Fall is underway, but the Dallas dining scene isn't cooling off anytime soon, from upscale Greek dining in Uptown to a pink matcha café and a Cajun-inspired cocktail speakeasy. On the horizon, you can get excited for a cult-favorite NYC pizza spot and a modern Chinese concept, while longtime staples are also saying goodbye. Explore the 101 to the latest Dallas dining news below!
Updated October 2025
NEW RESTAURANTS: NOW OPEN
Avra
Neighborhood: Uptown
Cuisine: Upscale Greek
About: Originally founded in 2000 on 48th St in Manhattan, Avra combines the cuisine of the coastal Greek town of Nafpaktos with the chic, upscale atmosphere of NYC. The menu focuses on elevated Greek dishes, with seafood flown in daily from the Mediterranean.
The 101: Dallas may have a lot of new upscale spots, but we have to say, this one is beautifully done – we loved both the atmosphere and the food! Start with Saganaki, grilled halloumi, classic spreads, and their famous Avra chips, aka fried zucchini and eggplant chips with tzatziki. We also loved the Grilled Octopus salad!
Brya Zan
Neighborhood: Plano
Cuisine: Thai
About: From the owners of Malai Kitchen comes this fast-casual Southeast Asian spot, serving classics like Pad Thai, Drunken Noodles, and Pineapple Fried Rice, paired with a selection of Malai-brewed craft beers, frozen cocktails, teas, and more
The 101: We were pleasantly surprised to hear of Malai’s more casual little sister, and think it’s the perfect addition to Plano’s lunch and dinner scene! You truly can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, from fresh noodles and handmade curries to healthy bowls and even Spicy Cotton Candy (don’t knock it ‘til you try it!). The prices are really affordable, too!
Caché
Neighborhood: Uptown
Cuisine: Cocktail bar & Cajun
About: From the Bellomy Hospitality Group (behind Rex’s Seafood and in partnership with Sueño), this cozy 35-seat hideaway located above S&D Oyster Company brings speakeasy charm, French elegance, and New Orleans soul to Dallas.
The 101: This spot truly transports you to NOLA, and is the perfect place to grab drinks before or after dinner downstairs! We love the balcony, and recommend the Oyster Co. Martini with vodka infused with roasted Gulf oyster shells, or the Café Brûlée with Café du Monde chicory coffee to drink. Pair your cocktails with small plates like panko-crusted deviled eggs with Creole filling, black-eyed pea hummus, steak tartare, caviar service, and charcuterie!
Cafe Ciro
Neighborhood: Pleasant Grove
Cuisine: Coffee Shop
About: This female-owned coffee and matcha pop-up has opened a brick-and-mortar, serving an array of drinks in fun flavors like Chocobanana, Oreo, dulce de leche, and more. Plus, you can find small bites like mini pancakes and homemade chilaquiles.
The 101: This spot is absolutely adorable, with pink everything, cute logos, and cozy couches. The drinks are just as stunning, and we love that the owner incorporated Mexican flavors, inspired by her own culture! The mazapan matcha and churro latte are to die for!
Cafe Olivia
Neighborhood: Addison
Cuisine: Cafe
About: The first opening from the new hospitality group, On Brand, is Cafe Olivia, a coastal-influenced coffee bar with chef-driven cafe eats. Open for breakfast and lunch, you’ll find a little bit of everything: sandwiches, salads, acai and grain bowls, soups, and an array of unique coffee and tea drinks.
The 101: From the bright and airy space to the healthy, locally-sourced menu, Cafe Olivia is a breath of fresh air. Our favorite sips from the menu are the Strawberry Basil Matcha, Salted Maple Cortado, and the Fig and Rose Cappuccino. To eat, you truly can’t go wrong with anything, with tons of options for any time of day. This spot is great for dietary restrictions, too, with tons of well-labeled vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options!
JW Steakhouse
Neighborhood: Arts District
Cuisine: Steakhouse
About: JW Marriott Dallas Arts District has debuted a new restaurant on the 11th floor of the hotel, in the space that was formerly Margaret's and later known as Montage. The menu features a prime selection of steaks, of course, along with salt flights, special sauces, and classic sides with a Mexican and Asian-inspired twist.
The 101: This spot is a great option for dinner before a show at the AT&T Performing Arts Center, with skyline views, upscale vibes, and a prix-fixe option. We love that they’re putting a unique twist on your typical steakhouse menu, and they also have a great commitment to sustainability and reducing waste!
