Went the The Kitchen Cafe last night for the first time. Already making plans to go back! We enjoyed the music, the ambience was very nice, but the food was amazing! Salads were fresh and so tasty, and we had the pork tenderloin with mashed potatoes and veggies, and everything was absolutely perfect. This place is a gem! read more

Service is terrible. Menu is very limited (2-3 entrees). Took our order for 2 drinks. Received them 20 minutes later. Never checked back to see if we wanted to order foo or a second drink. read more

Awesome place to listen to jazz music! Food is well prepared and delectable. Great ambiance for a date night or a late night night cap:) If you're a fan of intimate live music and cozy atmospheres, THe Kitchen Cafe in Dallas is an absolute must-visit. From the moment you step inside, you're enveloped in a warm, inviting environment that's perfect for unwinding with great music, food, and drinks. Atmosphere: The ambiance is what really sets it apart. The café exudes a laid-back, intimate vibe, with dim lighting, exposed brick walls, and comfortable seating that makes it feel like you're in a friend's living room--if your friend happens to have amazing taste in music! The soft glow of candles on tables and the close-knit setup create an atmosphere that feels personal and welcoming, perfect for an evening of relaxation or a night out with friends. Service: The service her exceptional. The staff is friendly, attentive, and always on point without being intrusive. They're knowledgeable about the drinks and food menu, and they make great recommendations if you're unsure of what to order. It's clear that the team here values the guest experience, and that makes the visit even more enjoyable. The owners, Tony and Lisa are always there and very welcoming too! Jazz Music: The main attraction is, of course, the jazz. They hosts a mix of local talent and visiting artists, and the quality of performances is top-notch. Whether you're catching an up-and-coming local talent or a seasoned jazz veteran, the music always feels fresh and exciting. The acoustics of the space are perfect for jazz, allowing the smooth tones of saxophones, trumpets, and bass to fill the room without overpowering conversation. It's an ideal spot for music lovers, whether you're a jazz aficionado or simply someone who appreciates live music. Overall Experience: What really makes this place stand out is its ability to create a perfect harmony of great music, stellar service, and a cozy environment. It's a place where you can enjoy a night out in the city while feeling like you've discovered a hidden gem. If you're ever in Dallas and in the mood for some live jazz, this café should be on your list. It's the kind of spot you'll return to again and again, not just for the music but for the vibe and the people. Looking forward to listening to more great music this year!!!! read more

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I think the food and the live music made up for the lack of service. We had reservations and were sat immediately, asked for our drink orders but they didn't have White Zin (from menu) nor any raspberry cocktail. We ordered Chardonnay, and it never came until the food arrived and we had to ask again for our wine. They also brought us both the same dish even though my boyfriend ordered the shrimp meal. They only have 3 entree options, and although they have other dessert options, they said they only had the lemon cake. For such a small menu, they should be able to have those few items. The service is lacking for a $150 bill. The food tasted great, the ambiance is really nice, quaint, small and intimate. The live music was a blues band and they were great! Hopefully they do better with service to keep this place open. It seemed there were only 2 waiters in the place. read more

The Kitchen Cafe - Chicken pasta - Cafes Near Me - Dallas, Texas

We had a very disappointing experience with The Kitchen regarding their Valentine's Day pricing. We were going to be a party of 6. We were told directly that dinner would be $100 per person, but when we tried to make a reservation the next day, the price suddenly jumped to $125 per person. When we brought the price change to the owner's attention, he claimed he would look into it and call us back. Instead, his wife called and pretended she had dialed the wrong number, acting as if she had no idea what we were talking about. Once we explained the $100 quote, she flat-out refused to honor it. The owner never called back, despite promising he would. At this point, it genuinely felt like the whole routine was staged. $600 plus drinks plus tip for an unassuming strip mall restaurant, we thought was very overpriced but we were going to make it a special night anyway. I guess the owners thought that wasn't enough. Their behavior was rude, dismissive, and showed a complete lack of integrity. If a restaurant fails to uphold its own pricing or communicate transparently with prospective guests, it's not a place we will ever visit. read more

