"The Ultimate Guide to Visiting and Dining in Frisco"
- Amy Harris
- Feb 22, 2024
- 7 min read
Updated: Apr 2
Located 30 minutes north of Dallas, Frisco is a booming city that has grown from a small quiet town back in the early 2000s to a population of over 220,000 people. It is one of the fastest growing cities in the country, a vibrant city with a diverse population and it's filled with what seems like endless things to do and see. I first moved to Frisco in 2003 when it was still relatively small, I started a family there and even built, owned and operated a restaurant there for over 10 years. I watched as the city grew around us and I am amazed at the place it has become today. We moved in 2020, but my parents and many of my friends still live in Frisco, so we spend quite a bit of time there.
The city is home to the Dallas Cowboys headquarters and practice facility, the Frisco Rough Rider Baseball team, Texas Legends basketball team, Dallas Stars Hockey practice facility, and FC Dallas Soccer...I'd say they have sports pretty well covered! But beyond sports there is also lots more to do, from outdoor activities at one of the many parks or on the over 70 miles of trails to indoor fun at one of the many shopping centers, museums, or family friendly recreation centers. One of my favorite museums in Frisco is the Frisco Heritage Museum where you can learn about the rich history of the city, my girls took many field trips when they were younger to this fun museum. The Museum of the American Railroad and the National Videogame Museum are also a lot of fun!
Here are some of the best places to dine in Frisco
One of the most popular areas to eat, shop and hang out in Frisco is the Star
The Star in Frisco, where the Dallas Cowboys Headquarters is located is adjacent to The Star District which is filled with shopping and many dining options as well as many fun events. This area has grown so much over the past several years and now offers over 25 restaurants, several retail facilities, is home to the Omni Frisco Hotel and the very impressive 60,000 square foot Cowboys fit gym.
From fine dining, themed restaurants and casual eateries, you will find all types of cuisines and something for everyone. Here are just a few of our favorite places to eat at the Star, view the complete list of dining options
Lombardi Cucina Italiana
Is an authentic Italian Cuisine restaurant that offers a menu of homemade pasta, fresh seafood and meats as well as a fun innovative cocktail menu and extensive wine list. This beautiful restaurant is the perfect place for date night, special occasions or just a really great meal any night of the week. We have celebrated birthdays here and I have enjoyed nights out with friends. They are open for dinner seven nights a week, brunch on Sundays and they offer live music on the weekends.
This is such a fun, unique restaurant! The Japanese cuisine, sushi and sashimi menu is extensive and delicious! But it's not just the food you will love at Sushi Marquee, the atmosphere is always upbeat and lively with an open kitchen sushi bar, fun bartenders, and they have movie clips, tv shows and characters from the 80 and 90's playing on the TVs, keeping things fun and nostalgic. Brad Hawkins, a former Power Ranger and well known actor, was the brainchild behind the concept and he and his restauranteur partners opened a concept that is different than anything else you will find.
It's always fun to do Sake Bombs with friends at the bar as they chant along with you. A few years ago some friends of mine went when they even hosted a World Record for most group Sake Bombs taken at once, 240 people shot takers participated, it was a lot of fun.
An upscale steakhouse offering prime steaks and fresh seafood as well as a sushi-bar, an extensive wine list and a wall featuring 32 different tequilas. The bar is fun and lively and usually filled with regulars, the dining room offers a more intimate dining experience and they have a 70 guest private dining area. They are open for dinner Mon-Saturday, closed on Sundays. View their menu and then make a reservation!
This Parisian inspired restaurant is designed to make you feel as if you have gone to a France and are sitting at a Bistro where the menu is full of French classics and the atmosphere is whimsical. They often change their decorations to reflect the season, over the holidays they had a winter wonderland and in the Spring they will create a Spring theme and some new menu items. They are open for Lunch and Dinner daily and have a brunch on the weekend. They also have afternoon tea with a delicious menu for adults and kids.
Mi Cocina
It seems kind of silly to add this to the list because if you live in or around the DFW area, you have most likely been to a Mi Cocina, and if you are like us, you have been many times...like maybe even once a week. We love this Mexican restaurant and especially love their signature Mambo Taxi (we actually now get the skinny mambo, so we feel less guilty when we have more than one). Starting as a very small 12 table restaurant, this upscale Tex-Mex restaurant quickly became so popular they had to expand and haven't stopped since. They are now located in DFW, Houston, Texas and Tulsa, Oklahoma and plan to open more locations nationally soon. The menu hasn't changed in years, because everyone loves it and most have their favorite dishes. Come for the food and drinks and stay for the fun atmosphere.
