Italian Comebacks and Vegas Imports: The Best New Dallas Restaurants Right Now

Three new steakhouses, an Asian import from Miami, and an automat serving dumplings filled with NYC diner faves.

La Parisienne
Photo by Kathy Tran, courtesy of La Parisienne
Photo by Kathy Tran, courtesy of La Parisienne

There will always be staples and standbys, but there’s something especially delectable about dining at a new restaurant. What does it offer that’s cool and different? How will it stack up against your other dining experiences? These are some of the questions we get giddy about asking. With new restaurants opening across Dallas-Fort Worth—several since February when we last updated this list—we have an exciting spat of newcomers to visit.

If it’s steak you seek, there have been three beefy debuts, one of which atop the sky-high Reunion Tower. An automat issues dumplings filled with lamb gyro or Reuben sandwich ingredients in Deep Ellum. A glitzy Miami import takes Asian flavors to new levels of indulgence. And Trinity Groves welcomes two new concepts, including hand-roll sushi and a speakeasy inspired by Bonnie and Clyde. In total, we present you with 14 can’t-miss places to enjoy a fabulous meal. Just don’t try to do them all in one day.

JOA Korean BBQ
Photo by Kathy Tran, courtesy of JOA Korean BBQ

JOA Korean BBQ

Asian Trade District
$$$$

JOA (which translates to “I like it” in Korean) has been completely remodeled from the former Nuri Grill space into a brighter, more casual, fun place to enjoy traditional Korean food from the same owner, Wan Kim. The menu focuses on proteins, including lamb, shrimp, pork, and beef that can be found in large hot pot presentations. Bring friends because the two-person Taste of Joa and four-person Taste of Texan experiences feature Prime short rib, shrimp, Black Angus hanger steak, bone-in short rib, and rib-eye, plus several sides, salad, rice, and soybean soup. Then pair to your heart’s content with Asian beers, handcrafted cocktails, wine, or Japanese whisky.
How to book: Make a reservation on Yelp.

Devil’s Back Porch

Trinity Groves
$$$$

Saint Rocco’s executive chef and co-owner, Jay Valley, adds another concept to the multi-level space boasting some of the best downtown views of any restaurant in West Dallas. The Prohibition-era nickname for the geographical region, Devil’s Back Porch, comes to life while paying homage to the rough-and-tumble days when Bonnie and Clyde and other gangsters made themselves at home in these parts. Guests enter through a separate back entrance to a red-and-black room that feels like a blast from the past, complete with a poker table. The cocktail menu most definitely captures the era with riffs on classics such as the mezcal-fueled Corpse Reviver No. 2 while the food menu offers bar staples including wings, burgers, and quesadillas (filled with lobster in this instance).
How to book: Stop by for first-come, first-served seating.

Mexican Sugar Cocina Y Cantina
Photo courtesy of Mexican Sugar Cocina Y Cantina

The third location of Mexican Sugar brings the elevated south-of-the-border dining experience from the burbs to Uptown with an attitude to match. The chic, two-story space welcomes tons of natural light. It also features an experiential tequila library with more than 150 bottles and a spacious second-story patio with twinkling nighttime views. Find all the usual suspects, including tacos, enchiladas, and fajitas, with the bonus of thoughtful presentation and top-notch ingredients. Instead of traditional queso, go for the equally cheesy Lobster Fundito. Lump Crab Enchiladas with poblano cream sauce, Squash Blossom Quesadillas, and fall-off-the-bone Birria Ribs make the shortlist of must-try dishes. And wouldn’t it be nice if a Grandioso margarita made with Don Julio Reposado came to the table automatically?

Available for Reservations
La Parisienne French Bistro
Photo by Kathy Tran, courtesy of La Parisienne French Bistro

Both Frisco and France begin with “Fr-.” Coincidence? Perhaps not once you try the fare at this fresh spot at The Star. Sidewalk cafe staples of Lobster Bisque, Mondi’s Baked Brie, Wild Escargots, Steak Frites, and Coq Au Vin transport diners to the charming streets of Paris while sitting carefree and passportless on the patio. Live music on weekends adds to the elegant ambiance created by the Dubai-based design firm of Mayavian Creative Studios. Brunch, afternoon tea, and a well-appointed champagne menu will also be big draws for Francophiles.

