Nova Restaurant Reviews

We spent the afternoon listening to a great duo featuring a stand up bass and having some of the best brunch food I've ever had! I had chicken fried pork loin with a sunny side egg & gravy. My husband had the special- Barramundi & cheese grits with andouille sausage and gravy. Both were incredible!! The place is casual and comfortable with great bar service to compliment the delicious food. Water served with slices of cucumber is always a nice refreshing touch. The menu is very unusual and we can't wait to get back and try some of the dinner items. Braised rabbit thighs?!? Whaaaaat?? I can't wait...

You will always find same people there to greet and take care of you. They know everyone by name! It's great low key place to hang out. The Pizza is Amazing!!! One of best in Dallas. It's Oak Cliff best kept secret. Open late nights too

I am certain the average and poor reviews posted are for a different restaurant. This one is excellent in every way. The menu doesn't even include pho or goat. Anyway - we just celebrated a birthday with a large party. Drinks and food were excellent. Things that we ordered - salmon eggs Benedict (sauce was delicious and the hash fantastic), French toast casserole (sweet and rich), chilaquiles, pizza (balsamic vinegar was a really nice touch), grilled cheese with roasted tomato soup (yummy goat cheese) and brisket burger with pimento cheese and applewood bacon. Brunch speciality drinks are just $5. Try the Nova 75 and the Novamosa. Such delicate flavor! Saturday game on the porch. Sunday brunch there's live music. Everyone in our party plans to come back soon.

Fun and busy place most nights until late Just down the street from us so it's a great spot for a late dinner after work. Interesting and tasty things on a relatively small menu, but the wood fired pizzas are always a great fallback option

The menu is right sized and changes just enough. I've never had a bad entree and the service is great.

You can't beat it for a go to neighborhood "local". It's like being in a friends house with reeeely good food.

We love Nova. The service is great. The cocktails are terrific and creative. Don't miss the wood fired pizza. The menu changes based on what's fresh.

The smoked salmon potato skins are excellent with a decent amount of salmon on them. The Nova salad (petite) was the perfect size to go with the skins. The French toast casserole was an excellent version of a bread pudding and the salty bacon was a nice balance to the dish. The Mojito was delicious and only $3.50. Would definitely eat here again. Very homey, unpretentious. Low key vibe.

We had dinner before our show at the Kessler last night. The veggie enchiladas and burger were excellent! Great flavor. Jean was our server. Friendly and has a great personality. We went back after the show to see her and had the four meat pizza. Delicious! Highly recommend Nova!

We love to find cool restaurants with great food. And did we ever score! The salmon potato skins were excellent, along with the flank steak phone, mussels, pizzas and chicken peanut salad. All very good! We took the kids, but wouldn't recommend if you have picky eaters. Our kids are fine with anything but one had a pizza and the other the Phone (both where huge portions and we took home). The atmosphere is chill with a bit of trend. Nice and clean, casual staff and the building doesn't do it justice - looks like an old SQ, lol. We love LOVE Nova and would go back next time back in Dallas!

We were a party of 5 with a reservation (11:30) this Mother's Day for brunch. We order an appetizer and entrées . The appetizer came and was very good (bacon egg pizza). It was ALL down hill after that . Two, yes TWO FULL HOURS later, after multiple questioning, many cups of coffee, we received our entrees! We had just decided to leave after being told for the entire 2nd hour that it was on it's way out. We were actually all standing when 2 of the five entrees arrived. We took our seats amidst several apologies for the wait but the damage had been done. The food was good but one of the entrees had a very under cooked egg. (Completely clear white) It was under a sauce so not visible until you started to eat. We were seated at 11:30 and received our entrees at 2:40. A restaurant is soo much more than good food! The experience is very important. We were there so long that at one point the busboy try to clear our table because he thought we were done and we haven't even received our food yet !!!!! Just can't bring myself to go back there and would not recommend it to anyone especially if you want to treat other people to a special brunch or dinner .

Honestly, I am very slow to dole out 5 star reviews, but the meal I had at Nova was one of the best meals I’ve had in years. I never did catch our waitresses name, which is my bad, but she was wonderful, and the food was just ridiculous. The absolute BEST fried green tomatoes I have ever had, the beef Wellington dish was extraordinary, their dark and stormy cocktail was excellent—overall, it was just a superb culinary experience. It looks like the kind of place that would crank out super mediocre gastropub fare, but as I have clearly expressed, my expectations were totally thwarted in the best possible way. I will be excited to come back to Nova next time I roll through Oak Cliff.

