Spring has arrived in Dallas and so have new restaurants! This month brought us three reopenings of iconic patios, two new dessert spots, a speakeasy in the 'burbs...and so much more! Check out our list of hot new spots around the city!
Updated March 2023
NEW RESTAURANTS IN DALLAS
Ben’s Cookies
Neighborhood: Snider Plaza
Opened: March 10th
About: Founded in Oxford England, the U.K.-based shop sells a variety of cookie flavors for everyone to enjoy. There are locations across the U.K., Middle East, and Asia, and now Grapevine and Dallas are the first two U.S. locations! They’re known for using chocolate chunks instead of chocolate chips!
Cuisine: Bakery
The 101: We are still thinking about the cookies we had during our visit... soo good! They’re crispy on the outside and perfectly gooey on the inside. Staple flavors include milk chocolate chunk, dark chocolate chunk, white chocolate chunk, and snickerdoodle! If you're vegan, not to worry, they will have vegan flavors available soon!
Leela's Uptown
Neighborhood: Uptown
Opened: March 19th
About: Leela’s is a cozy wine bar known for its wine on tap, delicious bites & over the top themed pop-ups throughout the year. Their first two locations in Lower Greenville and Trophy Club are popular spots for happy hour drinks and romantic outings. The Uptown location is situated on Olive St just past Del Friscos, featuring expanded hours and food menus.
Cuisine: New American
The 101: Leela’s has become a fav among Dallasites, and we couldn’t wait to try their Uptown location! It has the same upscale, intimate atmosphere that still makes it perfect for drinks after work. Their wine selection has something for everyone, plus delicious signature cocktails too. We recommend the unique Smoked Salmon board with Boursin & bagel crackers, paired with either a Smoky Paloma or an Espresso Martini! They also have an amazing weekday lunch special!
Olmo Market
Neighborhood: Oak Cliff
Opened: Late February
About: This market is dedicated to providing access to healthy food in Oak Cliff! The market features many products that come from Dallas-based growers, artisans, and creators, including salsas, soaps, and snacks, plus refrigerated and bulk items. Chef Paul Hernandez also serves an all-vegan menu of tacos and more.
Cuisine: Vegan, Grab & Go
The 101: We love a farm-to-table spot, and we also love a spot with an amazing story! Olmo has both, and we're so excited to support them! From the menu the tacos are a go-to, but don’t miss out on the fries, they are insane! They experiment with tons of different recipes and ingredients, so definitely order any specials on the menu too. The bulk section is great and definitely something that's hard to find in the city!
Pizza Leila
Neighborhood: Arts District
Opened: March 14th
About: The award-winning Pizza Leila was previously operating as a ghost kitchen out of Sloane’s Corner for two years, now opening a storefront in the Arts District. The space is a modern take on a New York pizzeria with counter service, minimal seating, and all of the pizza flavors on display for you to “window shop” by the slice!
Cuisine: Sicilian Pizza
The 101: Their Sicilian thick-crust pizzas are truly to die for! It’s been one of our favorites for years and we’re so excited about the new shop! If you’re already a Pizza Leila lover, you know We love their Spinach and Artichoke pizza, along with delicious apps like the Cacio E Pepe Arinchini, a modern twist on a mozzarella stick!
Pull Through Coffee Bar
Neighborhood: White Rock
Opened: February 25th
About: Pull Through Coffee Bar is located in the back corner of Dallas Bike Works, a popular local bike shop. The coffee bar is intended for not just cyclists, but anyone who frequents White Rock Lake, including runners, families & pups. They serve a variety of drinks with cycling-themed names, along with a selection of locally made pastries.
Cuisine: Coffee Shop
The 101: With spring weather on the way, we couldn’t wait to grab our bikes & check this spot out! Our fave drinks were the Runners Refresh topo w espresso & lemon, and the Wake the Waffle, which is coffee or tea topped with a stroopwafel!! To eat, we recommend getting the Healthy Banana Bread – ask for it warmed!
