This cavernous campus-area space is a little fancy-pants for the average student, but quite reasonable for high-class delicious fare of this caliber and innovation. Read more.
The Singh boys have built a loyal following with their contemporized Indian fare. The space is old, stone, and gorgeous, the crowd is watchworthy, and the food delish. Like a kick? Ask for desi-hot.
Opened in 1926, Dirty’s has been serving the same fresh-beef burgers, chicken-fried steak, fries, nachos, shakes, and beer ever since. On weekends, the campus crowd swarms in to soak up a boozy night.
ESK's home on the Drag features trailer favorites like Poor Qui’s pork belly buns and beet fries. Creative and unique, fresh and flavorful, and located in one of the best funky watering holes around.
Smart service, a comfy space (love the wraparound patio), and Mixed Mediterranean cuisine prepared authentically, whether it's shanks and paella or tapas with a drink from the intelligent bar list.
The evidence: High-quality meats. Big portions. Freshly baked breads. Fair prices. A healthy dose of sass from the staff. The verdict: Among the best sandwiches in town. Read more.
Think French comfort food in a cozy space. Crazy-good craft brews paired with creative sandwiches, intelligent noshes, and a burger and frites twofer worth the trip alone. Read more.
Thai food fanboys love the joint for its authenticity, its spice level, and the value-to-price ratio. Ditch the pad thai and explore more of the menu, which explores all corners of the nation.
Neapolitan-style thin-crust dough brings the aficionados to this old house remade into a pizza joint. The patio out front makes a cozy spot to suck down an icy brew while downing a tasty pie.
What started as a supper club has grown into a full-fledged bistro with limited menus that change frequently. Solid farm-to-table, Cali-Med fare, and ideal for the neighborhood. Read more.
The independently owned Austin Land & Cattle serves steaks that are succulent, tender, and cooked as-ordered, and you get three sides with your entrée. One downside: Parking can be a real bitch.
This cozy spot shares space with a 2,700-pound Neapolitan brick oven firing rustic, insanely good pizza. For antipasti, we flip for the roasted Brussels sprouts with pancetta and Pecorino Romano. Read more.
This charming bistro transplants guests to the heart of France. The prix-fixe menu gets you three courses, with plenty of options in each. Unpretentious and respectful, and most of all, delicious.
Time to carb up, y’all: The street-level bakeshop serves up top-of-the-line breads and pastries; mosey on to the downstairs beer garden and you’ll find mouth-watering cured meats and excellent brews. Read more.
Chef Iliana de la Vega operated a world-famous restaurant in Oaxaca. Lucky for us, she made the move to Austin, where her classically modern restaurant and traditional Mexican cuisine are a huge hit.
What's not to love about this quirky sausage emporium? Aside from off-the-wall gourmet hot dogs (including vegan), Frank serves incredible coffee, well-made cocktails, and outstanding fried chicken. Read more.
Perennial fave La Condesa reflects the culinary trends of Mexico City's hip neighborhood Colonia Condesa. Feeling adventurous? Try the chapulines – a Oaxacan specialty of tiny fried grasshoppers. Read more.
This tiny bistro delights with well-executed Italian classics and quaint elegance. Can sometimes be too loud for dinner conversation, but that just adds to the NYC neighborhood trattoria feel. Read more.
Fragrant barbecue smoke and soulful blues waft over the roof of this 19th-century brick edifice. It's noisy. It's fun. And that's just the way the crowd likes it. The fried pies are not to be missed. Read more.
Manuel's excellent presentation of regional Mexican cuisine has made it a Downtown mainstay for more than 25 years. The menu offers a nice mix of new ideas and tried-and-true. Read more.
A smart wine list and seasonal menu provide big-city sophistication here. Cheese and cured meat plates are available during brunch if you’re bored with Eggs Benedict. Read more.