We just love Nova. We live a couple hours away in a small town, but we love the Bishop Arts area and like to come for short visits and when we do, this place is on the list. The atmosphere is so welcoming. I’m not sure if the older short fellow is the owner, but he is always there. He is behind the bar area, bringing out food, maybe even cleaning off a table. Talking with customers, making you feel almost like family. Locals frequent this place and I can see why. Food is always great too.

I love everything about Nova, and wish I had one in my neighborhood. The food is good -- fresh and well-prepared -- but what I really like is the ambiance here. It's friendly as can be, with no attitude, no judgment, just a warm welcome for everyone. I like the decor, too. It won't win any awards, but it has a relaxed mid-century modern vibe that doesn't try too hard to be anything but comfortable. This is a great place to come just for drinks, by the way. Bonus: The owner seems to be always on-hand, personally greeting people (regulars get a hug).

This is a great bar and restaurant. A lovely local feel with friendly staff and patrons. I made a couple of visits with my brother who is a regular. When I requested a non-alcoholic beer, the barman - a Scot - found that stock had run out so he immediately sprinted to the store to get more. The menu lived up to its reputation and then some. I had the chicken fried pork loin on a bed of creamy mash - it was just outstanding. The staff were very helpful when introducing the menu, describing everything in detail. I finished off with the chocolate bombe which was again an absolute winner 🏆. Recommend 100%.

Top notch manager & staff helped out with a non-profit organization needing a quick emergency place for a small event. Fortunately, we came at a time when they were in-between brunch service and early dinner service. They welcomed us with open arms, and helped us put on the event on their enclosed patio, when our original place fell through at the last minute. They were able to serve us appetizers once dinner service started, and it was great, as always. You all eased our stress level, making the event a success. Thank you.

Great staff, great ambiance with retro look including an old Grundig. Hamburger was good but the bouillabaisse was fantastic! Good liquor list at reasonable prices. Not only good but fun.

Went to Nova this morning for brunch. Holy cow! Hands down the best shrimp and grits I have ever had! Savory and spicy. The chicken fried pork loin was out of this world! Served with a spicy gravy and sunny side up egg on top. When your in Dallas give this spot a shot.

My husband and I went to Nova at the brunch/lunch time on a Sunday because we were looking for someplace new and because it was in D Magazine's recent list of Best Brunch Places. Wow, what a find! Nova looks like a basic diner, complete with counter service, but the menu offered many intriguing dishes that sounded like they had come straight from a trendy and multi-starred restaurant. We opted for lunch food - the best burger we've had in years and the famed BLT. The burger was made better by a slab of the thick sliced bacon, but the BLT was overwhelmed by that same bacon. Most people might think that's a good thing, but five slabs of thick bacon, one piece of lettuce and a tiny slice of tomato made it taste more like a smoked ham sandwich. Also, one batch of fries was not hot and a little soggy, while the other (which arrived 10 minutes later) was scalding hot and perfectly done. The service was good until the place got more crowded and then it lagged. Another great fun surprise was that they had entertainment - a duo who billed themselves as the next Everly Brothers! I definitely think we were the only ones there old enough to remember the Everly Brothers so it was a fun trip down memory lane.

Upon arrival you wonder if you got some bad intel about this restaurant. The outside is deceiving and the inside is nothing special. However, when the food arrived you realize that it is all about the food! The menu is diverse with multiple entrees that appealed to each member of our party. Service was solid, the drinks were good but the food was wonderful. Everyone had high praise for their entrees and the chocolate desert was one of the best deserts I have ever had at a casual dinner. We intend to return again soon.

Outstanding dinner with large wedding party. Festive, delicious and most enjoyable! We ordered the nova salad, the seared duck breast, the grilled beet salad and the lump crab cakes and can recommend them all. We had an interesting Texas whiskey and a bottle of Gruner Vetliner. Nice dinner shared with family. Would definitely come again when in Dallas.

Whether you just want to hang around the bar after work, have a romantic dinner late into to night, or meet friends for a meal, Nova never disappoints. Stellar menu from an amazing chef, great cocktails and engaging bartenders and waiters, the place is just better than it has to be. It's a little West of the trendiest part of Oak Cliff, so it's rarely just overrun with patrons. Of the 20 or so visits, I have made either with my husband or solo, I can only think of maybe one occasion where the food or the service was anything other than excellent. A gem in the heart of North Oak Cliff.

If you don't live in Oak Cliff, you likely haven't been to Nora. It's a stand alone restaurant. It is not in Bishop Arts. That said I recommend you venture down the street a few more blocks for delicious food and great service. The hummus is a must. The chicken and peanut salad flavorful and filling. The burger delicious. The BBQ Berkshire chop juicy and good. I'm hard pressed to believe you can make a bad decision.

