Fall may have been about pies and patio dining, but winter brings a whole new set of food activities. Let's explore and make the most of this season with these curated food-focused to-do's.

Uncover North Texas' Winter Food Delights

Get into the Holiday Spirit at These Bars

At the Virgin Hotels Dallas, the Mariah Carey-themed pop-up is a sight to behold. Surrounded by Christmas decor and sipping on candy cane-rimmed espresso martinis, it truly gets you in the festive mood. Leela's Wine Bar, with its two Dallas locations and one in Trophy Club, is renowned for its holiday cheer and seasonal cocktails. This year, their holiday drinks follow a 12 Days of Christmas theme. There are several other bars going all out for the holidays too. Mariah Carey's Black Irish Holiday Bar is open from Nov. 15 to Dec. 29 at Virgin Hotels Dallas, with an entry fee of $20 and reservations recommended.

Revel in Tamales

'Tis the season for tamales! You can either gather some friends and make them yourself using a recipe like the one from Molino Olōyō, or leave it to the professionals. Fort Worth-based Hot Damn Tamales and Dallas Tortilla and Tamale Factory offer delicious tamales by the dozen. It's a great way to enjoy this holiday staple.

Hunt down Hot Cocoa

The window for drinking hot cocoa is quite narrow, but when it's right, it's wonderful. Xaman Cafe in Oak Cliff, Staycation in Richardson, Chocolate Secrets in Oak Lawn, Hola Cafe in Oak Cliff and Uptown all have hot cocoa on their winter menus. Or, if you prefer to make it at home, pick up Dude, Sweet Chocolate's drinking chocolate kit or Kate Weiser's drinking chocolate snowman.

Try a Cookie Decorating Class

Sur La Table's cooking decorating classes or Cake Carousel in Richardson offer tips and tricks to up your cookie game for the holidays. If you already know what you're doing, grab a cookie decorating kit from Dallas Custom Cookies, which comes with regular or gluten-free sugar cookies.

Check out the Texas Halal Fest

In its second year, the Texas Halal Fest is a huge event. More than 150 vendors will be set up at Haggard Park in Plano on Dec. 14. BigDash, the viral Halal Fusionz, Momo's Coffeehouse and Shawarma Press are among the lineup. Entry is free, and food is available for purchase. txhalalfest.com.

Treat Yourself to Panettone

If you haven't tried panettone yet, this is the year to do it. This rich, Italian sweet bread originated in Milan and is now a holiday staple worldwide. It's often given as a gift, but why not buy it for yourself? Find it at markets like Jimmy's Food Store and Eataly. And here's a pro tip: Use panettone in place of regular bread in your French toast or bread pudding recipes for a delicious twist.

Sip a Peppermint Mocha

Even coffee purists can't resist the magic of a peppermint mocha. Good Boy Cafe in East Dallas offers a seasonal dark chocolate peppermint mocha, available iced or hot. Otto's Coffee in downtown Dallas also has it on their winter menu.

Take Advantage of Citrus Season

Winter is the best time for citrus. Visit Central Market for an impressive selection of fresh citrus. Keep an eye out for seasonal citrus dishes on restaurant menus too. Last year, some amazing citrus dishes popped up around Dallas.

Support a Favorite Restaurant

The winter months, especially January, can be tough for restaurants. After the holidays, there's often a drop in business, and some restaurants may close permanently. Make a point to visit your favorite spots, especially small businesses, this season. You never know if they'll still be there when the weather warms up.