It's worth navigating the Sixth St. circus for this divine bistro. Best as a late-night haven or at happy hour, when the half-price bar menu gets you steak frites & a killer martini for under $20. Read more.
Four words: Perry's Famous Pork Chop. But "famous" is too vapid a term. Legendary. Mythical. Magnificent. Glorious. Stunning. Dazzling. Don't miss it.
A Mediterranean tree-house atmosphere, bold flavors, and iconoclastic taste combinations make for a cosmopolitan take on traditional bar fare. The pizza bianco is inspired. Read more.
A laid-back place to watch the game while enjoying cold beer and good Louisiana-style food – especially the seasonal crawfish boils. On a sunny day, the patio overlooking the creek is hard to beat.
Playful cuisine, delectable desserts, appropriate libations, and excellent service. The atmosphere can get boisterous, but a night at Swift's promises both a memorable meal and a super fun time. Read more.
With food so local it could run for City Council and an upscale vibe, Trace throws back to an era when the hotel restaurant was a destination spot. The perfect pre-show to a night at Moody Theater. Read more.
The first Mex-Korean truck in the ATX still makes the best bulgogi tacos and kimchi fries in the city. And if you get the burger, by all means get the optional fried egg.
Our favorite dishes here are the dahl makhani (lentils in a creamy sauce) and Malabar (lamb, coconut, onion). The level of spiciness here depends on who's in the kitchen, so it's a good idea to ask.
Late night crowds looking for something to soak up the party flock to these fluffy flat bread wraps, packed with tender, succulent meat or falafel and abundant tangy cucumber tzatziki sauce.
Lucky Puccia's (pronounced poo-chah) cranks out some of the city's heartiest sandwiches. Try the Puccia Contadina with turkey, provolone, arugula, tomato, and olive tapenade. Feeling lucky, indeed.
This new-school, street-food star mashes up fresh and hyper-flavorful Southwestern and pan-Asian ingredients in the best way. Wake up the taste buds and think pad thai taco.
An early component of the East 11th Street renaissance, this is a restful, reliable spot for French-inspired snacks and light meals. The luscious, open-faced tartines are highly recommended. Read more.
This comfy spot with its welcoming vibe and kid- and dog-friendly patio has been whole-heartedly embraced as the neighborhood hangout in Cherrywood. Get the soul-satisfying Sol taco or a muffaletta. Read more.
The menu’s great for snacking and sharing, and unless your party’s big enough to fill a picnic table, you’ll get to know your neighbor, too. It’s that kind of place, and we really love this place. Read more.
Think Parisian bistro, burlesque cabaret, and steampunk film set, with upscale food and bar menus based on seasonal, local ingredients. Execution can be spotty, but the ambience is always spot-on.
The friendly Guerra family has been serving up Tex-Mex since 1963 in a restaurant that was once East Austin Democrats' hallowed ground. We're fans of the classic combo plates and the cabrito flautas.
An Austin champion for organic produce, this Manor Road beauty serves an exquisite bounty of freshness, with dishes ranging from artichoke manicotti to beef and goat cheese enchiladas.
This tiny snuggery seems like it jumped out of a postage stamp. Entrées include pulled pork and a terrific lentil soup, while bourbon buttermilk pie and ancho chocolate brownies are standout desserts. Read more.
You'd better circle the wagons early if you want to snag some of Franklin's world-famous brisket. It has a smoky and spicy bark, a deep smoke ring, and is exceedingly moist and tender. Perfection. Read more.
The atmosphere – we're tempted to say "art direction" – is superb, and the food's splendid, too. Meats and produce genuinely are farm fresh, often picked in the morning at neighboring urban farms. Read more.
East Austin native son Hoover Alexander packs 'em in with tempting renditions of Southern comfort food, complemented with a dash of Tex-Mex, a whiff of BBQ smoke, and a pinch of Cajun/Creole spice.
These easy-on-the-wallet, plentiful platters have delivered many Austinites from hangovers and Tex-Mex hankerings since 1980. For $4.50, the "Don Juan" El Taco Grande will challenge you to a duel.
This no-frills brasserie perched in a remodeled 1930s bungalow serves authentic Gallic comfort food and (more importantly?) people-gawking until the early-morning hours. Read more.
A proprietress as friendly as her food is good serves up huge portions of burgers and Cajun chow from a succinct menu. The dining room is communal and friendly, and Lola Stephens is a blessing.
Barn chic, with a pleasant atmosphere, nice for a special evening out with friends. The gems on the menu dwell in the vegetables category: Brussels sprouts, fried smashed potatoes, and glazed turnips. Read more.
Superior micheladas, legit Interior Mexican cuisine, a beautiful patio, some of the best carnitas in the city, and killer mezcal and sotol cocktails. Viva Mexico! Read more.
Bud's fans from Shoal Creek are happy he's now established in the Mueller food trailer park. His gumbo, étouffée, red beans and rice muffaletta, and po'boys are as good as ever.
This trailer, on the back patio at Liberty, is an Asian fusion treasure. The gourmet yet budget-friendly menu includes the Poor Qui’s Buns and Fried Brussels Sprout Salad. We bow to the beet fries.
This trailer, on site at the Grackle Bar, is an Asian fusion treasure. The gourmet yet budget-friendly menu includes a fried beef tongue sandwich and Broccoli Pops glazed with sweet chili miso.
On site at the Shangri-La, this trailer is an Asian fusion treasure. The gourmet yet budget-friendly menu includes a green apple and kimchee grilled cheese sandwich. Good vegetarian and vegan options.
This food truck serves sophisticated, stellar versions of Asian street food, from Vietnamese bánh mì to Japanese rice boxes to Hawaiian specialties like the astoundingly elegant spam musubi rolls.
Unctuous rib meat barely clings to the smoke-stained bone before it melts in your mouth. John Mueller, the Yoda of beef ribs, dispenses fantastic barbecue in a relaxed, comfy trailer set-up. Read more.
This vintage 1960 Comet trailer serves all kinds of meat, from duck sausage to smoked brisket, and they’re all flat-out delicious. Micklethwait Craft Meats belongs up with the elite of Austin BBQ. Read more.
Chef Ray Tatum's porkalicious sliders and crackling meatloaf are sublime, as is his Asian fried chicken. Get a pairing suggestion from neighboring East End Wines and enjoy dining on the lovely patio.
In addition to wispy, fruit-flavored shaved ice, this stand also sells homemade aguas frescas, fruit smoothies, Mexican-style fruit salads, tempting pork tortas, and divine migas tacos.
Detroit natives Zane and Brandon Hunt have thankfully introduced Austin to the wonders of Motor City-style pizza. We are officially addicted. You can't lose with the double-pepperoni "Detroiter."
Asti is one of the best midpriced neighborhood cafes in Austin. Food is consistently delightful, whether it is grilled octopus, a thin-crust pizza, or their ever-popular chocolate cannoli.
Start with shrimp 'n' grits, tofu popcorn, or a choose-your-own tasting plate, then wash down a sandwich with one of the tasty local brews on tap at the nation's first-ever cooperatively run brewpub.
Reasonably priced and informal but still very fine dining, indeed. Rising star Ned Elliott’s seasonal menu is spare but stunning, with each well-conceived plate coming together in delicious harmony. Read more.
The Teishoku lunch specials are one of the best deals going: a bowl of savory clear noodle soup, a farm-fresh salad, soft steamed rice, homemade Japanese pickles, and an entrée all for $8-$12. Read more.
A big, bustling ristorante complete with deli, bakery, coffee bar, and grocery, this family-friendly eatery has something for everyone looking for a casual Italian dining experience. Read more.
Quality has been Austin's signature fishmonger since 1938, and in 2012, it underwent a major expansion. Go for oysters, Gulf shrimp, and Cajun- and Creole-influenced seafood dishes. Read more.
