Coffee News

Latte lover visits 23 coffee shops in Dallas including indies and chains

Matcha latte by Civil Pour.

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Editor's Note: In February, bagel expert and coffee drinker Lila Levy took on bagels, hitting local purveyors to come up with her list of top bagels in Dallas. Now she tackles coffee shops.

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If you haven't noticed, Dallas has experienced a big deluge of coffee chains and concepts coming into the market. This includes a wave of local openings as well as out-of-town chains, all ready to serve our daily java.

I made it my mission to go out and try as many newbies as I could, as well as hitting up some of the best local indie spots in town. My go-to order is usually a flavored latte, but sometimes I'll mix it up with a coffee or tea.

Many milligrams of caffeine later, here's my highly personal list of coffee spots around Dallas:

LOCAL INDIES

Civil Pour
Mom-and-pop on Walnut Hill has hot and cold coffees, pourovers, plus beer, pastries, and panini. Unusual syrup varieties include honey, house made vanilla and simple syrups, blueberry, lavender, maple, cinnamon, peppermint. Their signature drink is The Warlock, made with double espresso, chocolate syrup, cinnamon, cayenne, vanilla, and steamed milk. I had an amazing iced blueberry bliss latte with espresso, blueberry, and maple syrups over ice with oat milk that tastes like blueberry pancakes. Nice outdoor seating, too.

Davis Street Espresso
Buzzing cafe in Oak Cliff make their own mocha and vanilla syrups for lattes. They offer unusual pour-over options. They're known for refusing to offer any milk option other than whole milk: no low fat and no non-dairy.

Funny Library Coffee Shop
Coffee shop at the Virgin Dallas hotel is a beautiful space that's both welcoming and flexible, with long tables for working as well as cozy little tables with velvet seating for a coffee day date. They carry standard syrups plus lavender and some bites and sweets; a heart-shaped chocolate covered brownie was divine.

Herb's House Coffee + Company
Shop near SMU has bomb ass flavors of lattes including honey, lavender, peppermint, strawberry, toasted marshmallow, cupcake, maple pancake, salted caramel, white chocolate. They make a morning toast latte with maple pancake syrup, vanilla syrup, and cinnamon and it is extremely popular. They also carry cinnamon bun syrup which I’ve never heard of, plus pourovers, cold brew, and "Herbuccinos," their version of Starbucks' Frappuccino.

Hola Cafe
Small cute cafe in Oak Cliff, opened by influencer Jeniffer Avila, serves cold brew, matcha lattes, and Mexican Hot Chocolate. Syrups include vanilla, caramel, lavender, and honey, and specialty drinks include dulce lattes, horchata lattes (not easy to find in Dallas), and Mexican Mochas. Grabbed a honey latte there and it was delectable on a cold day.

Palmieri Cafe
Two locations: Original in the Dallas Farmers Market and second one recently opened in Bishop Arts. The Farmers Market location is one of my top three cafes in Dallas to get coffee. Such nice baristas. Love going to the Farmers Market on a weekend and starting there first. The owner moved from Italy to open this location in 2016. The setup just screams Italy. Sweet and savory pastries plus Italian and American coffees, roasted in-house. Syrups include lavender and peppermint.

Peaberry Coffee
Award-winning neighborhood shop in Oak Cliff has mochas, lattes, and notably, Vietnamese iced coffee. They also do something unique: They make their unusual lattes in small batches and sell them in large cans in a refrigerator in their cafe. Flavors include regular iced coffee, iced coffee with lavender and oat milk, Vietnamese iced coffee, Mexican vanilla iced coffee, and iced coffee with vanilla and oat milk. Tried the can of iced coffee with lavender and oat milk and it was tasty, sweet, and smooth.

Union Coffee
Fantastic shop in an old house off Cedar Springs and Oak Lawn that you’d miss if you blink. Menu faves include Matcha Mint, Spicy Mocha (Mocha latte with cayenne and cinnamon), Sweater Weather (maple latte made with cinnamon), and Frosty Toddy (made with blended cold brew). They have an unusually large selection of teas — I tried their wild berry hibiscus iced tea and it rocked. A walk-up window lets you get drinks to-go.

