44 Best Restaurants and Places to Eat in Austin
Last updated December 28, 2025
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Austin is a lovely city that flourishes with creativeness, and its culinary landscape is also remarkable.
Whether you're in the mood for a nice, fresh taco or a flawlessly smoked brisket, Austin's varied options are sure to please you.
From the fiery barbecue spots that have established Austin on the food scene to creative restaurants that highlight local produce, there's a dish for every taste in this lively city.
While wandering through the vibrant streets of Austin, you'll discover a blend of cherished establishments and thrilling newcomers that capture the essence of this diverse city.
I was really enthusiastic about discovering the top dining locations here, and I’m eager to reveal some of my favorites to you.
Here are the 44 best restaurants and places to eat in Austin!
1. Elizabeth Street Café
This is a delightful restaurant that serves a blend of Vietnamese and French dishes.
Situated within South Austin, the café boasts vibrant indoor areas and a charming garden patio.
Its menu features classic Vietnamese cuisine such as banh mi and pho, along with innovative French breakfast offerings.
Guests can also enjoy their Ginger-Chili Tasty Oil Dumplings, soaked in a savory sauce with shrimp, pork, herbs, and water chestnuts.
2. La Barbecue
This is a well-known BBQ destination situated in a tiny market, featuring a variety of delicious choices like brisket, sausages, pulled pork, and homemade pickles.
What always distinguishes La Barbecue is its focus on variety and quality in its menu choices.
And alongside classic smoked meats, guests can also savor inventive sandwiches, a wide array of cocktails, and an assortment of Champagne choices here.
3. Clark's Oyster Bar
This is a chic seafood spot that seamlessly combines a cozy, welcoming vibe with elegant casual dining.
Situated in a previous auto repair shop in the bustling Montrose area, this lively venue offers both outdoor and indoor seating choices.
Since its spectacular launch in 2023, it has rapidly gained a reputation for its remarkable variety of tasty lobster rolls, fresh shucked oysters, and fish specials daily that showcase the finest catch.
4. Terry Black's Barbecue
This is a large and relaxed dining spot celebrated for its meats that are pit-smoked and made-from-scratch sides, all crafted by the renowned fourth-generation pitmasters.
This restaurant is managed by twin brothers Mark and Michael, nephews of Kent Black, the founding third-generation pitmaster.
Although akin in various ways to Lockhart's renowned Blacks BBQ, the offering here is really unique.
5. Ramen Tatsuya
This is a well-known bar and noodle shop in Austin that is famous for its unique atmosphere and traditional ramen meals with numerous topping choices.
It serves tasty and satisfying ramen bowls which are essential for both residents and tourists.
Even with its limited space, the restaurant ensures it provides extra booth seating outdoors.
Clients can easily tailor their orders here with additions such as chili bomb or corn bomb, along with extra vegetables.
6. Home Slice Pizza
This is a well-known destination in Austin, famous for its pies and slices that can be enjoyed on-site or taken home.
The restaurant remains open till late at night for takeaways particularly on weekends.
It is definitely a favored spot for newcomers from the Northeast looking for a genuine NYC-style pizza with the unique scent of tomato and cheese sauce.
Their traditional Mushroom and Pepperoni slice is popular, and their WhiteClam Pizza provides a distinct variation with minced garlic and clams.
7. Bouldin Creek Café
This is a sustainable, eclectic restaurant situated within South Austin.
It is a favored location for dining, particularly during brunch time when their bar is very lively.
The cafe takes pride in its vegetarian offerings, which feature inventive meals like tamales made with sweet potato and pecans, and zucchini migas.
The staff here are recognized for their warmth, ensuring a friendly environment to savor unique coffees and fulfilling meatless dishes.
8. Fabrik Austin
This is a nice plant-based eatery that boasts a distinct dining adventure without substitute meats.
Their menu showcases creative seven- or five-course tasting selections, offering a tasty plant-based dining experience.
The cozy environment here with space for 14 to 16 individuals guarantees attentive service and a focus on detail.
Although their fixed price meal menu might be seen as expensive, their seasonal meals are meticulously designed to elevate ingredients with intricacy and distinction.
9. Loro Asian Smokehouse and Bar
This smokehouse and bar uniquely combines Asian smokehouse with Texas barbecue inside South Austin.
This restaurant features a charming rustic atmosphere with plenty of indoor seating and a large outdoor patio decorated with swings and hanging lights.
10. Better Half
This is an energetic coffee and cafe shop during the day, and a bustling location for tasty meals and cocktails at night.
Situated in the heart of Austin, it provides internationally inspired meals complemented by a selection of drinks such as coffee, wine, draft cocktails, beer, and craft ciders.
The venue's vibrant oasis showcases a patio adorned with pink picnic tables where guests can savor non-alcoholic quality drinks or treat themselves to tequila and espresso shots.
11. Perla's
This is a relaxed seafood restaurant on the lovely South Congress, featuring a range of offerings including fish, surf & turf, and oysters.
