11 Appetizers in Dallas I Could Live Off Of

I don’t know if it’s me trying to stay skinny or just the fact that I prioritize getting drunk over stuffing face on the weekends — but I’m 100% an appetizer girlie. An expert, if you will. Give me a table full of small plates and friends who don’t mind sharing, and I’m in my element.

Narrowing this list down wasn't easy, and if your fave didn’t make it —it probably just didn’t deserve to. 😘 A little bougie, a little budget—I tried to keep things balanced between fancy and chill. Let’s get into it: these are my top 11 Dallas apps (no particular order) that you will LOVE or something is seriously wrong with you.

1. Italchos | Terilli's

   I am baffled by how many people I know have never tried these. I have swiped so many people's Italcho V-cards, I'm starting to feel like... questionable. But I do be getting slutty for these. Terilli’s Italchos — aka what I lovingly call “pizza nachos” — are handmade pizza chips topped with their signature red sauce and melted cheese. The best part? You customize the toppings. My go-to: pepperoni and green bell peppers (they chop them up super tiny, and it makes the bite). These are to die for.
   

2. Crispy Rock Shrimp | Maison Chinoise

   I’ve been chasing a rock shrimp this good since my first bite at Nobu... like 10 years ago. Now I get that same top-tier flavor while avoiding the riff raff crowd at Nobu — all thanks to Maison Chinoise. If you haven’t been, go. Everything slaps. Yes, it’s pricey. But if you’re dropping $20 on an app, make it the Crispy Rock Shrimp. It comes hot, crispy, and drenched in a spicy basil aioli that will have you licking the plate. You’re welcome.
   

3. Shrimp Cocktail | TJs Seafood

   TJ’s Shrimp Cocktail has been crowned “best in Dallas” and rightfully so. People weirdly forget about this place, and that’s their loss. The cocktail sauce? Bold. Punchy. Addictive. The shrimp? Fresh and chilled to perfection. Don’t sleep on this classic.

   
   

4. Chicken Meatballs | Honor Bar

   Not much to say here — all you localebrities already know. Dat creamy mustard sauce tho... Mmm...
   

5. Hama Chili | Uchi

   This one’s a certified crowd-pleaser. Uchi’s Hama Chili has held icon status for a reason — thin yellowtail, juicy orange slices, and ponzu that pulls it all together. It’s light, layered, and hits every single time.

   
   

6. Crispy Loaded Potatoes | Local Public Eatery

   Unexpected but deserving. Pulled up to Local Public Eatery on Henderson for football. Stayed for the Crispy Loaded Potatoes that quite literally slapped me in the face with flavor. Thin, salty, stacked with bacon, jalapeños, horseradish aioli (don’t worry, it won’t hurt you), and buried under a parmesan + Grana Padano snowfall. Didn’t know I needed them. Now I can’t stop thinking about them.

   
   

7. Patatas Bravas| Barcelona Wine Bar

   You can never have too many potatoes. I was eating Patatas Bravas weekly for a stretch and somehow never got sick of them — they just hit. Crispy on the outside, soft and steamy inside, these potatoes sit on top of Barcelona’s Salsa Brava (a rich red sauce) with garlic aioli drizzled over the top. Yes, it sounds similar to Local Pub’s version — but the flavor is totally different. Both elite in their own way.
   

8. Salmon Truffle Ponzu + Yellowtail Asian Pear | Otaru

   Don’t panic. We’re venturing outside the bubble a bit... Breathe. Otaru Sushi & Handroll Bar is in Bishop Arts — stay with me. The Salmon Truffle Ponzu and Yellowtail Asian Pear are chef specials, and both are BOMB. The yellowtail is soft and citrusy, with a crisp bite of pear for balance that adds the perfect crunch. The salmon is rich, cleanly cut, and clearly high-quality — drenched in a truffle ponzu so good we kept the remaining sauce to dip our handrolls into.
   

9. French Onion Soup | Knox Bistro Back when Knox Bistro was called Up on Knox (how dare they change the cutest restaurant name ever), their French Onion Soup was a seasonal secret — only in the winter, only at lunch, and only for a few hours. Now it’s on the menu year-round for both lunch and dinner. It’s rich, perfectly salty, and still light. Easily my favorite French onion soup in Dallas. Let’s normalize ordering soup again. 🥄🧅✨
   

10. Toasted Ravioli | Campisi's

Campisi’s is the ultimate hangover hideout. Basically a cave — dark, cold, and ideal for marinating in a sweatshirt mid-day. The Toasted Ravioli is the best kind of comfort food. They look like little empanadas and come with a cup of red sauce for dipping. It’s top-tier finger food. Choose cheese, beef, or both. Hangover handled.

11. SAKE | Bar Colette

One of the best for last... the "SAKE" is Bar Colette's salmon nigiri lathered in yuzu vinaigrette is absolutely divine. Generous on the lemon in the best way, and visually flawless. Originally, this list had 10 appetizers—but after one bite, I came back to edit the blog and make room for this one. It’s just that deserving. Bar Colette is on another level—the quality is ridiculous. I’m doing a whole separate post just for them. Coming soon.