If recent trends are any indication, Southlake is trading in its suburban staples for something with a little more “je ne sais quoi.” From soufflés and crêpes to impressionist art, curated wine clubs and design trends that channel the charm of Paris, the city is embracing a French style unlike anything North Texas has seen before.
Yes, the French have officially invaded. At Gallery 19C, a refined art space in the heart of Southlake, 19th-century works influenced by the great Paris salons anchor the walls, offering art lovers a direct line to the golden age of French creativity. Local wine clubs are booming too, many of them with a distinctly European sensibility: curated tastings, vintage-focused dinners and bottles that beg to be uncorked over long, unhurried conversations.
Even boutique storefronts and interior design seem to echo this new French renaissance — timeless, elevated, and effortlessly chic. Southlake’s interior design scene is firmly catching the French wave. According to Susan Semmelmann of Semmelmann Interiors, clients are increasingly drawn to spaces that prioritize warmth, individuality and artistic storytelling—hallmarks of Parisian style. Think layered textures, sculptural lighting, artisan finishes and rich hues like plum, ochre and berry red—colors that feel more like curated paintings than passing trends.
“Our clients want homes that feel collected and expressive, not mass-produced,” Susan explains. Much like a Paris apartment, the goal is effortless elegance—homes that don’t just look beautiful but feel intentional, soulful and distinctly lived-in.
Southlake’s French invasion isn’t about mimicry. It’s about mindset. A way of living that favors elegance over excess, slow over fast, and depth over convenience.
A Taste of France
Nowhere is this French influence more pronounced than in our culinary scene. This hotbed of Tex-Mex staples and polished American fare is now embracing French flavors and traditions with open arms. With the recent arrivals of Rise Soufflé and Sweet Paris, plus established favorites like D’Caramel, Cream & Crepes Café, and the Grapevine trio of Piaf Kitchen + Wine Bar, Chez Fabien and Main Street Bakery, the French have landed — and they brought wine.
Founded in Dallas nearly two decades ago, Rise Soufflé began as a charming, experimental salon de soufflé tucked away on Lovers Lane. The concept quickly gained cult status among locals for its dedication to craft, comfort and culinary artistry. Southlake marks the growing chain's sixth location, following successful outposts in Dallas, Fort Worth, Plano and Tulsa. The concept quickly gained status among locals for its dedication to craft, comfort and culinary artistry.
“Rise is not just a place to eat,” Rise CEO Chris Florczak explains. “It’s an experience — every detail is intentional.”
And he means that quite literally. From antique silver spoons to reclaimed wood finishes and vintage French light fixtures, every Rise location feels like a portal to the French countryside. Even better, no two are quite alike. The Southlake location raises the bar for its unassuming surroundings, nestled near a Hobby Lobby and Urban Air Trampoline Park, proving that fine dining can flourish even in the most unexpected corners.
“You’ll know you’re at a Rise, but each one has its own soul,” Florczak says. “We want you to slow down and experience everything — the texture of the linens, the weight of a vintage spoon, the aroma of the truffle oil hitting a hot soufflé as it leaves the kitchen.”
That philosophy carries through in the food. The fan-favorite Marshmallow Soup—a velvety tomato bisque topped with goat cheese “marshmallows”—is as playful as it is rich. The truffled mushroom soufflé is a Florczak favorite, and rotating artisan cheese boards encourage long, wine-filled conversations.
And while soufflés are famously finicky, Rise has cracked the code with custom-built ovens and precision techniques that let guests enjoy perfect soufflés in just 15–18 minutes.
“It’s the combination of art and science,” Florczak says. “The magic is in the repetition, the finesse. It’s about fresh ingredients, thoughtful preparation and creating something memorable.”
The decision to open in Southlake wasn’t a shot in the dark—it was the answer to years of local demand. Many Rise regulars from Dallas and Fort Worth had relocated to Southlake and were eager to see the concept closer to home.
“We kept hearing the same thing,” Florczak says. “‘We used to live by your original Inwood Village location [in Dallas], and now we’re raising our families out here.’ It was a no-brainer.”
For a restaurant that prides itself on generational dining, Southlake was an ideal fit.
“We serve guests who are three and guests who are 95,” he adds. “We host baby showers, bridal brunches, Sunday lunches. It’s about coming together around the table—slowly, joyfully, intentionally.”
Sweet Paris: A Chic Counterpart
Just down the road in Southlake Town Square, another French gem has already become a fan favorite. Sweet Paris Crêperie & Café opened its doors last fall with a mission to bring casual elegance and craveable crêpes to the neighborhood—and so far, it’s working.
