Mediterranean sunshine is headed to Dallas. Aba, the breezy, California-inflected restaurant from Chicago-based hospitality powerhouse Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants, will debut its first Dallas location in late 2026 at The Seam, the Design District’s eagerly awaited mixed-use development. Dallas will join Chicago, Austin, and Nashville as the fourth home for the concept — a measured but confident expansion into North Texas.
Aba, which translates to “father” in Hebrew, has built its reputation on transporting diners to the Mediterranean coast, no passport required. The Dallas outpost promises the same indoor-outdoor rhythm that has defined the brand: airy dining rooms that spill onto lush patios, an atmosphere that feels equal parts garden party and sunset escape.
At the heart of Aba is Chef-Partner CJ Jacobson and his vibrant take on Mediterranean cooking filtered through a California lens. Expect silky house-made hummus and spreads, colorful hot and cold mezze, flame-kissed kebabs, pristine butcher cuts, and desserts that lean seasonal and bright. The menu balances familiarity with finesse, while select dishes will nod to the Texas market. Behind the bar, the beverage program ventures beyond the expected, spotlighting distinctive spirits and rare wines from lesser-known Mediterranean regions.
Design will be unmistakably Aba: mature olive trees, trailing ivy, potted greenery, and the warm glow of Moroccan lanterns and vintage chandeliers. Leather, stone, and mosaic tile ground the space in texture, while multiple dining rooms and bars — indoors and out — make it equally suited for lively evenings or private celebrations.
The opening further energizes the Design District’s culinary momentum and deepens Lettuce Entertain You’s Texas footprint, following its entry into DFW with Lone Star Smokeout at AT&T Stadium.
Aba Dallas | 1444 Oak Lawn, Dallas
