When asking yourself about something to do near me in Dallas with a group of friends or family, consider
Bonton Farms
Why Bonton Farms is a fun option when searching for things to do near me with friends and family
Bonton Farms is much more than an urban farm; it is a vibrant community hub located in South Dallas, Texas, dedicated to transforming the Bonton neighborhood. Founded in 2013 as a small garden plot to create jobs and provide fresh food in a food desert, Bonton Farms has expanded into a 1.25-acre farm with an additional 40-acre extension, offering a variety of social enterprises including a farmer's market, café, and coffeehouse. What truly sets Bonton Farms apart is its mission to disrupt cycles of oppression by partnering with residents to create a sustainable future through local food access, economic opportunities, and community development. The farm actively addresses systemic issues such as food insecurity, health disparities, and economic inequity by providing fresh produce, creating jobs, and supporting entrepreneurship. The site is a welcoming, bustling place where friends can gather for fresh food, locally roasted coffee, and a sense of community belonging. Additionally, Bonton Farms offers educational programs and apprenticeships that empower residents, particularly Black community members, helping them gain skills and financial independence. Its commitment to improving safety, affordable housing, education, and career opportunities makes it a cornerstone for positive change in the area.
Here's what people think of Bonton Farms
As of recent, Bonton Farms holds a 4.7-star rating based on 536 reviews.
Reviews of Bonton Farms highlight its powerful impact on the community and its genuine social mission. Many visitors and community members praise the farm for its fresh, high-quality produce and welcoming atmosphere. Positive reviews often mention the farm's role in providing a much-needed food source in an otherwise underserved area, as well as the friendly and knowledgeable staff who foster a strong sense of community. The café and coffeehouse receive accolades for offering delicious locally made products and serving as comfortable gathering spots. Moreover, patrons appreciate Bonton Farms' commitment to social change, job creation, and supporting entrepreneurship, seeing it as an inspiring example of community-led transformation. However, some negative feedback points to challenges typical of growing social enterprises, such as occasional product availability issues or limited hours of operation, reflecting the evolving nature of the farm’s expanding services. A few reviewers noted that access or parking could sometimes be difficult due to the urban location. In summary, the overall sentiment in reviews is overwhelmingly positive, emphasizing the farm’s essential role within South Dallas and its success as a model of sustainable urban agriculture and community empowerment.
Highlights from reviewers (Most Relevant)
Brittany Horn
Doris was great showing us the farm animals! They are very obviously well taken care of and happy animals. Tons of baby goats when we went and all were so sweet. The honey butter coffee was award-worthy and the biscuits at the restaurant were insane too! 😋 Love what they are doing in the Dallas community and love the outreach they are doing. I fully support this mission and recommend them! We will be back!
AM
Bonton Farm’s Flying Donkey Coffee Shop and Bonton Gardens - hidden gem! Boynton’s signature Honey Butter Latte is smooth and not too sweet, but lots of other latte flavors available. Limited baked goods. Attached Bonton Market has fresh vegetables right from their gardens. Cafe has indoor and patio seating. Patio is spacious - some larger and smaller tables. Patio is covered. 95% street parking. Closes at 3p, so get here by 1:30/2p to eat, get coffee or shop!
TJ
Peaceful place. Omg, the honey butter latte is amazing. I found my favorite coffee shop! I haven’t tried the food just yet but if the latte was amazing, I know the food and everything else is (will be back to try). Reminds me of being back home in Louisiana at my grandfather & grandmother house in the country as a kid/teen. It brings back memories and happiness. Everyone is nice there and I also love the goats lol! One love!
Carol “Kay” Brock
We were met at the restaurant with a warm, smiling face and her name was Mel. She shared the visions of the farm, the community impact and we enjoyed the farm to table experience. If you have a chance to try the onion bacon jam on one of your food items, do it! It will change your life. Thank you Bonton farms for a great experience experience. We love what you are doing in the community.
Susan Young
Amazing food, outstanding service Beautiful location, cafe, coffee shop, market and farm garden. Locally sourced Phenomenal food in the perfect setting. We had a wonderful weekend brunch can’t wait to try everything on the menu!!! Fabulous
How to reach Bonton Farms
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Why Bonton Farms may become Your Favorite Meetup Place for Catching Up, Celebrating or Just Hanging Out
Why rally at Bonton Farms with your friends?