The restaurant boasts a big open kitchen together with a shaded outdoor area, described as part of Austin’s most beautiful oak-shade patios.
Featuring plenty of seating, lighting, umbrellas, fans, and fantastic music, it offers a laid-back dining atmosphere while also ensuring social distance.
12. Hestia
This is a distinctive industrial-themed eatery located within downtown Austin. It was named after Greek’s hearth deity.
The eatery boasts a unique 20-foot fireplace where cooks enthusiastically craft wood-fired meals that demonstrate the transformative power of fire on food.
Their menu features tempting snacks, small dishes, and spicy main courses like Texas wagyu dry-aged NYC strip.
Also, Hestia offers a nice dessert menu along with a comprehensive wine list featuring 250 bottles to enhance the whole dining adventure.
13. Foreign and Domestic
Foreign and Domestic provides a lively dining atmosphere featuring a blend of American and European dishes, along with a wide variety of wines and craft beers.
This restaurant is famous for its well-loved brunch offerings, showcasing plates such as juicy Berkshire pork atop Barton Spring Mill golden grits and fried marinated chicken served with red eye espresso-infused gravy.
Their menu here also features distinct offerings like cinnamon rolls infused with cardamom and light pancakes crafted from a specialized recipe.
14. Otoko
This is a contemporary Japanese restaurant situated inside the SouthCongress Hotel, providing a cozy omakase dining adventure.
Yoshi Okai crafts a distinct tasting menu here for every guest, merging Tokyo sushi with Kyoto kaiseki.
Though this 12-seat eatery requires reservations well ahead of time, it guarantees an unforgettable dining experience.
And Watertrade is next to Otoko. It's a cocktail bar having a Japanese theme and a wide variety of whisky, enhancing the Otoko dining experience.
15. Distant Relatives
This is a lovely food truck located within East Austin, specializing in contemporary African American dishes, particularly sandwiches, barbecued meats, and side options.
Brockway Damien, a chef and graduate of the Culinary Institute America, investigates the African diaspora’s culinary practices through his creations.
His menu features items such as mango slaw with pulled pork, smoked chicken accompanied by vinegar dip, and black-eyed Senegalese pea salad.
16. Bird Bird Biscuit
This is a well-known destination in Austin that is famous for its tasty buttermilk house-made biscuit sandwiches offered at lunch and breakfast.
Its biscuits are characterized by a fluffy interior and a flawlessly flaky exterior, creating a wonderful foundation for basic and tasty components such as eggs, bacon, and cheese.
The restaurant also provides a convenient breakfast choice for those in a hurry or those wanting a fast meal prior to their weekend events.
17. Cisco's
This is a legendary daytime spot in Austin that features simple decor with a touch of local heritage.
This original Mexican eatery has been offering traditional breakfast items like migas, huevos rancheros, and biscuits since the 20th century.
The vibrant blue structure is prominent on ESixth and is recognized for its historical importance and Tex-Mex cuisine.
18. Hillside Farmacy
Situated in a historical East Austin structure, Hillside Farmacy is a vintage-style restaurant that provides carefully sourced diverse cuisine and also functions as a specialized grocery store.
This restaurant is situated in a place with a fascinating history, having originally functioned as a local pharmacy from the 1920s era.
19. Este
Este stands as a lovely Mexican seafood eatery celebrated for its inventive and delicious cuisine, serving fresh and savory options such as fish tacos and tuna carnitas.
The service at the restaurant is excellent, featuring helpful staff who always cater to customers’ needs.
The interiors of the restaurant are stunning, and its ambiance is remarkable.
A standout item on their menu is their butterfly shrimp, and their elote dessert also comes with strong recommendations.
Also, Este has been commended for its raw fish dishes’ assortment and dipping sauce with large chips.
20. Launderette
This is a delightful restaurant situated in a repurposed laundromat and gas station, serving upscale New American dishes.
The cozy dining area of the restaurant offers an ideal atmosphere for romantic evenings.
Also, their brunch menu includes enticing choices such as mimosas, biscuit sandwich with creative variations, and shareable cinnamon buns.
Featuring a lovely patio too decorated with blue-n-white umbrellas and marble tables, Launderette ensures a welcoming atmosphere.
21. Joe’s Bakery and Coffee Shop
This is a cherished, family-run venue that has continued to offer traditional Mexican dishes and baked goods for more than 75 years.
Even with East Austin’s evolving environment, this legendary establishment continues to be a reliable spot, serving house-made, fluffy flour tortillas stuffed with an unparalleled carne guisada and migas.
22. Uchi Austin
This is an elegant and chic Japanese restaurant situated inside South Lamar, recognized for its famous guests and upscale dining experience.
Tyson Cole, the executive chef's remarkable training with sushi masters within Austin, Tokyo, and New York, which has culminated into a culinary institution that provides top-quality fish imported daily from the Tsukiji market of Tokyo.
Although the prices here might be elevated, the outstanding quality and creativity of their menu justify the cost.
