It’s a classy way to grab lunch and spend time with friends while you immerse yourself in the local art scene. This summer, head to one of the museums in the Dallas area for a delicious restaurant experience and a look at what the city’s art and culture scene has going on, too. 

Wolfgang Puck’s creations grace the menu at the Nasher Café located in Downtown Dallas on Flora Street. The museum is closed on Mondays, but otherwise the café is open for lunch with a seasonally changing menu. From salads to sandwiches to soups, everything comes from farmer's market produce. The café offers both indoor and outdoor seating, and either way, you get a good view overlooking the Nasher Garden while you enjoy a lazy summer day.

Wolfgang Puck also has his hand in the café at the Perot Museum on North Field Street in Downtown Dallas. The menu offers a variety of items including children’s goodies while highlighting Texas ingredients. The standout is definitely the individual oven-baked pizzas, but you can build a salad and take a few of the fresh baked pastries for a nice dessert. The Café’s chef also includes a special on the menu each day. Looking out over the museum’s outdoor plaza just inside the main entrance, the Café is a casual but delicious museum outing meal.

At the Dallas Museum of Art on North Harwood in Downtown Dallas the General Admission is free and then there are two choices for dining every day except Monday when the Museum is closed.  The DMA Café is located in the Hamon Atrium and, like the other area museum cafes, is big on farm-fresh menu items that are locally grown. From artisanal cheeses to specialty sandwiches and a good selection of wines and beers, think global, as the café focuses on menu items influenced by the Museum's global collection.

Socca Mediterranean Café opened a few months ago at the DMA for a second food option in the new Eagle Family Plaza. Socca is a chickpea crepe from the southern part of France, offered on the menu. Or, try another naturally gluten free dish.

At Café 43 inside the George W. Bush Presidential Center, the name honors the 43rd President of the United States. Café 43 is an elegant place to grab lunch. Local food and many organic dishes are served, which all change seasonally with “complex interpretations of Texas-influenced dishes and classic favorites,” according to a restaurant menu description. Weekend brunch at Café 43 offers items like Southern benedict, shrimp and cheddar grits and huevos rancheros. Admission to the Presidential Center is not required if you just want to have a nice lunch on the premises.

There is also the Courtyard Café with an alternative casual option, but the same attention to detail since the chef features daily special.

The Dallas Arboretum’s Restaurant DeGolyer on Garland Road is open every day. Located in the middle of the 66-acre garden inside the historic DeGolyer House, there is indoor and outdoor seating. During certain times of the year, a nice tea experience is offered by reservation. In addition to lunch, the restaurant hosts Sunday brunch. The three-tea sandwich menu item is a good choice with a cup of soup or spinach salad and chicken salad, turkey and brie spread on walnut bread and a traditional creamed cucumber sandwiches.

Lunch time in Dallas has never been easier, so enjoy the Big D this summer with a cultural twist.