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    Monarch

    4.2 (990 reviews)
    Ultra High-EndItalian, Steakhouses, Seafood
    Closed 5:00 pm - 9:30 PM

    Monarch Photos

    MONARCH ATMOSPHERE

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    Trendy
    Intimate
    Romantic
    Classy

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    Recommended Reviews - Monarch

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    Crudo
    Chloe M.

    Can I give this place 6 stars? This place is exceptional. On the 49th floor of the National building downtown Dallas with great views overlooking the city. Fine dining with a dress code. No flip flops, jeans, athleisure, ball caps, or t-shirts. Men should wear a collard shirt, nice pants, and dress shoes. Several men were in suits. Several women were in nice dresses and heels. You do not want to show up underdressed. Reservations are recommended. There's the dining room and the lounge (bar area). The lounge serves the full menu but if you're with a group and eating a full dinner go for the dining room. There's a happy hour menu for the lounge which is great if you're looking for small bites and drinks. Everything we ate was spectacular. We focused on pescatarian dishes-oysters, crudo, etc. All pasta is freshly made in house. These aren't large portions. I would not plan on sharing with someone. Our server, Vivian, was phenomenal. Very attentive without being overbearing. She created meaningful conversations and explained menu items. The Sommelier was also very engaging and helpful when we ordered dessert wines (Sauternes, Vin Santo). Beautiful Riedel stemware. Fun tip: the last stall in the ladies room has a big window with a view of the city. Alarming at first but pretty cool. Highly recommend this restaurant if you are downtown Dallas and looking for a luxury meal.

    Yutaka R.

    Elegant, Elevated, Electric atmosphere, food & service. Amazing carpaccio app as well as delicatessen drinks. The mains were phenomenal, beautiful perfect à la Dante pasta & dessert was a delight to say the least.

    Ajea P.

    I came with a big party that chose the chefs selection so I didn't get to check out the steak that my friend always raves about. I wasn't a fan of the chefs selection but the place is really nice, even though we were in a private room, we had a small view in the room. The staff was kind and swift and did help out a lot with ordering last min ribeyes for some of the table, although the kitchen was closed. The desserts were beautiful we were able to try quite a few. I'm not a fan of sweets but I'm sure these would be enjoyable to all! They were good from what I tasted.

    White bean sauce with garlic salt and endives for table.
    Faye I.

    We are really bad at making reservations ahead of time, so the only reservation available for the night we went was 9:15pm; however, we were able to go to the lounge / bar area for some appetizers and drinks earlier before we were seated. The restaurant is beautiful. Located on the 49th floor of the building that shares the Thompson hotel. The restaurant is huge and takes up the entire floor. The lounge / bar area and the first section of the dining room appears a bit crammed and loud, but we were seating in the back where the tables and more spaced out. This place accommodates large groups, and I love the ambiance. While we were waiting for our table, we had the charred octopus as an appetizer. It was a small shareable portion. I enjoyed the puree citrusy sauce it came with along with the candied walnuts that complimented the salty citrusy flavor. We ordered the focaccia bread with whipped ricotta. The ricotta was so light and airy and tasted well with the whipped ricotta. Ricotta was whipped with truffle, honey, and olives on top. Absolutely delightful. For entrees, we ordered Momma's Spicy Rigatoni alla Vodka and Wood Grilled Branzino with a side of garlic whipped mashed potatoes. I'm always a bit hesitant to order fish anywhere because I hate overcooked or dry fish, but the branzino was super moist and tender! I loved the charred skin on the fish as well. The spicy rigatoni tasted as described on the menu - smooth as silk with crispy garlic. The sauce was a bit spicy too, and tasted like very smooth creamy tomato soup but saucy. One of the best sauces I've ever had! The garlic whipped mashed potatoes wasn't too garlicy at all. In fact, it probably could've used more garlic, but it was so smooth and light and ultra buttery. It was a bit on the salty side but overall the whipped potatoes tasted amazing! Overall our experience here was amazing - the food was amazing, the service was good, and the interior / decor of the place looked amazing. I highly recommend.

    View
    Toey W.

    10000/10 The server provided amazing service--honestly some of the best service I've ever experienced. I'll post a few photos of the dishes I liked the most. The starter appetizer was free. I'm a picky eater and usually don't try new things, but this one was actually really good. The Shrimp Scampi Ravioli was quite good in my opinion--the seafood flavor was very clear. But my husband doesn't really like seafood, so he didn't enjoy it. We also had a steak (I forgot the exact name), and the chef's seasoning was excellent. The mocktails were delicious too, but the desserts weren't really my thing.

    Carissa S.

