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Great Expectations: The Hottest Dallas Restaurant Openings to Watch in 2026

Resolutions and dry January aside, we’re focusing on the hottest new restaurants opening this year
Written By: author avatar Rachel Pinn
author avatar Rachel Pinn
Rachel Pinn is a food writer and content creator based in Dallas, TX. She lives in Preston Hollow with her husband, twin daughters, and rescue dogs.
The second floor dining room at Docent Steak. | Photo by Harwood Hospitality
The second floor dining room at Docent Steak. | Photo by Harwood Hospitality

The beginning of a new year is always a chance to hit the reset button, to focus on the bright spots and the exciting possibilities ahead. Sure, the restaurant world is never without its share of closings, disruptions, and economic headwinds—but instead of dwelling on what’s behind us, it’s worth turning our attention to the horizon. From official announcements and tantalizing rumors to eagerly anticipated opening dates, 2026 promises plenty to make Dallas diners sit up and take notice.

Here’s a look at what’s on the table—and what to get excited about—in the Dallas restaurant scene this year.

Alára Modern Mediterranean

Chef Arkan’s chicken doner kebab at Chefs for Farmers in Dallas. | Photo by Rachel Pinn
Chef Arkans chicken doner kebab at Chefs for Farmers in Dallas | Photo by Rachel Pinn

A new spot from a Turkish private chef is coming to the Design District in 2026. Some lucky Dallasites got a taste of Chef Arkan’s culinary skills at last fall’s Chefs For Farmers event in Dallas, where his chicken doner kebab got some attention. 1628 Oak Lawn Ave #120, Dallas, alaradtx.com

AM/FM

A diner and lounge, respectively, AM/FM announced it will soft open toward the end of January. With a daytime menu of sandwiches, toasts, and comfort foods with a twist, and a lineup of evening live music performances, AM/FM is shaping up to be a neighborhood spot for all. 1950 Market Center Blvd., Dallas, amfmdallas.com

Brazamar

Located on Greenville Avenue in a spot that was formerly a Foxtrot Market, Brazamar will be a Mexican grill coming from the group behind the wildly popular Mexico City-style taqueria Chilangos. Expect to find aguachile and tostadas on the menu. Tacos Richy is slated to open up right next door from the same group. 3606 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, brazamar.com

The Bread Club

The group that brought Dallas its second Michelin star is bringing bread back in a big way with the Bread Club, opening soon. The bakery, from the Feels Like Home hospitality group, plans to open sometime in the first quarter of 2026. 2681 Howell St, Dallas, flho.com

CBD Provisions

The interior of CBD Provisions at the Joule. | Photo by the Joule
The interior of CBD Provisions at the Joule | Photo by the Joule

When decade-old CBD Provisions shuttered abruptly at the Joule last year, some assumed it would be re-concepted and reopened to serve hotel guests and Downtown diners alike. But as it turns out, Joule owner Headington has hired a top-notch new executive chef with the chops to reintroduce CBD Provisions in a fresh way. Stay tuned to see what executive chef Sezer Deniz has in store. 1530 Main St., Dallas, thejouledallas.com/cbd-provisions

Corsaire

A rendering of Corsaire, soon to be open this spring. | Photo by Corsaire
A rendering of Corsaire soon to be open this spring | Photo by Corsaire

Opening this spring from the team that brought Goodwins to Greenville Avenue, comes Corsaire. The group’s first foray into Mediterranean dining, this globally-inspired spot will fill the space Pizzeria Testa left in June of last year. 3525 Greenville Ave., Dallas

CRAFT Restaurant & Beer Market

Cheeseburger, fries, and a martini at Craft Restaurant & Beer Market. | Photo by Craft Restaurant & Beer Market
Cheeseburger sweet potato fries and a martini at Craft Restaurant Beer Market | Photo by Craft Restaurant Beer Market

This small Canadian chain has plans to open its first U.S. outpost in Dallas this year at Preston Center. We’re expecting a restaurant and beer garden featuring “100+ craft beers on tap, handcrafted cocktails, curated wines, and a globally inspired menu” plus bocce to keep the fun rolling. 5974 W. Northwest Highway, Dallas, craftbeermarket.com

