One of our favorite things about living in Dallas? The restaurant scene just keeps getting better.
Brandon and I are always on the hunt for the next great meal, and 2026 is shaping up to be an incredible year for dining across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. From a 13,000-square-foot modern Mexican steakhouse with a members-only speakeasy downtown to Milan's legendary Sant Ambroeus opening its first Texas location near Knox-Henderson, the lineup is seriously impressive.
Whether you're looking for your next date night spot, want to explore a neighborhood you've never visited, or you're just a fellow food enthusiast, here's your complete guide to what's opening and where to find it. Bookmark this page - we'll update it with reservation links and our firsthand reviews as these restaurants open throughout 2026!
Quick Reference: Top New Restaurant Openings in DFW 2026
| Restaurant | Neighborhood | Opening | What to Know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sant Ambroeus | Knox-Henderson, Dallas TX | 2026 | Iconic Milanese café - first Texas location |
| Toca Madera | Downtown/East Quarter, Dallas TX | Early 2026 | 13,000 sq ft Mexican steakhouse + speakeasy |
| Delilah | Design District, Dallas TX | Early 2026 | 1920s supper club with live entertainment |
| Slice House | Frisco TX | January 2026 | 13-time World Pizza Champion's first Texas spot |
| Maroma | Oak Lawn/Design District, Dallas TX | Spring 2026 | Coastal Mexican from Chef Omar Flores |
| The Henry | Legacy West, Plano TX | 2026 | Uptown favorite expanding north |
| Palladino's | North Dallas TX | 2026 | Art-deco steakhouse from Nick & Sam's co-founder |
Downtown Dallas & The East Quarter: Bold, High-Energy Concepts
Downtown Dallas TX is experiencing a dining renaissance with exciting new restaurant openings that are transforming the urban core.
TOCA MADERA
2203 Commerce St., Dallas TX | Opening: Early 2026
This one's going to be a scene. A massive 13,000-square-foot modern Mexican steakhouse with fire dancers, signature cocktails, and a members-only speakeasy tucked inside. The kind of place that creates buzz before the doors even open.
Perfect for: High-energy nights out, celebrating special occasions
PUNK NOIR
2801 N. Harwood St., Dallas TX | Opening: Early 2026
A 20-course tasting menu that's basically dinner theater meets rebellion. This is fine dining for people who hate stuffy fine dining.
Perfect for: Adventurous foodies seeking unique experiences
AM/FM
1950 Market Center Blvd., Dallas TX | Opening: Early 2026
We love dual-purpose concepts. Mexican-American diner classics during the day, live music venue with cocktails at night. The kind of spot that keeps a neighborhood interesting around the clock.
Perfect for: Lunch meetings that turn into happy hour
Design District & Hi Line: Dallas's Hottest Dining Destination
If you haven't been to the Design District lately, it's time. This Dallas TX neighborhood is exploding with new restaurant openings in 2026:
DELILAH
1616 Hi Line Dr., Dallas TX | Opening: Early 2026
Pure glamour. 1920s-inspired supper club with live performers, bottle service, and upscale dining. This is dinner and a show.
Perfect for: Special celebrations, impressing out-of-town guests
ALARA
Design District, Dallas TX | Opening: 2026
Modern Mediterranean from Turkish-American Chef Onur Akan. Elevated coastal flavors that we're really looking forward to trying.
Perfect for: Sophisticated dinners with lighter fare
ÉLEPHANTE
Design District, Dallas TX | Opening: 2026
Coastal Italian from the Wish You Were Here Group - the team known for creating those destination-worthy atmospheres where you want to linger all evening.
Perfect for: Romantic date nights with great ambiance
SHYBOY
Design District, Dallas TX | Opening: 2026
A moody Japanese jazz-themed basement bar. Perfect for after-dinner drinks when you're not ready to call it a night.
Perfect for: Cocktail enthusiasts and jazz lovers
MAROMA
1333 Oak Lawn Ave., Dallas TX | Opening: Spring 2026
Chef Omar Flores (Big Dill Hospitality) bringing coastal Mexican to the district. Think ceviches, aguachiles, and mesquite-grilled meats. His track record with Muchacho and Even Coast speaks for itself.
