“ Our local non-profit organization, Children's Relief International, celebrated their 25th anniversary in April. We asked The Downing to cater the event and they did an amazing job. They provided outstanding service, from the first meeting to discuss the menu, to final clean-up. The menu was exquisite and the food was absolutely delicious. Jenni and David were a pleasure to work with. Thank you both! We highly recommend The Downing! Note: The photo shows the unique and delicious appetizers, and as you can see they were a huge hit with our guests. Well played DBB! ”

“ Walked in and found seats available at the bar. We were greeted by the lovely Michelle. She made my espresso martini flight (which was one of the best I’ve had) and my spouse got an old fashion (which arrived to him before I could even blink). Super fast and attentive service! Definitely recommend! ”

“ The atmosphere here is calm & welcoming. Everyone who helped us was kind & mindful. The food... absolutely incredible! We really enjoyed stumbling upon this place & are already looking forward to coming back :] ”

“ Loved the outside seating and the day was perfect for it. Great service. The charcuterie board was nice and robust for the price. ”

“ This little establishment is one of the Best Restaurants in America, in my top 5, after 42 years and 45 states of dining out at restaurants. The atmosphere is that of an old school diner milk shake shop, with a horrible color of blue, that fits perfectly, to make it unusually comfortable. The music playlist is outstanding. The prices are slightly high, but only a reflection of rent cost in downtown Rockwall. The staff and owners are amazing people that provided wonderful interactions of communication, and even insights of other local establishments. This is a small local business that deserves to be greatly supported and appreciated, just by how they run their business model. Not to mention the service and food being overly outstanding. Try the Salmon Dip, its the best I've found west of the Mississippi River. 10 out of 5 stars. Try this place, the owners are very friendly, and are actually there, hands on. The staff was very engaging. Even the other customers were an enjoyable surrounding. Thank you David, Charlie, Andrea and everyone else there that makes this such a Must Try wonderful Establishment. As well as the lovely customer Terry that engaged in a delightful conversation with me. Thank yall for the lovely evening. ”

“ Eek. How have I not reviewed this place! We’ve been here a handful of times and just love it. I mean sandwiches, boards, and wine—what’s not to love! So the mussels are simply amazing. I absolutely love the ginger flavor. I love how unique they are and could drink the broth. Speaking of drinking the ginger broth—that’s where their sake cocktail comes in handy. The ginger smash is so good! I didn’t expect to like it since I’m not a sake fan, but the ginger flavor takes it to the next level. They have a fantastic sandwich selection. Seriously, you can’t go wrong. And their boards are great. I love the ambience as well. Such a cute outside courtyard area that’s like a hidden oasis. Everything about is warm and inviting. A wheel chair would have a hard time getting through to the back but should be fine up front. This is truly a great place— a gem of Rockwall not to be missed. ”

“ The Downing Bottles & Bites is a splendid gem nestled into the charming downtown Rockwall town center. The street on one side has been paved over for walking which is great, the eclectic ambiance inside is fun, the wine selection (and other spirits too) are deep and carefully thought out, plus the food is just really interestingly designed and quite delicious! I had a martini which had some oysters involved (made in house) that is voodoo magic but quite delicious and my other guest had a wine flight - a fun flight serviced in a tree. We shared the salmon dip as an appetizer - I learned that Chef David Hauffman broke down and grinds the salmon by hand to create this spectacular dish. We then also shared the lamb (looked like a thick stew served with warm pita) and grilled salmon (cooked to perfection with a crunchy top shell, perfect inside). Denise was an attentive, friendly and helpful server as well. And, Jenni (one-half of the husband-wife ownership team) swung by to hang out for a bit. Honorable mention to the animal skull above the toilet in the bathroom (pic included - you're welcome) The Downing is absolutely splendid and should be visited, so go check it out ”

“ Absolutely blown away by this gem of a restaurant! The food was nothing short of spectacular. We started with a beer and a flight of espresso martinis—each one perfectly crafted and so delicious. The beef bowl was incredible, packed with flavor, and the turkey sandwich? Truly out of this world—probably the best I’ve ever had! My son had a hot dog, and not only was it delicious, but it’s the most he’s eaten in one sitting in over a month. That alone says so much about the quality here. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, thanks to the amazing owners who were so personable and friendly. And Zach, our waiter, was absolutely phenomenal—attentive, kind, and just made our experience even better. This is the kind of place that leaves a lasting impression. I can’t wait to come back! Thank you for such a memorable meal and wonderful service. ”