Iced coffee in its simplicity.White Rock Coffee

LOCAL CHAINS

Ascension Coffee
Innovative local chain has seven locations including one that just opened in White Rock, each unique to its neighborhood, with every kind of coffee, latte, and espresso as well as multiple pourover options. Cold brew available along with Kyoto-style cold brew that is a Japanese style of cold brew, and flights of this are available. Standard syrups plus lavender and cardamom. Their food menu extends far beyond the standard cookie and muffin fare, including breakfast and craft sammies on croissants or bagels from Sclafani’s.

La La Land Kind Cafe
Six locations in DFW, plus locations in Houston and Santa Monica, CA. Known for being a cafe with a purpose of hiring and mentoring foster youth and normalizing kindness. Signature coffee drinks include organic espresso, and some distinctive lattes such as a French toast latte with maple syrup and cinnamon; a purple rain latte with lavender and CBD (an actual menu item you can add to any beverage for $2.50); and Buddha latte with cardamom. Nice baristas, great vibe for meeting a friend and catching up in a kind atmosphere.

White Rhino Coffee
Rapidly growing chain with nine shops. Cold brew, iced matcha lattes, unusual lattes such as the French silk with chocolate and vanilla syrups, the German chocolate with chocolate, almond and coconut syrups, Snickerdoodle, or mint lattes. I love their version of a hot London Fog tea (Earl Grey tea, splash of milk and a pump of syrup). They also do food including a maple-glazed chicken biscuit, house-made pop tarts, and amazing chocolate chip cookies. I go to White Rhino when I want a little something different.

White Rock Coffee
One of Dallas' earlier coffee shops now with locations in Lake Highlands, Lakewood (drive thru), Preston Center, Preston Hollow, University Park, and Rosewood Court. Known for their unusual drink combinations like Iced or Blended White Rocker — white chocolate & caramel syrups or their Iced or Blended Adam Bomb — white chocolate & vanilla syrups and cinnamon.. The iced lavender latte was prepared very carefully by knowledgeable baristas. They're a roastery as well.

TEXAS CHAINS

Houndstooth Coffee
Austin-based chain has three locations around Dallas including a small one off Walnut Hill Lane and Central. They have standard syrups, and their coffee is delicious and strong.

Merit Coffee
Offshoot of Local Coffee, founded in San Antonio in 2008 has four locations in Dallas: Deep Ellum, Highland Park, Preston Hollow Village, and North Dallas. Selection of pastries includes their own version of strawberry pop tarts and cinnnamon cruffins. Cold brew and pour over coffee options and syrup selection includes standard options plus lavender. Chai and matcha lattes as well as a Golden Mylk latte, hot chocolate, and hot tea. I've been twice to the one at Preston Hollow and the vibe is chill and relaxed.

Summer Moon Coffee
Locations in Dallas, Frisco, Keller, and Fort Worth. Moon Milk is their signature house made sweet cream. You can get your drinks made with this in varying degrees (1/4, 1/2, 3/4 or full sweetness). Syrup options include cinnamon, toasted s’mores, lavender, peppermint, gingerbread along with standard flavors. Good coffee and lattes, and friendly baristas. The Dallas/Northwest Highway location is always buzzing with students, parents with kids, and someone once brought in their support dog to train for interaction with people.

THE DRIVE-THRUS

Dutch Bros.
Oregon chain is the newest drive-thru with more than 40 locations across Dallas-Fort Worth. Known for unusual selections su ch as the iced flap jack mocha, white chocolate lavender cold brew (with cream), or iced salted caramel chai. I like their enthusiasm. Baristas take your order on an IPad while standing outside and you pay at the window. The latte I ordered was on the sweet side.

The Human Bean
Drive-thru chain from Oregon has locations in Carrollton and Lewisville.Their signature is that each drink gets a chocolate-covered coffee bean on top. They do hot and cold drinks, seasonal drinks, and carry 43 regular syrup flavors including tiramisu, eggnog, and chocolate macadamia nut, and 28 sugar free syrups. My favorite order here is a decaf iced latte with sugar-free salted caramel syrup, but I recently had a cold brew coffee with salted caramel cold foam that was delightful.

151 Coffee
Dallas-based chain has eight locations and more on the way. Their gigantic menu includes macchiatos, lattes, chai lattes, you name it. You can jazz up your lattes with sauces like caramel, white chocolate, dark chocolate, peppermint bark or pumpkin pie, as well as 18 syrups including almond roca, crème de menthe, salted caramel, and Irish cream, plus a larger-than-usual selection of 10 sugar free syrups. Friendly, energetic servers greet you outside, then bring your drink to your car.

PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans
This chain has seven locations including North Dallas, Grand Prairie, Euless, and one coming soon to Fort Worth. Based out of New Orleans and known for house-roasted coffee and blended drinks, frozen granitas, velvet ices, hot chocolate or frozen hot chocolate, and specialty King Cake lattes and cold brews as well as King Cake itself, shipped in from Louisiana's famous Gambino's bakery. Their iced lattes are delish.

Scooter’s Coffee
Chain with 14 locations was founded in Nebraska in 1998. Offerings include hot and cold coffees and lattes, standard syrups plus almond, coconut, raspberry, and toffee-nut. They make a sea salt caramel latte and a crème brûlée latte that both sound amazing. I ordered an iced latte with white chocolate and almond syrups that was smoothly delightful.

NON COFFEE HOUSES OF NOTE

Okaeri Cafe
Japanese counter-style walk up cafe in Richardson has a huge selection of coffees, lattes, hot and iced teas, and Japanese snacks and food. They do an amazing selection of seasonal/themed drinks like white chocolate lavender latte, matcha latte with strawberry foam, jasmine tea with sea salt foam, pandan matcha latte (pandan adds a sweet, tropical vanilla-like flavor), and a cherry tonic espresso. Good service and neat, relaxed atmosphere.

San Martin Bakery and Restaurant
Guatemalan restaurant, cafe, and bakery in Uptown is a beautiful place with amazing breads and desserts including unusual sweets such as raspberry croissants and banana Nutella pastries. Coffee bar has expertly made espresso drinks, hot Nutella lattes, artisan hot chocolate, iced lattes, and coffee.

Wild Detectives
Cool bookstore in Bishop Arts in a great old house has a coffee bar with cocktails, food, espresso, espresso macchiatto, cortado, cappuccino, and hot chocolate. They make lattes but have no syrups which is fascinating. Just keeping it simple.

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News you can eat

This Dallas restaurant news is hot and fresh for the new year

Paris Baguette/ Facebook

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Our first Dallas restaurant news roundup of 2026 is all about the new - new restaurants, new menus, new dishes, and new deals. Several local places are celebrating big anniversaries this year. Sadly, there are some closures, too.

Here's what's been happening on the Dallas restaurant scene the first two weeks of the year.

Paris Baguette, the booming Korean bakery cafe chain, opened a location in The Colony at 5105 Main St. Bldg. B on January 15. They serve more than a dozen cakes by the slice or the whole cake; pastries including croissants, tarts, Danish, and buns; savory baked goods such as quiche Lorraine; breads, salads, sandwiches; and Lavazza coffee. The Colony is the 12th location in the DFW area joining Allen, Carrollton, Coppell, Dallas, Flower Mound, Fort Worth, Frisco, Grand Prairie, Lewisville, Mansfield, and Plano.

Jo’Seon Wagyu Omakase, Dallas’ first Korean Wagyu omakase restaurant, opened its doors on December 3. Located at 1628 Oak Lawn Ave. in the Design District, Jo’Seon is led by chef and co-owner Danny Shin, with an unprecedented 12-course (or 18 courses, for those dining in the select, private rooms) Wagyu-themed omakase that fuses Japanese A5 Wagyu, Korean culinary techniques, and American influences of hospitality. Seating is limited, with only one seating for lunch and two seatings for dinner in the main room each day.

Adelmo's Ristorante, Dallas' longtime Italian restaurant, closed its location in Inwood Village on December 31 after a decade in the space. The eponymous restaurant was founded in 1989 by Adelmo Banchetti in the Knox Street district where it prevailed until 2015, when it was displaced by the area's dramatic upheaval. Banchetti relocated to Inwood Village, taking over the former Bijoux space. In a Facebook post, he says he plans to reopen in another location, still to be announced.

Coco Shrimp is coming to Wylie. Coco Shrimp

Coco Shrimp, the popular fast-casual restaurant that specializes in Hawaiian-style fried shrimp, is opening up shop in Wylie. According to social media posts, the newest location of the fast-growing chain - which started as a food truck in Fort Worth - is coming to 3040 E. FM 544, Suite. 400, Wylie. Opening day is TBD, but soon, they say.

