Yela Concepts will open Zon Zon, a contemporary Mediterranean restaurant, on Monday, December 22, at 5455 Belt Line Road in North Dallas. The neighborhood spot comes from acclaimed restaurateur Yaser Khalaf—the force behind Darna at Legacy West and Baboush in the West Village—and marks his first collaboration with his son, Mak Khalaf.
The name Zon Zon is personal. It’s the nickname of Yaser’s daughter and Mak’s younger sister, Zaina, and that sense of warmth and familiarity shapes the restaurant’s identity. The space is intimate and approachable, designed to feel like a place guests can return to often—easy for lunch, inviting for dinner, and comfortable enough to linger.
The menu reflects Mediterranean traditions filtered through a modern, Dallas-aware lens. It’s intentionally concise, focusing on flavor and balance rather than excess. Mezze anchors the experience, with dishes such as classic hummus with green shatta, baba ghanoush with charred eggplant and pomegranate, crispy cauliflower with saffron labneh, tuna neya with tahini and Aleppo pepper, and baked kibbeh filled with lamb, pine nuts, and dill labneh.
Salads are bright and thoughtfully composed, including a seared tuna salad with freekeh and golden beets, a tahini Caesar finished with za’atar croutons, and roasted beets paired with burrata, orange, and pistachio. Entrées move easily between comfort and tradition: oven-roasted chicken with garlic batata, chicken shish kebab over saffron rice, hanger steak shawarma frites, ZZ’s wagyu cheeseburger with smoked provolone, prime ribeye with za’atar chimichurri, and apricot lamb couscous.
The beverage program leans Mediterranean, pairing a focused wine list with cocktails built around herbs, citrus, and spice. Drinks like the Rosemary Sunset Spritz, Midnight Istanbul, and Last Night in Beirut offer depth and character, while thoughtful zero-proof options ensure everyone has something compelling in hand.
Designed with Coeval Studios, the restaurant blends modern lines with warm Mediterranean textures. An open kitchen adds energy, while wood finishes and subtle Middle Eastern details create a space that feels polished but relaxed. Zon Zon opens December 22 for lunch and dinner, with brunch to follow, aiming to become the kind of neighborhood restaurant people quietly rely on—familiar, welcoming, and consistently satisfying.
Zon Zon | 5455 Belt Line Rd., Dallas