Gathering with friends at Bonton Farms offers a rare blend of community, nature, and purpose that makes any meetup truly memorable. Nestled in the heart of South Dallas, this urban farm breathes new life into a neighborhood once labeled a food desert, transforming it into a thriving oasis of fresh food and friendship. Meeting here means more than just enjoying a day outdoors; it's about experiencing a place where the soil nurtures hope and growth for both plants and people alike. The farm’s mission to heal the community by providing fresh, locally grown food, supportive programs, and a welcoming atmosphere makes it ideal for a group seeking meaning along with fun. Whether you're sharing a freshly prepared meal together or exploring the gardens and meeting the friendly animals, the energy at Bonton Farms is infused with a spirit of renewal and connection. Your meetup supports a powerful cause, adding depth and satisfaction to your time spent with loved ones in a setting that’s peaceful yet vibrant, educational yet relaxed.
What activities are available at Bonton Farms for group meetups?
Bonton Farms provides a diverse range of activities perfect for groups looking to bond over shared experiences in a unique setting. Visitors can wander through flourishing garden beds, taking in mid-summer produce and observing free-range chickens, goats, and pigs, which offers an educational and joyful outdoor experience. The farm hosts farmer’s markets where your group can shop for fresh, locally grown vegetables and other goods, directly supporting sustainable agriculture and community employment. Adjacent to the farm is a charming café serving dishes made with farm-fresh ingredients, including standout options like fried green tomatoes and catfish po’boys. This spot is ideal for groups wanting to savor award-winning, locally sourced meals in a relaxed, rustic atmosphere. Additionally, the farm occasionally organizes special events such as inspirational chef-led dinners and cooking classes, infusing excitement and learning into your visit. These activities make Bonton Farms a vibrant venue for growing friendships and fostering togetherness around food, nature, and communal wellbeing.
Why is Bonton Farms the perfect place for a group meetup?
Bonton Farms stands out as an exceptional meetup location due to its authentic community roots and inspiring mission. Unlike typical venues, this urban farm is embedded in a neighborhood that once faced significant socio-economic challenges, making every visit a contribution to positive change. The farm’s holistic approach combines agriculture, wellness, education, and social support, offering a rich environment where groups can engage meaningfully. The expansive outdoor space provides a comfortable setting for gatherings, with grassy fields perfect for picnics and socializing under the open Texas sky. The presence of farm animals and sustainable gardens creates a calm yet stimulating backdrop that encourages lively conversation and shared learning. Furthermore, supporting Bonton Farms means you are helping uplift a community by promoting job training, healthy eating, and neighborhood revitalization. This blend of enjoying nature, sharing good food, and supporting social impact gives groups a unique sense of purpose alongside their fun, making it a deeply rewarding meetup destination.
What makes the food and market experience at Bonton Farms unique?
The culinary experience at Bonton Farms is deeply intertwined with its mission of sustainability and community upliftment, offering guests an authentic taste of locally sourced, farm-to-table food rarely found in urban settings. Their café blends fresh produce harvested directly from the farm with creative Southern classics, such as the beloved fried green tomato sandwich topped with house-made pimento cheese and flavorful catfish po’boys with spicy sauces. The menu adapts to whatever is flourishing on the farm, ensuring freshness and seasonal variety, which appeals to food lovers and groups seeking wholesome meals together. The attached farmer’s market complements the café by making fresh fruits, vegetables, and grocery essentials accessible to the local community and visitors alike. This market is more than just a shopping destination—it fosters connections between growers and eaters while supporting apprenticeship programs that teach crucial job skills. Together, the farm, café, and market create an immersive farm-to-fork experience that invites groups to learn, taste, and share a meal with a purpose.
How does Bonton Farms contribute to community development and wellness?
Bonton Farms is not simply a farm but a pivotal social initiative aiming to uplift its South Dallas neighborhood through comprehensive community development. The farm plays a crucial role in addressing public health issues linked to food deserts, offering access to fresh, nutritious food that helps combat high rates of diabetes, stroke, cardiovascular disease, and cancer prevalent in the area. Through apprenticeship programs, Bonton empowers local residents by providing job training in sustainable agriculture, restaurant work, and retail, equipping individuals with skills essential for long-term employment. These programs are supported by social services offering wellness resources and housing assistance, addressing the broader challenges residents face in their pursuit of stability. The farm’s holistic approach nurtures personal growth like cultivating soil nutrients, creating opportunities for healing and self-sufficiency. This transformative impact makes Bonton Farms a beacon of hope, making your visit an engagement with a living community project focused on equity, health, and opportunity.
