Just on the eastern side of Downtown Dallas, but separated by I-345, Deep Ellum is a neighborhood rooted deeply in music, craft beer, and art. What a trifecta. It makes sense, then, that locals come here for the famous live music venues and some of the coolest street murals in all of Dallas, maybe even the U.S. Before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s get you acquainted with this gem of a neighborhood.
The Dallas neighborhood of Deep Ellum
Commuting in Deep Ellum
Despite Dallas being a fairly car-dependent city, Deep Ellum is easily accessible by the DART light rail. The Baylor University Medical Center stop and Deep Ellum Station both lie on the northern edge of the neighborhood and make convenient stops in Uptown and Downtown Dallas.
DART’S GoLink also offers on-demand, $1 rides from Deep Ellum to certain attractions like the Arts District, Dallas Farmers Market, and Klyde Warren Park. If you’re thinking of driving to Downtown Dallas, though, it’ll only take you a few minutes, as it’s just 1.5 miles away.
Renting in the Deep Ellum neighborhood
In Deep Ellum, you’ll be paying a little more than what you’d pay in other, less lively parts of the city. After all, most of your friends will be coming to your neighborhood for entertainment and nights out, so it makes sense that you might pay more for such a prime location.
The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Dallas is around $1,470 per month, while apartments in Deep Ellum are just a bit over that number. The average cost of a studio apartment in Deep Ellum is $1,706 per month, whereas a one-bedroom apartment costs $1,740 per month.
Looking for a Deep Ellum rental? Check out all these great rentals that put you close to the vibrant neighborhood of Deep Ellum.
Deep Ellum Restaurants
Deep Ellum is full of restaurants of all cuisines. Here are a few of the top restaurants you can enjoy while living in Dallas:
Late-night eats for when you’ve had one too many: Big Guy’s Chicken & Rice
For less than $10, your drunk food fix will be more than satisfied. The Mediterranean food at Big Guy’s Chicken and Rice is seasoned well and comes in huge portions, the perfect combination for your less-than-sober state of mind. Get the rice platter — your choice of chicken, beef, lamb, or tofu on a bed of rice with a side salad and warm pita bread. It’ll soak your night right up.
Where locals go for brunch: All Good Cafe
While there are certainly fancier, more upscale brunch spots in Deep Ellum, locals swear by this beloved gem. Their chicken-fried steak and Borracho Biscuit are the stars of the show, but the frequent live music performances are a close second. Grab a seat under the origami-covered ceiling and get ready to eat that hangover away. Oh, and did we mention mimosas are only $3.95 all day long? It’s called All Good for a reason.
The best coffee shop with WiFi (and where you’ll always get a seat): Murray Street Coffee Shop
If you live, and work from home, in Deep Ellum, you’ll definitely be stopping in at this place to get some work done. Their upstairs seating option is nice if you want to work from a comfy couch, and their sound system is always playing hits in the background. Chat with the local artists and coffee lovers, or put your head down and get to work. Either way, you won’t have a problem finding a seat and enjoying all that this neighborhood coffee shop offers.
The best take-out spot for when you don’t feel like cooking: Monkey King Noodle
This authentic Chinese street food establishment will be your go-to take-out spot when you live in Deep Ellum. Their Dan Dan noodles are spicy, but not too spicy, the soup dumplings are tasty, and the hot and spicy beef noodle soup is a fan favorite. When you’re craving a take-out meal, you won’t go anywhere else.
Deep Ellum Bars
Deep Ellum also has a lively bar scene. Spend time with your new friends trying out some of the area’s best drinking spots:
Your local dive: Adair’s Saloon
Your outdoor drinking spot: Deep Ellum Brewing
Your happy hour go-to: Double Wide Bar
Your fancy cocktail bar: Hide
Entertainment in Deep Ellum
Living in Dallas, you’ll also have close access to shopping, theaters, and markets. These are some of the best places to check in the Deep Ellum neighborhood:
- Boutiques
- Jade and Clover: Succulents, potted plants, and apothecary goods
- Life of Riley: Art, books, candles, and home decor
- Archer Paper Goods: Atlanta-based chain selling stationery, paper, and art supplies
- Theaters/Venues
- Dallas Comedy House: Go-to spot for all things comedy, including standup, classes, and events
- The Bomb Factory: See nationally-touring musicians and DJs perform in this space that holds 4.300 people
- Dada Dallas: Intimate venue (and back patio) hosting both local musicians and acclaimed artists
- Undermain Theater: 90-seat performance venue for dramatic performances
- Canton Hall: Newcomer making waves in Deep Ellum’s live music scene
- Curtain Club: Bi-level venue hosting a variety of well-known and up-and-coming acts
- Markets
- Deep Ellum Outdoor Market: Monthly outdoor market featuring local artists, businesses, and musicians
Top-rated places and events in Deep Ellum
Deep Ellum is home to its fair share of top-rated restaurants and entertainment attractions. These are a few of the places not to miss while living in Dallas:
This BBQ joint has earned a spot on our list of top restaurants in Dallas, and we’re not the only ones who think it’s great. Pecan Lodge has been awarded for its BBQ by Thrillest, TripAdvisor, Travel & Leisure, and D Magazine. It’s quite the place to have as your neighborhood BBQ spot.
This iconic music venue opened back in 1990, and it’s become one of the best places (if not the best) to catch live music in Dallas. Their eclectic calendar is filled with performers from every type of genre, from pop and country to metal and burlesque shows.
This free, 3-day festival embodies Deep Ellum’s vibe and takes place all throughout the neighborhood. Catch live music from more than 100 music performers, check out art from over 200 local artists, and walk the streets to see the newest street murals.
If you didn’t already notice, there’s more than enough to keep you happy in Deep Ellum. The great news? Dallas has plenty of other great spots for you to check out, too!
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