McRae’s American Bistro & Cocktails has been named Best All-Around Restaurant in the Dallas Observer’s Best of Dallas 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards!
Competing against an impressive lineup of Dallas restaurants, including Avanti Restaurant, Jack Ruby’s Saloon & Grill, Gemma, and Quarter Acre, McRae’s came out on top, earning the coveted title through votes from the Dallas community.
McRae’s is especially proud to be recognized in the Dallas Observer’s Best of Dallas awards for the second consecutive year, having also earned the title of Best Neighborhood Restaurant – Dallas in 2025. These back-to-back honors are particularly meaningful for a restaurant with such deep roots in the East Dallas community.
For owner and longtime Dallas restaurateur Mike McRae, these awards carry a particularly personal significance. A graduate of Bryan Adams High School, Mike grew up just blocks from where McRae’s stands today. His first restaurant job was at a Sizzler Steakhouse down Garland Road, and as a boy, his paper route took him within steps of what would eventually become his namesake restaurant.
After more than 50 years in the hospitality industry, opening McRae’s in July 2023 was something of a homecoming. His vision was to create a distinctive neighborhood gathering place where great food, creative cocktails, and genuine hospitality could bring people together.
That vision is reflected throughout McRae’s, from its eclectic décor and inviting atmosphere to its thoughtfully prepared cuisine and handcrafted cocktails. The restaurant offers a dining experience that feels both distinctive and comfortably familiar, a place equally suited for a casual evening with friends, a date night, or a special celebration.
To see the East Dallas community so wholeheartedly embrace that vision, and now recognize McRae’s with back-to-back Dallas Observer awards, makes the achievement especially meaningful. For Mike and the entire McRae’s team, these honors reflect a relationship built on a shared love for the neighborhood and the people who make it special.
While being recognized among Dallas’ outstanding restaurants is an incredible honor, the greatest reward is the continued support of the community that has made McRae’s its own.
The McRae’s team extends its sincere appreciation to everyone who voted, its loyal guests, and the entire staff whose hard work, passion, and dedication make achievements like this possible.
Special recognition and heartfelt appreciation go to McRae’s General Manager Frank Horak and Executive Chef Alejandro Quintano, whose leadership and dedication have been instrumental in the restaurant’s success. Chef Alejandro, who has earned multiple culinary awards during his time at McRae’s, continues to bring creativity and exceptional talent to the kitchen, while Frank elevates the dining experience through thoughtfully curated wine selections and dinners, sourcing locally raised meats and quality ingredients whenever possible. Together, their shared passion for exceptional food, drinks, and hospitality has played an essential role in bringing Mike’s vision for McRae’s to life.
Most of all, thank you, East Dallas, for embracing McRae’s and making us part of your community.