Downtown News

Downtown Dallas' AT&T Discovery District unveils buzzy slate of eateries

Revolver Taco is very buzzy.

Photo by Kathy Tran

The buzzy AT&T Discovery District in downtown Dallas is ready to unwrap its tasty lineup of restaurants.

Called The Exchange at the AT&T District, it's a 26,700-square-foot food hall owned by AT&T and managed by Hospitality Alliance, with 16 eateries featuring some of the city’s most beloved chefs and operators.

According to a release, it officially opens to the public on Friday, June 25.

The launch marks the first food hall in downtown Dallas and the long-awaited full opening of the AT&T Discovery District. AT&T launched the project in 2018 to create a world-class workplace and help revitalize downtown Dallas.

"The vibrancy we’re seeing in downtown Dallas is exciting and we’re thrilled to open this final piece of our vision for the AT&T headquarters," says Melissa Phillips, Director at AT&T Discovery District, in a statement. "The AT&T Discovery District was built to create connections for our employees and the community. We hope the diversity of food and beverage experiences found at the food hall will be as well received by visitors as they have been across the District over the past several months."

Restaurant partners already on board include:

Regino Rojas (Revolver Taco)
Waddell Hodges (Bobbers Burgers & Whips)
Andrew Chen (Monkey King Noodle Co.)
Caleb & Bryan Lewis (Press Waffle Company)
Yaser Khalaf (Baboushi)
Valerie Jean-Bart (Val's Cheesecake)
Brett Curtis (The Dock)
Richard Blankenship (Attalie)
Dunia & Espartaco Borga (La Duni)

The Second Floor at The Exchange features Ounce, Ichi Ni San, and Hard Shake, which have been open to the public since early 2021.

The Discovery District is also home to Jaxon, the restaurant and beer garden; and Rise & Thyme, the sweet cafe from celebrity chef Amanda Freitag.

"We gave Dallas a taste of what to expect with The Second Floor and are ready to drive even more attention to the area with the food hall," says Hospitality Alliance CEO Kevin Lillis. "The collaboration with our restaurant partners has created a singular venue that showcases Dallas' diverse and exceptional dining scene, hosting our favorite restaurateurs and foods in one spot."

The name "The Exchange" is a nod to the old phone exchange boards used by AT&T during the building's past life as a data center for its telecommunications operations, which once served as a telecommunication call center.

The Johnson Studio at Cooper Carry oversaw the renovation of the interior (Gensler was the architect of record for the exterior). The space has two levels of bars, eateries, and indoor-outdoor dining spaces overlooking the District's central Plaza.

The facades for each stall were designed to reflect the distinct offerings and personality of each concept. Seating options include intimate nooks, lounge areas, and outdoor terraces. A wall of glass garage doors and six additional entryways make it easy to pick up a meal to-go.

A bar called Double Tap offers beer, wine, and cocktails, all served on tap to meet the fast-paced needs of the food hall.

In addition to classics like an Old Fashioned and a margarita, there are creative drinks such as a Frozen Espresso Martini and a Pineapple Ranch Water. Cocktails are served in a 12-ounce glass with the option to “make it double” and upgrade to 16-ounce.

The eateries at The Exchange will open Sunday-Thursday 10:30 am-10 pm, and Friday-Saturday 10:30 am-11 pm. Double Tap is open until 1 am seven nights per week.

Beyond the food
In addition to the eateries, the Discovery District's four-block 2.4 acres includes

The Plaza with lawn, tables and chairs
104-foot-tall, 6K Media Wall
30-foot tall interactive Globe
AT&T Experience Store, featuring the latest products and services alongside fun showcases like the "Central Perk" set from Friends
AT&T Experience Studio with interactive HBO MAX Orbit installation
AT&T Showcase, a gallery featuring works from local and national artists.

All are free to the public. Rounding out things to do at The District is a Cowboys Fit gym.

Beginning June 25, The District will feature a five-minute light show, called Digital Double, every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night at 9:30 pm. Coordinated lights set to music will dance across the Media Wall, Plaza ground lighting, trellises and The Globe, which the release says will give downtown Dallas its very own "Bellagio-like" moment, and who are we to disagree.

downtown openings

Coming soon

Longtime Dallas Italian restaurant Bugatti's spawns a trattoria spinoff

Samantha Marie Photography

Trattoria Bugatti

A new neighborhood Italian from a familiar name is coming to northwest Dallas: Called Trattoria Bugatti, it's a fresh new spinoff of Bugatti Ristorante, a longtime Italian restaurant in Dallas, which will open at 3850 W. Northwest Hwy. #1190 on April 20.

