Farm-to-Table has become a very trendy buzz phrase in the food biz. Dozens of restaurants are capitalizing on labels like fresh, local, family farm and/or organic to boost their business. But enjoying the food is far more fun than examining the label, so we did the search and left the best part for you.

To make our list, a restaurant had to list at least some local food sources on its website or menu to be part of the farm to table movement. Many of the places we’ve chosen boast quite a few and most change their menu seasonally or even more frequently.

One has a garden on site, one owns a family farm, while others make excellent use of their town’s Farmers Market and buy local. Several offer wine, beer or spirits from Texas producers too.

We found far more than eight places in North Texas that qualify – here are some you may not already know about.

What is farm to table?

Farm to table is also sometimes called farm to fork. It generally means that the food being served was grown or sourced locally. It means that the history of the food served is traceable and not invisible to the consumer. Generally speaking farm to table restaurants serve food that is from a local farm.

[tcb-script](function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(d.getElementById(id))return;js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=’https://embed.playbuzz.com/sdk.js’;fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}(document,’script’,’playbuzz-sdk’));[/tcb-script]

Bonus Fun Stuff:DFW Restaurant Week: Recap of the Dallas Food and Wine Festival.

Farm To Table Restaurants Dallas

1. “Food that won’t kill you”: Meet the Mudhen

While “clean eating” has become an overblown phrase even among hardcore foodies like us, Mudhen proves that locally sourced food and the magic touch of a skilled chef makes for a wholesome meal out. Tuck into their BYOB (Build Your Own Bowl): Add local meats, starch and choose veggies off the floor-to-ceiling chalkboard of what’s in season, and you’re in for a true farm to table meal.

You’ll have trouble picking from dishes that swing from vegan collard spring rolls to mushroom bolognese pasta. It’s not your neighborhood salad bar either: Expect the flavors of the foods to come through without heavy sauces and butter. If you’re following Whole30 or Keto, there’s a legend on the menu that will help you choose an entree.

Tuesday through Friday they have “Flower Hour”— $4 select craft on draft, $5 select craft cans, $4 – 6 featured wines, and $8 craft cocktails at the time of this writing. If the Texas heat and humidity don’t bother you, park it on their ample patio seating. (The inside bar and tables are upscale rustic.) Nestled in the Dallas Farmer’s Market, Mudhen’s got the locale on point: get your brunch and your fresh shopping at the markets in Dallas done all at once.

farm-to-table-restaurants-near-me

Our faves

  • Watermelon Cooler: Tasty and refreshing, lightly watermelon
  • Mezze Platter: Rich veggie dips that are unlike what you’ve probably had if you grew up eating french onion dip from a tub with Ruffles. Vegan, and you won’t care.
  • The Groatmeal at brunch: Have you had farro? It’s a big, chewy grain. Filling, not too sweet.
  • Broccolini: Andi’s personal favorite vegetable BECAUSE of having it as a side at Mudhen.
  • Chocovacado Mousse: I swear to you, you will not taste the avocado. Super deep chocolate, lightly sweet. Amazing. We get one to go, too.

2. Garden Café – Dallas Restaurant

You can take farm-to-table literally at Garden Café in old East Dallas. The organic garden that supplies many of their herbs and vegetables is right out back. It is like having a local farmer serve you. They also use grass-fed meats, pasture-raised eggs, and fair trade coffee. 

Serving breakfast and lunch daily, this charming eatery was doing made-from-scratch, local, and ultra-fresh long before it became a thing. Their veggie selections change daily as does their array of made-from-scratch pies and baked goods.

Location: 5310 Junius St, Dallas

Turf: East Dallas 

What makes it fun: The patio looks like something out of a fairy tale, and it’s dog-friendly. Daily specials, seasonal salads, and vegetarian options put “something for everyone” on the menu.

Categories: Fun Food 

3. Texas Spice – Dallas

farm-to-table-near-me

Southern style dishes made with local ingredients attract locals and visitors alike to Texas Spice at the Omni Dallas Hotel. These folks take Dallas farm to table seriously. The menu mentions local 44 Farms by name as a beef provider and other dishes feature local cheese and pork as well as farmers market vegetables. Some gluten-free options are available upon request.

Location: 555 S Lamar, Dallas

Turf: Downtown Dallas 

What makes it fun: Western themed décor and a Texas-size patio capture Dallas flavor. The breakfast buffet is offered daily along with breakfast, lunch, and menus.