We frequent this establishment for a particular band so we go about once a month. The music is superb and the caliber of performers is unparalleled. The food and service, is a different story. We have opted for having dinner somewhere else first and come for drinks and dessert. The service is slow, sloppy and the food is just not good, but we know that already. This past visit I had a late lunch so I ordered the Cesar salad ($10 and the only salad on the menu) and not only the portion was tiny but incredibly average. We got one round of drinks and were never asked again if we wanted another round. For dessert we orders the tiramisu, the only store bought option on the menu, and arrived served in a glass cup like it was ice cream, for heavens sake, ugh just no. Don't. Please Just slice it and plate it, we are all adults here. Service was slow, we didn't get refills and it took us a lot to flag a sever to take the dirty plates off our table. Sigh, but we keep coming for the great music and quite honestly that's the only one good about this place. 5 stars for music 1 for service and quay of food 2.5 rating read more

$48 ( not including tip)for chicken pasta dish and glass of wine. The $32 for just chicken was pricey especially when chicken wasn't tender , they forgot included grilled veggies and there didn't appear to be any sauce. It was tasteless. This was their Wednesday menu. Another Wednesday I had the pizza which was pricey for the size read more

The Kitchen Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Dallas, Texas

Nice atmosphere and solid wine pour. Great music! It wasn't too loud. Good seating for large and small parties. Great service.

Ok, went for a night out with friends and we decided to visit for the jazz and dinner Our first time there and it was so worth it . Plenty of parking, easy to find. The establishment is sort of small, and the tables are really close together, so be aware, you will be bumping chairs and squeezing between tables and seats. Now the food was excellent, they have a small menu, but the food was delicious. Nothing disappointing. Portions were plenty, so my date and I split a dish. They serve wine and liquor. The stage is small but every seat and table had a good view . Would I recommend this place, of course, can't wait to return. read more

Simple menu, great live jazz music, fun environment. Enjoyed the entire experience. The music was great and the crowd loved it. The food was good and the menu was straight forward and to the point. I liked that the restaurant had a dim lit room the entire time, it really set the mood for some jazz and good music. Would recommend if you are looking to try a different kind of dining experience. It is very personal and overall I had a great time. read more

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I echo what most of the reviews have previously said about this place: 1. Unpretentious in its approach, meaning this is a jazz bar that sells ambience, jazz and food in that order. 2. Very unassuming in a very unassuming location in north Dallas off Preston road. 3. Management participates in delivering the experience because that is what you are here for. "The experience " 4. Nice vibes in this place. The band area is well defined and that sets the mood. It is an intimate space great for date nights. 5. Food is straight forward nothing pretentious and cooked to order. You are not going here for an exotic dinner. 6. The music is the thing. We saw Nelda Washington who has been around town " for years" . She can sing in octaves and is a good piano player. She Can Sing. The backup 3 pieces were equally as good. She said this was the first time playing with them... Highly recommend for good music in an intimate setting. read more

My friend introduced me to Kitchen Cafe...very cool place. Intimate vibe, great music...a very solid place for a date night.

Left wanting more, much more. I understand they need to increase food prices to help cover operations and pay for a portion of the band but....we struggled hard to find a positive comparison to food taste/quality. Some of the food descriptions we came up with (and these are being nice): hospital cafeteria, memory care facility, international business class meal (without the warm nuts), or double portion frozen dinner. It was without doubt, mediocre. But hey - average food, that's fine. You come here for the music. But when the music is also mediocre, it ends up being an extremely mediocre evening out. The staff were friendly, the service above average, and the interior had a really comfy vibe. So there's tons of potential if they could get the food quality better. We left with the same perception: you can have average food if the music is great OR you can have great food with average music. But you can't have very expensive average - that's just not a path to success. We ended up leaving early, headed to a more established jazz club, and had fantastic dessert delivered to the other club. Will absolutely try the Kitchen Cafe again if food quality improves. It's exactly the type of place that belongs in the neighborhood! read more

Celebrated my brother's 21st birthday here! The service and food was great! Nice ambiance with live music! The photos were taken by fnh.photography www.fnhphotography.com/ read more