Available for Reservations

Shoagies

McKinney
$$$$

This Chicago-style hoagie joint offers its hungry customers sandwiches whose rolls burst with fillings, many featuring multiple types of meat. Gut-busting options include D’Rose with gyros, corned beef, and roast beef topped with cheese, sweet giardiniera, mustard, lettuce, tomato, and onion. Get a taste of NOLA with The Shed, a combo of Cajun batter-fried shrimp and catfish with LTO, too. Or The Taste, which features Italian beef and Italian sausage, loaded with tri-color sweet peppers and a healthy ladle of gravy. Simpler sandwiches, fries, and a full bar round out the extensive menu.
How to book: Stop by for first-come, first-served seating.

Quince

Fort Worth
$$$$

With locations in San Miguel de Allende and Austin, Quince brings a new culinary worldview to Fort Worth. But the sprawling patio overlooking the Trinity River right on schedule for al fresco dining season beckons the loudest. Menu options draw inspiration from all over the Americas, including New Orleans, Lima, Mexico City, and New York City. A trio of ceviches, sushi with global flair, and Keto-friendly sandwiches represent the concept well, along with knife-and-fork options of Roasted Salmon, Cajun Jumbo Shrimp, and Beef Filet over Aji Pepper Risotto.

Available for Reservations

Temakeria

Trinity Groves
$$$$

The latest concept under the direction of CEO Julian Rodarte (also the chef at Beto & Son and several other Trinity Groves venues) focuses on sushi hand rolls. The visually striking space mimics a black-and-white illustration to tremendous effect, making every dish and cocktail pop with color in stark contrast. A dozen or so taco-shaped handrolls (Tamaki) provide the restaurant name’s a-ha moment (the marriage of Tamaki with Taqueria). Fillings include lobster, unagi, spicy tuna, yellowtail, soft-shell crab, and veggie options of cucumber, avocado, or crispy tofu. Ramen, sashimi, and several starters fill the rest of the menu along with cocktails, sake, beer, and wine.

Available for Reservations
Brooklyn Dumpling Shop
Photo by Kayla Enright, courtesy of Brooklyn Dumpling Shop

Pepperoni Pizza, Buffalo Chicken, Lamb Gyros, Bacon Cheeseburger, and Chicken Parm—all solid menu items at restaurants across the country. But fillings inside Asian dumplings? As luck would have it, also great choices thanks to the first Texas location of the Brooklyn-based fast-casual concept. Traditional dumplings including Pork & Cabbage Potstickers, Steamed Shrimp & Vegetable Shumai, and Chicken Teriyaki Potstickers co-exist peacefully with the more hipster options. Speaking of hipsters, after ordering online or from a kiosk your food will be waiting inside a dedicated windowed locker among many—a modern twist on the coin-operated automats that rose to popularity in the 1950s.
How to book: Stop by for first-come, first-served seating. Online ordering coming soon.

Barsotti’s
Photo courtesy of Barsotti’s

Barsotti’s

Oak Lawn
$$$$

The restaurant formerly known as Carbone’s re-emerges on the Dallas dining scene after being shuttered four months with not only a new name but a redesigned dining room. The extended Southern Italian menu still feels small compared to many eateries, but that’s a good thing. So even though Barsotti’s falls out of the new-new category, it feels like a whole different experience—all while still satisfying regulars with favorites from the old menu, such as the famous Lasagna Bolognese. Menu additions include Veal Picatta and Linguine Clams, both ideally suited for a pairing of Italian wine.

