Best New Restaurants in Dallas 2023: Dining out in Dallas wasn’t great this year unless you could afford a $15 one-bite canapé. We discovered the best new restaurants in Dallas. Every year, we celebrate the Best New Restaurants. We start by praising the previous year, which brought us an abundance of delicious new food.
This year could have been more exciting; two types of restaurants did well: fancy, expensive places and quick and casual spots for everyone else. Expensive chains from other cities came to Dallas in large numbers, similar to barbarian hordes. However, this metaphor doesn’t entirely fit because barbarians were not known for being interested in money, fancy clothes, or exclusive services.
In 2023, I ended up spending a lot of money on dinners that left me feeling disappointed. I found some excellent stuff among our newcomers, too. Here are the latest and most outstanding food and drink options in Dallas. Some meals may impact your credit score, but one option costs only $2.75 and will still satisfy you. They are all improving our region.
10 Best New Restaurants in Dallas 2023
Here are some great new restaurants in Dallas.
1. Via Triozzi
Via Triozzi is the newest restaurant on this list and has the potential to become the best. The arrival of the end of 2023 marks an essential conclusion to the year in Dallas dining. It is precisely what we need after indulging in caviar and spending significant money. Italian cuisine is all about using high-quality ingredients, especially vegetables, and preparing them simply yet with care. Choose the least exciting dish on the menu for the best taste experience.
For example, grilled zucchini with ricotta cheese. We have plenty of zucchini and ricotta in this area. My partner makes homemade ricotta. Via Triozzi’s zucchini is fresh and perfectly grilled with beautiful black stripes. The ricotta is very lemony and rich, the best and most flavorful I’ve ever had. But wait, there’s more! The plate is filled with fresh herbs, chopped pistachios, and a drizzle of herb oil. I remember that grilled vegetable more than anything I ate at Carbone.
The arugula salad with a flavorful dressing is just as praiseworthy! It’s like a burst of excitement in every bite. Next, let’s talk about the lasagna. I found 20 layers of noodles, tasty bechamel, ragu, and cheese. Via Triozzi’s best dishes are not extravagant, making them attractive. After a year of fancy dinners where being seen is essential, a simple and comforting meal of lasagna at grandma’s house is exactly what we need. If you are looking for the best new Restaurants in Dallas, it is for you.
2. Harvest at the Masonic
It took a lot of work to book a table at the old Harvest restaurant. However, While not a new launch, this restaurant in Dallas is definitely worth considering for the list of best restaurants in the city. People had to make reservations weeks ahead of time. This place on the Square has moved to a three-floor location, a renovated Masonic lodge, to make it easier to get a table. They have added new dishes to the menu while keeping some old favorites. There are four different dining experiences to enjoy at this place.
On the first floor, you can sit in booths with artwork showcasing the farmers and ranchers they collaborate with. There is also a beautiful bar hidden in the back. The chef has a green and pink dining room on the second floor. The third floor is a chill place with a speakeasy feel. It has navy blue walls and dark wood furniture. You can enjoy the entire menu there, live music and a full bar.
3. Quarter Acre
Quarter Acre is a delicious restaurant in Dallas, joining a small group of courageous kitchens. Chef-owner Toby Archibald shares his journey on his menu. Born and raised in New Zealand, he trained internationally before settling in Texas. He freely expresses his ideas that go beyond conventional thinking. This restaurant, like Petra and the Beast or Mot Hai Ba, features a chef with a distinct and confident personal style.
Archibald loves smoke, thanks to the kitchen’s wood-fired grill. He also enjoys sauces with a touch of sweetness. You can glaze lamb with tamarind and serve kingfish ceviche with sweet pepper jam. It also includes small nods to his New Zealand background, like imported butter, exceptional king salmon from the southernmost part of the country, wines owned by Maori people, and a selection of small desserts called a “lolly bag.”
Regarding desserts, Quarter Acre is the place to go in Dallas. They have a talented pastry chef, Celina Villanueva, who grew up in her parents’ Filipino restaurant and market. Villanueva offers tropical and Pacific Rim flavors like ube, grapefruit, and jackfruit.
Places like Mister Charles and Brass Ram exude confidence and sophistication. Quarter Acre is the most authentic and confident new opening this year.
