There are several reasons why you'll want to keep Buzzbrews on your radar. For one, it offers an extensive beverage list of brews, lattes, craft beer and wine, plus a stellar food menu that includes everything from savory crepes to burgers, sandwiches, grilled fish and steaks. Secondly, it's within stumbling distance of the AAC. And finally, it's open 24/7 so you can stop in for some solid eats before or after the show. Did we mention that they serve all day breakfast options too? Best of all, most everything on the menu is priced under $15.
Recommended for Restaurants near American Airlines Center because: Buzzbrews is the best place to go when you want to eat on the cheap at any hour of the day.
Ilene's expert tip: Happy Hour is offered every day from 3 - 7 p.m., and all day on Tuesday. Save $1 on all beer and wine and 20% off bar snacks.
Anchoring the ground floor of a renovated circa-1927 schoolhouse, Saint Ann is arguably one of Dallas' most popular places to hang out. Sure, it churns out a terrific lineup of modern American fare, ranging from charcuterie to mushroom truffle pizzas and chicken fried ribeyes. And the libations are top-notch as well. But the biggest draw is the patio. And a stunning patio it is, complete with lush greenery, fire pits, life-size chess sets and twinkling lights. It's about as close to an oasis as you can get while still being smack dab in the middle of the city. Speaking of close, the restaurant happens to be within a 10-minute walk from the AAC.
Recommended for Restaurants near American Airlines Center because: Saint Ann is the perfect place if you're looking for a trendy spot with upscale bites and booze.
Ilene's expert tip: Score $4 craft beers, $3 domestics, $6 house cocktails and wines plus $6 bites during Happy Hour, from 4-7 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
Just steps from Saint Ann's, this laid-back French bistro is a go-to spot any time of the day, but it's an especially good option to consider when you're looking for a reliably good meal before an event at the AAC. Dinner features everything from steak tartare and merguez sausage with fried polenta to moule frites and coq au vin while lunch rocks with lobster rolls and croque madames. Drink options include a thoughtful wine selection by the glass, half-bottle and bottle as well as a succinct list of beer and cocktails. Diners say the butterscotch bread pudding alone is worth the trip.
Recommended for Restaurants near American Airlines Center because: Mercat Bistro is a great place for reasonably priced French fare within walking distance of American Airlines Center.
Ilene's expert tip: Mercat offers 1/2 off select bottles of wine every Tuesday from 5-7 p.m.
Home to Dallas' largest rooftop terrace, this huge restaurant-bar has it all: killer skyline views; back yard games, solid bites (think: nacho towers, artisan sandwiches, flatbreads, steaks and crab mac & cheese) and a stellar beverage list that includes family-style cocktails, wines on tap and over fifty selections of beer. Not to mention, this spot is only a 10-minute walk from the AAC, plus it stays open until midnight during the week and 2 a.m. on weekends, giving you a good excuse to stop by before and after the game. Bonus perk: They have a DJ in the house spinning tunes every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night.
Recommended for Restaurants near American Airlines Center because: Happiest Hour is where to go when you want light bites and cocktails in a buzzy environment.
Ilene's expert tip: Enjoy $3.50 domestic pints as well as $5 house wines, wells, and frozens during Happy Hour, from 4 - 6 p.m., Sunday through Friday.
Moroccan-Mediterranean cuisine is what's going down at Medina Oven, a sexy, dimly lit spot tucked away in the urban area of Victory Park. The offerings run the gambit from dips and mezzes to grilled brochettes, wood-fired pizzas (think kefta, caramelized onions and mozzarella) pastillas and tagines. Be sure to order a specialty cocktail, which includes Mediterranean twists on martinis, mojitos and margaritas. The orange blossom créme brulée is also a must. The best part? Most everything on the dinner menu rings in at $20 or less. It's easy to see why this place is packed nearly every night.
Recommended for Restaurants near American Airlines Center because: When you want to add a little spice to your evening out, Medina Oven & Bar is the place to go.
Ilene's expert tip: Best bets on getting a table here are to reserve online with Open Table in advance. Note that there's valet parking offered during events at American Airlines Center.