Ramble Room
Neighborhood: Highland Park
Opened: March 6th
About: Ramble Room is the latest concept from Jon Alexis, the owner of Dallas seafood institution TJ's Seafood, along with Malibu Poke and Escondido. Located in Snider Plaza, the space is modern, airy, and sleek yet still unpretentious. The menu features creative martinis, classic American starters, hearty pasta, steaks, burgers, and seafood from TJ’s.
Cuisine: Upscale
The 101: Start with one of 7 martinis: a vesper, cookies & cream latte, or our favorite, the Where There’s Smoke There’s Fire (a mezcal martini meets spicy cocktail of sorts.) For appetizers, get the Swedish meatballs! And for your mains, the Italian sausage rigatoni was a highlight!
Red Phone Booth Speakeasy
Neighborhood: The Colony
Opened: March 3rd
About: Red Phone Booth is a 1920s-style speakeasy and cigar lounge from Atlanta, now open at Grandscape in The Colony. You can only gain access by becoming a member or securing the secret phone number. Once inside you’ll find a dimly lit and cozy space with exposed brick walls, an amber ceiling, leather details, and a wide selection of liquors and cigars.
Cuisine: Cocktail Lounge & Light Italian Bites
The 101: We truly felt like we had stepped back in time to the 1920s, which makes this such a unique addition to the ‘burbs! They have over 400 spirits including rare selections and absinthe, along with a walk-in humidor with 220+ cigars to choose from. Don’t worry about the smoke, the space has a ventilation system that cleans the air every 2 minutes!
Texas Tapyard
image courtesy of Texas Tapyard
Neighborhood: East Dallas
Opened: March 1st
About: Texas Tapyard is a rebranding of the colorful, casual space formerly known as Toller Patio. The refresh was designed to bring a more upscale vibe to the patio bar, with neutral colors and a more elevated food menu. The expansive bar also features several yard games!
Cuisine: American
The 101: We loved Toller Patio, but are excited about the new direction of the bar! The team behind this spot also created HIDE Bar and Royal 38, two of our faves for cocktails and delicious bites. The new Texas Tapyard menu fits in with those vibes perfectly – think bar food but fancy! It’s the perfect place to soak up the warmer weather!
The Porch
Neighborhood: Henderson
Opened: March 6th
About: The Porch has been a classic Dallas spot for over a decade, and the reopening is more of just a “refresh” rather than a change from its past. True to its name, it has an all-weather patio out front, aka their porch! Inside you’ll find a large space with booths, tables and a full bar. The menu features a variety of classic or low-ABV cocktails and an array of comfort food classics.
Cuisine: American/Southern
The 101: This was a long-awaited opening for many Dallasites, and it arrived just in time for patio season! Their menu truly has something for everyone, from brisket tacos to bread pudding french toast. We tried the beef stroganoff because the waiter told us it’s the team’s favorite, plus their award-winning smoked mac n cheese and both were divine! We can't wait to go back to try their brunch and late night menus!
Truck Yard
Neighborhood: Lower Greenville
Opened: March 10th
About: The come-as-you-are beer garden closed last year for a huge renovation, and has now officially reopened. It's known as one of the most unique patios in Dallas, with a junkyard-look of recycled cars made into seats and funky metal decor. They have a stage for live music, fans throughout the patio, along with an onsite kitchen and several food trucks.
Cuisine: American
The 101: Truck Yard truly kept customer feedback in mind, and is back and better than ever! Changes include a larger bar, larger bathrooms, an updated kitchen, more truck bed seating, plus more seating space in general! They've also added fire pits and a covered patio with heaters, and converted the airstream from a bar to seating. We were thrilled to get our hands on one of their famous Philly cheesesteaks and a frozen marg!
MORE NEW RESTAURANTS
Son of a Butcher
The third location of a beloved slider spot, from the owners of Velvet Taco | Grapevine
Van Leeuwen
The second Dallas location of an NYC ice cream shop with a cult following | Inwood Village
