New On Resy: Dallas’s Newest Restaurant Openings

Just like its sibling, Sueño’s Snider Plaza location is a destination for mezcal cocktail aficionados drawn to the excellence poured out by Cristian Lujano. He and his cousin Julio Pineda continue their Mex-Tex dining tradition here, with flounder ceviche and birria enchiladas.

The all-day breakfast served at Book Club is practically guaranteed to make fans of whoever’s lucky enough to snag a table. No one on earth could deny the signature One Eyed Willie sandwich, so named for the egg tucked into the top slice of bread, and the fluffy housemade biscuits.

Eating tapas and sipping cocktails never hurt anyone, especially when the fare is as good as it is at Bulla. Oh, and if you’re going to become a regular, you should know it’s pronounced “boo-ya.”

Let’s go, indeed. Andiamo’s been serving their beloved lasagna, chicken piccata, and tiramisù for more than 30 years.

Head here for a meal of Mediterranean tapas enjoyed under the twinkly glow of the bountiful string lights. This is mom’s cooking through and through, and it’s been family-run for the entirety of its three decades in business.

The focus here is lovingly placed on heirloom corn masa, which chef Olivia López turns into tacos, sopes, and tamales. You may remember Olōyō from their wildly popular pop-up — we thought it was peak, but having more room to grow and experiment has only made them even better.

Southern fried catfish, Cajun shrimp pasta, and hot honey fried chicken are all on offer at Soufflé. Know that the artfully plated cocktail flights are especially worthy of your attention — the Tweety Bird comes served in a birdcage.

Once featured on “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives,” Nora specializes in Afghan dishes like mantu, saffron lamb rice, and grilled kebabs. The design is as fresh as the food, with lovely muralled walls and colorful velvet chairs.

It’s a business-casual social club with a menu of Mexican dishes like shrimp enchiladas, corn cheesecake, and a list of six margaritas. Throw on the complimentary valet and the occasional live music and it’s hard to beat.

Cocktails take center stage at this aptly named 1,000-square-foot spot in Oak Cliff. The menu, from drink crafter Jake Crews, is seasonal and filled with rotating specials and fresh takes on classics. Don’t forget a round of house raspberry Tequila shots.

Distilling isn’t this spot’s only strength — the menu of hearty (read: heavy) fare like a Texas brisket Reuben, dirty tots, and bourbon cream sundae is just as good. Owners Sally and Evan Batt certainly know how to do a vibe right.

The Lebanese hospitality by Mo Kamal and his chef-sister Zeina Kamal is elegantly presented in the Centrum Building with a plush a dining room and an indigo-washed Lapis Room. All the better for savoring beef or basil hummus from hand-peeled chickpeas, or a bottle from Lebanon’s wine country in the Bekaa Valley.  

Mezcal cocktail connoisseurs probably already know about Cristian Lujano’s potions served on Arapaho Road since December 2021. Alongside cousin Julio Pineda, the family built a Mex-Tex destination with tacos of adobo pork shaved off the trompo and picadillo enchiladas made from Rosewood Ranches beef. And Sueño’s founders recently partnered with Bellomy Hospitality Group, of Rex’s Seafood and Market, to open a second location in Snider Plaza. 

Power sushi is on full display in the basement of the century-old Oldsmobile Building in downtown’s East Quarter. The 17-course, all-nigiri omakase tricks out fish from Japan, Australia, and California with compound butter, togarashi, lemongrass kosho, and everything bagel seasoning for a result that remains on the mind as well as the palate. Definitely consider the add-ons like caviar or Piedmont white truffle shavings, or the sake, wine, Champagne, and whisky pairings.  

This late-night lounge by a few of the folks behind Columbian Country Club, Komodo Dallas, and Hendy’s on Henderson doesn’t need bottle sparklers to be dazzling. Opened in January, in the former Alice space, Ritual offers a cocktail program led by decorated bar consultant Paul Ramon, along with a drink-friendly menu of meatballs, thick-cut fries, and crab cake tostadas. Also stepping things up are craft shots, as well as mocktails like the Big Brother with lemon sherbet and lime cordial. 

This mid-century hacienda-inspired spot by Goodwin’s co-owner David Cash and fellow colleagues at Smoky Rose ferries the Yucatán to the Preston Hollow neighborhood. Prickly pear and cantaloupe margaritas are as tasty outside on the sunny patio as they are inside at the bar, and the Tijuana “TJ” tacos, with ribeye and salsa verde, are already a crowd-favorite. 

Southlake welcomed a new sushi restaurant this January by former Yutaka Sushi Bistro partner and current Ka Thai owner, Jackie Kaewlamduan. Kaewlamduan’s previous Japanese enterprise earned national attention for its sushi, so it’s reasonable to have high expectations for Zumi. Chef Pae Suphakit, a former Nobu chef, is behind the counter, offering personalized omakase experiences during dinner, or if you’re in for lunch, check out the specials, including bento and sashimi sets for under $30. 

This Nashville-born franchise specializing in wood-fired steaks and seafood made its move into North Texas earlier this year. Thoughtful touches like martinis served with sidecars, along with sleeper hits like crispy Hong Kong shrimp explain the restaurant’s presence in 16 states — not to mention the carrot cake with a cult following. 

Downtown Dallas’s ritzy oasis for lunch and brunch got a little sister café in Fort Worth this March. The menu is fitting among the world-class museum milieu, with lobster Cobb salad, ahi tuna cornettes, and seis leches cake. Unlike big sis, this spot is open for brunch on Saturday and Sunday, bringing more opportunities for Bloody Marys and eggs Benedict. 

Dumplings are in the name, but don’t neglect the Peking duck at this elegant new restaurant from chef Hao Wenjie, who specializes in banquet-style dining. The best bet to secure a whole duck is to call ahead, but still try your luck and ask if dining in spontaneously. The spacious dining room and plush booths are optimal for group dining. 

Ichika is a purposeful undertaking from chef Leo Kekoa, with service nodding to Japan’s centuries-old kaiseki tradition. The menu will evolve with the seasons, as it goes beyond the excellent nigiri Kekoa became known for at his first restaurant, Kinzo. An amuse-bouche, or sakizuke, might include uni-decorated buckwheat noodles before the meal progresses into yakimono from the binchotan grill and delicate tempura selections. 

With a polished menu by chef Anastacia Quiñones-Pittman, this breezy Design District seafood spot has recently expanded its offerings. Now serving lunch, it features striking dishes like Ahi tuna tostada with crisp Asian pear, and “pasta-ladas” packed with crab and pistachio salsa macha. For lunch or dinner, bite-size bocados are a fun way to start, pairing especially well with Mexican wine during weekday happy hour starting at 5 p.m. 

After an eight-month closure, pig’s head carnitas are back at The Joule’s Texas-tinged brasserie. Marginal interior and menu updates preserve all that was previously treasured: exposed brick walls, warm lighting, Texas red chili, and pimento cheese toast. But with revisions by culinary director Sezer Deniz, whose resume includes a stint at Chicago’s Alinea, there’s fresh appeal — think Dr Pepper-glazed asado short ribs or head-on shrimp with gouda grits. 

Suitably set in Highland Park Village (America’s first shopping center circa 1931), this tearoom provides an optimal setting for a light lunch. Upstairs and in the back of The Conservatory on Two, shoppers can take a reprieve from retail therapy with soups, quiches, and two types of chicken salad (curry and cranberry) — along with a pot of tea, espresso, or glass of Champagne.