    Round #2! We went to Monarch for my birthday and had a great time celebrating. Of course, the food and drinks are expensive- Monarch does not misrepresent their prices. The appetizers were delicious especially the meatballs and the barata and focaccia! Once again, the ROASTED CHICKEN STOLE THE SHOW! It's incredibly juicy, there's so much food, and I have yet to have a chicken that compares (honestly, that comes even close). While the scallops were enjoyed, they're not the most filling item. My lamb pasta was a smidge colder than fresh. Furthermore, they drinks are always delicious! The little detail of the birthday note was so sweet! The lady waiting our table was super patient. It took use a while to all arrive because of all the events taking place in the hotel.

    Nice sweet selection by the sommelier
    CeCee S.

    Came here for a business dinner and had an incredible experience. We were seated in the Emerald Room deep emerald walls, velvety textures, big picture window, and a large table for our group. Service was fantastic: attentive, friendly, and great with recommendations. I'm not a wine drinker, but the sommelier picked perfect wines that totally won me over. We shared Caesar salad (a bit overdressed), meatballs, prawns, porterhouse, salmon, and a trio of desserts: chocolate raspberry tart, cappuccino cookies, and chocolate cake. Every dish had its own personality and was full of flavor. Overall, a truly luxe, top-notch night. Highly recommend, treat yourself!

    Amanda S.

    MONARCH, you have my heart! Was visiting from out of town and when i tell you this place is immaculate i am not lying! You get a tour of the place whenever you are walking to your seat. The service was incredible and everyone was so nice! Now for the food, let me tell you! AMAZING will go back here everytime I am in Dallas!

    Christina A.

    Full review coming on ig and TikTok @SoVeryLoud So the monarch ! I've seen the reviews and here's mine Cons: you must have a reservation! Even if you have a reservation be prepared to wait 30-1hr after your reservation. You have to pay a hefty price upfront for the window booth ($125 a person at the time of this review ) The waiter got my order wrong twice once for an app and once for my drink . The app was fixed the drink I just let it go The pros: the food is worth the hype it is delicious ! The views are great ! Even the restaurant has views ! Overall the restaurant is just so upscale from the valet to the bathroom The Rissoto is delicious I've become a conscious of rissoto due to Hell's Kitchen lol The scallops are huge ! And of course flavorful The lamb was good potion! The Brussel sprouts stole the show so please order ! Is this an everyday restaurant lol not for my pocket but for special occasions I would splurge on it at least once

    Adriana C.

    I can't believe I hadn't been here yet. From the views, vibes, ambience, aesthetic , Customer service and food it was all amazing! The espresso martini was also delicious which is my go to. We got a filet and the vodka pasta which were soooo tasty. We also got the the whipped feta which was good minus the olives. Service was great!

    Laura M.

    I've waited far too long to give this restaurant a try but mama, we finally made it! We tried Mama's classic spicy rigatoni pasta and thought the flavor was great. The sauce was well seasoned. Service was attentive and friendly despite how busy it got throughout the night. I can see why everyone in Dallas enjoys this view based on my pics. You haveeeee to go

    I took my girlfriend here for her birthday because we had such a great experience the last time we came about two years ago. Back then, the whole evening felt elegant and intentional from start to finish -- the champagne upon arrival, the warm welcome from the entrance all the way up the elevator, and the level of customer service, especially from our waiter. It felt like a genuinely elevated experience, so naturally, we expected that again. Unfortunately, things have clearly changed, and not for the better. The first sign was when we arrived at the Thompson. There was no one there to greet guests or direct anyone, so we had to figure out where the elevator was and basically guess which floor to go to. That may seem minor, but it was one of those details that used to make the experience feel polished. The dress code also stood out. From the time I booked until the day of the reservation, I received multiple texts making sure we acknowledged it. And to be clear, I actually understand that. If a restaurant wants to present itself as elegant and elevated, it makes sense to want guests to match that energy. So we dressed accordingly. But once we got there, it was obvious the dress code was not being enforced at all. On the elevator, a woman got on with us wearing a snapback, an oversized jacket, biker shorts, and bedazzled heels. Again, no judgment, but after all the reminders, I assumed there was no way she was headed to Monarch. She was. Inside, we saw Jordans, t-shirts, baseball caps, and even a completely see-through dress. It made all those repeated dress code texts feel pointless. When we were seated, they put us at a table that could easily fit four to six people, which felt odd for a birthday dinner for two, especially since I had booked a couple of weeks in advance. The service was also lacking. Our waiter was nice enough, but spoke very low and very fast, so it was hard to hear them. On top of that, they would quickly walk away and then be gone for long stretches before returning. I had also let the restaurant know ahead of time that it was my girlfriend's birthday. They brought out a custom printed menu with her name on it, which was a nice gesture. But even that felt like a downgrade. The one they gave her looked noticeably cheaper than the one they gave me on my birthday two years ago. Smaller photo, less detail, no nice border -- just another sign that corners had been cut. As for the food and drinks, my girlfriend's French 75 was honestly the best thing we had all night. The lasagna was decent, but not worth the price. The branzino was cooked well but had almost no flavor, so we sent it back and replaced it with the salmon. When we got home and tried the salmon, it was incredibly bland too -- zero salt, zero pepper, no real seasoning at all. The risotto had decent flavor, but the texture was gritty and seemed slightly undercooked. The asparagus was fine, but nothing special. Overall, the restaurant quality, food quality, and customer service have all gone down. For the prices they charge, those things should be the baseline. I would not recommend it based on this experience.