Nova is a wonderful neighborhood place. Located in a former dairy queen, the atmosphere is stylish but very comfortable. Chef Kelly Hightower, formerly of Hatties, The Mansion on Turtle Creek and Kavala has created the first gastropub in the very hot Kessler X area, about a block from the newly renovated Kessler Theatre. This is a great spot to have a drink and something to eat before seeing a show at the Kessler. When we were there, there were people seated at the bar, having dinner. The entire atmosphere is that this is a comfortable place to come, have dinner, and conversation. We came early and there was plenty of parking. We were very pleased to see that they had a small plate menu. We tried several, the House Smoked Potato Skins with Horseradish Creme Fraiche were excellent, as was the Roasted Garlic Hummus with Crispy Pita and Extra Virgin Olive Oil. We also had the Fresh Tomato, Basil, Buffalo Mozzarella, and Balsamic drizzle pizza. They had a very sound wind list and some great beers, including Dale's Pale Ale, We’ll definitely be back. The Kitchen also featues some excellent entrees, including a Marinated New York Strip Vietnamese Style with Baby Bok Choy, Chili Peanuts, Cucumber, Mint and Roasted Tomato Ginger Sauce, which I didn’t try, but will next time. Service was helpful, friendly and attentive.

My brother in law suggested we try Nova in the bishop arts district of Dallas. Its interior has a trendy modern look, clean and inviting. We started out with cocktails their hummus appetizer, very good and very tasty. I had ordered the roasted chicken breast with Brussels sprouts and pistachio romesco.this was absolutely delicious!! The brussel sprouts were cut in half and roasted, very tasty. The pistachio sauce is what made this dish,I couldn't get enough. I have to say I was truly impressed with the menu. Though it's a little on the high end, its delectable flavors will tease you're palate. Definitely worth a trip!

This is such a cool place in the OC, I live less than a mile. The place is always busy, its small so waiting for a table is likely....The atmosphere is laid back, employees super friendly- prices a little on the higher side...Drinks were good. Food was AVERAGE. I had goat, that was tough, no flavor and really boring. My friends had pizza, again, boring. Little Cesars is better, and much cheaper. My other friend had chicken fried pork tenderloin, now that was good!!! I rated this average...If the food was slightly better it would be a great place....

At the recommendation of our Airbnb host my sister and I went to Nova for supper. The atmosphere was casual, friendly and upbeat. We shared the Jerk Pork Medallion Chop with collared greens and grits. I don’t have the words to describe how delicious this dish was. The service was awesome. Maria and Genesis made sure our water glasses were never empty. The highlight of our visit was our waitress Reagan. She was such a delight, outgoing and full of personality. I feel like I made a new friend tonight. When I return to Dallas I will definitely go to Nova.

This restaurant is all about quality and diversity of food for its customers. The restaurant has asian, mediteranean and southern influences on the menu. A rare combination. Having dinner with 7 of my best friends we learned that each of the items on the menu was delicious. From the beet salad (which I normally don't like), to the chicken fried pork loin, to the chocolate creme brulee. And also outstanding nightly specials. I ordered the jerk mahi mahi with curry cous cous special. Lovely, as my friend Enam will say. Worth checking out if you are not living in the neighborhood and a great place to come back to if you are a local.

I've been here a couple of times and food is always good. They have a really small but great menu of handmade pizzas and their cocktails selection is very good as well. You can come with friends and share a laugh at their patio or sit quietly inside. Decoration reminds you the Oak Cliff area 30-40 years ago. It is definitely worth the try! I specially recommend their vignettes for dessert.

This cool restaurant (formerly a Dairy Queen) is a few blocks off the beaten path of Bishop Arts. I don't think it's on everyone's radar...but, it should be! The restaurant is open nightly for dinner, as well as brunch on weekends. We tried Saturday brunch, and it was wonderful. A creative, concise menu with lots of comfort foods with an upscale twist. Who doesn't love a gourmet BLT, or a gourmet Grilled Cheese? Both perfect, along with the perfectly cooked, and seasoned french fries all served on modern square white plates. I ordered the Red-eye, which was 2 poached eggs on top of tiny diced roasted sweet potatoes and shredded Asian marinated beef...devine! Even the ice water has a slice of cucumber--nice touch! Our server was Damien, a cool college student who was well-versed on the menu items, laid back and accommodating, yet completely professional. Don't let this great OC restaurant escape. It's a little off the traditional Bishop Arts restaurant trail, but certainly not one to be missed!

