Photo courtesy of Joey Held.
Lyla is a newer addition to the Dallas restaurant scene, but this Mediterranean-inspired location has quickly become a hotspot. Here’s what it’s really like.
If you find yourself dreaming of a Mediterranean vacation, you don’t necessarily need to book that flight across the ocean. Just visit Lyla, Dallas’s trendiest new restaurant that features a mix of Mediterranean staples and creative twists on classic dishes.
Sure, you won’t be able to dip your toes into the water, but we’re focused on cuisine here. And in that regard, Lyla delivers exceptionally well.
Here’s how my visit went.
Photo courtesy of Joey Held.
How’s the food at Lyla?
I silently cursed myself for only having one stomach because so many things on the menu grabbed me. Lyla was participating in Dallas’s Restaurant Week, though I opted for a different appetizer-main-dessert selection.
Lamb Meatballs
Photo courtesy of Joey Held.
This visit was my first taste of Lyla’s, and it’s a good taste. The lamb meatballs come in a plate of five, without scrimping on size, sprinkled cheese, or sauce. The hint of mint is a refreshing breeze against the kick of the sauce.
When I was enjoying these, I was the only one around me who had ordered them. I was winning dinner up to that point.
Lobster Cannelloni
Photo courtesy of Joey Held.
I asked my server how this dish was, and he said it was a great choice if I liked creamy dishes. He was not kidding—this pasta is served in an incredibly thick sauce.
However, the sauce isn’t overpowering, and everything is highly delicious. I was also delighted to discover a surprise halved pickled grape tomato alongside a bite of lobster. That’s a combo I probably wouldn’t have put together in the kitchen, and it was a refreshing burst of flavor.
Hazelnut Heaven
An inside look at Lyla, the trendiest restaurant in Dallas
Did I have room for dessert? Not at all! But sometimes, you spot something on the menu before ordering and mentally tell yourself you must try it. Luckily, I was not let down.
Despite the copious amounts of chocolate ingredients, this dessert wasn’t overbearingly sweet, and the fruit and peanuts were both delectable pairings.
The Olive Branch
Photo courtesy of Joey Held.
If I told you to list non-alcoholic components of cocktails, how many things would you name before you got to pistachio? What about olive oil? Both of these ingredients are part of The Olive Branch, alongside basil and vodka.
I’m glad I tried it because of its uniqueness. I would have ordered a different cocktail for round two, though.
A charming indoor ambiance
It’s clear Lyla is leaning into being a trendy restaurant. Upon walking inside, you’ll spot an enormous “Lyla” sign on the wall with significant space underneath. I didn’t see anyone posing, though there’s ample room to snap a selfie before settling in for your meal. It’s a cute photo for you and easy promotion for them.
I get why people would want to take photos here. The place is stunning. The atmosphere is a mix of modern and cozy, and I want the light fixtures for my house. They’re so cool!
Photo courtesy of Joey Held.
You have two dining options at Lyla: indoors or outside on the veranda. The outdoor option is covered, and when I made my reservation, that appeared to be the only choice available. Thankfully, the hostess was accommodating and cognizant of the approximately 276-degree temperature outside. She led me to a table in the dining room.
My table happened to be right next to a plant. At first, I was worried it would become overbearing, but instead, it offered a more private setting. If you’re looking for a more romantic ambiance, perhaps you can request a table by a plant. I also noticed multiple tables with double-digit people, but no one looked uncomfortable.
That’s a huge selling point for a restaurant like this. It’s going to fill up and have a lot of people in it. Yet, aside from a tiny moment I’ll cover below, I never felt overwhelmed or crowded. The tables are spaced out quite well, and while the pulsating lo-fi beats and restaurant chatter provide some background noise, it still seems like you could have a pleasant conversation with your table.
There’s also mouthwash in the bathroom. It’s an underrated but always welcome addition, and I like that it’s DIY, so you don’t have to clumsily fumble around an attendant.
The accommodating Lyla staff
I mentioned the kind hostess before, though everyone I interacted with was pleasant. My server had the right mix of friendly chatter and knowledge about the menu, and his chuckle at whatever dumb comment I made about my drink—“Olive oil in a cocktail? Oil give it a try!”—seemed sincere.
Balancing attending to your tables without feeling like you’re hovering can be tricky, though my server nailed it. He also had the table next to me—a 12-person birthday bash—and handled it without panic.
One other bonus: Everyone on the Lyla waitstaff was terrific about refilling water. Could the glasses be larger, to begin with? Sure, but they’re making do with what’s out there.
Notes from people watching
Lyla is a hot destination for date nights and birthday celebrations. Naturally, as a lone diner, my eyes couldn’t help but wander.
Across from me, a couple was on a date, and I was impressed by both of their outfits. The man was successfully pulling off the “pants ending at mid-ankle, boat shoes, no socks” combo. When I’ve tried that, I just ended up with blisters on my feet. The couple ordered the lamb meatballs and devoured them nearly as quickly as I did. They have good taste!
Nearby, there was a table of five that appeared to be a woman in her early 20s celebrating something (a new job or summer graduation?) with her parents, her friend, and a man who arrived later—perhaps an uncle. He was regaling the table with a story that I could only see, not hear, and the celebrating woman had a mixture of amusement and horror on her face. I’m very curious what he was saying.
No one was at the table next to me for much of my meal. As I headed to dessert, however, a table of high-school girls and a pair of chaperones sat down. They were surprisingly tame for a large group, and I wish we could all be so pleasant when we dine in parties of a dozen. The biggest distraction was the birthday girl’s mom, who was sitting with her husband at another table. She kept coming over to snap pictures that nobody seemed eager to pose for, though I applaud the mom for wanting to capture a cherished memory. I had to hold the applause when she nearly backed into my table, trying to fit everyone into the frame, but still, a valiant effort. Maybe I should have offered to move so she could have gotten a nicer wide shot.
Is Lyla worth it?
Sometimes, restaurants like Lyla get overhyped and are just an expensive opportunity to post pretty dishes on Instagram or TikTok that don’t taste all that great. That was not my experience—and I’ll probably forget to post on Instagram, anyway.
Lyla is definitely worth a visit. Just make sure you bring your appetite. There’s plenty to try, after all.
Lyla Location:
3309 McKinney Ave
Dallas, TX 75204
Hours:
Monday-Wednesday: 4 – 10 pm
Thursday: 4-11 pm
Friday: 4 pm-midnight
Saturday: 11 am-midnight
Sunday: 11 am-10 pm
Parking:
$7 valet all day
This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
