The 21 Best Restaurants in Austin
Austin has a reputation as a welcoming, friendly place, but just like New Yorkers over pizza, locals here may come damn near throwing a punch if you take issue with their choice of brisket or breakfast tacos. The Texas capital is spoiled for food choices after years of solidifying its spot as one of the top culinary havens; seasonal ingredients, on-site gardens, unique proteins and presentations, and everything-made-in-house philosophies drive a fine-dining scene of dishes you can only find here. And even the more casual fare has international travelers flying thousands of miles—whether they intend to dip through varieties of gooey queso, experience intimate omakase, sweat over smoky live-fire morsels, and unearth vegetable-forward vegan. You're never far from a place that overdelivers; these are the best restaurants in Austin.
Read our complete Austin travel guide here.
Every restaurant on this list has been selected independently by Condé Nast Traveler editors and reviewed by a local contributor who has visited that restaurant. Our editors consider both high-end and affordable eateries, and weigh stand-out dishes, location, and service—as well as inclusivity and sustainability credentials. We update this list as new restaurants open and existing ones evolve. This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
Courtesy John DavidsonrestaurantBirdie's
$$$Tracy Malechek-Ezekiel and Arjav Ezekiel form the power couple morphing a New York fine-dining background into a strong focus on local artisan farmers and winemakers. The result is lavish-approachable, forever-changing seasonal American menu with French and Italian influences. Don’t miss the handmade pasta of the day (it’s first-come-first-serve until sold out), steak aligned with peppercorn sauce and fingerlings, or swirling seasonal vanilla soft serve with guest appearances by citrus-flavored olive oil or gala apples. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch one of their popups folded in during the year consisting of one-time menus with creative edge.
MYLK CollectiverestaurantDiner Bar
$$$As upbeat staff revolve around tables, don’t be surprised if passersby are peeking through windows for a sighting of James Beard Award-winning chef Mashama Bailey. The Savannah transplant's initial step into Austin is a dance of Texan, African, and Mexican—with an overarching sprinkle of Southern—across a menu that’s as optimistic as the clientele. The crisp-crunch fish over grits that couldn’t be more smooth or creamy are a must-order, as are the fresh-catch raw oysters that won’t let you down. The Chicken Country Captain intertwines curry, almond, and currants; the Fried Ugali and Rabbit Dirty Rice with chicken livers are delectable twists on what’s traditionally expected. For a finale, let Bailey’s take on Orange Dream Tea Cake, with Earl Grey diplomat cream mingling amongst warm candied ginger, be your choice at meal's end.
Richard CasteelrestaurantBarley Swine
$$Hyper-local ingredients help steer the changing menu here. Your fellow diners are foodies to the core. If you want to be surprised, put your trust in the tasting menu, best for adventurous groups. But if you're going a la carte you can expect things like cured antelope, beef fat toast, and aged Akaushi ribeye. If you're not sure where to start, Barley Swine's servers are disciples of Chef Bryce Gilmore's local food movement. They are knowledgeable about farm relationships and the use of seasonal ingredients, so ask them all of your pressing beef tartare questions.
LeAnn MuellerrestaurantLa Barbecue
$$Though some have considered it a “backup” when Franklin runs out, La Barbecue, finally in a permanent location on East Caesar Chavez Street, should in no way be considered simply an also-ran in the Austin barbecue world. Here they specialize, appropriately, in Central Texas-style barbecue, slathering meats with salty, savory rubs. You'll want to wrap your smoky brisket up as a sandwich with pickles and onions along with a side of chipotle slaw. It will almost certainly be crowded, as meat-loving friends congregate on the outdoor patio over their butcher paper-covered trays.
Courtesy of Emmer & Rye Hospitality GrouprestaurantCanje
$$On the less-wild side of Sixth Street (although the restaurant’s music is loud and vibrant), this East Austin spot lives in a faded brown brick building sandwiched next to a Post Office in a space long-known for housing several different restaurant iterations. It’s modern and breezy (with a lick of traditional), like the cuisine. Tavel Bristol-Joseph, a James Beard Award nominee and chef who’s well known for shining in the Emmer & Rye Team (Hestia, Kalimotxo) steps into new-age Caribbean dishes with flavors that are lacking in Austin. Local, seasonal ingredients will take you from Guyana to Jamaica with sharable plates (pick three to five); homey oxtail beef patties with pineapple pique; ultra-fresh ceviche with crunchy peanuts, sour orange, and sweet peppers; perfectly-sweet fried plantains. The curry wagyu beef with chili oil and the tilefish with mojo and squash will bring in the beach, as well as mouthwatering spicy goodness. Don’t leave without a piece of Black Cake with rhum agricole and raisins for dessert.
Mackenzie Smith Kelley/Maie DayrestaurantMaie Day
$$Maie Day lives inside the stylish South Congress Hotel, taking over the previously dark and semi-moody Central Standard space (they luckily kept the open fire cooking, though). Less buttoned-up than its refined relative Olamaie, but coming from the same chef (James Beard finalist Michael Fojtasek), Maie Day’s flashy chophouse rework with after-party essence still adds the Southern touches Maie B Hospitality diners know well: Prime Rib Fridays lob generously-thick Wagyu prime rib from 44 Farms into slices tableside, with accompaniment of luscious bone marrow; other colossal cuts (you may want to share with friends), include the slice of charred ribeye with beef tallow, whiskey-brined pork chops, or what’s-recently-available grilled fish with herby charred kale gremolata. Seasonally rotating cocktails (with options to add Earlybird CBD) appear on a tight menu—the light and herby Thyme of The Year with gin, pomegranate, black currant, and prosecco; the dark, scent-forward Peach Pit swirling bourbon, Jalisco orange, amaro di angostura, and bitters.
Commodore Perry Estate, Auberge Resorts CollectionrestaurantLutie’s Garden Restaurant
$$Step back into the Jazz Age at Lutie’s on the Commodore Perry Estate where black and white tiles guide you to emerald velvet scalloped bar stools, and the simmering glow from ginormous windows provides a peek over the sunken English gardens below. Texas Heritage cuisine is on the menu and everything is made in house. Fresh garden hand rolls and homestyle estate bread make sense alongside juicy confit duck leg and guajillo, and Texas beef with marrow and Royal Trumpet mushrooms. And don’t skip on sweets with mesquite bean soft serve, and beeswax creme caramel leading the dessert menu.
Cedric Angeles/EsterestaurantEste
$$Fermin Nuñez, the much-lauded chef of Suerte, La Condesa, and Launderette, picks up seafood unconventionally (including with charcoal fire) in Este's inventive coastal Mexican dishes, heirloom-corn masa, and acidic ceviches and aguachiles. Raw dishes have almost laser-cut precision here, whether you’re diving into shrimp with avocado and burnt tomatillo in a cacao and habanero broth, or albacore gently bathed with carrot-pepper salpicon and chile oil. A truly extravagant spread is the seafood tower, with dozens of just-delivered oysters and clams plus chile shrimp and buttery lobster. Deliberate, heady selections of dozens of coastal-themed wines, from complex skin contact whites to brighter reds to limited edition bottles, are paired with the preps of coastal seafood, and the mezcal and tequila selections are expansive and varied to make for sippable patio margaritas.
Courtesy Clark'srestaurantClark's Oyster Bar
$$This restaurant, especially the patio, hums day and night. You can come up with plenty of reasons to stop by: business lunches, dates, family outings, and late nights. Here in the heart of Texas, East and West Coast oysters, flown in daily, take center stage. After a dozen of those, split the pan-roasted black angus hamburger topped with gruyere, a legendary dish in Austin. Unless you plan to come at an off hour you may have to wait for a table but the experience is worth it. Once you sit down, service here won't make you feel rushed, even when the line's out the door.
Courtesy McGuire Moorman HospitalityrestaurantJosephine House
$$Quality, local ingredients lay a solid foundation for the delectable brunch fare inside the charming craftsman cottage that is Josephine House. Whet your palate with something from the bakery case, like a crispy kouign amann or slice of vegan blueberry-banana bread. Then look to the blandly named, but delicious inventive rice bowl with forbidden rice with roasted and pickled seasonal vegetables, and salsa verde, topped with a poached egg. Come for a classy brunch—maybe you’re celebrating a low-key anniversary or concluding a memorable trip to Austin.
Casey DunnrestaurantElizabeth Street Café
$$From day to evening Elizabeth Street transforms. In the morning the vibe is all French bakery: Neighbors drop in on their way to work for the brightly-colored macaron of the day or a croissant to go. But later in the day you'll find that this modern French-Vietnamese café has perfected the bánh mì. The kitchen uses housemade, crunchy baguettes that can stand up to layers of spicy and tangy sauces, marinated pork, local beef, and fresh sliced vegetables. The friendly staff is always down to explain a new ingredient, suggest an all-vegetarian meal, or pair a just-right jasmine tea with a decadent afternoon pastry.
Courtesy Franklin BBQrestaurantFranklin Barbecue
$$A standout star within Austin’s heavyweight barbecue scene, Franklin draws lines that are as epic as its world-renowned brisket. Take a tip from the regulars: come early, come hungry, and come with a collapsible chair (you don't want to stand for three or four hours if you can avoid it). The good news is that you can now preorder up to six weeks in advance, as long as you’re committed to at least three pounds of meaty treats. Just don’t miss that luscious oak-smoked brisket with its distinctive peppery exterior; it’s tender enough to cut with a spoon.
Read our entire guide to Austin's best barbecue here.
Richard CasteelrestaurantGuero's Taco Bar
$$Families have come to this Tex-Mex institution for years and locals happily wait more than two hours for a table on weekend nights, hitting the serve-yourself salsa bar and passing time over margaritas. (Order like a regular and get a classic margarita, frozen or on the rocks—they're strong and one of the reasons the atmosphere is so lively here.) The combo plates of tacos, enchiladas or burritos served with a side of refried beans and rice are the move for most, with chile con queso to start. Try to sit on the patio if you stop by on a weekend so you can listen to the regular live music.
Richard CastellrestaurantOdd Duck
$$$Once a food truck, Odd Duck is known best for its pork belly sandwich, served on bread that uses flour milled on site. But don’t stop there. Since the menu is based on what ingredients are available in Austin or immediately surrounding it, chefs can turn traditional Texas dishes on their head. If available, try the goat chili frito pie, served in a skillet and drizzled with avocado cream, or the quail al pastor, with shishito mayo, peaches, and cashews; wash it all down with a choose-your-own-spirit Old Fashioned and call it a day.
Courtney ChavanellrestaurantJustine's Brasserie
$$The vibe at this brasserie is dark and romantic, and it gets louder as the night grows longer. Well-known for its late-night dinner service—the kitchen closes at 1:30 a.m.—Justine's serves up French classics, at your table and at the bar. Think French onion soup served with cheese crusting the ramekin and escargot with a Sidecar or French 75. Be sure to dress your best, the street style here is unparalleled for Austin. The wee morning hours the restaurant keeps make an ideal place to end an evening out.
Mackenzie Smith KelleyrestaurantNixta Taqueria
$$From Aztec-inspired corn tortillas to corn god murals, there’s no way to mistake that you’ve come upon Nixta. It bumps with major tunes, a sparkly gold disco ball, and knock-your-socks-off vibrant colors including coyoacan blue (a la Frida Kahlo’s home). Although the inside is a little snug and short on elbow room, what it lacks in fancy finishes and head space it makes up for in lively energy and out-of-the-box taco omakase experience that mimics the path of the owner’s indigenous ancestry (roasted green beans, ricotta, and pickled hibiscus onions) up through their move to California (duck consommé with buffalo nata and hoja santa). Think unconventional, elevated ingredients hidden in a humble, earthy shell for their everyday menu: marinated yellowfin tuna with furikake and duck confit with salsa cruda alongside vegetable-forward “meaty” bites like beet tartare with avocado crema, microgreens, and salsa macha aioli. Stay for dessert: the much-lauded Persian rice pudding or strawberry paleta with rose and lime.
Jody HotonrestaurantKemuri Tatsu-ya
$$ |
Gold List 2021This Texas-smokehouse-as-izakaya is unlike anything else in Austin. Even Kemuri Tatsu-ya’s interior is a hybrid of Japanese and Texan aesthetics: Austere wood paneling and intimate booths are reminscent of little spots in Tokyo, but Texas-pride taxidermy hangs on the walls. The ambiance strikes the perfect key of east-meets-south. Sharable dishes with Japanese and Texan influences make this menu irresistible (we're talking brisket with a sesame-pecan rub and serrano limón miso, and Berkshire pork ribs with garlic furikake) and the servers here will happily walk you through the menu if it feels hard to get your arms around. Complete the whole experience with a flight of Japanese whisky and you've got a weird and wonderful Austin evening.
Ryann FordrestaurantLenoir
$$$The value of the $60 prix fixe here is the best in the city for a lot of reasons, most of them are individual dishes that cycle every week. The menu makes use of seasonal, local ingredients and offerings blue corn and pecan hush pups with wagyu soubise, antelope heart tartare with smoked trout roe and beets, or black sapote caramel pork shoulder with habanero vinegar; the poached shrimp in tomato curry or snapper tataki with apple matcha ponzu have also been knockouts.. You should get the wine pairings, as the picks from the mostly European list are expert-level. The space itself is tiny, so don’t plan on bringing any more than a couple friends, or just stick to bringing your date, as the cozy space is quite romantic.
Logan CrablerestaurantUchi
$$$It is not an overstatement to say Tyson Cole put Austin's culinary scene on the national map when he opened Uchi in 2003, serving authentic Japanese sushi in landlocked Austin. Chefs here use traditional techniques, fish flown in daily from Tokyo, and a few wildcard moves (like swapping fish for foie gras in nigiri) to keep food obsessives coming back for years and years This is a bucket-list restaurant for diners, and reservations are scant, so lines are here are a nightly tradition. Our tip: go for sake social hour, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the sushi bar, to see for yourself why Uchi still reigns supreme.
Courtesy Olson Kundig / Casey DunnrestaurantComedor
$Unlike its humble blacked-out brick exterior, Comedor’s modern, Mexico City–inspired menu explodes with creativity and one-of-a-kind dishes. Buttery bone marrow tacos with hoja santa–pecan gremolata, a 40-day dry-aged ribeye with chilhuacle negro and hakurei turnips, heritage kampachi crudo with pasilla mixe ponzu, Texas cremini mushrooms, and lamb barbacoa are just a few of the many standouts here. And don’t dash before dessert, which might be chocolate tamales with caramelized milk ice cream or tajin pavlova with tangerine sorbet.
Giant NoiserestaurantHestia
$$$Don’t let the ultra-tall, glassy building it occupies and Shoal Creek views throw you off; Hestia feels comfier on the inside than it looks from out, with a custom 20-foot hearth glowing with live-fire broiling top cuts of beef and pork. Almost anything cooked over the live-fire is a smash-hit; whether it’s silky halibut with trout roe, the smoky king trumpet mushroom with sorrel, the juicy Berkshire porkchop, or the melt-in-your-mouth Wagyu beef. Try the bread service as well as the oysters paired to hatch chili and cantaloupe, and Wagyu beef tartare and gochujang small plate, but make sure to end with the kakigori featuring fermented apple and horchata ice cream.
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