City Guide / Dallas

Dallas Neighborhood Guide: Irving

By Bri Hand | Jul 27, 2021
Convention Center in Irving, Texas

If you’re planning on moving to Dallas, TX, you’re likely trying to figure out the best neighborhoods in Dallas, and which one would be the right fit for you.

Irving, Texas, is a popular suburb in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex and includes top neighborhoods such as the upscale Las Colinas and Valley Ranch. Fun fact: This Dallas County city used to be the home to the Dallas Cowboys at the historic Texas Stadium, but the Texas team moved to the AT&T Stadium in Arlington in 2009. 

Thinking about moving to Irving, TX? Here’s our guide to the best restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores, outdoor attractions, gyms, nightlife, and transportation in the neighborhood.

Where to go out to eat in Irving, Texas

Get a classic taste of Texas at The Ranch at Las Colinas, a local steakhouse with a comfortable atmosphere and live music on the weekends. Try the Texas Shrimp Cocktail Tostadas before diving headfirst into one of the restaurant’s many steaks. Bruno’s Ristorante is another popular eatery in the area for seafood and steak. 

With more than 150 items on the menu, 54th Street Restaurant & Drafthouse is sure to have something you’ll love, no matter how many times you swing by. We recommend the mouth-watering Tequila Wrappers and Tater Kegs appetizers. 

Via Real Restaurant dazzles Texans with delicious Southwestern cuisine for lunch and dinner. This is a great spot for a brunch date, with bottomless mimosas on the menu!

Where to get groceries in Irving, Texas

This Texas community has a variety of grocery stores to choose from, including Whole FoodsKrogerTom ThumbALDI, and a Walmart Supercenter. If meat’s on the menu, FARM2COOK should become your go-to place to grab fresh chicken, beef, lamb, and goat.

This city is also home to multiple Indian grocery stores, including Swadeshi PlazaPatel Brothers, and SaRiGaMa Indian Supermarket & Halal Meat

Where to get coffee in Irving, Texas

There are multiple Starbucks locations throughout the city to choose from, as well as local coffee shops to explore. Get your caffeine fix at United Coffee House, which has a fantastic coffee and food selection with ice coffee, frappes, and various tasty sandwiches. 

Pax & Beneficia Coffee specializes in Turkish coffee and features a variety of espresso drinks, teas, and coffee. 

Cuppa Espresso Bar serves classic coffee as well as specialty espresso drinks such as the Glitter Latte and the hazelnut-infused Shakerato. 

Outdoor attractions in Irving, Texas

You can spend a wonderful afternoon exploring the Mandalay Canal Walk at Las Colinas and admiring the area’s charming canals and pathways. Want to impress a date? Book a romantic gondola tour through Gondola Adventures

For a day at the park, visit Mountain Creek Preserve, which has a playground, canoe launch, and a nature trail. Want a longer hike? Check out the Campion Trail, a 13-mile paved trail throughout the city that’s popular among walkers and bikers alike. 

Take advantage of your proximity to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW Airport) and watch the low-flying planes at the Founders’ Plaza Observation Area. There’s nothing better than finding a patch of grass, unpacking your picnic lunch, and spending a great afternoon watching planes take off and land.

Local gyms in Irving, Texas

If you want a go-to spot to get a workout in, you’ll have plenty of places to choose from in this Texas city. Planet FitnessRow House, and Pure Barre all have locations in the area, and CrossFit enthusiasts will love both CrossFit Luna and CrossFit Irving. You’ll also love the local Mustang Park Recreation Center and the Cimarron Park Recreation Center for their fitness centers and gyms. 

Nightlife in Irving, Texas

The Toyota Music Factory is the place to be on the weekend in this city, showcasing live concert events in its outdoor pavilion, an Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, a hatchet-throwing house, and multiple bars and restaurants to choose from. 

For a chiller night out, head over to Maacs Grill on North MacArthur Blvd for buffalo wings, burgers, and beer. This Valley Ranch hole-in-the-wall has karaoke on Tuesdays and Saturdays and a dog-friendly patio. Want a place to watch the Dallas Cowboys play? Stop by Our Glass Restaurant and Bar, an upscale sports bar with over 35 HD TVs, or the Spirit Grille, a Las Colinas mainstay. 

Beer enthusiasts will love The Ginger Man, which has draught and bottled beers from all around the world, along with delicious bar bites like the candied jalapeño bacon and beer cheese dip. 

Things to do in Irving, Texas

The Irving Arts Center is popular among Texas residents of all ages, boasting an impressive array of art galleries, a sculpture garden, and events. And best of all, it’s free! 

If you’re in the mood to shop ‘til you drop, check out the Irving Mall, which has every retailer under the sun along with an AMC movie theater. 

This city is also home to the Jackie Townsell Bear Creek Heritage Center, where you can learn about the history of the city and its first African-American community, and the Ruth Paine House Museum, a restored 1960s house and museum where Lee Harvey Oswald spent the night before the assassination of JFK. 

Transportation in Irving, Texas

The Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) provides public transportation to the city, operating out of the North Irving Transit Center and the South Irving Transit Center. You can also access Trinity Express commuter rail service from the South Irving Transit Center, bringing you right to Union Station in downtown Dallas.

It’s also recommended to have your own car in this area, or rely on Lyft and Uber to get around the city. 

Land in a great apartment in Irving, TX

If you like the idea of moving to Irving, TX, Landing offers fully furnished apartments with flexible lease terms, concierge services, seamless transfers, and all the amenities you need. Browse our available apartments in Irving, or contact us to learn more about how a Landing membership works.

Still looking for the right Dallas neighborhood for you? Browse our other Dallas neighborhood guides to learn more information about different Dallas neighborhoods and other Dallas County cities: 

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Bri Hand

Bri Hand is Landing's Content Marketing Manager. She currently lives in Salem, Massachusetts, with her partner and dog, Arlo, but relishes any opportunity she can to travel so she can try new foods, see gorgeous sights, and daydream about living somewhere new after visiting there for less than 24 hours.