Quick Summary
- Élephante Dallas, a Los Angeles-based coastal Italian restaurant, is opening September 1, 2026, at 2701 Maple Ave. in Uptown Dallas.
- The restaurant will bring Southern Italian-inspired food, housemade pasta, wood-fired pizza, seafood, aperitivo-style drinks, and Italian wines to the 23Springs development.
- The Dallas location will span approximately 9,800 square feet across two floors, with a 1,250-square-foot patio and seating for about 348 guests indoors and outdoors combined.
- Reservations for Élephante Dallas are already available through OpenTable.
Élephante Dallas Is Finally Opening in Uptown Dallas
Uptown Dallas is about to get another major restaurant addition, and this one has been a long time coming.
Élephante Dallas, the coastal Italian restaurant concept from Los Angeles-based Wish You Were Here Group, is scheduled to open Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at 2701 Maple Ave. in the 23Springs development, near the intersection of Maple Avenue and Cedar Springs.
The restaurant was originally announced in September 2024, making the Dallas opening a highly anticipated addition to the Uptown Dallas dining scene. After a lengthy wait, Élephante is now preparing to welcome customers to its third location.
For Dallas residents, Uptown workers, nearby homeowners, and people looking for new restaurants in Dallas, this is another notable addition to one of the city’s most active urban neighborhoods.
What Is Élephante Dallas?
Élephante is a coastal Italian restaurant concept that originated in Santa Monica, California, in 2018. The concept was inspired by the group’s travels to destinations including Pantelleria and the Aeolian Islands in Italy.
The Dallas location will focus on Southern Italian-inspired cuisine with an emphasis on fresh, lighter coastal dishes.
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The menu will include vegetables, housemade pastas, wood-fired pizzas, seafood, and meats designed for sharing. Some of the signature dishes planned for the Dallas location include whipped eggplant with puccia and olive oil, ragu bianco with cavatelli and Italian sausage, grilled octopus, and a Margherita pizza made with housemade mozzarella, tomato, and basil.
Other menu items include branzino with salsa verde butter, sea beans and lemon, along with vodka sauce pasta featuring Calabrian chile, basil and Parmigiano.
The restaurant will also have an aperitivo-focused drinks program featuring spritzes and cocktails, along with a wine list focused on Italian regions. The list will include limited-vintage wines and private-label bottles created for the restaurant group.
A Major Restaurant Addition to 23Springs
Élephante Dallas will occupy approximately 9,800 square feet across two floors at 23Springs, a development located at the corner of Maple Avenue and Cedar Springs.
The restaurant will also include a 1,250-square-foot patio.
According to the restaurant group, reported by CultureMap Dallas, the Dallas location will accommodate approximately 270 people indoors and another 78 people outside.
The design is intended to bring the feeling of the Italian coast to Uptown Dallas. The space will incorporate warm woods, stone, greenery, sculptural lighting, and artwork inspired by Southern Italy.
A central bar will feature a white-oak and honed-stone counter beneath illuminated wine bottles, while sliding glass doors will connect the restaurant to terraces and landscaped areas.
That combination could make Élephante more than simply another place to eat. The size, design, and indoor-outdoor setup are clearly intended to make the restaurant a destination within the Uptown Dallas area.
Why This Matters for Uptown Dallas
From my perspective as a Dallas real estate professional, restaurant and entertainment openings are worth watching because they contribute to the overall experience and identity of a neighborhood.
Uptown Dallas has long been one of the most recognizable urban neighborhoods in the city, with residential developments, offices, restaurants, retail and entertainment concentrated within a relatively walkable area.
An opening like Élephante Dallas adds another dining option to that mix and further strengthens the amenities available around Maple Avenue and Cedar Springs.
I would not claim that one restaurant opening will suddenly change Uptown Dallas real estate values. That would be an exaggeration. But when you look at the broader pattern of investment, development and new businesses entering established Dallas neighborhoods, these additions are part of the bigger picture that homeowners, buyers and investors should pay attention to.
For someone considering buying a home or condominium in Uptown Dallas, nearby restaurants and lifestyle amenities can be an important part of evaluating a neighborhood. For sellers, neighborhood-level changes can also become part of the story when positioning a property for the market.
Élephante Dallas Location and Hours
Élephante Dallas will be located at:
2701 Maple Ave.
Dallas, TX 75201
The restaurant’s published hours are:
- Monday-Thursday: 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
- Friday: 11 a.m.-midnight
- Saturday: 10 a.m.-midnight
- Sunday: 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
Reservations are already available through OpenTable.
My Take on Élephante Dallas
I think Élephante Dallas is an interesting addition to the Uptown Dallas restaurant scene, particularly because it combines a recognizable Los Angeles restaurant concept with a substantial two-story location in one of Dallas’ most established urban neighborhoods.
The menu also gives it a clear identity. This is not simply another generic Italian restaurant. The concept is specifically centered around coastal Southern Italian cuisine, aperitivo-style drinks, and a social, shareable dining experience.
The real test, of course, will come after opening. A highly anticipated restaurant can generate plenty of attention before the doors open, but consistent food quality, service and customer experience ultimately determine whether it becomes a lasting Dallas favorite.
For now, Élephante Dallas is definitely an opening worth watching if you live in Uptown Dallas, work nearby, or are looking for new restaurants in Dallas.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When does Élephante Dallas open?
Élephante Dallas is scheduled to open Tuesday, September 1, 2026.
Where is Élephante Dallas located?
Élephante Dallas will be located at 2701 Maple Ave. in the 23Springs development near Maple Avenue and Cedar Springs in Uptown Dallas.
What type of food does Élephante Dallas serve?
Élephante Dallas serves coastal Southern Italian-inspired cuisine, including housemade pasta, wood-fired pizza, seafood, vegetables, and shareable meat dishes. The restaurant will also offer aperitivo-style cocktails and Italian wines.
Does Élephante Dallas take reservations?
Yes. Reservations for Élephante Dallas are available through OpenTable.