Dining South of the Border: Dallas' Latin American Culinary Highlights
Dallas’s Tex‑Mex scene is renowned, thanks to the city’s deep ties with Mexico and the chefs who elevate traditional flavors. Yet the Dallas dining landscape extends far beyond Tex‑Mex, offering a vibrant spectrum of Latin American cuisine—from Brazilian classics to Salvadoran pupusas and Mexican street food. Below are standout spots that showcase the city’s culinary diversity.
Meridian – The Village
Executive chef Junior Borges steers Meridian – The Village toward authentic Brazilian fare. Highlight dishes include moqueca—a coconut‑based seafood stew with grilled prawns, plantains, and jasmine rice—picanha steak, and squid‑ink bucatini pasta. Sweet‑to‑savory indulgence comes in the Brigadeiro Cake, featuring hazelnut praline, caramelized milk, and chocolate mousse.
As one of Dallas’s most sought‑after venues, the restaurant’s patio—lined with a majestic live oak tree—offers the perfect setting for sipping Caipirinhas, Brazil’s national cocktail.
Chimichurri – Bishop Arts
At Chimichurri, Chef invites diners to sample Argentine staples without a flight to Buenos Aires. The menu showcases empanadas, chorizo, milanesas, and salchicha parrillera, along with the house‑recommended parrilla steak paired with a glass of Mendoza Malbec.
The two‑bar concept—Vermoutheria’s vermouth‑centric terrace and the speakeasy‑style Tango Bar—provides a curated cocktail experience.
Gloria’s Latin Cuisine – Bishop Arts
With roots dating back over 30 years, Gloria’s Latin Cuisine has grown to 22 locations across Texas. The Bishop Arts branch occupies a restored fire station, offering a colorful interior, upbeat salsa, and generous brunch plates.
The menu marries Salvadoran and Mexican flavors, featuring pupusas, tortillas de maíz, and a range of Tex‑Mex classics. Signature margaritas complement the culinary journey.
Zaguan Latin Café & Bakery – Oak Lawn
From Argentine empanadas to Venezuelan arepas, Cuban ropa vieja, and Mexican churros, Zaguan Latin Café & Bakery presents a pan‑Latin menu available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
“D Magazine” named the Cachapa—a grilled sweet‑corn turnover stuffed with beef, chicken, or cheese—as the best Latin lunch in Dallas.
Meso Maya – Downtown
Founded by the owner of Dallas’ Tex‑Mex icon El Fenix, Meso Maya showcases traditional dishes from central and southern Mexico. Signature items include cochinita pibil, camarones a la diabla, and pollo con mole. The house specialty, Budín Azteca, layers homemade corn tortillas with melted cheeses and your choice of meat or vegetables, creating a Mexican lasagna experience.
These eateries exemplify Dallas’s rich Latin American culinary tapestry.