MoMo Italian Kitchen in Lake Highlands is kicking off its 40th anniversary year with a rotating assortment of wine bottles at a discounted price of $40. The featured January wines are the Ciacci Piccolomini Toscana Rosso (Sangiovese and Syrah) and Il Monticello Rupestro Rosatto. They're also introducing a 40th anniversary special featuring a four-course dinner for two for $80, including two salads, two pastas, one antipasto and one dessert; available until February 7.

Shake Shack has brought back its popular Korean-style menu for a limited time. The menu features returning favorites like the K-Shack Fried Chicken Sandwich ($10.49) and K-Shack BBQ Burger ($10.49), as well as new items including saucy K-Shack Fried Chicken Bites ($6.49 for six pieces) and the K-Shack Spicy Caramel Shake (Gochujang caramel frozen custard topped with whipped cream and more gochujang caramel, $6.99). The menu is inspired by the team’s culinary trips to Seoul and the vibrant fried chicken scene that influenced the chain’s first South Korea location in 2016, they say.

Malai Kitchen is marking its 15th year in both Uptown Dallas and Southlake with a special Legacy Menu on Saturday, January 31 at both locations. The menu will feature 15 favorite dishes from the restaurant’s early days, priced at $15 each. Here are those 15: Large Thai Coconut Soup, Large Lemongrass Soup, Large Beef Viet Noodle Soup, Large Chk Viet Noodle Soup, Malai Favorite Sampler, Lemongrass Mussels, Chicken Pad Thai, Shrimp Pad Thai, Drunken Noodles, Iron Pot Green Chicken Curry, Panang Curry with Beef, Red Curry Icelandic Cod, Chilean Seabass, Vermicelli Salad with Chicken, and Vermicelli Salad with Meatballs.

Maple Leaf Diner has launched a new Weekday Features lunch menu, available Monday through Friday from 7 am-2:30 pm. The menu offers sandwiches such as Turkey Avocado Swiss and Grilled Turkey Melt, fresh salads, and starters. There are also combo options, including a $12.99 Sandwich Trio with a half sandwich, side, and house-made chips, along with lighter choices such as Avocado Toast and Chicken Avocado Salad.

Cru brunch New brunch menu offerings at Cru.Photo courtesy of Cru

CRÚ Wine Bar & Bistro introduced new dinner and brunch menus on January 5. They're showcasing Italian-inspired dishes and shareables designed for wine pairing. Developed with Dallas restaurant veteran Mark Brezinski, the menu includes Barolo-braised short rib over butternut squash risotto; Wagyu picanha steak with papas bravas and chimichurri; jumbo scallops atop spinach parmesan risotto; Roman-style pinsa pizzas; and indulgent desserts including chocolate fondue for two. Brunch offers Wagyu steak and eggs, short rib eggs Benedict, brioche French toast, and a smoked salmon board.

Komodo Dallas is shaking up its cocktail program with a collaboration with wellness brand Cymbiotika. The limited-time menu features drinks - both spirited or spirit-free - such as the Immunity Fizz, with Tito’s Vodka, elderberry immune support, and soda ($18); and the Tangerine Silk, a citrus-y mocktail made with Cymbiotika’s tangerine blend, yuzu, and lychee cordial ($16).

Bellagreen American Bistro is serving its Winter “Golden Glow” menu through February, featuring dishes built around anti-inflammatory ingredients like turmeric, ginger, sweet potatoes, kale, and wild rice. Offerings include a turmeric-ginger chicken soup, a butternut wild rice and arugula salad, a roasted veggie quinoa-kale bowl, seared salmon over turmeric cauliflower rice, and seasonal gluten-free desserts like peppermint and German chocolate cheesecake.

Torchy’s Tacos has started its 20th anniversary year with a new "Double Feature" deal: a complete meal for two for $20, featuring six street tacos, classic sides, and drinks. The January lineup also includes the return of the fan-favorite Tokyo Drifter Taco and a new Red Bull Strawberry Limeade mocktail.

Perry’s Steakhouse has launched Mini Martini Trios, including a zero-proof option. The Free-Spirited Mini Martini Trio ($15) features nonalcoholic cocktails such as the Clean Kick made with Seedlip Spice 94. January’s Mini Martini Trio of the Month includes three spirited drinks, including the "Straight" Paloma made with George Strait's Código 1530 Blanco tequila. The steakhouse is also offering off-menu dishes for a limited time, including escargot, turtle gumbo, beef Wellington, roasted wild red snapper, and white chocolate cheesecake.