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My hubby has been here a few times at lunch, but our recent dinner visit for Kitchen Cafe at Night was my first time -- and I sure don't want it to be my last. I had salmon with a maple ginger glaze that was one of the best things I've ever tasted. Owner Tony performed with a group of wonderful musicians. Between the wonderful dinner, the great music and the beautiful decor, it was a night to remember. read more

Wonderful show at the Kitchen Cafe this evening, singing along and loving the James Taylor, CSN, Stephen Stills, night. Brings back great memories and transports us back to the 60's and 70's. A tremendous venue, we're lucking to have such great music in Dallas. The night just got better, the Beatles, Joni Mitchell, Simon & Garfunkel, should not be missed. read more

The Kitchen Cafe - The Kitchen Cafe in North Dallas a real treasure. - Cafes Near Me - Dallas, Texas

I hesitate to post this review as I'm afraid that if the word goes out too broadly, it will become more difficult to get a table. First of all, don't let the unassuming shopping center deter you. This is a charming restaurant with high quality live music for fans of icons such as James Taylor, Frank Sinatra and Aretha Franklin just to name a few. While the menu is limited, you can't go wrong with the entrees they are serving that night and the salads and soups are a great starter. Live music starts at 7:30 and goes through 10 so make sure you dine close to that window. It will make an ordinary Friday or Saturday night that much special. Perfect for date, special occasion or hosting out of town company. read more

Absolutely fantastic, the owner is onsite and personally ensures your visit is perfect. Menu is limited to a few main dishes in order to have fantastic food opposed to a ton of mediocre food. Bands are AMAZING, if you're looking for a date spot, partially a first date, this is a SLAM DUNK!!! Tony is a legend! Call and he will set you up with the perfect reservation. I can't say enough about how good this place is! Hidden gem, as point out in another review, is the perfect description. AMAZING!! read more

So enjoyed the Kitchen Cafe. The music was amazing. This is hidden gem. If you are looking for good food and good music, look no further. read more

The Kitchen Cafe - Drink menu - Cafes Near Me - Dallas, Texas

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We went for the first time because we knew the band that was playing. That was the only good thing about this place. The food is cafeteria level at best but they charge a high end restaurant price. It seemed microwaved as it was chewy and inedible. If this was for the music only I'd give it 5 stars as we enjoyed the band. The cocktails were watered down and the liquor selection was nonexistent. The service was not good. While the servers were friendly they seemed to forget we were there. The place is very very small and it was packed as the band playing that night drew a lot of people as the leader knew a lot of the guests. First and last visit. There was a cover charge of $20 each for this particular band. Seems it's different at other times. So very disappointing. read more

The food was amazing! The atmosphere was great , the music is loud though! Overall , a great place for brunch.

I have enjoyed relaxing while dining at Kitchen Cafe many times and loved it each time. Recently, I had another event for my '40 years in real estate' at Kitchen Cafe' and it was a BIG success! Tony and Lisa, the owners, were extremely helpful in providing great food, service and making sure everything went smoothly! I highly recommend this venue! Five Stars! Geni Manning read more

We visited the Cafe on a Friday night when the band was playing 60's - 70's, music. As a group we ordered a couple of dinner entrees and a couple of desserts, and drinks. Service was prompt, attentive, and professional. The food was great. I ordered the strawberry shortcake dessert and it was the perfect mixture of cake, berries, and whipped cream. It was all delicious, fun, and very enjoyable. Thank you. read more

First time visitors... we were looking for someplace to have a nice date night. GREAT FOOD, Music was awesome, service was excellent We will be back! Thanks Tony for having such a warm and inviting place to come. read more

The Kitchen Cafe - Pre Music Stage - Cafes Near Me - Dallas, Texas

I came here to watch a friend perform, this restaurant is very small and intimate. This is perfect to bring a date to. I ordered the Flatbread, and it was just okay. It was nothing to come back for, but a friend of mine ordered the brisket tacos. She said it was really good. The only downside was they add a $10 cover charge to your bill. I'll come back to support local artists. read more

