Tag Archives: Urbano Cafe

by | May 7, 2026 · 3:37 pm

This East Dallas Restaurant is Better Than It Has Ever Been

Urbano Cafe should not still be open. Mitch and Kristen Kauffman founded it in 2009 in the century-old building on Fitzhugh that also houses Jimmy’s Food Store, ran it for 15 years, and decided they were done. The announcement went out, the regulars grieved, and that should have been the end of it.

Then Sina and Pasha Heidari made one phone call and one demand. The demand was non-negotiable: every employee stays. Chef Oseas Lopez, in that kitchen since 2011. General manager Kevan LaTorre, there since 2011. The whole staff. We covered the sale when it happened in early 2024. What we did not know then was how good the next chapter was going to be.

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by | January 12, 2026 · 3:04 pm

Bar Sylvestro: A Quiet, Confident New Bar in East Dallas

Bar Sylvestro opened quietly at the end of October, located directly beside Urbano Cafe’s dining room (bonus points if you can name what this was some years ago), and it already feels like it has been there for years—in the best way. Created by the Heidari brothers, the group behind Las Palmas, Bowen House, St. Martin’s Wine Bistro, and Mike’s Gemini Twin, the bar reflects the same strengths that define their other projects: comfort, polish, and an instinct for how people actually want to spend an evening.

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by | January 29, 2024 · 1:11 pm

Urbano Cafe Lives On!

Since they announced our closure earlier this month, a buyer who wants to carry on the business has come forward and we are delighted to let you know that Urbano will remain open under new ownership.

What is particularly exciting is that the new owners are keeping the front-of-the-house and kitchen teams on board, and Kevan, who has been at Urbano for over a decade, will be promoted to general manager. That means you’ll still enjoy the same great food and see all the familiar faces that have made Urbano such a special place.

The new owners are local residents and experienced East Dallas restaurateurs, and they believe they understand what Urbano has meant to the community and want to preserve the essence of what it is. More to come from them as they take over next month.

They are accepting reservations through February 17 ( including Valentine’s Day) at 214-823-8550 where you will see Mitch and Kristen Kauffman running the restaurant until the transition, February 17th.

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by | December 10, 2021 · 12:58 pm

Urbano Cafe in Old East Dallas – New Coffee Shop and Lunches Return

Urbano Cafe is opening a coffee shop in our Two Doors Down space (located, conveniently, two doors down from the original cafe entrance in the same building.) on Tuesday, Dec. 14. The 2DD coffee shop will be open Tuesday-Saturday 7-2:30 p.m., serving coffee and locally made pastries, savory kolaches and quiches, plus grab-and-go salads and sandwiches so guests can pick up both breakfast and lunch.

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by | December 31, 2020 · 1:06 pm

These Are a Few of Our Favorite Things: 2020

Ravioli at Homewood by Matt McCallister

Text + Photos by Joey Stewart

It’s a strange year to try and make any sort of “best of” list. We made it out several times before lockdown, then supported the scene by ordering take-out, and finally were able to venture out to a few patios when the weather would hold up. While there are dozens of options that we sadly missed, here are some favorites from our limited ventures out. (Or in).

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by | October 1, 2018 · 2:46 pm

Paella Palooza with Chef Graham Dodds at Urbano Café Oct 14

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The Dallas Chapter of the International Wine & Food Society has announced that Chef Graham Dodds will be at the helm for their next event, “Paella Palooza – A Spanish Experience,” at Urbano Café on Sunday, October 14th.

“Chef Dodds has created a spectacular menu for the night, which will be paired with special and exciting Spanish Wines,” said branch President Joey Stewart. Continue reading →

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by | September 26, 2017 · 11:08 am

An Evening With Chef Omar Flores at the Urbano Cafe Pop-Up

omarby Steven Doyle

There are so many pop-ups these days that it can be dizzying keeping track, but these are the special dinners that often wine special, chef high and happy occasions that makes them so very unique and inviting. This is where a chef can step out of his culinary boundaries that they are often tied to at their regular gig. Menus have a way of beating a chef into submission. This is why when a fantastic chef agrees to perform a pop-up you need to jump all over the situation.

We sincerely attempt to bring you those opportunities here at craveDFW, and a handful of readers took advantage of one last night when James Beard nominated Omar Flores made an appearance at Urbano Cafe’s event space next door to their regular restaurant. Continue reading →

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by | September 19, 2017 · 2:19 pm

Omar Flores Pop Up At Urbano Cafe Sept 25th

omar-floresby Steven Doyle

Missing Omar Flores at Casa Rubia in Trinity Groves? He is frying chicken and rolling biscuits at his restaurant Whistlebritches, soon to open a second version of this southern-style restaurant. But you may try some of his headier cuisine, the stuff James Beard has shown him love once again for, at an upcoming dinner in the old digs commonly referred to as Tom Spicer’s Garden behind Urbano Cafe. Continue reading →

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