The DFW metroplex is a hotbed of diverse cultures, artistic experiences and food—so much food. Yes, you’ll find Texas mainstays such as barbecue and Tex-Mex, but you’ll also take your tastebuds on a tour around the globe. Get ready to answer the question: Just how adventurous is your palate?

Jorg’s Cafe Vienna, Plano

Old-world and family-owned, Jorg’s Cafe Vienna serves up fine Austrian and German food like you’re dining straight out of oma’s kitchen. The cozy dining room and outdoor Biergarten give you two distinctly different experiences that you can mix and match, traveling between sips of European-style lagers and bites of wursts, schnitzels and strudels. All conveniently located in Plano, just north of Dallas.

Tip: Reservations are recommended. Brush up on your German and get ready for a taste of the “wilkommen” spirit from Chef Jorg.

Pepe’s & Mito’s, Dallas

Located deep in Deep Ellum, Pepe’s & Mito’s is a Dallas classic. You know that’s saying something, as Dallasites don’t suffer from a lack of exceptional Tex-Mex fare. Chef Pedro Rojas bases the menu—highlights: beef guiso, pescado veracruz, carne al chipotle—off family recipes handed down over the generations. Decades and decades may have passed, but that way you know what’s made it onto your plate has stood the test of time.

Fantastic lunch specials make this a great midday stop, though whenever they’re open is a good time to sit down among the colorful murals at Pepe’s & Mito’s. Buen provecho!

Sprouts Springroll & Pho, Arlington

There’s nothing like pouring on a dash of fish sauce, grabbing a fistful of basil and bean sprouts and diving into your masterpiece bún thịt nướng chả giò (grilled pork noodle bowl) at Sprouts Springroll & Pho. This totally authentic Vietnamese joint will tempt you with all the spring rolls you can handle, fresh, steamy pho and a dish or two you might not be familiar with—yet. Cà phê đá (Vietnamese iced coffee) or a cold bubble tea rounds out this taste of international Arlington. Ngon quá!

Zatar Lebanese Tapas & Bar, Deep Ellum, Dallas

Deep Ellum is Dallas’s crossroads, and so too is Zatar, where haute European cuisine meets Asian ingredients in authentic Lebanese tapas and plates. Think Greek liqueurs, sours made with arak and chili powder, Lebanese wines, and polyglot diners. Instead of the standard hummus and gyros, you’ll dine on grilled halloumi and kashkaval (types of cheese), moghrabiyeh (Lebanese couscous), baba ghannouj (eggplant dip), sambousek (Lebanese meat pies) and muhammara (roasted red pepper dip). End your meal with the chocolate halva cake, and you might wind up with Zatar cravings for months to come.

DFW China Town, Richardson

DFW China Town bills itself as Dallas’s “epicenter of Asian food culture,” and it truly is a one-stop-shop type of experience. Located in the city of Richardson, between Dallas and Plano, it’s a compact shopping center that packs in 10+ eateries (Chinese and beyond), as well as the 25,000-square-foot Good Fortune Supermarket, where you can shop for rare spices, world-class seafood, that Chinese pastry you’ve been craving and so much more.

When you’re ready to grab a bite, settle in for warm, steamy dumplings at Jeng Chi Restaurant; fresh, hand-rolled sushi at Genroku Sushi & Grill; or spicy hunan beef from Canton Chinese Food. Reverent statues greet you on your way into the plaza, assuring you that, yes, you’ve found the right spot.

Sheba’s Ethiopian Kitchen, Dallas

No forks allowed. At Sheba’s, you’ll be scooping up piles of meat and veggies with soft, fresh injera bread. This family-run restaurant gives new meaning to the idea of “shared plates,” as you and your friends will gush about the flavors and spices flowing from the large communal dish at your table. Expect unassuming decor and plating, but definitely assume the dining experience will be one to write home about.

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