Eat Drink D-FW

It's expensive out there, and we have some ideas about how to scrounge for savings. Plus, The Dallas Morning News food team catches up with readers on their 2026 food goals, a new opening near the American Airlines Center, and a few new bar openings.

Want to know the hottest new places to eat in Dallas-Fort Worth in 2026? The Dallas Morning News food team has got you covered. The team also discusses what chefs and other restaurant pros hope to see trending in dining in the new year, along with a bevy of recent closures.

The Dallas Morning News food team shares the best things they ate in 2025, many of which you can find in Dallas-Fort Worth. The team also shares one of its ultimate restaurant industry pet peeves, a restaurant that is lowering its prices, closures, and more, set against the backdrop of a holiday tea.
Please note Eat Drink D-FW is taking a break for the holidays. It will return on Jan. 9, 2026.

Two North Texas women are representing the region on a new T.V. show, "Next Level Baker," from Gordon Ramsay. There's also plenty more food news to catch up on: a new location for Kirin Court, a Wagyu omakase restaurant opening in Design District, and more Tex-Mex hitting Lower Greenville. Later in the show, The Dallas Morning News food team gets into the dishes they loved so much at Thanksgiving, they're making them again for the holidays.

A popular Dallas restaurant has a new executive chef; Torchy's is getting a classy makeover at its Uptown outpost; and Tom Brady dined out at a classic North Texas steakhouse. The Dallas Morning News food team jumps in on these topics, more local news and a preview of trends that are played out and those to come.

The Texas Restaurant Association sounded the alarm as the state's restaurants experience their worst month in years. Dwindling disposable income, inflation, tariffs and an employment challenges are to blame, and the Dallas Morning News food team adds context to the state of the industry in D-FW heading into the holidays.

Texas' best-known barbecue voice, Daniel Vaughn, joins the Dallas Morning News food team to speak about his new special, "The State of BBQ," where he's eating in North Texas right now, and some of the captivating pitmaster stories he's encountered. Vaughn also sticks around to talk about the Michelin Awards as the team shares listener feedback about the 2025 results.

New concepts are flying in North Texas, from eatertainment with Padel House and Le Petit Chef, to growing local businesses, like a new something from the folks behind Smoky Rose in East Dallas. Here's the latest on what restaurants are now open or opening soon in D-FW.

Strange? Defeating? Disappointing? The Dallas Morning News food team has a lot of thoughts, a lot of questions and a few hot takes on the results of the 2025 Texas Michelin Guide. The teams get into the Dallas-Fort Worth's two 1-star Michelin restaurants, Bib Gourmand recipients, Recommended restaurants and more.

Before El Califa de Leon abruptly exited its Dallas area pop-up, The Dallas Morning News food team used the backdrop of Michelin-starred tacos to discuss what they expected to see ahead of the Texas Michelin Guide announcement on Oct. 28, 2025. Dallas chef Dean Fearing also dropped by to discuss why he missed the 2024 Michelin awards ceremony, how he helped create the iconic Mansion on Turtle Creek tortilla soup recipe and more.