Available for Reservations
Crown Block
Photo by Bill Milne, courtesy of Crown Block

Crown Block

Downtown
$$$$

When Five Sixty by Wolfgang Puck shuttered high atop Reunion Tower during the pandemic, many changes began to take shape inside the iconic ball in the Dallas skyline. Husband and wife team Elizabeth Blau and chef Kim Canteenwalla got word of the vacancy. Soon, a steak and seafood concept was born that celebrates Texas ingredients from both land and sea to capitalize on the 360-degree views of Dallas-Fort Worth from the dining room. The restaurant no longer rotates, so if you want a downtown view you better request it when you make your reservation. Then sit back and enjoy selections from a glorious seafood bar, including sushi, as well as $35 per ounce Miyazakigyu A5 Wagyu and a mac-and-cheese waffle on the side. Among the many plant-based options, the Crown Block Roasted Vegetable Pot delivers a cornucopia of farm freshness.

Available for Reservations
The Saint
Photo by Kayla Enright, courtesy of The Saint

The Saint

Dallas
$$$$

Located in the former Two Sisters catering space, The Saint made its grand entrance on the Dallas stage in May with a saints and sinners motif and a self-described dark and moody design. Culinary director Jacob Williamson (of the late Five Sixty by Wolfgang Puck) leads the charge in the kitchen for an Italian-inspired steakhouse concept focused on seasonality and Texas ingredients. That translates to a Wagyu Tomahawk Chop with Calabrian chili compound butter, Texas Quail Picatta, and Brisket and Foie Gras Ravioli. On the cocktail front, try the signature Saint Spritz that infuses the traditional Aperol cocktail with flavors of strawberries and lemongrass for a tasty twist.

Available for Reservations
Ramble Room
Photo by Kathy Tran, courtesy of Ramble Room

Ramble Room

Snider Plaza
$$$$

Jon Alexis (TJ’s Seafood Market, Malibu Poke, Escondido) continues his string of hospitality hits with a fourth concept designed for everyday celebrations, whether that’s a milestone birthday or getting off from work an hour early. The two-story space features a horseshoe-shaped bar, perfect for enjoying your tipple of choice from a long list of cocktails, including 38-degree Tito’s On Tap. Satisfy your savory cravings with Fried Green Tomatoes, Swedish Meatballs, Three Mushroom Fettuccine, a house made Corned Beef Reuben, and Bone-In Pork Milanese. Naturally, with Alexis’ seafood background, the Catch of the Day will always be a no-brainer order.

Available for Reservations
Komodo
Photo by Ashley Estave, courtesy of Komodo

Komodo

Deep Ellum
$$$$

See and be seen at this Miami import specializing in Southeast Asian cuisine with a hefty side of glamour. Peking Duck wows as you walk into the restaurant where a chorus line of whole-roasted birds greet you (and later at your table chopped into perfect pieces with crispy skin nestled between fluffy pancakes). The A5 Hot Stone lands on the entrée side of the menu, but we recommend it as a decadent starter instead because it’s only a four-once portion and incredibly rich. Crab Lo Mein also features so much buttery shellfish that it feels ridiculously opulent yet impossible to resist. The Super Sweet Potato with gold leaf and black truffle delights as an unexpected side. Cocktails, as you’d hope, have flair to spare and a sense of humor in the case of the tequila-based Pikachu.
How to book: Make a reservation with SevenRooms.

Trick Rider

Frisco
$$$$

The shiny new Omni PGA Frisco Resort boasts an impressive 13 food-and-beverage concepts. Still, Trick Rider will be the one likeliest to lure people from farther metroplex cities for destination dining. The supper club vibe features all the traditional steak-and-seafood options you crave, including caviar service, Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail, a full-pound 55-day Dry-Aged NY Strip Prime, Whole Branzino with salsa verde, and a gooey three-fromage Mac N Cheese that can be tricked up with butter-poached lobster. Old- and new-school cocktails provide plenty of sipping options, as well as a robust list of wines by the glass.
How to book: Make a reservation via Google Assistant.

Steven Lindsey loves to explore, whether it’s sampling the best restaurants around Dallas-Fort Worth, hot air ballooning over the Arizona desert, or climbing a pyramid in Mexico. He contributes to Thrillist and a variety of online and print publications. He also founded Travel Like An Adult. His latest venture, The Spa Daddy, offers a man’s perspective on spa and wellness across the globe.