“We’re excited to see Sweet Paris grow,” says cofounder and CEO Allison Chavez. “Southlake Town Square is the optimal location for our entrance into the market with its vibrant shops and upscale boutiques.”
Locally owned and operated by Edward and Cynthia Hymes, the new café has transformed the former Rockfish Seafood Grill space into a bright, inviting café. With cozy seating, ambient lighting and a spacious patio ideal for brunch dates or post-shopping indulgence, it exudes Parisian charm without feeling pretentious.
“We started out as customers of Sweet Paris and have frequented many of its Texas locations,” Edward Hymes shares. “We are excited to continue our love for Sweet Paris as strategic partners, building on its legacy in Texas while at the same time creating our own family legacy.”
The menu spans both day and night, offering savory breakfast crêpes filled with everything from smoked salmon and feta-ricotta béchamel to chicken alfredo and Philly cheesesteak. Sweet selections include cookie butter, dulce de leche, lemon sugar and a standout apple cinnamon crème brûlée crêpe that’s quickly becoming a local favorite.
Between its relaxing atmosphere, Instagram-worthy décor and a cocktail list designed for lingering, Sweet Paris has struck a balance between cozy and elevated—very much in line with Southlake’s evolving tastes.
D'Caramel: Pastry Artistry in Southlake
Adding to Southlake's French flair is D'Caramel Patisserie, a family-owned bakery located in the Kimball Park Shopping Center. Helmed by internationally trained pastry chef Anna Narinan, D'Caramel offers a refined pastry palette that transports patrons to Europe with every bite. Just swing by on any given Saturday to see the line stretching down the block as proof of concept.
After three years of planning and renovating a former medical office, D'Caramel includes an open kitchen with a full back-of-house view, quaint seating areas and a floor-to-ceiling window showcasing scenic displays like a gingerbread Eiffel Tower or a chocolate carousel.
Chef Anna's creations include Paris-Brest, éclairs, macarons, croissants, three-dimensional tarts, canelé, individual cakes and seasonal delights such as the French bûche de Noël. Her training under world-renowned pastry chefs from France, Spain and beyond informs her unique recipes, which utilize authentic ingredients like French fruit puree, Belgian chocolate and Madagascan vanilla beans.
“I believe the pastry world is very creative,” Anna says. “[There’s] a lot of space for creating something new.”
Grapevine’s French Cornerstones
In the heart of Historic Grapevine, Main Street Bakery has long served as a charming outpost of French pastry tradition. Known for its fresh-baked breads, buttery croissants, and award-winning desserts, the bakery also offers breakfast favorites, soups, salads, and casual café fare in a relaxed, European-inspired setting. Whether you're grabbing a cappuccino and tart to go or settling in for a cozy morning with quiche and conversation, Main Street Bakery brings a slice of Paris to Texas with every bite.
Next door, the story continues at Chez Fabien, a full-service French bistro that blends Old World elegance with approachable, locally inspired cuisine. Here, guests can enjoy dishes like mussels in white wine sauce, duck confit, short ribs, or shrimp and grits — all enhanced by a glass of Bordeaux or a handcrafted cocktail. On weekends, live music and brunch add to the allure, making it a go-to for both casual gatherings and celebratory nights out.
All three establishments — Main Street Bakery, Chez Fabien, and Piaf Kitchen + Wine Bar — are owned and operated by Chef Fabien Goury and his wife, Yasmine Bohsali. Their culinary journey began in 2000 with the bakery and grew organically as demand flourished.
Piaf, their most recent venture, opened in 2019 and brings a Mediterranean twist to the family’s repertoire, complete with a rooftop bar and stylish, globally influenced menu. Named after the French word for sparrow — and a nod to legendary chanteuse Edith Piaf — the restaurant captures the couple’s passion for sophisticated yet soulful cuisine.
More Than a Trend
So why the sudden surge in French influence? Perhaps it’s a response to our hyper-speed culture: fast food, fast emails, fast everything. The French, in contrast, believe in savoring — meals, moments and each other.
This shift toward intentionality is echoed in the success of Rise, where diners are encouraged to linger, and in Sweet Paris, where the crêpe is both a dish and a ritual. Both brands — along with D’Caramel’s delicate pastries, Main Street’s buttery croissants, Piaf’s rooftop romance and Gallery 19C’s curatorial nod to Parisian art history — speak to a growing desire not just for good food, but for culture, atmosphere and connection.
You can see it in the curated wine flights. You can taste it in the duck confit. You can feel it in the linen napkins and the way time seems to stretch during a long lunch on the patio. And maybe — just maybe — it’s proof that you don’t need a passport to feel transported. Sometimes, all it takes is a soufflé and a sidewalk table.