We looked online for a restaurant near the Kessler Theater and decided to try here. Walking in, it seemed to be filled with locals. We seated ourselves, and then waited...and waited. A woman who said she was not our waitress took our drink order. I was surprised to be told I could not order the Malbec "because the grapes were not in season." Huh. I just went with it and just ordered a different wine. After our drinks arrived we waited quite awhile more until finally another waitress came by and took our food order. Glad we weren't in a hurry! Once we finally got a server she was great. I ordered the Pho and it was absolutely delicious. My husband had the fried pork tenderloin and he really enjoyed it. Didn't have room for dessert but they sounded wonderful. Hope to return soon...maybe when the Malbec grapes are in season.

I love the pops of flavors you are introduced with at Nova! Our Airbnb host recommended the place it was within walking distance and we are so thankful to have discovered such a great treat! I think the owner helped us, he was absolutely so much fun and informative and made us feel right at home! I don't think I have ever been asked to tell a server about me so that way he could recommend the right dish, I LOVED IT! I went with the short rib pizza with caramelized onions, such great flavors and had to go for the frog legs as my appetizer it was my first time eating frog legs and boy were they yummy! I will definitely be coming here again to have awesome food with my cucumber water and delicious iced tea. This place is a must stop in when your in Oak Cliff or nearby!

I like Nova. The staff is engaging and friendly. There is a thoughtful wine and beer list. The menu has a small number, but a wide variety of choices. It’s difficult to describe, and it works. It can be noisy at peak times, but there is a side room. Nova is also open late, when other places in the neighborhood have closed. Totally worth the trip!

Nova is great! The owner makes you feel right at home, and the dog-friendly patio is perfect for regulars walking in from the neighborhood. I love Nova!

We ate here last night, a Monday. My husband ate the chicken fried pork loin and I had one of the specials...a lobster & scallop stew....oh my, it was delicious. It was in a tomato bisque type sauce, served with warm crusty bread. My husband loved his meal too, however, he kept eating mine! The service could not have been better. On a Monday night, it appeared like it was mostly locals, and everyone seemed quite happy, and no wonder, this place is awesome. We will be back.

I was in Dallas on business and was looking for a place open in the Bishop Arts area on a Monday evening. This is harder than one would think. I stumbled across Nova on the internet and was drawn in by its interesting menu. I arrived with the idea of having a meal at the bar. I was warmly welcomed by JD who was happy to provide recommendations. True to his word the Jidori chicken was truly a treat. The saffron creamed corn was amazing (not that soggy limp corn that so often is served, but al dente and so fresh I could practically taste the farm it came from). The chicken was seasoned very nicely and was delicious. The atmosphere was pleasant. I will never wonder were to eat on a Monday night in the Oak Cliff / Bishop Arts area.

Good food, good drinks, nice scene. My girlfriend and I went last night and loved it. The waiter was nice and knowledgeable about the menu. Mixed crowd. Not overly crowded and the food came in a reasonable time. We'll definitely be back

We ate at Nova prior to attending a music event at the Kessler Theater right down the street. The restaurant is located in an old Diary Queen location. It has a full service bar and the wait staff was very helpful and knowledgeable. We would highly recommend this place particularly if you attending an event at the Kessler.

Small place with great staff and excellent food and drink specials. They had a live band and the atmosphere was fun. I had the chicken & waffels- the chicken was seasoned perfectly and the waffles were so good! You can't beat the $5 Speciality drink specials. If you are looking for a new brunch spot, NOVA is the place.

I selected it with high hopes for a great retirement dinner for my sister-in-law. Drinks were creative and tasty. Unfortunately, the pho was passe, the curried goat with gnocchi-bland. My son mentioned that it tasted like pot roast in a beef broth. The only thing that resembled the taste of curry was the coconut in the hard as marbles gnocchi. Bison looked beautiful but a little tough. Greek Salad got rave reviews. Chocolate bread wonderful! I will give them the benefit of the doubt as they said this was a new menu they were trying (one week old). I suggested they go back and taste their food. Due to the price point, you might want to leave the little ones home.

Ventured here for my husband's birthday. Enjoyed the hummus and fried oysters (daily special) for apps. Had the pesto pizza w/shrimp and burger for dinner. Food was amazing, service was impeccable. Great vibe!!

