The Dallas Observer is a free alternative weekly newspaper distributed around the Dallas, Texas (USA). At its inception, it was conceived as a weekly local arts and cinema review publication, with the credo "Advocate for Excellence in the Arts" on the cover. For a time during the early years, the paper switched to a biweekly publishing scheduling. Eventually, the paper reverted to a weekly schedule, and began concentrating less on the arts. While it is now known for its investigative stories of the local government, it also covers local sports stories, restaurants, events, and concerts.
The former Mayor of Dallas, Laura Miller, previously worked as a reporter for the Dallas Observer.
In 1991 the Observer was bought by New Times Media. In 2005, New Times acquired Village Voice Media, and changed its name to Village Voice Media.
The Dallas Observer is a member of the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies.