Boasts a strong selection of artisanal cheeses, charcuterie, and small plates – plus a gorgeous raw bar. Just the thing to pair with bubbles. Read more.
This popular French bistro from ELM Restaurant Group has great bones but the execution can veer from sublime to ragged. Don’t skip the bread service with flavored, whipped butters: It’s perfection. Read more.
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.
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.
A spacious, welcoming watering hole with communal tables and a two-tiered patio with twinkly lights. The Stuffed Portabella is baked to perfection and a tasty complement to the rotating beers on tap. Read more.
Exotic variations on familiar comfort food abound, and we recommend getting your hands on the Saturday-only rotisserie whole lamb if it's available. Read more.
Banger’s laid-back biergarten aesthetic is a great break from the übercool ethos of Rainey St. Wash down the delish housemade sausages with 100+ taps of craft brew. Stellar vegetarian options, too. Read more.
An homage to the staple canned seafood, Barlata is a word mashup meaning "tin can bar." The octopus tapas is a tender, delectable version of the popular Spanish dish pulpo a la Gallega. 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.
Elegant but cozy, Blackbird and Henry won our hearts and stomachs with the Henry burger, topped with aged Texas cheddar and ale mustard. The triple-baked fries that come with it are deeply addicting. Read more.
This elegant Neapolitan-style pizzeria is always packed, but worth the wait. If you’re lucky enough to dine on a night when the mushroom pie makes an appearance, you’d be a damn fool not to order it. Read more.
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.
Mediterranean comfort food made with local ingredients. Tarts, fish, pasta, and salads are all achingly fresh. And the adventurous cocktail list is a nice surprise. Read more.
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.
You'll find the unique treat of dao xiao mian, or "knife-cut" noodles, on the minimalist menu, as well as leek and onion pies. The wonton soup is loaded with minced pork and garlic wontons. Read more.
A Clarksville charmer, Cipollina has the feel of a well-kept secret. Mediterranean-inspired dishes abound, such as paninos, as well as pasta and signature pizzas. For dinner, try the cioppino. 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.
Chef David Bull didn't bring foie gras to Austin but he surely helped evangelize it. Few other chefs use such precious ingredients so confidently. The cool kids always make it seem effortless. 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.
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.
Watch Bollywood videos while enjoying a buffet featuring spicy Chettinad-style goat curry, Mughlai malai chicken curry, Andhra masala-based natu kodi curry, and a warm Keralan banana payasam dessert. Read more.
Everything from Chef Jesse Griffiths' unassuming hotspot is local, even the tea. Expect the choicest cuts of meat, freshest seafood, and barely harvested vegetables, plus impeccable service. Read more.
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.
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.
Eden East's dining room is a grouping of communal wooden tables under the stars at Springdale Farm. The combination of literally farm-fresh foods with inspired chefs in a peaceful setting is magical. Read more.
Plop down at the table with a Modelo and some fiery salsas while you wait on the tacos al carbon and the chiles rellenos en nogada to arrive.
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.
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.
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.
Pair the house-made merguez with a seasonal salad, and go ahead and order a bottle of wine; it beats getting back in line for another glass, and the ambience is so nice you're going to want to linger. Read more.
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.
Here diners are treated to European classics such as escargots in garlic butter, moules marinière, steak frites, and paella. Elegant *and* affordable? How very Old World egalitarian. Read more.
Chef Robert will use a dazzling array of techniques in service of a simple chicharrón. The work pays off. Fixe's crispy beef tendon manages to be both featherweight and beefy, playful and refined.
Three decades serving Interior Mexican cuisine (cochinita pibil, pescado veracruzano) surrounded by vibrant art and an organic garden makes this fine dining spot one of the loveliest anywhere.
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.
This modern spot serves up tacos with style. Highlights include beer-braised brisket punched up with horseradish, a Caribbean-inspired jerk grouper, and the crispy cauliflower. 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.
We love the cozy, 1869 aesthetic of this restored historic landmark. Pick your poison from the impressive Whiskey Wall and enjoy a plate of BBQ on the enchanting, dog-friendly patio. Read more.
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.
Fresh, authentic lobster rolls served either Maine Style (mayo, celery, Bibb lettuce) or Connecticut Style (with lemon-tarragon drawn butter and scallions). Both are heavenly. Read more.
The concept here is vegetable-forward but not vegetarian. Try the brassicas with dandelion greens, toasted farro, and preserved lemon. The chili broth, poured tableside, is an olfactory delight. Read more.
Green Pastures has been the grande dame of Austin restaurants for more than half a century. Sipping milk punch at Sunday brunch in this stately Southern mansion is one of Austin's finest traditions. Read more.
Come out for breakfast or lunch and get treated to low prices, big servings, and great service. The fajitas are some of the best in town, and the vegan options don't disappoint. 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.
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.
This sleek diner has a warm interior with modern banquettes and an inviting deli case filled with side salads and desserts. The extensive sandwich selection includes a commendable pork belly bánh mi.
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.
The chicken-fried steak is tender and well-flavored, the breading is light and crisp, and the cream gravy is made from real pan drippings and not from a mix. Good country food for city folks. Read more.
Exceptionally good food at heart-stopping prices: You could drop 100 bucks for a single – and delicious – dry-aged steak. The must-have made-to-order soufflés take 20 minutes to make, so plan ahead. Read more.
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.
Mâe-meets-Mamaw at this under-the-radar spot featuring innovative mashups of classic Thai dishes and Southern comfort food. The reinterpreted chess pie, infused with sweet Thai tea, is ingenious. 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.
The assured simplicity of the food and patio make for a delightful dining experience. The fresh seafood is expertly prepared and makes for a menu's worth of tasty options. Read more.
This trailer consistently delivers meats that are worthy of being considered among the best in the city right now. The sides are pretty darn good, too. 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.
The French fine dining atmosphere is fit for a romantic tryst, and the food’s easy to fall in love with, too. The salt cod & chickpea fritters are juicy and light, and the surf & turf is perfection. 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 small menu is packed with inventive cuisine, a combo of street-food staples and popular cantina dishes. Order a zippy cocktail (we like El Zorro), sit back, and soak up Licha's lovely, homey vibe. 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.
The pita wraps come stuffed with lamb and beef, or chicken, and are generously filled. Pies include spinach, and grass-fed meat wrapped in a crunchy pastry pillow. Don't miss the beet salad. Read more.
Ingredients are of the highest quality, quantities are large, service is friendly, prices are very reasonable, and the flavors are outstanding. This is how a sandwich should be made. Read more.
Ramen is Japanese comfort food, which is precisely what Michi serves, along with all the trimmings. Thrill seekers may go for the spicy Jungle Ramen flavored with lemongrass with crisp bean sprouts. 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.
The second Noble Sandwich lives up to its name, elevating the entire genre. The Knuckle Sandwich, with roast beef, horseradish, and au jus, is a must-try.
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.
This shiny, ultramodern brick-and-mortar matches the adventurous, farm-to-table cuisine. The superlative wine, beer, and cocktail list harmonizes with the whims of Bryce Gilmore's daily changing menu.
You're not going to get heaping plates of fried meat and stewed greens here. Instead, you'll get artfully plated, modest portions of high-end ingredients for a very refined Southern cuisine. Read more.
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.
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.
From a trailer at the Vortex, Patrizi's quietly serves up some of the best pasta dishes in town. But they aren't just about the classics. Check out the monthly Wednesday dinner night. Read more.
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.
Owners Josh and Paige Kaner have translated a passion for baking into a friendly space dedicated to scratch-made pies both savory and sweet. Try the Rocket pizza with arugula and prosciutto. Read more.
Ever-evolving cuisine from one of Austin's most famous chefs. But despite all that praise, Paul Qui never takes himself too seriously. Check out the pong game on the restaurant's website. 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.
The biscuits are flaky, the fried chicken is crispy, and the sides are worth hollerin' about. But what really sets this trailer apart is Chef Erica Waksmunski's sense of humor. Read more.
Calling all meat lovers! This charmingly retro artisan shop sells fresh cuts of locally sourced meats, sausages, salumi, and charcuterie, as well as fresh-baked goods and some prepared foods. Read more.
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.
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.
The key word for the meats at Schmidt Family is moist, followed by the word tender. Expect no glazes, just smoke and spice. We dig the sausage's beefy flavor accented with pepper, garlic, and cayenne. Read more.
Austin's only vegetarian/vegan Jewish sandwich trailer feels like a picnic in a friend's backyard. The matzoh ball soup is delish, a perfect consistency ball kissed by a light, almost buttery broth. Read more.
This comfy neighborhood restaurant serves inventive pizzas, hearty sandwiches, and sharable plates. The break-out star is the golden cauliflower with herbed yogurt, pine nuts, and golden raisins. 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 Thali Special is probably the best sampler for newbies, but you can't go wrong with the different dosas they offer. Show up hungry. 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.
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.
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.
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 breakfast tacos have a cult following, but try the breakfast roll too. For lunch, go with their tangy, succulent pulled pork sandwich.
This place doesn't have long lines for nothing. Take your pick of anything on the menu and see why chef Paul Qui is an Austin treasure. Read more.
Start with the green beans and brussels sprouts and you'll leave happy. Beware: on busy nights the low-ceilinged room can be quite loud. Read more.
Refined comfort food in Lakeway. Perfect for those looking for gluten-free options. Read more.
There's a reason the lines are long here: Everything on the menu is delicious. After a too-long hiatus this local favorite is back and somehow as tasty as ever. Read more.
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.
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.
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.
In addition to wispy, fruit-flavored shaved ice, this stand also sells homemade aguas frescas, fruit smoothies, and tempting pork tortas. Their tacos keep people coming back to Radio Coffee & Beer. Read more.
An elegant and playful twist on the so-serious steakhouse m.o, this temple to former Longhorn football star Vince Young is a luxurious (if pricey) option for watching the game or wooing a date. Read more.
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."
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.