Nova is not a place I will attempt again. The pho was not the best, but fair. The pizza was crisp on the edges and had a good flavor, but it was limp to soggy at the center. Perhaps the worst part was the immediate bad attitude of the hostess, who doesn't seem to understand the term,

Great local spot in Oak Cliff! Our party of four dined at Nova about a month ago on a Friday evening around 7:30. Parking was not a issue and were seated right away even though the restaurant was quite full. Our server was extremely friendly and made some great suggestions as we had never dined there before. Very eclectic menu with lots of options. The crowd was as eclectic as the menu, terrific spot, can't wait to return!

This restaurant is a shiny beacon that brings "neighbors" from all parts of Dallas together. Upon entering, one immediately feels the presence of community and friendship. Hang out at the bar before dinner and enjoy an appetizer and a few of their fresh, seasonal cocktails while you get to know the bartenders and the owners of this fab foodie location. The simple and straight forward dinner menu completes your evening as everything is fresh and flavorful when it arrives at your table. The service is super friendly, attentive and a perfect combination with the low key, neighborhood atmosphere. Nova is a star that I hope never fades.

Maybe this is the goto place for cocktails and appetizers or just to try something new? The atmosphere is funky, casual, interesting. It's a local spot to the exciting area of Oak Cliff and a renovating Davis Street. Parking is challenging, and the place stays busy. I've been twice now. Unfortunately, I left the second time feeling just like the first...the food is not at all equal to the price. The menu items aren't unique and, in my opinion, trend on "gastro - fare" but don't deliver. I just haven't enjoyed it personally. I ordered from the Noodles menu, and the Ramen, though beautifully presented, was suspicious as if the noodles were popped from a package I can buy in the grocery market for less than a dollar. Presenting the collard greens, persimmon slices, red peppers then hunk of roast cut meat around a mound of noodle in a appealing colored broth draws in the eye, but the flavor was...not enjoyable. Ramen $15, water. Total bill + tip = $19 and change.

We live in the neighborhood, and Nova is our new favorite. Great cocktails, wonderful service and nice atmosphere. Our favorites are the blowtorch salmon, vietnamese beef salad, and of course, the legendary hummus. JD great customers by name at the door, the service is swift, friendly and knowledgeable, and the food is superb. So glad that this space has finally found a winning formula.

The place is designed great. You can still see the old layout of the Dairy Queen, although the inside has been completely remodeled. It's also nice to see the food is at a decent price point. It's too hard to find good food in Dallas in this price range that isn't Mexican or bar food. My Kobe Beef Pho was $14. The husband had Kobe Beef at $24 with sweet potatos and bacon as a side. So wonderful! We also split the chicken salad with peanut dressing. We ordered the small and it was plenty big. 3 glasses of wine, a cocktail, app, salad, 2 entrees and dessert and we were at $100 before tip. That's great in Dallas! Especially for food this good! Enjoy!

Staying in Kessler Park and discovered this gem. Very unique menu and good wine options. I had salmon potato skins and shaved cauliflower salad. Super busy on a Sunday night with repeat customers - endorsement enough for me. Will definitely return.

We dined here last night. Food was fine and ambience good. However we ordered a bottle of wine at $28 and was served a $48 bottle instead. The waiter did not mention this at the time we only noticed when we got the check. We queried this and although the waiter said it was his fault he would only knock off $8. Not impressed. Beware of this!

-Frog Legs 5/5 (best in DFW). -Foie Gras Toast & Jam 5/5. -Fried Capriella Cheese 3.5/5. -Teres Major Steak 4.5/5 (steak was good but sides are perfect). -Customer Service 5/5 (Manager Ray Fernandez will ensure the quality) *All in all I liked this place and I do intend on returning soon.

This neighborhood restaurant, with a Cheers-like atmosphere, prides itself on excellent bar food but it's menu is much more extensive than that (e.g., Asian noodles and vegan entrees). It's worth visiting often because of the variety of food you could enjoy.

This restaurant was surprisingly good! You just don't expect that much from a place that resembles the shape of an old diner or DQ, but step inside and you instantly know you are in very good company. The food is creative and expertly prepared, reasonably priced, and changes daily. We ordered 2 fish specials and the pork tenderloin with a side of cheese grits for the table - absolutely amazing. Full bar, great wine list and super friendly and attentive service. Oh, and did I mention that we got all of this at 10:30 at night? Yeah, try to find the same quality eatery in Dallas past ten and you will be out of luck. We will definitely be back!

One of the best restaurants of it kind in Dallas. Hip scene with an upscale menu in a casual, comfortable setting. Service is great and the host/owner is engaging and funny. Definitely a place you have to try of you are anywhere in the Bishop Arts area and it is worth the drive even if you aren't. Quick tip: Try the chicken fried pork loin (so says my wife).

