husband and I stumbled upon Revelers Hall one Saturday afternoon and felt like we had been missing out on some hidden secrete in Dallas! This jazzy New Orleans/Latin Quarter of Paris inspired venue is swinging and there is truly nothing else like it in Dallas that I have seen! In fact, I think I recently read they were awarded Best Jazz Venue by the New York Times?? WOW! Check them out, if you are in the area!! We were planning to have just one quick drink and ended up staying for two hours and listening to the amazing jazz music! We have since been back a few times and it's a fun day with great music!
Tiny Victories is located just west of Bishop Arts, they pride themselves on perfectly crafted cocktails in their tiny but beautifully designed bar, they also have a great patio.
Bar Eden Lounge at Paradiso is a hip cocktail bar with a fun atmosphere. Although I am not a big fan of Paradiso, I think it's more of an Instagram trap than a great place to eat, but it does have a beautiful patio and some cool spaces. And Eden can be fun!
Evening Dinner and Nightlife
As the sun sets, the Bishop Arts District comes even more alive with string lights illuminating the streets and an easygoing energy as people linger outside on restaurant patios and walk from bar to bar. This area is known for it's outstanding chef driven culinary scene, there are some great restaurants to choose from, here are just a few.
Lucia: I cannot say enough good things about this restaurant! Reservations are hard to come by and need to be made well in advanced sometimes four weeks in advance. You might get lucky and score a last-minute bar or patio seat especially during the week. The menu changes often, the food is outstanding, everything we have tried has been something we'd come back for and the cozy Italian Kitchen makes you feel like you may have actually gone to Italy for the evening.
Chimichurri: This Latin Bistro has a laid back atmosphere where you can enjoy a leisurely meal where sharing with friends seems like the best option because so many of the menu items sound too good to miss. We chose to try a variety of their empanadas and enjoyed all of them and the enchiladas de camaron with the poblano cream sauce was something to come back for, we enjoyed everything we shared and tried many of their menu items. At this time (Oct 2025, they are closed for renovations). After your dinner, head through the wine room to the hidden speakeasy, the Branca Room for an after dinner cocktail.
The Branca Room is one of the best cocktail bars in Bishop arts, it is a small speakeasy, but they offer perfectly crafted cocktails in a swanky dimly lit bar.
I know I listed them as a place that serves brunch, but I think they are much better for dinner. Their menu is seasonal and the dishes are eclectic, flavorful and unique. Everything we tried, we enjoyed.
A small cozy restaurant in a historic building that can only seat around 30 guests at a time. They are known for their really great ceviche options and other Mexican seafood dishes as well as a variety of tostadas plus perfectly crafted cocktails. If Seafood is not your thing, they also have a cheeseburger and a NY strip. As for the name, you will see Hugo Osorio making the cocktails and Hugo Galvan running the kitchen.
Bar, Pubs and Nightlife
This neighborhood pub is just that, a great little pub where local hangout. I like the indoor outdoor bar and relaxed vibe and the friendly staff. They have good food, a great happy hour until 7 pm and they stay open until 2 am.
Located next to Oddfellows, this late night record lounge has a DJ spinning every night of the week. They are open Monday- Thursday 7pm-2am and Friday and Saturday 5 pm - 2 am. Check the calendar to see what type of music you might find, because they like to mix it up, but it's always a lively scene and sometimes you might even have to wait to get in the door.
They are known for making perfectly crafted cocktails, and they take pride in every pour. The food is also beautifully curated and the atmosphere is sophisticated, intimate, but also always lively. We often find it very crowded and sometimes there is a DJ.
Bishop Arts District always has something going on throughout the year you will find markets, wine walks, art festivals and so much more. As I said, this is one of my favorite neighborhoods to visit in Dallas, and every time I come back I discover something new. It is the perfect place to spend the day in Dallas if you want to just relax, if you are looking for a great meal, a unique shopping experience, some incredible live music, or a fun night out!
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