Back before Austin's Thai food boom, Satay owner Foo Swasdee was serving it up, delicious and authentic. She's still practicing her art with favorites like duck in red curry and grilled spicy snapper.
From the sublime teas and sandwiches to the stellar scones, cupcakes, and tortes, we adore this tea shop & bakery. Just as tranquil as the original Domain location, but without the stressful commute. Read more.
Peppery brisket, crackling ribs, and spicy, coarse-ground sausage in a friendly setting. Go-to place for a casual family meal or to watch the game on a big-screen TV.
The granddaddy of all Southern comfort restaurants, Threadgill's has still got it. We flip for the chicken-fried steak and airy yeast rolls, and terrific live roots music has us ever tapping our toes.
New ownership has updated the menu with fried okra and green beans, but otherwise Top Notch is a local fast food restaurant still frozen in time – and that's why we love it. Get the Longhorn special.
A trip to Uchiko is a treat for the senses, with creative flavor pairings in dishes like rosemary-smoked duck with candied citrus or pork-belly-and-egg sushi. Decor is almost too beautiful to look at. Read more.
Stuffed with ingredients as wild as their celebrity namesakes (see: the Buffalo Bill, the Norma Jean), the burgers at this retro diner are big and beautiful. Hot dogs and salads round out the menu.
Ridiculously authentic Sichuan cuisine. Favorites include the spicy fish and chicken in XO sauce, and we love the happy chaos of the perpetually packed dining room. Read more.
Friendly gauchos slice off hunks of lamb chops, filet mignon, and picanha (bottom sirloin) until you beg for mercy; there's also a big salad bar for the vegetarians who lost the coin toss on dinner. Read more.
Yes, the ramen is authentic and delicious, but it’s the spicy edamame tossed with citrus, fresh jalapeños, shichimi spice, and sea salt we're obsessed with. End your meal with the green tea mochi ice. Read more.
This innovative Thai venture from ESK and Uchiko vets has even the staunchest center-city dwellers making the trek out to Cedar Park. The Thai basil mint sangria makes a refreshing coda to a warm day. Read more.
Taquerias are a dime a dozen in this town, but only a handful are truly priceless. Among the treasures here are the carnitas, the cabrito consommé, the pastor, aguas frescas, and the famed salsa bar. Read more.
It's possible there are menu items beyond bánh mì at Tâm Deli, but it's damn near impossible to get past its ideal marriage of grilled pork, crispy-cool carrots and jalapeños, and tender baguette.
For a restaurant this good, Cafe Josie is still surprisingly under-the-radar. The cafe uses local, sustainable ingredients to create dishes that are colorful, inventive, and consistently exceptional. Read more.
A luxurious menu is matched by an adventurous wine list and an intimate, bistro feel. Don’t skip the house-baked bread: It’s stunningly good, especially when dipped in the Mussels & Clams wine broth. Read more.
This tiny spot offers excellent crab cakes, quail, and hanger steak alongside more typical diner fare. The Counter Benedict with pastrami and grilled pimento cheese sandwiches are standouts. Read more.
Housed in a gorgeous mid-century-modern structure, this is Italian grandmother-inspired cooking with a sophisticated spin. Classic dishes meet seasonal, local ingredients in unexpected ways. Read more.
Any ATX 'best burger' list has to include this round-the-clock spot, but don’t gloss over the upscale riffs on meatloaf and chicken & waffles. Save room for the roasted banana & brown sugar milkshake. Read more.
Since 2001, Wink has offered casual fine dining in the small salon and adjacent wine bar. As one of Austin's first restaurants to emphasize local sourcing, the eclectic menu changes nightly.
Excellent Cajun-Creole fare, with authentic everything – gumbo and jambalaya, boudin and étouffée, gator and redfish. If you ever wanted to fais do-do in South Austin, this is the place.