What can groups expect during special events and workshops at Bonton Farms?
Special events and workshops at Bonton Farms offer groups a distinctive opportunity to engage with the farm’s mission while enjoying high-quality culinary and educational experiences. Events often feature guest chefs, like Chad Houser of Café Momentum, who bring award-winning dishes crafted from farm ingredients and infused with stories of social impact and humor. Guests might participate in field kitchen dinners held outdoors, dining in scenic pastures that create a sense of escape from the urban bustle, enhancing the social atmosphere. Workshops may include cooking classes using fresh farm produce, where groups can learn new skills and techniques together, fostering camaraderie and shared achievement. These events typically emphasize local, sustainable food culture combined with community storytelling, making every gathering both delicious and meaningful. They are uniquely designed to connect people to each other, the land, and the broader goal of social upliftment, enriching a meetup with memorable moments and lasting connections.
Why is Bonton Farms a meaningful destination beyond just a meetup spot?
Beyond its appeal as a gathering place, Bonton Farms represents a powerful story of transformation and hope for a community once plagued by hardship. The farm illustrates how sustainable urban agriculture can regenerate neighborhoods, improve health outcomes, and create career pathways for marginalized populations. When groups visit, they are stepping into a space where social justice meets environmental stewardship—a place that actively restores dignity and opportunity. By choosing Bonton Farms for a meetup, you are not only enjoying great food and outdoor experiences but also supporting a sustainable model that could inspire other communities facing similar challenges. The farm's commitment to “cultivating the soul of the community” ensures that every visitor leaves with a deeper appreciation of how collective effort nurtures both land and lives. Such a meaningful context infuses your group experience with purpose and connection far beyond typical social venues.
How accessible is Bonton Farms for visitors coming from around Dallas?
Bonton Farms is conveniently accessible for visitors from various parts of Dallas and its surrounding areas, making it an excellent choice for groups traveling from different neighborhoods. Located approximately 3.9 miles from the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center and about 10 miles from Dallas Love Field Airport, it is reachable by car within a reasonable time frame. The farm is situated in South Dallas, a neighborhood historically underserved by grocery stores and fresh food retailers, emphasizing the transformative nature of this location. While public transportation options may be more limited given the area’s food desert status, visitors traveling by car or rideshare will find easy access to the farm, allowing stress-free planning for meetups. This proximity to Dallas’s urban core paired with its peaceful, farm-like environment offers an ideal balance for visitors seeking a nature-infused retreat without venturing too far from the city.
What makes Bonton Farms’ environment inviting for group gatherings?
Bonton Farms offers an inviting, warm environment shaped by its blend of natural beauty, community-centered design, and relaxed outdoor spaces, ideal for groups to gather comfortably. The farm’s landscape includes spacious grassy fields where visitors can picnic, chat, or simply unwind beneath the wide Texas sky, all while surrounded by rows of vibrant garden beds and friendly farm animals. This outdoor setting encourages informal socializing and exploration, helping groups reconnect away from urban distractions in a serene yet lively retreat. The café and market spaces further enhance group interactions with communal tables and welcoming atmospheres designed to foster sharing and conversation. The sense of purpose embedded in the farm’s activities adds to the positive vibe, as visitors share the joy of supporting a place that champions social and environmental good. This balance of natural charm, community spirit, and inviting facilities makes Bonton Farms a natural choice for groups looking to combine leisure with meaningful engagement.
How do Bonton Farms’ programs support long-term impact in the neighborhood?
Bonton Farms’ programs are thoughtfully structured to ensure that the positive impacts on the neighborhood are sustainable and far-reaching. By offering apprenticeships and job training in farming, restaurant service, and retail management, the farm builds essential skills for stable employment, enabling residents to move beyond economic hardship. These programs are complemented by social work and wellness support, which address mental health, housing security, and life skills, creating a comprehensive safety net for participants. The farm’s market and café create ongoing opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship within the community, reinforcing local economic growth. Additionally, Bonton Farms fosters community pride and cohesion by creating a space where neighbors can gather, learn, and thrive together. This holistic approach ensures that improvements in health, economy, and social welfare are interlinked and durable, marking Bonton Farms as a catalyst for long-lasting neighborhood revitalization. Groups that visit become part of this enduring impact story, deepening the significance of their meetup experience.