Delilah Dallas

A sampling of dishes from Delilah. | Photo by h.wood Group
A sampling of dishes from Delilah | Photo by hwood Group

Opening its Dallas location on February 3, Delilah is a supper club with locations in Las Vegas, Miami, and Los Angeles. Offering steaks, seafood and a burger priced north of $30, this one is for the flashy, big spender-types who love dinner-and-a-show. 1616 Hi Line Dr., Dallas, delilahrestaurants.com/location/dallas/

Docent Steak

The newest restaurant to be built inside the ever-expanding Harwood District, Docent Steak is a Japanese-style steakhouse with a beautiful and expensive buildout featuring custom fabrics, wallcoverings, and more. The District’s penchant for art is responsible for the Samurai artifacts that make up the majority of the space’s wall decor, and of course, the steaks will be Harwood brand. 2801 N. Harwood St., Ste. 100, Dallas, docentsteak.com

Escondido

A spread from Escondido. | Photo by Kathy Tran
A spread from Escondido | Photo by Kathy Tran

The second location of popular Preston Hollow Tex-Mex spot Escondido will be opening up in the space where the original Blue Fish Sushi once stood. Two doors down from where the old Blue Goose was seems like a solid choice for this family-friendly spot for chips, queso, fajitas and margs. 3519 Greenville Ave. Dallas, escondidodallas.com

Molino Olōyō

A featured course from a previous dinner series with pop-up tamale duo chefs Olivia López and Jonathan Percival. | Photo by Dan Padgett
A featured course from a previous dinner series with pop up tamale duo chefs Olivia López and Jonathan Percival | Photo by Dan Padgett

An exciting development from pop-up tamale duo Chef Olivia López and Jonathan Percival, their concept Molino Olōyō plans to open up a brick-and-mortar this year with a mezcaleria and tasting room. In the former space of much-loved Cry Wolf, Lopez and Percival will bring their signature heirloom corn masa to a new multi-course dining experience infused with traditional flavors and focused on regenerative farming techniques. 4422 Gaston Ave., Dallas, instagram.com/molino_oloyo

Neighborhood Sushi

The discreet entrance to Neighborhood Sushi. | Photo by MML Hospitality
The discreet entrance to Neighborhood Sushi | Photo by MML Hospitality

Rumor has it that this Austin sushi restaurant with its beautiful plating, zen decor, and refreshing Kakigōri (shaved ice) is opening up a Dallas outpost in the coming months. Our chopsticks are ready and waiting. 4216 Oak Lawn Ave., Dallas, neighborhoodsushi.com/

Ospi

Fried mozzarella at Ospi. | Photo by Ospi
Fried mozzarella at Ospi | Photo by Ospi

A popular all-day Italian restaurant from California called Ospi will open in the recently shuttered Meddlesome Moth space in the Dallas Design District. Expect to see thin-crust pizzas, pastas and sandwiches, plus brunch service. 1621 Oak Lawn Ave., Dallas, ospi.com

Seegars Deli

The owner of Fount Board + Table and Little Blue, Olivia Genthe, has been teasing the opening of Seegars Deli for months, and we’re hoping we get a taste of the new Cedars neighborhood sandwich shop very, very soon. 1910 South Harwood, Dallas, seegarsdeli.com

Sueño

A spread of dishes at Sueño. | Photo by Sueño
A spread of dishes at Sueño | Photo by Sueño

The second location of Richardson Mexican restaurant Sueño is set to open in Snider Plaza early this year. The larger space will house a restaurant and speakeasy, likely due to the popularity of the creative cocktails the spot has become known for. 6600 Snider Plaza, Dallas, suenotx.com

Toca Madera

Toca Madera's signature fire dancers. | Photo by TJ Perez
Toca Maderas signature fire dancers | Photo by TJ Perez

With locations in Scottsdale, Las Vegas, and Houston, it’s only natural that Dallas should be the next stop for upscale Mexican steakhouse Toca Madera. Expect bold flavors and modern Mexican twists on typical steakhouse fare with the added bonus of some fun tableside preparations. 2203 Commerce Street, Dallas, tocamadera.com/

author avatar
Rachel Pinn
Rachel Pinn is a food writer and content creator based in Dallas, TX. She lives in Preston Hollow with her husband, twin daughters, and rescue dogs.

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