This lakeside fine-dining fixture was one of the pioneers of Southwestern cuisine. Don't miss the Coca-Cola baby back ribs with orange ginger BBQ sauce and mango jalapeño cole slaw.
Brave the constant crowds and be rewarded with skillfully made, belly-busting, Southwestern-styled comfort food like Chicken-Fried Beef Ribs. Nab a mason jar of amazing pimento cheese on the way out.
Pao's has been around since 1985, and Three Cup Chicken has been their standout dish from the beginning. Be sure and request the "Chinese menu," which has the good stuff. Tasty dim sum on weekends.
This happy marriage of quality and affordability boasts a menu that will challenge you to choose from exceptionally good entrées like cochinita pibil and huitlacoche. We love the handmade tortillas. Read more.
Unquestionably authentic and fresh, Sap's is also a bargain for the quality and quantity of the food you get. Consistent and delicious, with an expansive menu – and a haven for gorgeous roses, too.
What it lacks in looks, Asiana makes up for with flavor. You'll find an array of dishes from the Subcontinent, from ubiquitous tikka masala to goat curries and less-known Southern Indian specialties.
The chill vegan/vegetarian/cyclist-proud vibe isn't the only drawing card here. From a tofu scramble to the Renedict, a reimagined eggs Benedict, the breakfast menu is outstanding. Read more.
This inexpensive, casual dive boasts some of the best Interior Mexican cuisine around. Superior tamales, salsas, Mexican breakfast, and regional dishes, as well as for an outstanding margarita bar.
Love the folk art-festooned interior, but the rooftop patio with Downtown view can’t be beat. Try the tangy guacamole al chipotle, served with a smoky chipotle crema and crunchy sunflower seeds. Read more.
Vietnamese cuisine made with grass-fed meats, pastured eggs, local organic produce, and seafood fresh from the Gulf makes us happy, but not as happy as the dreamy drip coffee served iced or hot.
Open in the same location since 1947, Hill's Cafe is an Austin landmark serving up Texas specialties such as chicken-fried steak, tamales, barbecue, skillet enchiladas, fried chicken, and catfish.
From the moment Home Slice opened its doors, it's been packed – and for good reason. Genuine New York-style pizza made in an independent neighborhood pizzeria, by folks who know how it's done. Read more.
An exemplary burger lineup in the $5 to $9 range. The line – regularly out the door – moves fast, and we’d do murder just to get our hands on the Caramel & Sea Salt milkshake. Read more.
French technique, exotic ingredients, a judicious use of spice and heat, and strong Southeast Asian and Northern African influences on the three-course prix fixe menu distinguish this upscale option. Read more.
The chicken is tender and juicy, the breading perfectly crisp, and it washes down well with a Juicy Lucy frozen watermelon margarita or the spicy Bee Sting. Like being at an impeccably curated picnic. Read more.
Tacos to drive across town for – and surprisingly good burgers, too. We adore the pork with green sauce and the loaded, spice-a-rific salsa buffet. Read more.
From the best tortas anywhere, period, to quesadillas and tlacoyos, this is the closest we get here to real street-style antojitos. Superb pan dulce and tres leches cakes will satisfy the sweet tooth. Read more.
Perla's has transformed a land-locked SoCo corner into a beachy cafe. It's hard to beat this place on a sunny afternoon for fresh oysters, grilled octopus, and a Caesar cocktail on the shady patio. Read more.
Add together a great location, super cute interior, a winning "local products, global bites" concept, and airy shaded patio, and you've got yourself a winner. Bring friends and the dog. Read more.
The Thai-based menu offers the ideal platform for innovation at this South First hot boîte. The food is divine – and often quite spicy – and we especially love the simple but stunning peanut curry. Read more.
Curries and noodle dishes made with local organic produce and pastured meats and eggs = outstanding Thai home cooking. Boasts a gluten-free bakery case and homemade (vegan & nonvegan) ice cream, too. Read more.
