Dallas’ diverse population is reflected in more than 10,000 restaurants, four times more per capita than New York City. Dallas is an ethnic melting pot offering authentic dining from around the world—the possibilities here are virtually endless. If variety is the spice of life, then the Dallas restaurant scene is on fire.

Chicken-fried steak is listed on many menus as “CFS”; it’s a Texas tradition and practically a food group of its own. Traditionally, this dish is known as a way to prepare a tough cut of beef by beating it to tenderness, batter-coating it, frying it in the same way as chicken and serving it with cream gravy made from pan drippings. Some high-class chefs prefer to make the dish with sirloin (though most of the time it is made with round steak) and everyone has his or her own secret recipe, each claiming it to be the best.

It may be hard to believe that Dallas was never really a cattle-drive kind of city given its plethora of steakhouses. Within the West End’s multi-block radius lie The Butcher Shop and The Palm, both of which serve some of the most superb beef this side of the Mississippi. Numerous chain restaurants also have establishments here, including Texas Land and Cattle, Hoffbrau, Outback and Traildust, all offering traditional Texas favorites in a casual atmosphere.

Some of the best upscale steakhouses are located in Addison/North Dallas, including Del Frisco’s, Morton’s of Chicago and Stone Trail. Chamberlain’s Steak and Chop House, located on Belt Line Road in Addison, is named for chef/owner Richard Chamberlain, whose passion for fine cooking has led him to such prestigious culinary positions as Executive Sous Chef at the highly acclaimed Mansion on Turtle Creek in Dallas and the renowned Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles. The menu features various steak options as well as veal, chicken, pork and seafood entrees that are equally well prepared.

Both Deep Ellum and Greenville Avenue offer a range of eclectic dining options. There is something from everyone, as the enormous variety of cuisines ranges from sushi to Tex-Mex and everything in between. Monica Aca y Alla adds a unique twist to Mexican food and salsa dancing, while Blue Goose’s famous “swirls,” margaritas and Mexican food choices draw crowds daily. Deep Ellum Cafe serves new American selections, and Deep Sushi is perfect for those with a penchant for raw fish.

If you’d like a little entertainment while enjoying an upscale dining atmosphere, try Sambuca Mediterranean Jazz Cafe in Deep Ellum, which fills your tummy with Mediterranean food and soothes your soul with live jazz nightly. On a lighter note, The Angry Dog provides burgers, hot dogs and beer in a casual atmosphere, while Baker’s Ribs has delectable barbecue. Further running down the list of choices in the area, The Flying Saucer is a fanciful beer and bratwurst emporium; Liberty specializes in Oriental-style noodles with a contemporary flair and Daddy Jack’s lobster melts in your mouth. Gloria’s is a favorite for those interested in South American cuisine, while Snuffer’s has world-class cheese fries and burgers and St Martin’s Restaurant’s cozy, romantic. Terilli’s is popular for Italian and jazz. Finally, Cafe Izmir offers a unique dining experience on Greenville Avenue.

Meanwhile, dining in Uptown runs from ultra-classy to down-home and casual. Old Warsaw (The), built in 1948, and Hotel St. Germain offer old-world dining elegance, while Cork specializes in wines, cheeses and appetizers. Avanti offers tantalizing Italian food, plus a moonlight breakfast with live jazz from midnight to 4am Thursday-Saturday. Bread Winners Bakery and Cafe is great for breakfast, lunch or dinner, and Jennivine’s offers an intimate English setting for lunch or dinner. Rounding out the Uptown area’s highlights are Rooster, which puts a new American twist on Southern cooking, and The Dream Cafe, a place dedicated to delicious, wholesome, organic dishes.

East Dallas’ Lakewood area offers La Dolce Vita, a delightful restaurant specializing in new American food, while Matt’s Rancho Martinez is a Dallas favorite for Tex-Mex extra ordinaire.

While in the Knox/Henderson area, choose from the Highland Park Pharmacy’s lunch counter for grilled cheese, Anzu for sushi, Aqua Knox for very different seafood, Taqueria Pedritos for Mexican, Sipango’s for dancing and dining, Cafe Madrid for tapas and Starbucks for coffee.

Irving also has a lot of variety to offer, both to business travelers and families. Po Melvin’s offers Louisiana Cajun home cooking dishes such as Jalapeno cornbread and spicy roast beef, and Ruen Thai’s original recipes are mouth-wateringly good. Mustang Cafe features a breathtaking view of Mustang Square in Las Colinas and an eclectic American grill menu, while Joe’s Coffee Shop is a locals’ hangout that may have originated the “power” breakfast. Café Cipriani serves fine Italian cuisine in an elegant setting; Jinbeh allows you to choose between Japanese Hibachi cooking and sushi; and Via Real provides upscale Tex-Mex cuisine. Finally, Cool River Cafe draws crowds as much for its people-watching as it does for its steak and seafood.