4. El Carlos Elegante
It doesn’t look like much from the outside. El Carlos Elegante is located on the Design District’s polluted block of Riverfront Boulevard. It used to be a Tex-Mex restaurant, but you can’t tell from the outside. “Elegante” is a word that truly comes to life when you enter and witness the beautiful walled patio, the trendy tiled bar, and the spacious dining room.
Regarding the name. The inside joke is about the restaurant’s ownership. Chas Martin runs The Charles and Mister Charles as well. We keep asking him when he’ll open a burger place called Chuck. (No comment.)
The menu blends Mexican tradition and modern sophistication, created by a team of chefs. Carlos prepares corn in-house for masa, uses traditional spirits, and doesn’t simplify dishes for American tastes. To enjoy your meal here, try unique dishes like the machete, a long quesadilla shaped like a blade, or the tetela, a crispy masa triangle filled with mushrooms. These are served over a spicy sauce made with huitlacoche, mushrooms, garlic, white onion, and crema.
Before you try the bigger bites, start with the “one-hitters.” Try these bite-sized appetizers to enjoy a variety of flavors without spending too much. We want a small tuna tostada with a fatty belly cut and crab-ricotta croquettes filled with fresh corn kernels. One-hitters are great for big parties. You can enjoy appetizers without any concerns about sharing.
Carlos is a great place for celebrations. The “Negroni-ish” cocktail is a lot of fun. We have a patio and private dining rooms available for groups. Many business groups have asked me for restaurant recommendations this year. I always suggest El Carlos, and they all loved it. This restaurant offers more than just fancy Mexican cuisine. Everyone loves it. Sure thing!
5. Mister Charles
Mister Charles, the best new restaurants in Dallas that opened this summer, has quickly become the talk of the town. Diners, chefs, and food writers are all buzzing about it. Mister Charles is a significant place that defines a moment. Here, you’ll find the ultimate combination of extravagant luxury, top-notch ingredients, and familiar dishes that lack a bit of excitement. Looking for the best new restaurants in Dallas? This is for you!
It is the perfect place to enjoy a delicious lobster thermidor, lamb Wellington, and caviar meal. I loved the lamb Wellington! It had perfectly cooked pink meat wrapped in flaky pastry and was served with ratatouille vegetables. There is also a delicious beef carpaccio with fried shallots, spicy Calabrian chile sauce, a great Caesar salad, and an incredible ice-cream sundae with tableside sprinkle service.
Mister Charles is known for its definitive victory in the over-the-top dining sector in Dallas. It’s pointless to compete with it. The opportunity to open something fancy like this has already passed for anyone else. The door is shut. Don’t try it. Mr. Charles is already the champion.
6. Alfonso’s Breakfast Burritos
Like other best new restaurants in Dallas, This fast-casual spot in Duncanville is named “Breakfast,” but it offers much more than breakfast. Alfonso’s provides a variety of burritos throughout the day. You can order breakfast on your way home from work or a deep red pork asado at 7 am. Whether or not you have breakfast, these burritos are currently the best in the region. I suggest a better name: Alfonso’s Burritos – Guaranteed to Make You Snort at Chipotle.
The homemade tortillas are slightly thick but very soft. The fillings are easy. They include brightly colored stews with tender meat and lots of chili seasoning or breakfast mixes with eggs and whatever you prefer. The priciest burrito here costs $5, cheaper than a tiny toast at Mister Charles. After trying different items from the menu, we found that one burrito makes for a satisfying snack, while two burritos make a filling meal.
The owner’s family has a passion for cooking. Alfonso Hernandez began his career at his father’s bakery and burrito spot in Abilene. His mother used to sell gorditas outside an elementary school. The son’s previous experience has prepared him well for his solo project in Duncanville, ensuring its success in the long run. It’s also helpful that he owns the building. His formula is simple. Create a cozy stew that reminds you of home. Flatten the tortillas by pressing them firmly. Wrap it up, serve it, and satisfy your cravings.
7. McRae’s American Bistro & Cocktails
People in Far East Dallas only have a few good places to eat. Mike McRae, the owner of Table 13 in Addison and Stan’s Blue Note on Greenville, has recently opened a new restaurant. The bistro offers a wide variety of food options. The menu has a Texas influence and offers a variety of bar food options. The main dishes are classic American choices such as salmon, pork chop, filet mignon, halibut, and quail. It is one of the best new restaurants in Dallas.
