MML Hospitality, the Texas-based company known for its popular restaurants such as Clark’s Oyster Bar and Perla’s in Austin, alongside the Hotel Saint Vincent in New Orleans, is set to expand its footprint into the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
The company is preparing to open three new restaurants between 2026 and 2027, reflecting a strategic move aimed at capitalizing on the evolving dining landscape in the region.
The first of these establishments will be Neighborhood Sushi, which will take over the former Tulum restaurant space on Oak Lawn Avenue in Highland Park.
Following that, Clark’s Oyster Bar will feature a bay house-inspired seafood dining experience, located within a 1960s-era office building adjacent to Dallas’ popular Katy Trail.
Lastly, the all-day café Swedish Hill is anticipated to open near Dallas’ Knox Street, joining a growing culinary hub that includes the newly announced Sant Ambroeus restaurant, also in the Knox Street development.
MML Hospitality’s managing partner, Larry McGuire, confirmed that leases have been successfully signed for both Neighborhood Sushi and Clark’s Oyster Bar.
For the Swedish Hill location, McGuire stated they are actively negotiating a deal, expressing excitement about potentially becoming neighbors with Sant Ambroeus and the future Auberge Resorts hotel.
MML Hospitality, with a history dating back to 2006 when McGuire and partner Tom Moorman opened their first restaurant, Lamberts, in Austin, has since seen growth across cities including Houston, Aspen, Menlo Park, and Montecito.
According to McGuire, Dallas has been on their radar for 15 years as they sought the perfect real estate opportunities for their restaurant brand.
“Maybe it’s just a feeling,” McGuire said, reflecting on their decision to expand to Dallas.
He added, “Dallas seems to want and need more restaurants,” which underscores their commitment to enhancing the local dining scene.
MML currently operates 34 restaurants, and McGuire believes the upcoming establishments—Clark’s, Neighborhood Sushi, and Swedish Hill—demonstrate a careful balance between unique, individually-owned culinary experiences and the operational consistency akin to chain establishments.
### Neighborhood Sushi in Highland Park
Neighborhood Sushi is characterized by McGuire as an “everyday” restaurant, aiming to provide high-quality sushi without the fluff.
The original Neighborhood Sushi opened in Austin in 2020, and the Dallas location is poised to be its second branch, anticipated to begin operations at the Shops of Highland Park on Oak Lawn Avenue in spring 2026.
McGuire expressed his enthusiasm for the location, noting its position across from acclaimed Al Biernat’s.
The concept, developed in collaboration with chef Jorge Garcia, draws inspiration from the successful Sugarfish restaurants located in California and New York, positioning itself as an “elevated strip mall sushi” experience.
McGuire articulated his vision, stating, “For us, eating sushi should not be a special occasion.
We think of it as pretty simple Japanese dining.
And we build these warm, zen-y spaces.”
The menu will feature a range of options including tempura vegetables, yakitori, nigiri, sashimi, sushi rolls, and a daily grilled fish collar special.
Additionally, the restaurant will offer bento boxes during lunch hours, catering to a variety of tastes and preferences.
### Clark’s Oyster Bar on Katy Trail
Clark’s Oyster Bar is set to be a prominent addition to the Dallas dining scene, arriving as MML’s eagerly awaited second restaurant in the city.
Following extensive renovations, the restaurant will transform an aging office building near Dallas’ Fitzhugh Avenue, featuring a patio area that overlooks the Katy Trail.
As MML Hospitality’s most replicated restaurant concept, Clark’s represents a leap beyond Texas, marking its first expansion into the Dallas market.
McGuire noted that the company has been eyeing opportunities in Dallas for many years and sees potential for growth, particularly along Fitzhugh Avenue, which is becoming increasingly vibrant with new eateries.
He described the architectural design as reminiscent of an “elevated beach house,” an appropriate nod given that the building is already situated on stilts to accommodate parking and views.
The menu is expected to closely mirror those of other Clark’s locations, featuring an array of oysters and seafood fare sourced from both coasts, as well as popular dishes like the hamburger with gruyere and gribiche sauce.
Clark’s Oyster Bar is scheduled to open its doors in fall 2026 at 4155 Buena Vista St., Dallas.
### Swedish Hill in Dallas
Swedish Hill stands out among the new additions, as McGuire envisions an expansive rollout for the café across multiple North Texas locations in the future.
He is currently in search of a commissary kitchen within the Dallas Design District, which will serve as a production hub for bread, croissants, custom cakes, and other culinary offerings, benefiting not just Swedish Hill but MML’s other Dallas establishments as well.
With the Austin version of Swedish Hill, opened in 2019, earning significant popularity, MML is aiming to replicate that success in Dallas, with plans for the first café to be located near Knox and Travis streets, potentially opening in 2027.
McGuire affirmed, “We can’t open just one,” hinting at a broader vision for the brand in the market.
He expressed pride in the quality of food offered at Swedish Hill, which spans from breakfast to dinner and takeout options.
As MML Hospitality prepares for its expansion into Dallas, local food enthusiasts are eager to see the arrival of these new dining experiences.
image source from：dallasnews
