The 10 Best Dishes We’ve Tried From New Dallas Restaurants in 2023

2023 has seen a whirlwind of new restaurant and bar openings, but only a few made such an impression that they made this list. These are the 10 most memorable dishes at new Dallas restaurants in 2023.

Hirame Usuzukuri at Pearl Sushi

A surprising favorite at this new Knox-Henderson sushi spot, the Hirame Usuzukuri is a thinly sliced fluke served with ponzu jelly, scallions, momiji, shyoga, and shiso. The ponzu jelly adds a sweet, unexpected kick to one of Pearl’s signature cold dishes.

Crispy Octopus at Margaret’s

One of our favorite new restaurants this year, this farm-to-table concept at JW Marriott Dallas Arts District offers an outstanding menu of great dishes. The one you must not miss — chef Jonah Friedmann’s Crispy Octopus with salsa verde, crispy kale, and sea foam.

The Meatier Pizza at The Meteor

We were pleasantly surprised to find one of our favorite new pizzas at this Austin-based cafe, wine store, and bike shop in the Design District. Made with sourdough bread, The Meatier pie comes topped with sausage, pepperoni, and bacon. Pair it with an orange wine and Caesar salad for the best experience.

Fried Green Beans at Ladylove Lounge & Sound

Found at a new record lounge and bar in Bishop Arts, these tempura fried green beans sprinkled with bleu cheese and served with spicy jalapeño ranch are a delightful snack while listening to tunes.

Banana Pudding Baked Alaska at Mister Charles

For a banana lover, this Baked Alaska at one of the hottest new spots in town is a must-try. Take a scoop of the toasted meringue exterior to find a creamy banana pudding ice cream cake inside.

Steak Tartare at Bar Colette

Don’t sleep on the classic steak tartare at this new West Village cocktail bar. Housemade kettle chips come with the dish to scoop up every last meaty bite.

Banh Boy at Saint Valentine

The banh mi at this new East Dallas bar comes with an option of catfish or pork meatballs, pickled carrots, cucumber, cilantro, and jalapeño. But it’s the spicy kewpie mayo that makes this a great Vietnamese sandwich.

The Best Roll at Anchor Sushi Bar

This roll at Vandelay Hospitality Group’s new sushi concept earns its name. The riceless roll features salmon, tuna, crab, avocado, and tempura flake drizzled with spicy ponzu.

Peking Duck at Komodo

We still crave the signature Peking Duck dish from this Miami-based Asian restaurant in Deep Ellum. It’s just that good. It comes with a $105 price tag, but trust us, it’s worth it if you’re celebrating or having a nice night out. The duck is served with rice pancakes, cucumber, scallion, and hoisin sauce.

Grilled Spanish Octopus at Georgie

Georgie did not open in 2023, but the favorite Dallas spot did see some big changes on Travis Street. The hospitality company that owns the local concept ended its partnership with Australian celebrity chef Curtis Stone and gained a new executive head chef, RJ Yoakum. He’s created an entirely new menu and so many dishes stand out. But we particularly loved the Grilled Spanish Octopus, which is served on a potato and squash blossom tortilla with brown butter mole negro.