Rising Tides Bar
Neighborhood: East Dallas
Cuisine: New American/dive bar
About: This new spot is serving up dive bar vibes with an elevated twist, plus a side of fun events like weekly karaoke and parties like a Mario Kart tournament. On the menu, you’ll find fun takes on classics like wings, burgers, and more, paired with beers and craft cocktails.
The 101: We love a good dive bar, and this spot gives us that plus a little something extra! It’s the perfect place to hang out all night long, or even for a weekend brunch! Trust us, get the pickle marg, umami pretzels, and the smashburger.
Tacos Juancho
Neighborhood: Oak Lawn
Cuisine: Mexican
About: Taking over the former Rusty Taco space on Oak Lawn is this bright orange spot, serving Mexico City-inspired tacos. The menu focuses on street meats that you might find in CDMX, like asada, pastor, barbacoa, pollo, saudero, chicharron prensado, campechano, and nopalitos, all served in a taco or quesadilla.
The 101: With elaborate decor and a simple menu, this spot tastes as good as it looks! We loved the Caonera de Rib-eye and the Aquacate, aka an avocado marg. Our pro tip? Go on the weekends to try the birria and special quesadillas served on a hand-pressed blue corn tortilla with melted queso asadero.
The Reserve at The Highland
Neighborhood: SMU
Cuisine: Steakhouse
About: After the departure of Knife Italian Steak from The Highland hotel earlier this year, The Reserve at The Highland has taken its place. The new restaurant features a sophisticated dining room, a garden patio, and a focus on all-natural, Texas-raised meats and other American dishes.
The 101: This spot is perfect for a hearty, classic steakhouse meal, with options like oysters, crabcakes, wedge salad, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, lobster, and beef galore. Check out their deals like half-priced wine on Mondays, Steak Tuesdays, Spritz Thursdays, and happy hour!
Vaquera at Victory Social
Neighborhood: Victory Park
Cuisine: Tex-Mex
About: Victory Park’s all-day food hall, Victory Social, has a new Tex-Mex concept: Vaquera, meaning cowgirl in Spanish, is now serving up Southwestern classics like street-style tacos, hearty bowls, flautas, nachos, and refreshing shrimp cocktails.
The 101: We love grabbing a workday lunch or patio happy hour at this food hall, and we’re so excited to see a new option added! Our go-tos are the Al Pastor & Hongos Tacos, Quesabirria Flautas, and of course, Chips & Queso. Fun fact: all their food is made with premium meats, Gulf seafood, and locally sourced ingredients!
COMING SOON & RECENTLY ANNOUNCED
Boogie’s
Taking over the former Whippersnapper space off Henderson comes Boogie’s, a highly anticipated discotheque with live DJs, dancing, and disco vibes. The concept is a product of This & That Hospitality, the team behind High Fives, Double D’s, and the buzzy new(ish) Hendy’s on Henderson, in collaboration with Jake Gatewood, a local Dallas DJ known for lively sets and his founding of Take A Break Fest.
Lulu Modern Chinese
This modern Chinese spot is coming to Plano courtesy of a New York restaurateur, serving a combination of elevated, classic, and contemporary Chinese dishes from all across the country. The menu will consist of noodles, rice, dumplings, and lots of vegetarian options, along with a full bar.
Prince Street Pizza
Cult-favorite pizza spot from NYC, Prince Street Pizza, is finally landing in Dallas. Opening mid-October on Henderson Ave., this will be Prince St.’s first Texas restaurant in the brand’s 13-year history, taking over the former Fireside Pies space on Henderson Avenue. Fans can expect their signature Sicilian-style pizza, in flavors like the Spicy Spring, with thick-cut pepperoni cups baked on a focaccia-like crust.
CLOSINGS
Campo Verde
After a brief closure earlier this year, this Arlington Tex-Mex spot famous for its thousands of kitschy Christmas lights year-round, was saved by new owners, only to announce it will close its doors permanently this holiday season. The owners cited that menu changes were not as well-received as they had hoped, and the restaurant’s last day will be December 24th.
The Porch
After 15 years of comfort food and neighborhood vibes, this Henderson Avenue staple has closed, stating the closure was due to operational issues and rising costs. We were stoked about their reopening in 2023, so we’re sad to see them go – and will miss the grilled cheese and tomato soup.
Rodeo Dallas
This popular and lively Deep Ellum nightclub has taken us for a wild ride these past few months, with multiple closings and openings. This time, it looks like they might be gone for good, but really, who's to say? The back-and-forth comes after a judge’s ruling to close the bar, citing a "threat of imminent and irreparable harm", with multiple incidents occurring in the already struggling Deep Ellum neighborhood. The owners plan to fight back, blaming the ruling on gentrification.