Categories: Fun Food 

4. FnG Eats in Keller

[tcb-script async=”” src=”//www.instagram.com/embed.js”][/tcb-script]

From the Primadita and other Mexican-inspired appetizers to the Lemon Thyme Cheesecake for dessert, FnG offers fun dishes and new twists on old favorites. Made with fresh ingredients from the Keller Farmers Market and other local shops, the food showcases the creative talents of its two hometown chef owners. Weekly flatbread creations called Keller Flats and daily crème brulee offerings keep returning customers asking for more.

Location: 201 Town Center Lane, Suite 1101, Keller

Turf: Keller (NW Suburbs)

What makes it fun: ​The menu is as much fun to read as it is to order from. The Triple Dip offers three dips unlike any you’ve ever had.

Categories: Fun Food 

5. Clay Pigeon Food and Drink – Fort Worth

It’s not just food that’s locally sourced at this family restaurant. Executive Chef and Owner Marcus Paisley was born and raised in Arlington. Clay Pigeon Food and Drink takes scratch-made to a whole new level with made-in-house bread and ice cream – even butchering and charcuterie preparation is done on site. As a special treat, consider stopping by the Cowtown Farmers Market on a Saturday afternoon.

Location: 2731 White Settlement Rd, Fort Worth

Turf: Fort Worth

What makes it fun: ​It’s always a good thing when you see the word “Today’s” on a menu. Choose Today’s House Made Pasta, Fresh Catch, or Wood-fired steak, or daily Charcuterie appetizer for the table.

Categories: Fun Food 

6. The Ranch – Las Colinas

farm-to-table-dallas

Gulf coast shrimp and crab, Brazos Valley and Dallas Co cheeses, and local mushrooms and other vegetables shine on the menu at The Ranch in Las Colinas. Texas whiskey and beer flights are great before during or after Texas-themed starter, lunch, and dinner offerings.

Location: 857 W. John Carpenter Freeway, Irving

Turf: Las Colinas – Irving

What makes it fun: ​Live music from Texas bands several nights a week makes the atmosphere as lively as the food. You can book (surprisingly affordable) helicopter tours right on site.

Categories: Fun Food 

7. Prime Farm to Table – Flower Mound

Executive Chef and Owner Chris Flahaven frequently visits with diners at Prime in Flower Mound. Ingredients for menu items come from a traceable supply chain, which might include local JBG Organics or Windy Meadows Family Farm. Open for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday and brunch on Sunday (10-3), Prime’s décor is modern and minimalist, while the food is both sustainable and sublime.

Location: 5810 Long Prairie Road, Suite 200, Flower Mound

Turf: Flower Mound

What makes it fun: ​​The daily menu features the adventurous – Octopus salad – to the familiar -meat loaf.. Several already awesome dessert offerings are topped with locally made Henry’s ice cream (Plano.)

Categories: Fun Food 

8. Harvest Seasonal Kitchen – McKinney

farm-to-table-restaurants-dallas

Located in the Historic Downtown McKinney square, Harvest Seasonal Kitchen does indeed offer seasonal menus – pretty amazing ones, from what we’ve seen so far. They strongly emphasize local and regional products, with nearby farm sources of produce such as from the McKinney farmers market, dairy, meat, and grocery listed on their website. They also have their own farm, Water Boy Farms in Lucas, Texas, which provides honey, cage-free chickens, and flowers in addition to organic vegetables.

Location: 112 E. Louisiana St., McKinney

Turf: McKinney

What makes it fun: ​Harvest offers a selection of Texas wines, beers, and whiskeys. The simplicity is great, and fresh makes it better – the chicken fried steak and deviled eggs look mighty fine.

Categories: Fun Food 

9. Dorothy’s Kitchen Table – Denton

best-farm-to-table-restaurants-near-me

Built around the concepts of wholesome food and neighborly community, Dorothy’s Kitchen Table is truly a gem in the farm-to-table niche. Fueled by the community and volunteers, this restaurant and meeting space in a little pink house truly puts it money where its mouth is when it comes to sustainable agriculture and a commitment to sharing life, love, and food.

Serving breakfast on Tuesdays and Thursdays and dinner on Fridays, this special spot’s ever-changing menu uses organic veggies from nearby Earthwise Gardens, Cardo’s Farm Project, and Clear Creek Natural Heritage Center. Diners are invited to pay-what-you-can, giving supporters the opportunity to deliver valuable backing to the local food movement.

Location: 511 Robertson St., Denton

Turf: Denton

What makes it fun: ​​Saturday community events and many volunteering opportunities let you be a part of the movement and Dorothy’s mission. Chefs can apply to be a lead chef for one of their scheduled meals.

Categories: Fun Food 

Have you tried any of these spots, or do you have a favorite that should be shared? Let us know in the comments below.

0/5 (0 Reviews)