Food was well prepared. Staff very friendly. Our server was attentive. We sat creekside with a comfortable heater.....very romantic. Felt good to be eating under the trees. #outsidetherapy

This place is probably more famous for its cocktails than its food, but the food was pretty good. Well, everyone else's was. My dinner was a bit average: Pork tenderloin brined with cider. I think the cider overpowered the pork as it was sweet throughout the meat. Otherwise, this is a really fun place to hang out with friends.

We had just driven six hours to get to Dallas. Our good friends took us here. There were seven of us and we all enjoyed what we had to eat. My wife had a wonderful beet salad and delicious macaroni and cheese with bacon in it. It was great as well. I had a woodfire chicken pizza that was wonderful as well. The desserts were fine too. Our friends in Dallas love finding these new wonderful places to eat. We always enjoy joining them for dinner and this was another winner.

Was ok. The service was just ok. Had to wait on one of our meals 5 minutes after other meals were served. The chicken dish was just ok. The Beet Salad was made of Beets out of a can. It had the can indentations on some of the beets. Not impressed. We also thought the salad was just ok. All in all, the 4 of us did expect better. Service also lacking. Food was just ok. Really was expecting something a lot better

Went to have a late night dinner after a show at the Kessler. We tried the mac & cheese and the ham toast. Both were pure yumminess. Service was great and food was fantastic. I will return to try other menu items. I saw lots of pizzas on other tables.

We chose Nova because we were attending a show at The Kessler Theater. The staff was very friendly and service was great. The owner came and sat at our table and talked with us. The pear rosemary cocktail was so refreshing and I loved the cucumber water. All our meals were delicious. We had a chicken pizza, the homemade crust was light and crisp, a coffee rubbed steak, tender and cooked to perfection, a smoked salmon salad with artichoke hearts, superb blend of flavors and the chicken fried pork loin, which was very tender and tasty. The music was enjoyable and not too loud for conversation. It was a very enjoyable experience! Next time I am in Dallas, I will go back.

Amaaazing!! We almost turn around and left but read the trip advisor and took a chance. The BEST beet salad I've ever had. My husband loved the pasta and we are eating the most delicious chocolate creme brûlée as I type! I wish we could take Nova to California. Thanks JD and staff!

The latest iteration of Nova, since the departure of Hightower, has renewed the spirit of this neighborhood gem of a restaurant. What a joy to find great food in a very laid back and informal setting, where if you want to simply linger over a drink at the bar that is just fine. Or you can try out the limited, but very inventive Menu, which offers a very eclectic and creative cuisine. All the appetizers seem to be a standout; the entrees/specials also offer some interesting twists. And not to be overlooked, is a staff of servers who are genuine in their desire to provide really great service; what a pleasant and unexpected surprise to find in a moderately priced Dallas restaurant!

I don't hand out 5 ratings very often, but this place had so many positives. A group of 7, we were visiting the area. Looking for a place for dinner, we decided to try the Nova. Arriving at the restaurant, there is nothing fancy about it at all. We got seated right away. The menu is eclectic to say the least, but in a good way. A different take and prep for what would otherwise be common dishes. The place was busy and our waitress was scurrying around. She told us that a party of 50 was in the other section and she was the only one in our area. We were wondering if we made a mistake. But, we placed our orders and waited. Much to our surprise, the food was out in about 15 minutes. While I don't recall what everyone had, I did have a breaded pork tenderloin, which was very good. All in all, the service was great considering the crowd. We decided to go a second time for the Saturday brunch. They have a special brunch menu, also different than the usual. I had the Cajun grits and shrimp. It also had andoullie sausage in it. I'm not a big fan of grits but this dish was one for the books!. Awesome! And, 2 others in our party had the same dish. Everything loved it. And $6 bloody Mary's Definitely a must visit if you're I'm the area, a short way from Downtown

Whenever we're in north Oak Cliff, we always make sure to eat at Nova, it is such a fun, friendly place and the food is always very good. It has the feel of a true neighborhood establishment (aka Cheers), everyone is friendly and the service has always been excellent. We've never been disappointed in the food and periodically the menu will change and new innovative dishes will be added. It is always a fun evening, so if you're headed to the Kessler Theater for a show or any other activity in this area, you absolutely need to go to Nova.