This tiny hole-in-the-wall tortilla factory churns out fresh corn & flour tortillas all day. They also serve simple, delicious Mexican home cooking. Don't leave without one of the splendid salsas. Read more.
This casual Italian bistro produces handmade artisanal food at its finest. Customers rave about the delicious house-cured meats, the imported cheeses, the marvelous pastries, and great brunch options.
The very cool Whip In boasts specialty beers, obscure wines, locally packaged gourmet foodstuffs, and a cafe menu that's a bricolage of Indian, African, European, and American flavors. Read more.
Classic Moroccan street food with quality ingredients like fresh vegetables and chemical/hormone-free eggs & meats. Flavorful beef, chicken, turkey, & vegetables are served on traditional flatbread.
This trailer leaves most brick-and-mortar BBQ joints in the dust. Freshly handmade sausage, moist, meaty brisket, and tender beef ribs make this spot a wait-in-line destination. Read more.
This SoFi mobile taqueria (formerly known as Izzoz) remains a favorite among the gourmet taco trucks. Try the Padre and a side of garlic fries and thank us later.
The original Torchy's Taco Trailer is both a destination and a landmark. Fabulous, enormous tacos filled with inventive and excellent "Texican" filling combinations, with shady outdoor seating. Read more.
Small plates, small space: Only 34 seats, so expect a wait. It’s worth it. A farm-to-table ethos and thoughtful flavor combinations distinguish this first brick & mortar from Bryce Gilmore. Read more.
With hubcaps, colored lights, and a velvet Elvis, this is Austin-style Tex-Mex at its tacky, funky best. It's almost always busy, but the creamy queso and chips is worth the wait.
El Mesón boasts a lavish tequila selection and authentic Mexican fare. We adore the amuse-bouches here, like the unexpected tiny bowls of fideo or a little street-style corn on the cob. Read more.
To-die-for sandwiches, package wine sales, charcuterie, and an inviting, inspiring cheese case. We heart the Beecher's cheddar with house-roasted turkey and avocado. Read more.
Little screams South Austin as loudly and proudly as Maria's. Expect simple, fast fare like the hangover-curing gorditas, a brunch build-your-own Bloody Mary bar, and lots of folks keepin' it weird.
This ATX institution has never strayed from its winning formula of authentic Mexican food made from scratch, on the premises, and according to revered family recipes.
Eclectic, upscale, and seasonal fare, an excellent wine list, private tables, and exemplary service flawlessly converge in a gorgeous, Michael Hsu-designed space. Simply one of our city's best. Read more.
Interior and traditional and a South Austin gem. The empanadas de huitlacoche of handmade corn masa are stuffed with corn truffle or "corn smut" to make a real delicacy. Read more.
People get religious about the extra-hot Dona sauce, for good reason: It's just that delicious. Don't overlook the handmade mole, and the brisket Tacoloco may be the best four bucks you ever spent.
When executive chef and owner Tyson Cole first opened shop in 2003, Uchi instantly became both a sushi and a fine-dining game changer. Quality and craft still out of this world. Reservations a must.
An unlikely combo – South Austin-funky trailer meets très French menu – but it works. The crepes, both savory and sweet, are substantial. For dessert, we like the lemon curd with blueberry dressing. Read more.
Ambitious, delicious trailer food from caterer/chef Luke Bibby. Overdo it at next door Gibson Bar? Luke’s cheese fries and the Spicy Szechuan Chicken griddled sammy are gonna make everything alright. Read more.
No such thing as giving the Pig too much love. From bread to bacon, everything is house-made, and they turn out some of the best sandwiches in town. The swine-free catfish sandwich is amazing, too. Read more.
If you have a taste for wacky sweets, you must be one of the legions of fans of these off-the-wall doughnuts, featuring fillings and toppings from crushed candy bars to fried chicken strips and bacon. Read more.
