The Most Anticipated Restaurants Opening in Dallas This August

The year 2023 may be over halfway through, but we still have plenty of new Dallas restaurant openings to look forward to. Coming up this August, expect a new Chinese restaurant from Lombardi Family Concepts, Mediterranean food in the former Primo’s Uptown space, homemade pasta on Lower Greenville, a quesadilla-focused spot on Henderson Avenue, and more.

Babou’s

2575 McKinnon Street (August 10)

Harwood District’s new moody cocktail lounge at Hôtel Swexan is opening its doors on Thursday, August 10. Named after Salvador Dali’s pet ocelot, Babou’s will be open on Thursday through Saturday each week for drinks under a disco ball — and surrounded by lush textiles and fringe. The Library (with a more sophisticated, studious vibe and spiral staircase next door), will also debut on Thursday. Both spaces will offer the same cocktail menu featuring The Devil Was a Ginger (a tequila, lime, very berry Oleo, and ginger beer concoction), and more.

Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer

2475 Victory Park Lane, Suite 120 (August 10)

Also debuting on August 10, Black Tap opens its first Texas location in Victory Park. Known for its award-winning burgers and over-the-top CrazyShake® milkshakes, the New York City-based spot has since expanded to 19 outposts around the world. The menu features the All-American Burger, Greg Norman Burger, Wagyu Steakhouse Burger, and more. Milkshakes come in flavors like Cookie Shake, Brooklyn Blackout Shake, and CakeShake. The VP location will also serve a few Dallas-only items.

Maison Chinoise

4152 Cole Avenue, Suite 106 (August 11)

Opening on Friday, August 11, a new Chinese concept from Lombardi Family Concepts (Taverna, Toulouse, Bistro 31) will take over the space next to Salum off Fitzhugh Avenue. According to its already visually-stiking Instagram, Maison Chinoise will be a “fusion of contemporary and traditional Chinese cuisine,” but this isn’t the first Asian concept from the primarily European-forward group — Lombardi also owns Kāi in Plano and Austin’s Joi. One item you can expect on the menu is King Prawn dumplings with black caviar and gold leaf (as pictured above).

Petra and the Beast

1901 Abrams Road (August 11)

Reopening in a new location in Lakewood Shopping Center on Friday, August 11, Petra and the Beast is a farm-to-fork restaurant from chef Misti Norris. The original East Dallas spot had been serving one of the best tasting menus in the city since 2018. According to D Magazine, the new, larger space will feature a full bar, an enhanced bread baking program, smoked meats, and large format family-style meals. The menu boasts five pasta dishes, boards, and snacks as well. For cocktails, the list is seasonal and currently showcases four signature drinks — including the intriguing Summer Daisy with tequila, pepper honey, citrus, and sorrel. Petra will also continue to host tasting dinners in a private dining room.

Lyla

3309 McKinney Avenue (August 11)

Taking over the former Primo’s MX Kitchen & Lounge in Uptown, this new Mediterranean restaurant comes from Dallas-based hospitality entrepreneurs Veeral Rathod and Obi Ibeto of GAP Concepts (XOXO Dining Room) and concept partner Reham Choudhury. They “intend for Lyla to be a casually sophisticated hangout, channeling the chic, beachy and beautiful vibe of destinations like Santorini, Mallorca or St. Barths.” Think fountains, tropical greenery, arched windows, and blue and white tiles on the patio.

Anchor Sushi Bar

6025 Royal Lane (August 14)

Celebrating its grand opening on August 14, Anchor Sushi Bar will take over the former Cantina Laredo in the Preston Royal Shopping Center. The latest from the prolific Vandelay Hospitality team, the new concept will serve crispy rice, wagyu short rib robata skewers, prime stir fry, sushi rolls, and, of course, martinis. The sprawling, 6,000-square-foot space features a 37-foot bar, a sushi bar, and “an East-Coast vintage yacht club” design.

Plomo Quesadilla Bar

1802 McMillan Avenue (August 17)

Coming to Henderson Avenue (right next to Houndstooth), the Arkansas-based quesadilla restaurant will open its doors this August. Founded by Omar Kasim in 2020, Plomo is a late-night spot that offers specialty quesadillas like the popular Escobar with ribeye steak, El Chapo with chorizo, and Vasquez featuring Caribbean jerk chicken. Designed by Coeval Studios, a rendering for the new spot features a clean-lined patio and interior.

Via Triozzi

1806 Greenville Avenue (August 18)

Opening in Lower Greenville on August 18, this new Italian restaurant comes from Dallasite Leigh Hutchinson. Inspired by her time in Florence, Italy, the Via Triozzi menu will feature seasonal antipasti, housemade pasta, steak, Italian wines, cocktails, and more.