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Great relaxing atmosphere, friendly staff and delicious food with top-notch live jazz entertainment . They rotate different musicians night. It was a nice experience and good change of pace. Be sure to make a reservation because it fills up fast. read more

delicious food. great owners/managers new years was great. excellent cuisine. entertainment was great!! I look forward to my next visit already. read more

I am SO happy I trusted Yelp reviews on this place! Cute little place tucked away in a retail strip. Candlelight, delicious, simple menu and the live music is great. I wish I'd known about this place when I was dating...it's the perfect atmosphere for budding romance. That being said, it's still great for a married gal too. The owner's band played tonight and he told sweet stories and clearly enjoys what he does. Will definitely be returning with friends! read more

Maybe the best venue in Dallas for straight-ahead jazz and more. The cream of the local crop performs here (including the UNT family and friends), as does owner Tony and his top-notch musician friends. It's almost a sure bet that I'll like the music here. You're likely to see some big names in the audience too. It's that kind of musician's musician place. Food is very good. Not a foodie's destination, but delicious. They have a chocolate dessert that is worth every calorie. Tony and the staff couldn't be nicer. You've got to check this place out. Or not. It's selling out more and more and I need a seat. read more

Tony Hakim owns (and sometimes sings) in this intimate restaurant open Thursday thru Saturday 6:30-10:30 and always excellent entertainers and affordable dinner! read more

The Kitchen has some of the best live jazz you will hear in all of Dallas. Don't miss a chance to hear Tony Hakim the Owner play some unbelievable music as well. The atmosphere and ambiance is first-class. The food is superb. The chicken tortilla soup is the best in the city. You absolutely have to visit The Kitchen. You will be very happy you did. George Sowan read more

I was attempting to go to a Jazz Lounge in Ft. Worth last night to see an artist that is one of my favorites, but unfortunately, the venue was sold out. I was of course disappointed, but I suddenly remembered the Kitchen Cafe... I called for reservations and we had the best table really close to the stage. I had briefly been to the the Kitchen Cafe once last year and didn't really get to experience the food and music the way we did last night and here's my opinion... Tony, the owner and his family and staff provided one of the best date nights in the history of date nights in North DALLAS. The music was phenomenal! Almost three hours of incredible artistry. Really. I'm a fan. The food was equally awesome! Delicious and perfect for a wonderful evening with friends. I can't express enough how good this place was and how thankful I am that I ended up at the Kitchen Table. read more

Such an awesome date night! Music was outstanding! The food was really good excellent service!

Music great, food ridiculously overpriced considering we each paid a cover to walk through the door. I left feeling like I paid too much for a so-so experience. read more

Great place for a first date... the atmosphere was intimate and lovely. I was there for the live jazz music. I ordered the chicken tortilla soup and an aprecio spritzer. My soul was great. I would appreciate a larger quantity. My drink was quite the surprise. A great balance and flavor. I am very satisfied with this venue! Make sure that you get reservations because it's small and cozy! read more

Amazing time as always@ The Kitchen Cafe Dallas ! Everything here is great! To Tony , the Owner, I would love to speak with you in person or on the phone! Let me know asap ! read more

Visited The Kitchen Cafe on Friday night, celebrating my birthday. Hubby and I were pleasantly surprised. A hidden gem. Decor was lovely and intimate. We enjoyed the live jazz band and the food was fantastic. A great date night place or fun spot to hang with friends. We will most certainly visit again. Highly recommend! read more

My husband and I are new in town, we are so glad we found this place. Music is always great, good service and just the right age crowd. Mostly 50+. However this is not the best place for fancy menu. read more

Outstanding jazz, nice atmosphere and good food. Can highly recommend. Make sure to reserve early.

This is a wonderful hidden little gem, In a strip mall in north Dallas with ample parking. However, the interior is simple, elegant and mod. The owner played with another musician Friday night and they made an amazing duo, the rest of the band is to be commended as well, got to hear some Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel and the like. Sound and lighting was great. The meal was absolutely delicious! I highly recommend this place you will be very pleased you went there. It's totally awesome! read more

The Kitchen Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Dallas, Texas