Newly opened in Victory Park, this Los Angeles-based chain, founded by Tokyo restaurateur Tomonori Takahashi, churns out what's arguably some of the best ramen in the city. The secret lies within the absurdly rich stocks which are all (meat and vegetarian) slowly simmered for more than ten hours. There are 13 signature ramen offerings as well as the option to build-your-own from five kinds of broth and 30 different toppings. Aside from ramen, diners can also dig into Asian-inspired snacks plus a variety of rice bowls and salads. Bonus points for daily happy hours and staying open until midnight on weekends.
Recommended for Restaurants near American Airlines Center because: Jinya is ideal when you have both meat-eaters and vegetarians in tow.
Ilene's expert tip: Score select libations and snacks for $4-$6 during Happy Hour, offered from 3-6:30 p.m. daily.
Everything is bigger in Texas, and this cavernous, 25,000-square-foot sports bar and restaurant is a perfect example. Located within spitting distance from the south entrance of American Airlines Center, Hero boasts a 540-seat dining area complete with two full-service bars, an old-school gaming arcade and a Bullzerk store which offers custom t-shirts. And that's just the half of it. There's also an indoor/outdoor bar area which houses an additional 560 seats, 3 full-service bars and a massive 24-foot screen for game watching. As for food, the restaurant caters all the Dallas Stars practices, so expect healthy options such as build-your-own bowls alongside burgers, sandwiches, tacos and mains like roasted chicken and steak frites. To drink, there's a lengthy list of wine, craft beer, cocktails and frozen libations.
Recommended for Restaurants near American Airlines Center because: Hero is the best place for groups, plus it offers something for every type of palate and budget.
Ilene's expert tip: Score free parking when you park in the lot across from the W Hotel. Just make sure to get the restaurant to validate your ticket.
Local favorite Mesero has recently opened this sleek new spot in Victory Park, and with it comes a slew of tasty cocktails along with an extensive Mexican and Tex-Mex inspired menu. Expect to find nachos, queso dips and quesadillas as well as a variety of tacos and enchiladas. Hits include grilled chicken with cheddar chipotle grits, and the Rose Burger (yes, a burger), which was rated as a top burger in Texas by Texas Monthly. Don't skip out on the Cinco Leches cake. Also worth noting are the churros pancakes offered during weekend brunch.
Recommended for Restaurants near American Airlines Center because: Mesero is where to go for elevated South of the Border favorites.
Ilene's expert tip: Mesero offers $2 off all cocktails and $2 off all appetizers during Happy Hour; from 3 to 5 p.m., Monday-Thursday.
This spacious Victory Park stunner from veteran restaurateur and award-winning chef, Kent Rathbun, features a sushi bar headed up by Nobu alum Jimmy Duke, and a menu packed with sharable Pan-Asian goodies. Find everything from honey-soy glazed Korean fried chicken and tempura lobster shooters to Wagyu short rib potstickers and lamb samosas. Also, keep an eye out for exotic options like tempura king crab rolls with truffle wasabi mayo, and spicy yellowtail sashimi served over crispy forbidden rice. No matter what you order, be sure to get the hibiscus infused sake sangria. Don't sleep on the crispy pork belly Brussels sprouts, either.
Recommended for Restaurants near American Airlines Center because: Imoto is where to go when you want terrific Asian fare in a classy setting.
Ilene's expert tip: Imoto offers Happy Hour (in the lounge) all day on Monday as well as from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday-Friday. There's also reverse Happy Hour from 9 p.m. to closeâ" Monday-Friday, and from 10 p.m. to close on Saturday.
Cementing Victory Park as Dallas' trendiest new dining destination is Billy Can Can, a handsome, wood and taxidermy adorned eatery modeled after a late-19th-century saloon. The restaurant comes by way of Tristan Simon (the same guy who transformed Henderson Avenue into a restaurant hotspot) and offers a seasonal, locally sourced menu focusing on modern Texas cuisine. We're talking everything from venison tartare and crispy oyster sliders to hot fried quail, wild boar pasta and giant tomahawk steaks. Drink-wise, there's a stellar lineup of inspiring cocktails as well as a curated list of Texas wines and craft beer. Not to be missed are the churros with warm chocolate mole dipping sauce.
Recommended for Restaurants near American Airlines Center because: Billy Can Can is where to go for inventive cocktails and mouthwatering steaks.
Ilene's expert tip: Score all Texas wines (and all Texas beers, and most Texas spirits) for half-price plus specially priced appetizers and free duros during Texas Tea Happy Hour, Monday through Friday from 5 to 7 p.m.