8. Brass Ram
Brass Ram has a darker and more mysterious vibe with a club-like atmosphere. Welcome! You’ve officially declared yourself “In the Know” by finding your way here, even though the door is barely marked. It is one of the best new restaurants in Dallas.
The Prime rib is the star of the menu at Brass Ram, but don’t worry; it’s not a strange suburban restaurant from 1997 with a Ye Olde English theme. The atmosphere mixes a country club and Ron Burgundy’s house. The servers are both well-mannered and well-dressed. The cocktails here are simple yet perfectly crafted, and I tried more than I planned. Being thorough is a responsibility in the professional world. I do it for the readers.
The prime rib is prepared and elegantly. The meat is a lovely pink color throughout and is very tender. It comes in four different sizes, ranging from a thin “English” cut to a large bone-in piece that can feed a tiger. Yorkshire pudding is flakier and more pastry-like when served as a side dish. It pairs well with creamed spinach. I wish the horseradish had more horseradish flavor.
Brass Ram is like those private clubs where Mycroft Holmes hangs out in Sherlock. It has secretive backrooms, comfy leather chairs, card games, and indulgent food that might irritate your gout. Clubs require money, and other members can be unpleasant. I want to go to a restaurant on the second floor that serves Crudo Royale.
9. Balkan Garden Bistro
Adelisa and Elvis Ramovic moved from Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina to Texas. They discovered a culinary trick and used it to open a Balkan American restaurant. They went out for Tex-Mex and saw sizzling fajitas on skillets. Heads turn as beef fajitas are served at a nearby table. First, you notice the sound. Then, the enticing aroma of sizzling onions, succulent beef, and flavorful marinade fills the air. All of a sudden, everyone at the table regrets not ordering fajitas.
The Ramovic family had a great idea: serving sausages in a new way. A unique fusion-icon has been created.
Visit Balkan Garden Bistro in Grapevine for their delicious ćevapi. It’s worth the drive! These sausages are small but satisfying. They are cooked on a skillet with grilled onions and peppers, similar to fajitas. On the side, you’ll find ajvar, a roasted red pepper dip, and kajmak, a thick cream. Pronounce the letter “j” like “y” and the letter “ć” in “ćevapi” like “ch.” You can enjoy a satisfying serving by folding three or four sausages into the restaurant’s fluffy bread. The ćevapi platters at Balkan Garden Bistro are available in portions of 10 or 15. It’s best to bring friends to enjoy them.
By doing so, you can also enjoy wines from Croatia, Bosnia, Slovenia, and Montenegro. A quick tip: Remember to try the mushroom soup. This creamy and flavorful bowl is perfect for warming up during winter. I saved some leftovers to pour over mashed potatoes for a delicious home-cooked treat.
The Ramovics arrived in the US as kids and later met in Texas. Balkan Garden Bistro offers a taste of their homeland, featuring traditional music, cheesy pastry spirals, and cakes. You will enjoy everything, but you will also love the excitement.
10. Naminohana
Get ready for Dallas’ yearly reality check: one of our top new restaurants comes from Fort Worth. Naminohana is a sushi bar that serves handroll-style sushi. It was created by Sung Kim, who used to be a chef at the popular Cowtown restaurant, Hatsuyuki. Hatsuyuki might still be the champion of handrolls in North Texas. It has more special options and offers fresh wasabi. However, Naminohana also has many appealing features on Greenville Avenue.
They serve some of the best handrolls in town. The portions are hearty, and the fish is prepared with care. The rice is warm and flavorful. The nori sheets have a tempting smell. They were not surprised by the higher price of tuna, as many Americans consider it a common ingredient in sushi. During our visit, Naminohana got high-quality Spanish tuna in three different cuts. This tuna is different from the one at the grocery store.
In addition to handrolls, check the chalkboard for seasonal specials that change depending on the freshest catch. We had different types of sashimi and a madai carpaccio. It was served with just olive oil and sea salt.
Hatsuyuki’s famous sushi bite has also made its way to the east. With its fatty skin, the salmon belly is quickly seared with a blowtorch to melt the fat. Then, it is brushed with a soy-mustard glaze. It’s a real treat. Get the salmon belly for dessert.
