July kept Dallas diners busy. While the World Cup pandemonium brought packed bars, global visitors, and a nonstop party, the city’s dining scene never slowed down. Restaurateurs rolled out some of the year’s biggest debuts from Duro Hospitality’s newest concept to a TikTok viral café from a fashion designer.
Here are eight notable Dallas openings worth adding to your dining list.
Scilla
Duro Hospitality does it again. The team behind the Charles, El Carlos Elegante, and Norman’s Japanese Grill debuted its newest concept, Scilla, on July 17. Named after the Italian coastal village, the Preston Center District newcomer serves lunch through late night. It evokes the spirit of the Mediterranean by pairing coastal Italian cuisine with romantic old-world interiors by Sees Design, flaming shaved ice, and a wine list that refreshes daily. 8111 Douglas Ave., Dallas, scilla-coastal.com
Go Culture Café
Love Field has a new viral café. Go Culture Café is the brainchild of Farhan Fallahi, a fashion designer turned coffee shop owner and TikTok creator. Fallahi documented the sleek green-and-chrome modern café’s journey from concept to opening. Signature flavors like saffron and fig are made with a choice of espresso or matcha, and are instant hits. The Green Cloud is an espresso drink with matcha cold foam, while the Hella Matcha is a double matcha with sea salt cold foam. Heads up: Go Culture Café is tip-free. 5606 Maple Ave., Ste. 110, Dallas
Dock Local
From food truck to farmers market, Dock Local opened its fourth DFW location on July 16. Founded by chef Brett Curtis, the laid-back seafood joint took over the former Rex’s Seafood space at the Dallas Farmers Market, bringing crave-worthy seafood without skimping on quality. The Maine Lobster Rolls, Lobsta Grilled Cheese, and the Original Crab Queso are crowd favorites. Pair them with the Dock Ranch Water and DockaRita to cap off a day of shopping. For even more Dock Local content, tune in on Wednesday, August 5 when Curtis takes over DiningOut Dallas’ Instagram to showcase a day in his life. 920 S. Harwood St., #150, Dallas, thedocktexas.com
Ono Hawaiian BBQ
Family-owned chain Ono Hawaiian BBQ has officially landed in the Lone Star State. The fast-casual restaurant debuted its first Texas location in Plano on July 24. With more than 130 locations across California and Arizona, the island-inspired brand brings scratch-made Kalbi Short Ribs, Island Fire Chicken, Chicken Katsu, Spam Musubi and the Big Island’s staple macaroni salad to North Texas. 8724 Preston Rd., Plano, onohawaiianbbq.com
Neighborhood Sushi
Neighborhood Sushi is officially an Austin transplant. The South Congress original expanded to Dallas on June 30, bringing its refined, modern take on casual sushi to the Shops of Highland Park. True to izakaya culture, the restaurant is accessible through a back entrance tucked behind the strip. Inside, Dallasites will find a sake-only beverage program, crisp tempura, inventive vegetable nigiri, and an extended yakitori selection. 4216 Oak Lawn Ave., Dallas, neighborhoodsushi.com
The Dirdie Birdie
It’s tee time. Austin’s the Dirdie Birdie unveiled its Fort Worth location on July 8, becoming the latest addition to Dallas-Fort Worth’s eatertainment scene. Taking over the former Bottled Blonde space, the 12-hole experience offers a welcome reprieve from the Texas heat with immersive mini golf, a restaurant, and bar. The chef-driven menu features 24-hour braised short rib, yellowfin tuna tostadas, and a forthcoming weekend brunch. Nickel City’s Travis Tober and Daniel Warrilow consulted on the cocktail program, which includes frozen Dirdie Lemonade, a Mexican Mar-tee-ni, and green tea shooters. 2821 Morton St., Fort Worth, dirdiebirdie.club
Field & Vine
Plano’s the Clara Hotel is putting all its bets on food and beverage. Opened July 13, the Legacy Corridor hotel’s signature restaurant, Field & Vine, is poised to become a destination in its own right. Haiti-born, French-raised executive chef Daniel Armand leads the kitchen, blending his classical technique with Texas harvest and herbs grown on-site. The menu includes herb-crusted salmon, steak frites, harissa-honey wings, and Gulf shrimp ceviche. The Clara Hotel also debuts Archer, a moody cocktail bar designed for late-night drinks. 8201 Preston Rd., Plano, theclarahotel.com
Rumi Matcha
Rumi Matcha is the latest addition to Dallas’ hidden-café trend. Tucked inside Élan Beauté, the Vietnamese café opened in late June and is the epitome of girlhood. Beauty meets caffeination with lash supplies, cream-topped iced matchas, hojicha, and Vietnamese coffee. Don’t leave without snapping a photo strip in the newly added photo booth. 1644 Irving Blvd., Dallas, rumi-matcha.square.site/
