Nestled in the Design District, this cozy spot serves vibrant global fare with a Mexican twist, perfect for special occasions and unforgettable experiences.
"A live fire in the courtyard entrance. Wrought-iron fixtures and earth-toned tiles everywhere. Khruangbin is playing. When restaurants traffic in vibes, the food usually takes a backseat. That’s not the case at El Carlos Elegante. The menu hop-scotches across Mexico, offering everything from caviar-topped beef tartare to luscious chicken mole. The $99 tasting menu is a rundown of the greatest hits, including chilled crab claws and the El Machete, a large blue corn tortilla stuffed with wagyu and cut to order at the table. Meanwhile, cocktails like the La Famosa (sotol, blood orange, Strega, and Aperol) transport you to a patio in Mexico City." - Rosin Saez
"This Mexican fine dining spot draws inspiration from Indigenous cultures, Mexico City street foods, and the family recipes of its kitchen staff, who hail from all over Mexico. It also has one of the most elegantly designed dining rooms in the city — trio of rooms, actually, as the restaurant is broken into three distinct spaces. Go for the chef’s tasting menu, and let them curate your plates and drinks. The staff are well-trained and fully capable." - Courtney E. Smith
"El Carlos Elegante, which comes from the same team behind Sister, The Charles, and Cafe Duro, reminds us of a high-end Mexico City restaurant. There’s a brilliant mezcal menu, killer cocktails, and an in-house masa program that uses Indigenous techniques for all corn-based plates. Their specials change seasonally, but a recent stand out was the lengua-filled quesadilla with oaxaca cheese that comes with pickled giardiniera and dense, rich mole. But you can’t leave without trying their classics like the pork al pastor and the Mayan hummus. If you’re dining solo, order a few things from their single-serving One Hitter menu, like the tiny garbanzo sope with lime-laced carrot slaw. " - lee escobedo, gabe bergado, emily smith
"Regular Eater Dallas readers already know this was our restaurant of the year for 2023 in the Eater Awards. Need we say more?" - Courtney E. Smith
"We are sprung on this tropical marg made with pineapple, coconut, and Fresno chiles. It pairs well with the hacienda atmosphere of this elevated Mexican restaurant." - Eater Staff