Crispy Cones, an ice cream shop chain that appeared on Shark Tank, has opened a location in Plano, in a new center at 9613 Coit Rd. #108. It's an innovative concept that places as much attention on the cone as it does the ice cream. To read more about it, head here.

New protein-paced Omega Bowls at Fish City Grill.Photo courtesy of Fish City Grill

Fish City Grill & Half Shells has introduced menu items designed for health-minded diners in January. They include nutrient-packed Omega Bowls with 30+ grams of protein and rich in omega-3s; Seared Scallop Tacos with sweet potato, kale, and chipotle-avocado tartar ($19), Seared Black Cod with coconut orzo ($27); and Chicken Milanese with arugula, marinated tomatoes, and lemon aioli ($19).

Razzoo’s Cajun Cafe has been acquired by M Crowd Restaurant Group, parent company of Mi Cocina and The Mercury. M Crowd says it will focus on "strengthening Razzoo’s culinary identity, celebrating its handcrafted Cajun dishes, and elevating the guest experience." Early priorities, they say, "include optimizing heritage dishes, such as the Seafood Combo Platter and seasonal Crawfish boil, and refreshing the beverage program to complement the brand’s energetic atmosphere." Seven DFW locations of Razzoo's will remain open.

The PoBoy Shop, which had been open in Preston Center just since July 2025, suddenly closed its doors around the new year, citing rising costs of food and more. Early January saw a slew of sad Dallas closures, in fact. All local outposts of national chains Sprinkles Cupcakes and Salad and Go shuttered, too.

House of Dorchester, a British chocolate maker founded in 1963, is returning to the U.S. and offering select products in Barnes & Noble stores in time for Valentine's Day. Based in Dorchester, England and known for traditional chocolate-making techniques and elegant designs, the brand's Barnes & Noble offerings include Pink Marc de Champagne Truffles — truffles with a Marc de Champagne and strawberry center dusted with delicate icing sugar ($10.99 for four pieces).

Chick-fil-A is treating guests to a breakfast giveaway throughout January. Through January 30, customers can can open the Chick-fil-A App weekly to redeem a new breakfast offer, with the schedule as follows: Jan. 12-16: Chick-fil-A Chicken Biscuit or Spicy Chicken Biscuit; Jan. 19-23: Bacon or Sausage, Egg, & Cheese Biscuit; Jan. 26-30: four-piece Chick-fil-A Chick-n-Minis.

BJ's Brewhouse has teamed up with Butterfinger for a limited-time Butterfinger Pizookie dessert ($8.99). It combines BJ's freshly baked chocolate cookie with vanilla bean ice cream, a smooth, crackable chocolate shell, and generous Butterfinger pieces.

H-E-B is opening the doors to its newest DFW supermarket location, at 11700 US-80 in Forney, on Wednesday, January 28. As is the case with H-E-B stores, they'll open at 6 am with fanfare, including visits from company executives and city officials throughout the day.

Cinemark is celebrating National Popcorn Day on January 18 and 19 by letting moviegoers bring their own container to theaters to fill with popcorn for just $5. BYOB-fillable containers that are allowed include anything from a bucket to a cooler, up to 400 ounces, or even a Lowe’s 5-gallon bucket. Find out more about it here.

Pecan Lodge, the acclaimed BBQ restaurant in Deep Ellum, will be featured on select flights aboard American Airlines. The partnership begins in February for passengers in first class on flights from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) to LaGuardia Airport (LGA) and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). The offering will consist of a barbecue platter with brisket, smoked sausage, mac & cheese, coleslaw, pickles, onions, and BBQ sauce.

Keith Lee, the food critic, social media influencer, and recent North Texas transplant, was named TikTok's 2025 Creator of the Year at the inaugural U.S. TikTok Awards. Lee has certainly made an impact on many local restaurants across Dallas-Fort Worth over the years, including reviewing buzzy concessions at the State Fair of Texas. His short-form video empire also scored him a featured speaker talk at Austin's South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in 2025.

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Teresa Gubbins and Amber Heckler contributed to this report.

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