<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4A5JZx_1Gz5GcOn00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4A5JZx_1Gz5GcOn00" width="1800" height="1200" ><figcaption>Dan Padgett</figcaption></figure>Two all-day cafes channel the Australian spirit through fresh flavors, carefully sourced coffee, and hearty tucker (Aussie slang for food). Both are chains that were originally founded by Aussies in New York City. Both are located a six-minute walk from each other in Uptown Dallas, with less than a quarter-mile between them.Yes, we have a proper restaurant duel on our hands. Two Hands opened in June 2025, with Little Ruby’s following eight months later. Their menus are similarly generic: big breakfast plates, sandwiches, burgers, crispy Brussels sprouts, and refreshing drinks. Little Ruby’s adds pastas and house Ruby’s Rosé, while Two Hands bottles a line of cold-pressed juices. Both feature avocado toast, a dish Australia claims to have invented. (Mexico is, understandably, skeptical of that boast.)The stage is set for a ’roo rivalry. A boomerang battle. Koala kerfuffle. War of the wallabies. Aussie rules free-for-all. You get the idea. D Magazine hasn’t used star ratings in restaurant reviews since the 1980s, but on this special occasion, I’m bringing them out of retirement, in a unique crocodile star system. Which bloke is the best on the block?<h2>Little Ruby’s</h2>The vibe: The bright, sunlit dining room is dressed in salmon pink and Outback-red earth tones. Food comes out very quickly, which is almost a pity given how comfortable a place this is to linger.The drink: Ruby’s Rosé, a pink merlot from Veneto, has earthy, chalky notes, and its color matches the dining room decor. Lemonades and non-alcoholic spritzes are pleasing, too.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2UmTN2_1Gz5GcOn00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2UmTN2_1Gz5GcOn00" width="1600" height="1067" ><figcaption>Dan Padgett</figcaption></figure>The avocado toast: Topped with everything bagel seasoning and pickled onions, the toast has gentle sweetness from a hidden layer of jammy tomato spread.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1Xlm3f_1Gz5GcOn00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1Xlm3f_1Gz5GcOn00" width="800" height="1200" ><figcaption>Anita Moti</figcaption></figure>The tucker: Has anyone ever called a breakfast burrito “elegant”? This one qualifies. The grain bowl doesn’t taste like a health-food chore thanks to toasted freekeh and farro, generous feta cheese, and a lively dressing.The Bondi fried chicken sandwich has properly spicy chile sauce, while the Bronte burger, with spinach and a sweet condiment on ciabatta, is more of an acquired taste. Save the burrito’s serrano aioli to dunk battered-and-seasoned fries.Rating: Three starsLittle Ruby’s Dallas | Uptown | 2305 Cedar Springs Rd., Ste. 150 | 945-468-2966 | $$<h2>Two Hands</h2>The vibe: The high-ceilinged dining room is decorated in tones of green that give an impression of healthfulness and virtue. Call it “modern farmhouse chic.” A wall of south-facing windows fills the dining room with sunlight.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=10oNBP_1Gz5GcOn00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=10oNBP_1Gz5GcOn00" width="800" height="1200" ><figcaption>Dan Padgett</figcaption></figure>The drink: An Aper-Not Spritz, a non-alcoholic version of the patio favorite, is light and refreshing with a hint of citrus. Bottled juices taste fresh and skillfully balance their flavors. The avocado toast: Bigger and more generous than Little Ruby’s, this toast is loaded with avocado. Instead of sweet jam, the flavors lean toward savory, with pickled onions and Fresno chiles.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=22pfHb_1Gz5GcOn00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=22pfHb_1Gz5GcOn00" width="1024" height="683" ><figcaption>Dan Padgett</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=12LoXE_1Gz5GcOn00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=12LoXE_1Gz5GcOn00" width="800" height="1200" ><figcaption>Anita Moti</figcaption></figure>The tucker: Yet another big breakfast burrito, this one is stuffed with hash browns instead of tots and served with hotter salsa, not aioli.Bacon is an extra $6; it comes with the burrito at Little Ruby’s. Two Hands’ good-quality bacon stars, however, on a terrific breakfast sandwich: the B.E.K., with fried egg and baby kale. It’s my favorite bite from either cafe. A harissa chicken lentil bowl is loaded with flavors, colors, and textures—sweet potatoes, watermelon radishes, cucumbers, seeds—though the harissa has little punch or spice.Rating: Four starsTwo Hands Dallas | Uptown | 2681 Howell St., Bldg. 1 | 972-585-7487 | $$<h2>The Verdict </h2>Little Ruby’s wins in the bowl brawl and burrito pricing, while Two Hands takes the other rounds. Write to [email protected].</div></body>

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Two all-day cafes channel the Australian spirit through fresh flavors, carefully sourced coffee, and hearty tucker (Aussie slang for food). Both are chains that were originally founded by Aussies in New York City. Both are located a six-minute walk from each other in Uptown Dallas, with less than a quarter-mile between them.

Uptown Has Two Australian Cafes. Which Is Better?

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Two all-day cafes channel the Australian spirit through fresh flavors, carefully sourced coffee, and hearty tucker (Aussie slang for food). Both are chains

Uptown Has Two Australian Cafes. Which Is Better?

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