This 20,000 square foot bar/restaurant is full of fun things to do, lots and lots of tv's to watch all your favorite teams, a live band, an all season patio, fun games such as ping pong, darts, pop-a-shot, and more! It gets very busy on game days, it's a lively fun place to hang with friends and spend the day enjoying sports. The menu is pretty diverse and the food is good.
This is a fun casual American cuisine restaurant, the menu offers American classic comfort foods such as chicken fried steak or chicken pot pie alongside healthier options like the pan seared salmon or fish tacos. They have fun boozy hip hop brunch every Saturday and Sunday that offers a very unique menu and lots of fun drinks, plus the atmosphere is always lively. Brunch gets busy, so definitely make a reservation or plan to wait!
Another popular shopping center in Frisco is the Shops of Starwood. There are several great restaurants and a couple of fun late night spots at the shops. Here are just a couple of my top choices and then a list of others you can give a try.
This is my daughter's favorite restaurant in Frisco and maybe her favorite sushi restaurant ever. We love the food, the staff is very attentive, and the owner is so sweet and almost always walking around making sure everyone is well taken care of. The menu offers a variety of fresh sushi, creative rolls, and delicious appetizers, salads and entrees. Kotta is a great spot for lunch or dinner!
This is such a fun unique restaurant and cocktail parlour. There is nothing like this anywhere else in Frisco. The food is always good, and the drinks are expertly handcrafted by mixologists. They offer a great happy hour, "Bonded Hour," Tuesday-Friday 4-7 pm and Sun. 3-close which includes $7 cocktails, select wine and featured small plates. In 2020 they expanded Bottled in Bond to include the adjacent Bottled in Bond The Parlour, it is a cocktail lounge featuring small bites and handmande cocktails in a beautiful ambiance. They often have live music. This is such fun place to for date night, just to sit at the bar, or with a group of friends, I have done all three and always had a great time!
They offer private event space for 12-20 people or you can buyout the entire restaurant. Read about the history behind the concept and make a reservation to check them out!
Trufire Kitchen is a staple of the shopping center and has been there for years. The food and service are consistently good, and they patio is cozy year round with plenty of shade, heat lamps and a fireplace.
J.Theodore Restaurant and Bar has a very nice atmosphere and their patio adjacent to Trufire is equally as nice. The food is always very good, but both the wine and food menu in my opinion is very overpriced. They have a fun, "speakeasy," Rare Books Bar, located next door that you enter through a bookcase. It is super cute and cozy and offers food and cocktails as well as live music.
Tupy's Mexican Food Supreme has been serving old family recipes in Dallas since 1947. The Frisco location opened in 2010 and remains one of the city's favorite Mexican restaurants. I used to go every single Friday for lunch with a group of friends. The margaritas are the best! Ask about their secrete salsa!!
Downtown Frisco off Main Street has a few options worth visiting too!
Since opening their doors in 2018, Didi's Downtown, has become one of Frisco's favorite restaurants. The chef/owner, Scott Hoffner, has an impressive history in the kitchen and his menu and delicious food reflect that passion. Located off of Main Street, they have a large patio, fun weekend brunch, and live music. Didi's is family owned and run and Frisco families are made to feel like part of the family. Come hungry, the portions are hearty.
Eight 11 Place is located off of Main Street. They are a locally owned wine bar and kitchen with a beautiful patio with firepits, live music and good food...their pizza is really good. Since they opened their doors in 2013, they have stayed busy. Reservations are highly recommended, especially on a beautiful day if you want to sit on their patio.
Pizzeria Testa Located in Frisco Square specializes in Neapolitan pizza and their menu features several varieties (red and white sauced) to delight every taste, you can even get meter-long pizzas. They also offer fresh salads, wood-fired sandwiches, calzones, and decadent desserts. They stay very busy so you may have to wait as they do not take reservations.
The Frisco Rail Yard is a family friendly food truck park offering, a full service bar, live music, and fun events. This is a fun place to sit outside, let the kids run around while you enjoy some music and a beverage.
I barely scratched the surface of all of the many places you can dine in Frisco. The area has grown so much and continues to grow. Check out Visit Frisco's more comprehensive list of Frisco Restaurants. And stay tuned as I continue to add more to our list of favorites!
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