You could go with a lower profile surface mounted fixture. There's no rule that a dining room light must be suspended. Another option for low ceilings is to mount wall sconces in the dining room and skip the ceiling fixture altogether.

We have high ceilings in the other rooms that are a new addition.The dining room is in the old side of the house and the ceilings are 7'9" with flat moulding on ceiling. There is white paneling to about 40 inches. we do have recessed lights but I feel like because there is no fixture the ceiling looks even lower.

Keep in mind that there will be a dining table centred on the room and you can still have a suspended fixture without impacting anything. I don't consider 7'9" to be horribly low, it's only 3" lower than a standard 8'0" ceiling. Personally, I wouldn't let that 3" deter you from installing a fixture that you like.

Also light paint at the ceiling and above the wood paneling will visually increase the height of the ceiling. Dark colours will make the space feel closer.

Thank you so much! I painted the wall above the white paneling a reddish clay color…I assume I should change that before I do too much else to the room!