    Happy Hour Menu
    Shenell E.

    Perfect spot for an upscale happy hour or celebratory dinner! The bar and lounge is open/first come seating (which is gives a lot of availability on Sundays as its typically slow then). I went for the happy hour which I believe runs Sunday - Friday from 5 - 6:30p. I had oysters which are $2 each during happy hour (such a steal) and their Titos Martin - both were exceptional and my amazing servers made sure I had a great dining experience. To put the cherry on top, the view of Dallas alone is visit worthy as the restaurant sit on the 49th floor. Can't wait to go again.

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    Monarch Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Monarch

    I have the address. Is the restaurant on the top floor of a building? Can you request and get a window table for two this Saturday night at 7

    We're on the 49th floor of the National building. While we try to accommodate window requests through general booking, we have a way for you to guarantee a window table. Window booths can be reserved with a $125 per person food & beverage minimum,… Read more

    How's the dress code? Casual as of collard shirt and Khaki?

    Business casual or better. Dress code can be found on their website in the 'About' section. See below:… Read more

    What is the current wine corkage fee? Is corkage allowed at restaurants in the Dallas area?

    Hello, we do not provide corkage service at Monarch.

    Window reservations are 125 per person does it include the food or is it just only for the seating while the food is separate with tax and gratuity because I'm confused on the website that it states that a window reservation partially includes food?

    It’s applied to your dinner. But the $125 is per person. It does not include tax or gratuity.

    How much would I spend on a birthday dinner for my wife if it's just us 2 with no drinks since she is pregnant?

    Go somewhere else's. The food quality does not align with the cost. Better food at Parigis.

    Is the view still good if you don't get a window seat?

    Yes, there still some views from other tables near the window that are wonderful.

    Is it possible to book a table for Saturday?

    If it's not done in advance it's highly unlikely. If you want a window seat it's requires a deposit. I booked my Saturday night dinner about a month in advance.

    Do children have a dress code like ? For adults the website says business casual or better.

    I wouldn't bring children; that is definitely not the vibe.

    Is there soft live music? I.e. Piano music etc.

    No piano music. Just a restaurant with people chatting loudly.

    Do they accept cash?

    Yes they do.

    Do I have make an appointment?

    At least a month or so in advance .

    How much is valet parking?

    It is $10.

    Do you accept walk in?

    I would highly discourage it. The place was full with reservations. You could probably get away with that at Catbird. Monarch does have a bar area and maybe try an extended… Read more

    Any substitutions for meat options if you can't eat pork?

    For the Lasagna, it can be made without pork as long as we know 48 hours in advance. Spicy Rigatoni is another option. Thank you!

    What kind of meat is the bologenese and lasagna have?

    Hello, it is our shortrib (beef and pork) bologenese and meatballs (beef and pork) for the lasagna

    Do you offer gluten-free pasta?

    Hello Kat, regrettably we do not offer gluten-free pasta. However, we do have gluten-free options on our menu.

    Is there a wine list to view anywhere online/is there a good selection of wines?

    Hello Michelle, please email info@monarchrestaurants.com for an updated list of our wine menu. We have a great wine selection!

    Do they ask for ids for age requirement to dine?

    No, They do not. I brought my eight year old.

    Is there stairs you take to it?

    No - elevator. It's on the 49th floor.

    Is there valet?

    Yes

    View All 41 Questions

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    il Bracco

    il Bracco

    (563 reviews)

    $$

    Food was excellent though I don't like everything that's on the menu, everything I tried thus far…read morehas been spot on! Servers here are usually attentive and friendly. My server today was Princess and she exceeded my expectations . I am so happy I came in today!

    SERVICE: At…read moreapproximately 6:15pm on Thursday, March 5, 2026, we stopped by Il Bracco. The restaurant was very full, and we only planned to quickly grab a decaf cappuccino and some bread at the bar. I am 36 weeks pregnant. There was one open seat at the bar, and the two people sitting on either side were with other guests and did not appear to be leaving anytime soon. I asked the gentleman who had just stood up if he had closed his tab, and he confirmed that he had. Based on that, and the hostess directing us toward the bar, I sat down while my partner stood next to me. When we went to order a cappuccino, the male bartender immediately told us the bar had a waitlist and that the seat was "reserved." There was no reserved sign, and the guest had literally just vacated the seat. I explained that I was only grabbing a quick cappuccino and would not be there long. I even said, "No problem, I won't be here long," and made my intentions clear. Instead of working with that, he told me he would have to ask me to get up. I would have been perfectly happy to move once the party arrived or if the seat was actually needed. However, the interaction was handled abruptly and without basic courtesy or flexibility. What makes this more disappointing is that we had actually enjoyed the restaurant a few nights earlier. During that visit, Ashley took care of us and she was an absolute gem--warm, attentive, and exactly what great hospitality should feel like. I would highly recommend sitting with her. I had even met one of the investors during that visit. While I don't frequent Il Bracco regularly, I do know many people in the Dallas hospitality industry, including owners and operators, and situations like this are exactly the kinds of service breakdowns we discuss so they can avoid them in their own restaurants. Unfortunately, after this interaction, I will not be returning. The bartender's approach to guest interaction and basic hospitality needs serious attention. Good luck guys!

    Enoteca Italia - Sunday special ravioli

    Enoteca Italia

    (301 reviews)

    $$$

    Oak Lawn

    we came here on valentine's day and first off the service was impeccable. staff was really friendly…read moreand it definitely was one of the best experiences i've had. the place was very tidy, clean and pretty too. there was also a convenient parking garage so that was nice. for food, we got the calamari and focaccia which were both really good. and entrees we got the tortellini carbonara and seafood linguini which were both really good as well. portion sizes were decent compared to a lot of higher end restaurants. overall would come again great restaurant

    I've had this place on my list to go to for a long time and I finally made it out to meet with a…read morefriend. Overall it was a really nice time, but it didn't start out that way. To begin, I would not recommend using their valet even though it is free, because they seem to only have one person working it so it takes forever for them to take your car. We had to wait for over 10 minutes for the valet guy to come back to his post, meanwhile I'm stopped in the middle of the street with car having to drive around me. It would have been much faster to just park in their garage which is also free for I think 2 hours once validated by the restaurant. The valet also didn't have a system for keeping track of the cars, no key tag, number to text, or anything, he just asked for my name and said he would remember me. That didn't seem like the safest process to me. Not to mention, when we picked our car up he just gave me the key to drive it off from the space myself instead. Valet aside, the restaurant was really nice inside and had good balance of not quite fine dining, but also not too casual, which is what I was looking for. They also decorated for the holidays and the red bows overhanging were a nice touch. As an Italian restaurant, they had plenty of pasta options however our entire table decided to go with the waitress recommended Pollo Parmesan. I think we all were interested in the fact that it contained both red and white sauce, so it allowed us to have the best of both worlds. I wasn't sure how it would mix well at first, but it ending up complementing each other nicely. Lastly, the ladies also appreciate that they provided a bag hanger for their purses. I would like to come back to try their other dishes, I just won't waste time using valet again.

    Via Triozzi - Lasagna

    Via Triozzi

    (159 reviews)

    Lower Greenville

    Came here for dinner with a friend and overall it was a good experience. Food came out hot and the…read moreportions were enough to fill you up.

    This place is truly something special. Came in with my family on a Sunday night. From the moment…read moreyou walk in, the space feels cozy, warm, and so thoughtfully designed - perfect ambiance for a great night out. Free valet out front so parking was easy. But what really made the experience unforgettable was our server, Leigh. She went above and beyond in every way possible. She didn't just explain the menu- she told a story. From the background of the owner to the details of each dish, you could tell how much care and passion went into everything. She checked in at all the right moments, made sure we had everything we needed, and genuinely cared that we loved each bite. And the food... wow. It transported me to Italy. We started with the arugula salad with bresaola dressed with lemon - super refreshing - paired with the arancini. The bread dipped in the sauce was insane: perfectly crisp on the outside, with rich, flavorful rice inside. We shared the triangoli ravioli stuffed with ricotta and topped with mushroom, hazelnut, and parmesan, and it was incredible. The hazelnut added the perfect crunch and nutty depth. Then came the tagliatelle with wagyu bolognese--perfectly balanced, rich, and made even better with clearly homemade pasta. We finished savory dishes with the veal saltimbocca, and I swear it made me feel like I was sitting in Rome. The sauce was incredible, and the sage really brought everything together. But the true showstoppers? Dessert. My Italian grandma said the cannolo was the best she's ever had - and that says everything. Light, crisp, and not overly sweet. Then the chocolate dessert with olive oil and sea salt... I went in for two bites and somehow finished the entire thing without realizing. Easily the best chocolate dessert I've ever had. This place is out of this world. Would order all of these dishes again. In a city full of restaurants, this is one I will come back to every single time I'm in Dallas. Absolutely 5 stars. Brava.