Perfect for: Fresh seafood and beachside vibes in the city
Why We're Excited: The Design District has completely transformed over the past few years, and these openings are taking it to another level. Property values in the Design District increased 180% as it evolved from industrial warehouses to a premier dining and entertainment destination City of Dallas Office of Economic Development. It's become the kind of neighborhood where you can spend an entire evening hopping between dinner, drinks, and entertainment.
Knox-Henderson & Katy Trail: European Elegance Comes to Dallas
The Knox-Henderson corridor has always been one of Dallas's most desirable neighborhoods, and 2026 brings something truly special:
SANT AMBROEUS
Near Katy Trail/Knox, Dallas TX | Opening: 2026
This is the one we're really excited about. Sant Ambroeus - the iconic Milanese café founded in 1936, with locations in New York, Miami, Palm Beach, and Aspen - is opening its first Texas location near Knox. We had the pleasure of dining in the newly opened Aspen restaurant last summer and it was amazing.
If you've never experienced Sant Ambroeus, think refined Italian dining, impeccable espressos, and the kind of timeless elegance that Dallas is ready for. Their pastries alone are worth the trip.
Perfect for: Power breakfasts, leisurely weekend brunches, afternoon espresso, and dinner over delicious pasta with friends.
Why It Matters: Sant Ambroeus doesn't expand lightly. They choose neighborhoods with established sophistication, and the fact that they picked Dallas says something about where our city stands on the national stage.
East Dallas & Bishop Arts: Authentic, Culture-Driven Spots
East Dallas and Bishop Arts continue to attract unique, independently-driven concepts:
MOLINO OLŌYŌ
4422 Gaston Ave., Dallas TX | Opening: Early 2026
A James Beard Semifinalist opening its first brick-and-mortar location. Heirloom corn, seasonal Mexican cooking, and a mezcal-driven bar. Serious culinary credibility landing on Gaston Avenue.
Perfect for: Heritage food enthusiasts, mezcal lovers
LUNAMI LATIN CUISINE
101 W Davis St., Dallas TX | Opening: Early 2026
Central and Latin American steakhouse in Bishop Arts with Honduran specialties. We love Bishop Arts for its independent spirit, and this fits right in.
Perfect for: Exploring South Dallas's vibrant dining scene
North Dallas, Plano & Frisco: Destination Dining Goes Suburban
The northern suburbs are proving they're not just bedroom communities - they're culinary destinations in their own right.
PALLADINO'S STEAK & SEAFOOD
5959 Royal Ln., Dallas TX | Opening: 2026
Stunning art-deco-inspired steakhouse from a Nick & Sam's co-founder. Premium steaks, seafood, Italian-influenced dishes. This is luxury dining in North Dallas.
Perfect for: Business dinners, milestone celebrations
THE HENRY
Legacy West, Plano TX | Opening: 2026
The Uptown favorite is expanding to Legacy West, and we couldn't be happier. Great for everything from business lunches to weekend brunch.
Perfect for: All-day dining in Plano's premier mixed-use development
J. ALEXANDER'S
Plano TX | Opening: Early 2026
Polished American restaurant marking its first DFW location. Wood-fired cooking, classic cocktails, and that upscale-casual vibe that works for any occasion.
Perfect for: Family dinners with elevated options
SLICE HOUSE BY TONY GEMIGNANI
5995 Preston Rd., Frisco TX | Opening: January 2026
The first Texas location for the 13-time World Pizza Champion. Four distinct crust styles (Detroit, Sicilian, NY, Grandma). Pizza people, this one's for you.
Perfect for: Pizza purists who take their pies seriously
LITTLE WOODROW'S
Frisco TX | Opening: Spring 2026
Solid neighborhood sports bar expanding near Stonebriar. Sometimes you just want wings and a game.
Perfect for: Casual game-watching with friends
What We're Seeing: When national restaurant brands choose Frisco and Plano for their first DFW locations, it reinforces what we already know - the northern suburbs have evolved into full-fledged destinations with the amenities and population to support world-class dining.
