5 New Buzzy Dallas Restaurant Openings to Look Forward to This Fall

A Houston-Based Steakhouse With Movie Theme, A 'Latin Trattoria,' Chef Matt McCallister's Latest Concept, and More

By Megan Ziots // Aug 19, 2026

1/0

The faux movie theater entrance, including the box office, to Houston's Juliet belies the chic restaurant inside.

The 34-ounce USDA Prime gold tomahawk ribeye wrapped in 24k gold leaf is highlight of the menu at Juliet. (Photo by In-House Social)

Los Angeles-based Élephante is a coastal Italian restaurant from Wish You Were Here Group. (Rendering courtesy)

Docent Steak will feature a Kobe beef program. (Courtesy of Harwood Hospitality)

The Harwood District finally sets an opening date for Docent Steak & Lounge. (Courtesy of Harwood Hospitality)

School is back in session, which means fall is officially on the horizon — even if Dallas weather hasn’t gotten the memo. Luckily, there’s plenty to look forward to beyond cooler temps, with several exciting restaurant openings still on the way this year. The lineup includes a Houston-based steakhouse, a Los Angeles coastal Italian import, and a handful of buzzy homegrown concepts — including the highly anticipated new spot from Chef Matt McCallister, which just so happens to be the one I’m most excited about.

River Sing

820 Exposition Avenue

Former Homewood chef Matt McCallister returns to the Dallas restaurant scene this October with a new tasting menu concept in Fair Park. According to D Magazine, River Sing will offer a four- or five-course menu around $150. The restaurant is built around a garden and will focus on local seasonality.

Casa Pio

4816 Belt Line Road, Addison

From the founder of the now-closed Roma-TX Pizza Tavern in Allen (a fusion of Italian recipes and Texas ingredients), Chef Fernando De Almeida, comes a new fusion concept — a Latin-inspired trattoria in Addison called Casa Pio. Its website says it will open on September 1 and features photos of house-made pastas and pizza dough.

Juliet

1400 Hi Line Drive, Suite 116

Opening next to Delilah in Dallas’ Design District this September, Juliet is a Houston-based steakhouse known for its Old Hollywood movie theme, $325 34-ounce gold-crusted tomahawk ribeye, and celebrity visits — Drake, Lizzo, and Megan Thee Stallion have all stopped by the original spot, according to the Houston Chronicle. The Dallas location will screen classic films and feature cinematic elements throughout the space.

Élephante

2323 Cedar Springs Road (23Springs)

This coastal Italian hot spot from Los Angeles is opening at the new office building, 23Springs, in Uptown this fall. From Wish You Were Here Group, Élephante began as a rooftop bar and restaurant in Santa Monica. This will be the brand’s third location, occupying an 11,000-square-foot space in a standalone two-story building facing Maple Avenue.

Docent Steak

2801 N. Harwood Street, Suite 100

Announced over two years ago, this new Harwood Hospitality concept says it’s finally set to open this fall. It’ll open at Harwood 14 and be “a new Dallas steakhouse rooted in Texas hospitality, exceptional beef and genuine neighborhood spirit,” according to a press release. Like fellow Harwood steakhouse Stillwell’s, Docent will serve HWD Beef — Harwood’s exclusive premium beef program (featuring Akaushi cattle) developed through a partnership with ranchers in Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. The restaurant will also feature a certified Kobe program, making it home to one of the largest Kobe programs in Texas.