Had a recent vaca to Texas and got this recommendation from a local and had to try it. Came here on the late night hour about 11pm. Everywhere for the most part only had their bars opne but the kitchens were closed but THANK GOD this place wasn't. We pulled up to this place and I knew I was going to love it. Outside they had awesome lights and the place was pretty packed. We walked in and got seated quickly and the vibe was awesome. Inside its dimly lite but not too dark and soem more cool funky lights and super cool music. Not mainstream music but underground unknown artists which I love hearing new things. I love Katy Perry and everything but hearing Dark Horse maybe about 20 times a day is plain and simply ANNOYING lol! So the waiter comes over gives us a drink menu and leaves us to decide. Now I had an awesome drink. This drink had champagne and some other things thrown in very mild and light with a hint of fruit to it I loved it. We ended up ordering a late night item which was the Pizza. We had the meat lovers pizza which was AMAZING! it hit the spot especially with those drinks. I WOULD LOVE TO COME BACK! I need to plan another trip to Texas just to come and enjoy this place and music again.

Great food....excellent egg white omelette, fantastic French toast casserole! Cheap drinks. Not great service, but it doesn't matter because the food is that good!

Always creative - from all-time favorites always on the menu to 'specials'. Occasional misses among the specials but worth trying, if we can break away from the dishes we love eating, again and again. Very friendly, from the owner who is always charming and the waiters who are fun. Known for its marvelous mixed drinks, which really are. Decent but somewhat small wine list and many great beers available.

Great burger, tasty pizza, and an awesome ribeye with fantastic drinks and a friendly atmosphere... what more could you ask?

This is old school, 50s upscale atmosphere meets neighborhood "everybody knows everybody" bar. No attitudes. Staff are great---bartenders are some of the best in town IMO. All the food is wonderful. Pizza, burger, pho, hummus, chicken fried pork, salads. They serve food until midnight and that is a rarity in Oak Cliff, sadly. I would take anybody here.

The staff here are always so sweet and helpful, they go above and beyond. They automatically bought out water and a full on quinoa meal (which was supposedly a treat) for our dogs, which are, by the way, welcome on the patio and out front seating. The cocktails are delicious (every one of them I’ve tried) and the food is absolutely great. They have an amazing variety of dishes to choose from, my fav app is the fried green tomatoes, which is very unique to Nova. I also love the crab legs. Their specials are always great and they have an extensive wine list. Love this neighborhood joint, it’s a fave of locals. I highly recommend this place! We come pretty often, we live just down the street.

Not too big...Not too small. Adequate lighting. Good service. Privately owned and managed. Gourmet food with menu changes every season. I have the Asian chopped chicken salad with sesame seeds and ginger toasted sesame dressing often and dream about it when I'm away too long. The Steak or chops are large and delicious with well seasoned vegetables. I love the Brussel Sprouts with the slight char and lovely sauce. There is a sitting bar as well as tables and booths. If you're alone these folks never met a stranger and when Kerry is there, behind the bar, the place fills up with fun loving, friendly people. A "MUST GO" BEFORE OR AFTER THE SHOWS AT "THE KESSLER THEATER".

Love, love, love this wonderful restaurant! We have been coming here for over 10 years, and can't get enough! The food is consistently amazing, and the people treat you like family. Wonderful wine and cocktail selection, and the menu changes regularly to offer new dishes that will quickly become favorites. For a quick pop in or a special occasion, Nova is the best!

What a great find! Eclectic restaurant with a unique menu and excellent food. I had the chicken fried pork loin, delicious. Small but solid wine list and everything was priced right.