Fort Worth: The West Side Delivers
Fort Worth is getting its own exciting openings:
MADRONE
Fort Worth Public Market | Opening: Mid-2026
Upscale Southern with Southeast Asian influence. Interesting flavor combinations we're curious to try.
FELINA
Fort Worth TX | Opening: 2026
Neapolitan-style Italian from the Bocca Osteria Romana team. Fort Worth's Italian scene keeps getting better.
BEVERLY'S DOWNTOWN
Fort Worth TX | Opening: 2026
Bold Mexican dining in a dramatic underground space. Fort Worth knows how to do atmosphere.
The Real Estate Connection: What These Restaurant Openings Tell Us
Look, we sell real estate for a living, so we have to point out: when major restaurant groups invest millions in specific neighborhoods, they're doing serious research on demographics, population growth, and income levels.
In the Dallas market specifically, proximity to elevated dining and entertainment creates measurable value - walkable urban apartments command 40-50% premiums over suburban properties D Magazine, and even in our car-centric suburbs, buyers consistently factor restaurant access into their decisions.
The Design District's property values increased 180% as it transformed from industrial warehouses to a dining and entertainment destination City of Dallas Office of Economic Development. Legacy West in Plano followed a similar trajectory. These aren't coincidences.
Research on walkable urban development in Dallas-Fort Worth shows a 72% price premium on average for rent per square foot in walkable areas with strong dining and entertainment options Urban Land Magazine.
So whether you're buying, selling, or just planning your next dinner reservation, these restaurant openings tell a story about where Dallas is investing and where buyer interest is heading.
Get Out and Explore DFW's Dining Scene
The best part about DFW's restaurant boom? It gives you a reason to explore neighborhoods you might not visit otherwise.
Drive from Preston Hollow to the Design District for Delilah. Make a weekend trip from Plano to Bishop Arts. Head to Fort Worth for Madrone. Check out what's happening in East Dallas.
Dallas-Fort Worth is too big and too diverse to stick to one neighborhood. These restaurant openings are your excuse to discover something new.
Want to stay updated? Sign up for updates, we'll be sharing first looks, reviews, and behind-the-scenes peeks as we check out each of these openings throughout 2026. Use #DallasEats and #
Frequently Asked Questions About Dallas Restaurant Openings 2026
Q: What are the best new restaurants opening in Dallas in 2026? Top picks include Toca Madera for high-energy Mexican dining with a speakeasy, Sant Ambroeus for refined Italian elegance, and Delilah for glamorous 1920s supper club vibes.
Q: When does Sant Ambroeus open in Dallas? Sant Ambroeus is scheduled to open at The Knox in 2026. This will be the iconic Milanese café's first Texas location.
Q: Where is the Design District in Dallas and what restaurants are opening there? The Design District is located northwest of downtown Dallas along Hi Line Drive and Oak Lawn Avenue. Major 2026 openings include Delilah, Alara, Élephante, Shyboy, and Maroma.
Q: Are there new restaurants opening in Frisco and Plano? Yes! Frisco is getting Slice House by Tony Gemignani (13-time World Pizza Champion) in January 2026 and Little Woodrow's in spring. Plano's Legacy West is welcoming The Henry and J. Alexander's.
Q: How do restaurant openings affect Dallas real estate values? Major restaurant investments signal neighborhood growth and attract buyers. Areas like the Design District have seen property values increase significantly (up to 180%) as dining and entertainment options expand.
Q: What's the most anticipated restaurant opening in Dallas 2026? Sant Ambroeus is generating significant buzz as it's the first Texas location for this legendary Milanese brand. Toca Madera and Delilah are also highly anticipated for their experiential dining concepts.
Let's Connect
Whether you're curious about what's happening in your neighborhood, interested in exploring a different part of DFW, or ready to make a move, Brandon and I are here to help. We live in Highland Park, we work across the entire metroplex, and we love talking about where Dallas is headed next (usually over a good meal).
Brandon Hawkins: (214) 206-7778
Email: brandon@
Tiffany Hawkins: (972) 979-0978 Email: tiffany@
The Hawkins Group | Douglas Elliman
Luxury Real Estate in Dallas–Fort Worth
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