6 Buzzy New Dallas Restaurants to Try Right Now

From Hooper Hospitality Concepts (owners of Dallas’ The Saint) comes a new upscale Chinese restaurant led by former Top Chef runner-up Chef Shirley Chung. Designed by Greg O’Neal of Philosophy Design, this space exudes moody vibes with dim lighting, red booth seating, gold accents, and subtle design details, including florals and butterflies.

Taking a “Texas-inspired approach to Chinese cuisine,” Night Rooster’s menu features nods to Texas barbecue tradition, such as in its Tea-Smoked Duck. Other standouts include jumbo Wagyu cheeseburger potstickers, Cacio e Sichuan Pepe, and lobster & shrimp egg rolls.

This new “Italia-Merica” restaurant from Top Chef alum Chef Carla Pellegrino and Tivona Group (Sanjh) opened in the former WFAA studio space in Dallas’ Victory Park. Designed by Fusion AE, the restaurant can seat 250 guests in an upscale dining room, indoor-outdoor bar space, and large patio.

At Urban Italia, Pellegrino is blending Old-World technique with New-World flair. The menu features Neapolitan-style pizzas, pasta, coastal favorites, and bigger plates like Chicken Milanese and Chilean Sea Bass Mediterranean.

This new diner and live music venue took over the space previously occupied by Ferris Wheelers Backyard & BBQ in Dallas’ Design District. It comes from Spune Productions and Oh, Hi! Hospitality (led by Chef Anastacia Quiñones-Pittman).

An all-day menu at AM/FM features breakfast dishes like chilaquiles, masa pancakes, and pork belly toast. Starters include chorizo fritters, fried green tomatoes, and crab bisque. For entrees, you’ll find an open-faced tuna sammie, chef’s pot pie, and pot roast guiso.

Just opened in Preston Hollow (in the former Fernando’s space), this new Tex-Mex spot comes from the owners of Dallas’ Smoky Rose. The menu features tacos, enchiladas, bowls, a cheeseburger, carne asada, and so much more. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner.

This NYC-based Australian all-day cafe opened its first out-of-state location at Uptown Dallas’ 23Springs. The space features a 1,790-square-foot dining room alongside a 950-square-foot patio, along with design elements like red travertine flooring, white oak millwork, and a custom cowhide wall installation by Texas-based artist Kyle Bunting.

Little Ruby’s menu offers brekkie, lunch, and dinner. Some highlights include the Bronte Burger, Spicy Vodka Pasta, and Ricotta Hotcakes.

A Los Angeles-based 1920s-inspired supper club, with outposts in Las Vegas and Miami, has just opened its largest location in Dallas’s Design District. The h.wood Group co-founders John Terzian and Brian Toll threw an epic, invite-only party featuring a special performance by mgk.

The kitchen is led by Dallas’ own Joel Orsini (formerly of Parigi), who is cooking up Delilah classics, as well as Texas-exclusive dishes. A few highlights on the menu include the Hamachi Crudo, Roasted Lobster Mafaldine, and “Bone-in” Texas Redfish.