Where do I even begin with this review? I do not write this lightly. My experience here was somewhat different and peculiar. The food was great! We had the lamb chops, smoked macaroni and pizza. Everything tasted delicious! However, things took a turn for the worst midway through our dinner. There was a television on in the background behind the bar. It was on a local news affiliate, showing coverage of the Black Lives Matter movement. A guy was sitting at a booth that clearly had been ‘X’ off for social distancing. He was downing an entire bottle of wine by himself. He kept using racial slurs in regards to the movement. I turned around and corrected him twice. I was appalled and more offended that he was getting louder and louder. My words and pleads just kept going over his head. It was very difficult to eat our meal and enjoy ourselves with this drunken, disgusting and sloppy middle-aged man behind us. Luckily, the news was over and on came a summer sports program (Ultimate TAG). Surely, change of programming would quiet this imbecile down. Nope! This same man kept using homophobic slurs to now describe the sport itself to the people across the room. I turned around and addressed it. He kept saying it was a “gay sport” and it was a “faggot sport” and going into great detail as to what made it “so gay”. I stayed very calm, cool, and collective and I turned around asked him to please educate me on what a gay sport or faggot sport was. I was highly offended because as an openly gay man who happens to also be an ally for the African-American community, I was trying to have dinner with a fellow gay friend, and I’d had enough of his crude comments about racial inequality and homophobic slurs. He loosely apologized and said it was just a word and he’s “sorry” but continued to justify it by it just being “words”. I told him that he sounded ignorant and that he was in a neighborhood that was very culturally diverse with plenty of African-American and LGBT people and that his language was nothing but vitriol and filled with malice. He quieted down and the waitress came over and apologized. She confessed that it was her brother who had been drinking wine all night and then she also revealed that he was the Co-Owner of the restaraunt. I was appalled! I couldn’t believe an owner of a restaurant would be drunk in front of his own customers and I also couldn’t believe that an owner of a restaurant would use racial and homophobic language even after someone has already asked them to stop. It wasn’t like it was across the room- he was literally sitting behind me, NOT practicing social distancing. (Hence the giant “X” on his table that he ignored.) The waitress continued to apologize on behalf of her drunken brother/co-owner and offered to compliment our bill. I didn’t want that because I knew I needed to at least tip her (she was lovely). So I agreed to just comp my cocktail and appetizer and we’ll call it a day. I tipped her appropriately. As we were leaving the restraunt the drunken co-owner decided to speak to me again. He continued to say that they were just words and that he didn’t mean anything by it and I needed to “chill”. I tried to reason and educate him but he wasn’t listening. He kept going on and on. I remained very calm and chill throughout the entire ordeal. However, the conversation ended and as we were walking away to the door, he began to laugh at us obnoxiously. To say my entire experience was peculiar would be an understatement. I didn’t write this review light heartedly as it has weighed heavy on my mind and heart. But, I think it’s important for regular customers and future patrons to know where their money is going. While the food may be great, the drunken words of the co-owner is not so much. It’s 2020, racial and homophobic slurs are not appropriate. Im perplexed at how ugly a small business owner’s heart can be! As the old adage goes, “Drunken words are a sober man’s thoughts.” Suffice it say, we will never return to this establishment again. I can not and will not ever condone that kind of behavior and will never give my hard earned money to backwards people.

Nova is a wonderful neighborhood place. It is truly a Cheers type of place, that happens to have a full menu in addition to the full bar with creative cocktails. I recommend a Gold Rush cocktail to start and one of the wood-fired pizzas.

This is our neighborhood "Cheers" bar, with the addition of consistently great food. The menu never gets stale; there are appetizers, entrees, flatbreads, burgers, and salads that are always on the menu, along with ever-changing specials and seasonal offerings. The customer service is what puts them a step above and keeps us coming back. The Jidori chicken was a spicy, lovely surprise this week. Scallops were perfectly seared, and the mint pesto was the perfect balance to the rich dish. See Kerri at the bar, JD is everywhere, and JR was our solicitous server this week... Go. Before or after you see someone at The Kessler (Nova is only a block away). Or for dinner on a Tuesday.

Nova is a great place for gathering with friends or to simply relax and unwind. Strategicly designed for good customer flow, the atmosphere is quaint and inviting when you walk through the door. They had amazing drinks and fabulous wood fired gourmet style pizzas on their dinner menu that are absolutely heavenly. I had the fresh tomato pizza and it was wonderful! I could have eaten them all night. In my opinion, when visiting Dallas, this is a great neighborhood hot spot in Oak Cliff that's out of the way of the hustle and bustle of traffic and to perfectly visit with friends and round out your day with great food and drinks.

We rode our bikes to Bishop Arts and ended up eating at Nova. A server last week at Chino recommended it so my husband and I along with our friends all rode down to check it out. It is a great throw back vibe with a mid-century modern feel. We started with the grilled beet salad to share - it was great for the four of us to have a nice refreshing start to the hot evening. The four of us ordered a fresh tomato pizza (it was great!) the Curry Cauliflower filet with quinoa (yummy and big), the shrimp fettuccine (really nice and shrimp were big and cooked perfectly) and the roasted chicken breast. Everything was excellent, the portions were large and all of the flavors were spot on. The staff was absolutely hilarious and frankly made our experience one we are still talking about today and will for some time. Darren the owner and Blake our server - Thanks for a wonderful meal and a fun evening, we definitely enjoyed it!

I moved to Oak Cliff a couple of months ago & have started to work my way through the restaurants. I'm not going very fast as I want to go back to the ones I've already tried! Case in point ... Nova. Yum. You may think "hummus" is not very exciting. It's exciting! After you eat the delicious hummus with soft pita bread & cucumber & tomato salad, I recommend the Angus brisket burger. Fantastic. All pairs well with a glass(es) of XY Zin.