The original Bugatti’s opened in the '80s and earned a reputation for northern Italian cuisine with home-crafted recipes and attentive service. After 40 years, they closed in 2023 to relocate to the Mercer Boardwalk development at I-635 and Luna Road in Farmers Branch, where they re-opened in early 2025.

Their original location was in a shopping center then known as The Plaza on Bachman Creek, which got a redo in 2007. Trattoria Bugatti is located mere steps from the original, and is a collaboration between the Bugatti family and Odeh Restaurant Group.

In a release, founders Michael and Zee Bugatti say that the Trattoria represents a "more modern expression of the brand."

"While the original Bugatti reflects tradition and nostalgia, the new concept is designed to feel fresh, bright, and evolving," they say. "It aims to connect with a new generation of diners while still honoring the Italian culinary foundation that has always defined Bugatti."

Odeh Restaurant Group president & owner Ashley Odeh adds, “The Odeh Restaurant Group first entered the industry through franchise ownership, but there was always a desire for a more creative outlet. When we got the chance to partner with the Bugatti family and Chef Erin, we knew it was an opportunity to do something really special. Franchises have built us an incredible foundation, but we are excited to contribute to the Dallas landscape in a new way.”

Food
The kitchen is led by executive chef Erin Willis, James Beard Award nominee and former owner/chef of RM 12:20 Bistro, who also spent time in Italy. The menu balances classic Italian preparations with contemporary touches such as Cacio e Pepe Wings — pepper-brined chicken wings with cacio e pepe béchamel dipping sauce; and Testaroli — semolina pancakes with pecorino and basil pesto.

Fresh pastas anchor the menu, including Italian Alfredo, shrimp scampi, and lasagna “rotta,” with meatballs, ricotta, Pecorino, and broken sheet noodle.

Entrees include:

Gnocchi Bolognese with potato gnocchi, pancetta, and tri-blend beef
Steak Salmoriglio with Allen Brothers 18 oz T-bone and olive oil-herb sauce
Eggplant Parmesan
Pork Milanese
Spatchcock Poussin with choice of piccata, marsala, or garlic-shallot cream sauce

Trattoria Bugatti chef Erin WillisSamantha Marie Photography

Lunch will feature salads, pasta, and sandwiches such as the Trattoria focaccia sandwich with ricotta, giardiniera, arugula, mortadella, pepperoni, salami, and red wine vinaigrette. There'll also be sourdough pizzas such as the Bianca with cacio e pepe béchamel, mozzarella, ricotta, and parmesan.

The sourdough pizza and focaccia dough will come from Dallas bagel shop Lubbies Bagels. Gelato will be supplied by DFW-based Botolino Gelato, and fresh pasta will be sourced from Fresh Pasta Delights, a family-owned artisan pasta maker founded in Plano in 1984.

Drink
The cocktail program is by Chris Henley, founder of the Dallas-based mixology consultancy Betty Cocktail and a former manager at Bowen House who has helped create beverage programs for many restaurants and establishments.

It features Italian-inspired creations alongside refined classics such as the Limoncello Daisy with limoncello, vodka, citrus, Calabrian spice sugar, and sparkling water; Italian Margarita with tequila, amaretto, and orange liqueur; Matcha Martini with Beluga Noble vodka, matcha, and honeydew; and the Haute Pursuit with reposado tequila, Licor 43, cold-pressed espresso, and Calabrian spice dusted orange.

A dedicated Aperitivo menu available exclusively at the bar will feature aperitivo hour cocktails, wines, beers, and small bites such as fried gnocchi and shrimp skewers.

Design
The 4,425-square-foot restaurant features a 120-seat dining room, a 15-seat indoor bar, and a 30-seat patio. The design is by Dallas-based Hohe Design Group in collaboration with Ashley Odeh, with nods to the original Bugatti, including shades of green and vintage artwork.

“Trattoria Bugatti is about honoring the legacy of a Dallas institution while creating something that feels new, vibrant and welcoming for today’s diners,” Odeh says. “With Chef Erin’s incredible culinary perspective, Chris Henley’s thoughtful beverage program, and the Bugatti family’s history in this neighborhood, we believe Trattoria Bugatti will quickly become a place where the community gathers to share great food, great drinks and memorable moments.”

openings