    Barsotti’s - Pasta with clams in a spicy red sauce

    Barsotti’s

    (104 reviews)

    Barsotti's sits gracefully on a corner in North Oak Lawn. Don't let its casual appearance fool…read moreyou--there's some seriously good Italian dining happening inside. I visited on a Wednesday evening with a comfortably moderate crowd; on busier nights you may want a reservation. I started with the fried calamari and a glass of wine. Service was quick, attentive, and happy to offer food and wine pairing suggestions. For dinner I ordered the tortellini vodka, which was perfectly seasoned with a rich, flavorful sauce. Barsotti's is absolutely worth a visit. Casual yet elegant, right in the heart of North Oak Lawn.

    Wow. Worst service ever. Our waiter "greeted" our table with "shall I get you a bottle and five…read moreglasses?" Presumably meaning wine, but we were considering cocktails and a bit confused by the question. He said "I'll come back when you're ready," and disappeared for the first of many long absences. From the beginning it felt like we were ruining his life. He was cheerless and curt and wouldn't make eye contact with anyone. It would be more understandable if the restaurant was super busy or understaffed. But this was Monday at 6 pm. We listed a birthday on the reservation, but it wasn't acknowledged. Why bother to ask if we are celebrating? We waited for empty plates and glasses to be cleared between courses. We waited a long time for him to return so we could order a second glass of wine. Even longer for the plates to be cleared and longer still for the opportunity to order dessert...a piece of cake for the birthday girl and two after dinner drinks...but the drinks weren't picked up from the bar when the cake was delivered, and only remembered when we asked for the check. We watched him pick them up (well after the cake was consumed) on his way to leave the bill. No mention that they had been overlooked, no thank you, no good night. This was our first time at Barsotti's and it will be our last. Aside from the awful service, we had issues with the food as well. The veal was pounded paper thin and fried hard resulting in a tough, chewy texture similar to dried beef or jerky. It was dry and overcooked on two different dishes. On a more positive note, we enjoyed the fried ravioli appetizer and the redfish was fine. While our waiter was largely MIA and unpleasant when he did show up, the bus boy/assistant was gracious and attentive. Maybe he was trying to compensate for his colleague. BTW, the offensive employee was in his late 40s to mid 50s with a slight build and salt and pepper hair.

    La Stella Cucina Verace - Beet Salad

    La Stella Cucina Verace

    (255 reviews)

    $$$

    Arts District, Downtown

    Fabulous Ambiance: 5…read moreService: 5 Food : 5 The food was just amazing! I had a gnocchi dish's it was outstanding the pasta was cooked perfectly and the sauce was full of flavor and just so good. We also shared tiramisu which was fabulous. My friend ordered a different pasta dish and said it was excellent z The ambiance here is very elegant and quiet, making it easy to talk. The sommelier was very thorough and friendly and guided us to a perfect bottle of Pinot Noir. It was a very enjoyable dining experience.

    This could have been an amazing date night. We ordered an expensive bottle of wine, that Mike…read morebrought out on a cart and decanted for us. The decor was swanky and upscale. There was jazzy cocktail music playing in the background. We ordered the caprese salad and it was the best we've ever had. The heirloom tomatoes were sliced paper thin. The pasta was homemade and absolutely delicious (both the tricolor fettuccine in truffle sauce and the anglotti in sage butter sauce). What ruined our evening? The service. Our server, Luca P., basically ignored us all night. We never got the complimentary bread until the end of the meal when we finally got tired of waiting and asked the busser for it (the Italian bread was delicious, fresh out of the oven, but the 3 accompanying butters were underwhelming). The portion sizes didn't make any sense. My husband only had 8 pieces and I had so much I only finished half. We've been to Italy, we understand European plates. But if someone had come to check on us, my husband would have ordered more food (or Luca should have mentioned the small portion when he ordered). Since it's supposed to be a fine dining establishment, we expected to have a manager check on us. That never happened. This was NOT a $360 dining experience (which was our bill for the worst customer service we've ever experienced).

    Monarch - italian - Updated May 2026

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