Dallas’ dining scene is buzzing this May with fresh openings, exciting pop-ups and coming soons, and a few bittersweet goodbyes. From tiki rooftop takeovers and cozy Italian markets to neon-lit mezcal bars and Korean bites you’ve probably never tried before, there’s no shortage of foodie fun in Dallas this month. Explore the below of the latest spots to open, what’s coming soon, and what’s saying goodbye in Dallas this month!
Updated May 2025
NEW RESTAURANT OPENINGS
Ari’s Pantry
Neighborhood: Downtown
Cuisine: Italian market
About: Family-owned Ari’s Pantry has opened a third location, which is their largest space to date. It was founded by Ari Lowstein, who spent 10 years living in Rome, and was inspired by the local markets there and the sense of community they offer.
The 101: We love Ari’s Pantry’s other locations, and this spot has just about everything: coffee, pre-made meals, gelato, wine, pastas, pizza dough, produce, meats, cheeses, olives, and more. It’s the perfect place to grab a cup of coffee, work remotely, and pick up some ingredients for dinner!
Beeso Coffee
Neighborhood: Garland
Cuisine: Coffee shop
About: What started as a mobile coffee cart serving weddings, conferences, team gatherings, parties, and more has officially opened its first brick-and-mortar location. The bright space offers a variety of drinks like a Coconut Latte, Nitro Peach Iced Tea, and Electric Matcha, plus an array of pastries.
The 101: We’ve been fans of this spot for years, and have had the Beeso Coffee Cart pop-up at several of our team events, so we’re thrilled to see them celebrate this milestone! Their coffee is delicious and strong, perfect for when you need a boost. The Biscoff Latte is our go-to!
Ghost Donkey
Neighborhood: Deep Ellum
Cuisine: Latin
About: Ghost Donkey is a mezcal and tequila bar that started in NYC and has made its way to cities like Melbourne, Auckland, and now Dallas. You can find the speakeasy inside Palma, which also made its way to Deep Ellum this month.
The 101: This neon-lit speakeasy is a blast, with a festive atmosphere filled with Latin music, twinkle lights, and even a life-sized floral donkey! They have a great menu of agave-forward cocktails, and even fun shareable bites like carne asada tacos and shrimp ceviche.
Gigi’s Bar & Lounge
Neighborhood: Plano
Cuisine: Latin
About: This new female-owned bar and lounge has opened its doors at The Shops of Legacy, bringing lively vibes with a Latin flair. The moody yet colorful space will feature weekly entertainment and a menu of tequila cocktails, plus shareable eats like quesadillas, tacos, and more.
The 101: This spot brings a whole new vibe to Legacy with its entertainment and atmosphere! Events like Noche de Despecho on Thursdays, Latin Night on Saturdays, featuring music and dancing, and a Weekend Brunch on Sundays.
Hank’s Hideaway Pop-Up
Neighborhood: Uptown
Cuisine: Hawaiian
About: The rooftop at The Henry has debuted a new summer pop-up, shifting from the “Hamptons at The Henry” theme from previous years. This summer’s theme is ‘Hank’s Hideaway”, a tiki-inspired bar with tropical drinks and a mix of Hawaiian bites and their classic rooftop menu items.
The 101: Hank’s Hideaway transports you straight to paradise – no plane ticket required! The refreshing menu features beachy sips and bites galore, like Painkillers and Mai Tais, Kalua Pork Sliders and Poke Bowls. If you’re a fan of rum drinks, island vacays, or tiki bars, this is a must-visit this summer!
Neko Yubu
Neighborhood: Love Field
Cuisine: Korean
About: Hailing from NYC, this fun spot specializes in yubuchobap, also known as yubu sushi, which features yubu, a versatile ingredient that comes from the thin layers formed during the tofu-making process. The yubu is then fried and filled with rice and other ingredients like veggies, seafood, meat, and more.
The 101: We’ve been wanting to try yubuchobap for quite some time, and it’s officially our new obsession! It’s unlike any other sushi we’ve had before – the Butter Crab, Beef Bulgogi, and Cheese Buldak ones were our faves!
Palma
Neighborhood: Deep Ellum
Cuisine: Asian Fusion
About: Also hailing from NYC and connected to Ghost Donkey, this tropical-inspired spot is a lively, beachy escape in the middle of the city, offering cocktails, fusion bites, and daily happy hour.
The 101: This space feels like you’ve been transported to Tulum, with its resort-style design, indoor-outdoor seating, a massive patio, palm trees, and an animated mural wall. The Tex-Asian menu features fun twists on classic dishes like maki rolls, hatch chile queso, smashburgers, banh mi cheesesteaks, and galbi short ribs!
Pine Isle
Neighborhood: East Dallas
Cuisine: Hawaiian
About: This takeout-only scratch kitchen brings all the flavors of Hawaii to Dallas, serving dishes like spam musubis, signature poke, pork lau lau, garlic shrimp, miso salmon, and hearty plates.
The 101: If you’re looking for an authentic taste of paradise, or are missing your Hawaiian vacation, this spot is a must-try! You truly can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, but our favorite is the plates, which come with a protein, rice, mac, and green salad, for the perfect filling yet fresh meal!
COMING SOON
Pictured: Two Hands Austin
Avra
This coastal Greek restaurant started by a Greek immigrant in Manhattan’s Upper East Side, has now grown to an upscale destination in LA and Miami, beyond NYC, with Dallas next on the list. We haven’t heard many updates on their opening, but expect to see them open this summer!
Uptown | Directions
Frenchie
This all-day French bistro is coming to Preston Center, from restaurateur Steven Courseau of Knox Bistro and Georgie! You can expect European flavors and a full bar – we got to see a preview of the space and it’s stunning!
Park Cities | Directions
Two Hands
This popular Australian-inspired brunch destination from NYC is coming to The Quad, a new development in Uptown that’s also home to Written by the Seasons and DOMODOMO. We saw them putting out patio furniture just this week, so it appears they’re getting close to opening!
Uptown | Directions
CLOSINGS
Pictured: UnaVida
Hong Kong Restaurant
The longest-standing Chinese restaurant in Dallas closed their doors at their restaurant on White Rock Lake.
Hugo’s Invitados
Following the closure of their West Village location 2 years ago, Mexican restaurant Hugo’s Invitados original location in Las Colinas abruptly closed mid-May, claiming issues with their landlord.
Kimzey’s
The viral cottage-core coffee shop in Argyle abruptly closed earlier this month, devastating regulars and fans who made the journey out to the ‘burbs after seeing the shop online.
La Neta Cocina Y Lounge
The beautiful yet controversial restaurant at The Epic, La Neta Cocina Y Lounge, closed its doors in early May, citing a variety of issues.
Meddlesome Moth
This gorgeous Design District staple known for its stained glass windows served its last meals on May 22nd.
UnaVida
This healthy spot for Mexican food and cocktails has closed its doors to instead open WokStar Chinese, another concept the restaurant group Local Favorite owns.
