Fall is officially here and Dallas’ restaurateurs and beyond have stirred up some long-awaited openings to usher in the new season. Dallasites can’t get enough. This month, a West Coast coastal Italian hot spot made its mark on Uptown, while a Canadian transplant reimagined a former day club. Locals unveiled posh lounges, rebellious wine bars, and coffee shops pouring a taste of Mexico.
From seafood boil deviled eggs and whole fried catfish with lasagna to housewife-inspired Texas wine rooms, these are the Dallas September openings you don’t want to miss.
El Jardín Café
El Jardín Café opened September 27 with lines wrapped around Davis Street. The family-owned Oak Cliff café offers a taste of Guanajuato, Mexico with drinks like the Celaya Latte, a café de olla latte with cajeta cold foam. Pastries include conchas and hand-sized Oreo cinnamon rolls. The Fresas con Crema Matcha is a sippable bandera with vibrant green matcha, milk, and strawberry layers. 714 W. Davis St., Dallas
JOEY Maple
JOEY Maple marks Canada’s JOEY Restaurants’ second DFW location. This new location opened September 10 and builds upon JOEY’s presence with a standalone Uptown oasis that reimagines the former Sisu space. Once a day club with a pool, JOEY Maple embraces the location’s former life with floor-to-ceiling windows and a skylight that gives Dallas diners the essence of an al fresco dining experience year-round. Start with welcome bubbles and a Supersonic Gin & Tonic. Then, order the Korean-Fried Cauliflower, Steak and Ravioli Bianco, and Crispy Mashed Potatoes, and finish off a scrumptious slice of JOEY Signature Chocolate Cake. 2508 Maple Ave., Dallas, joeyrestaurants.com
Élephante
Los Angeles-founded Élephante opened September 1 in Uptown. The coastal Southern Italian restaurant is inspired by Wish You Were Here Group’s travels to Pantelleria and the Aeolian Islands. In Dallas, the concept spans two floors with a sprawling 9,800-square-foot interior footprint and a 1,250 square-foot patio. The menu features whipped eggplant, house-made Ragu Bianco, wood-fired Margherita pizza, grilled octopus, and branzino with salsa verde butter. 2701 Maple Ave., Dallas, elephanterestaurants.com
Marlowe
The evening is Marlowe’s craft. The highly anticipated McKinney Avenue lounge opened September 23 and embodies playful sophistication, inspired by partner Alon Abramov’s familial love of Dallas Zoo penguins. Chef Vidal Cantu, formerly of Gemma, brings seed-oil-free bites such as cappelletti in brodo with braised short rib, ricotta, confit garlic, and beef consommé. Under the direction of Kyle Buckelew, the inventive beverage program is anchored by signature cocktails such as the Breakfast Club, a brown butter-washed rum creation. Something to Take the Edge Off takes the guesswork away with dirty vodka martini service for four, accompanied by Caesar salad and fries. 2912 McKinney Ave., Dallas, marlowelounge.com
Bluebonnet and Thyme Southern Bistro & Bar
Chef Kendall Williams celebrated the grand opening of her first brick-and-mortar, Bluebonnet and Thyme, on September 12. Located in the former Victory Park Dirty Bones, Bluebonnet and Thyme serves Texas Cajun cuisine such as Golden Fried Hen, Chef Kendall’s Cajun Cream Pasta, and Southern Surf & Lasagna, a whole fried catfish served with four-cheese lasagna. Williams is a deviled egg connoisseur, winning a 2025 Big Tex Choice Award Most Creative for her Wagyu Bacon Cheeseburger Deviled Egg Sliders. The restaurant features Award-Winning Deviled Eggs which includes Texas BBQ, seafood boil, smoked paprika, hot honey chicken, birria taco, and smoked salmon. Visit during weekend brunch to enjoy $30 bottomless mimosas. 2610 N. Houston St., Dallas, bluebonnetandthyme.com
Vintage Wine Bar
Vintage Wine Bar marries vintage design with women winemakers. Opened September 16, the wine bar feels like home, and better yet, you can take it home. The East Dallas wine bar is decorated with shoppable vintage finds. The rotating wine list is half women-owned, half small-batch producers, and available by the glass, flight, or bottle. Enjoy alongside wine-based cocktails, spritzes, craft beer, espresso, and charcuterie curated to compliment wines. 5822 Live Oak St., Dallas, vintagewinebardallas.com
Housewife Rebellion
Grapevine has a new tasting room. Housewife Rebellion debuted during the 40th annual GrapeFest. Led by artist Nicole Heere, the rebellious tasting room takes mom wine culture head-on with an original art gallery and Texas wine, all tucked into a vibrant pink 1880s Victorian House. Why? “Because mommy needs a break.” Tonight, mommy is drinking Housewife Rebellion Rebel Rosé, GrapeFest 2026’s silver medal winner. 211 E. Worth St., Grapevine, housewiferebellion.com