23. KG BBQ
This restaurant in Austin presents a distinctive blend of classic Central-Texas barbecue combined with Middle Eastern and Egyptian tastes.
Chef Kareem Ghayesh (KG) introduces creativity to the restaurant's menu by using surprising ingredients and crafting dishes such as shredded lamb, lamb chops, and a rice bowl packed with flavorful nuts.
Their meat is also outstanding, and KG BBQ further delights visitors with its desserts that are so tasty.
24. Cuantos Tacos
This is a laid-back restaurant serving a range of street-style quesadillas and tacos inspired by Mexico City.
Its menu offers well-seasoned and tasty selections, highlighting favorites such as barbacoa, carnitas tacos, and brisket.
And alongside these classics, this restaurant also offers more daring choices like buche (pork stomach), longaniza (Mexican chorizo), and cachete (beef cheek) tacos.
25. Comedor
This is a contemporary Mexican restaurant that features an industrial aesthetic and lofty ceilings.
Its courtyard provides a vibrant atmosphere, allowing guests to enjoy Mexican-themed drinks and meals crafted by a renowned chef.
Their menu here showcases creative interpretations of traditional Mexican tastes, offering shared plates that include both small starters and larger dishes.
Guests can savor blue-corn quesadillas filled with huitlacoche maize fungus and Oaxaca cheese, complemented by a tamarind mezcal cocktail.
26. Olamaie
This is a celebrated Southern eatery situated within Central Austin, providing a refined dining adventure in a charmingly renovated historic home.
Although it is near downtown, this restaurant radiates a serene and lovely atmosphere, featuring a breezy porch and creaky floorboards.
The menu here at Olamaie highlights refined Southern cuisine with a contemporary flair, using beautifully presented dishes and fresh farm ingredients.
27. Ember Kitchen
Situated in the Seaholm District in Austin, Ember Kitchen provides a contemporary and elegant approach to high-end dining.
This restaurant employs the Josper Grill for blending Caribbean tastes into its offerings, merging the benefits of a temperature-regulated oven with a solid charcoal grill.
Visitors have always commended Ember Kitchen’s friendly and considerate service, mentioning special gestures like birthday cards penned by the team.
Guests have also emphasized the waitstaff's skill in detailing dishes and delivering outstanding service.
28. Veracruz All Natural
This is a well-known restaurant celebrated for its tasty tacos, which feature the iconic migas taco.
Established by siblings from Veracruz in Mexico, Maritza and Reyna Vazquez, the restaurant provides a mixture of organic, fresh ingredients infused with love for their heritage.
Initially a lively food truck, the restaurant has grown to several spots and an expanded menu that includes pastor, fish, shrimp tacos, and barbacoa.
29. Bufalina Pizza
This is a well-loved location in Austin that is celebrated for its artisanal Neapolitan pizzas crafted with high-quality ingredients.
Since its launch in 2013 inside East Austin, it has always established itself as a favorite spot for natural wine and pizza lovers.
The restaurant's trendy atmosphere, with raw walls and exposed Edison bulbs, enhances its underground club feel.
30. Emmer and Rye
This is a fashionable restaurant situated inside a warehouse-like environment, providing a creative farm-2-table meal experience alongside a variety of wines and cocktails.
The restaurant is a member of Emmer and Rye’s Hospitality Group, headed by Rand Egbert, the creative director.
Renowned for its upscale New American dishes, this restaurant distinguishes itself in the culinary landscape of Rainey Street with its distinctive method of highlighting local produce and utilizing inhouse fermentation methods.
31. P Thai's KhaoMan Gai
This is a hidden treasure known for offering the finest chicken rice (khaoman gai) beyond Thailand.
Rhe favorite dish's complexity and simplicity are brilliantly showcased at this restaurant, and their KMG combo features fried and steamed chicken paired with two fantastic sauces.
Their steamed chicken remains unexpectedly tender and moist, and their fried chicken is packed with taste.
32. Fonda San Miguel
This is a celebrated eatery that has played a significant role in influencing how Mexican cuisine is viewed in the USA since it opened in 1975.
This vibrant hacienda-inspired spot presents an elegant take on classic Mexican cuisine.
With Diana Kennedy's guidance, it has significantly influenced the definition of interior Mexican cuisine both nationally and regionally.
33. Eberly
This is a trendy American restaurant and lounge spot featuring a vibrant history and fashionable atmosphere.
Named after Angelina Eberly, it honors innovators, imaginative individuals, and free-spirited intellectuals.
The legendary Cedar Tavern pub from the historic Greenwich Village also enhances its charm.
Guests can embrace the adventurous vibe in its study area or at its iconic bar while savoring traditional meals with a regional flair.
34. Lutie Garden Restaurant
This is an exceptional dining treasure in Austin, situated within the elegant Commodore PerryEstate.
The eatery features a refined atmosphere within an opulent mansion and provides a gourmet dining experience that echoes the period of Jazz Age.
Bradley Nicholson, the executive chef, contributes his skills here from a 3-Michelin-starred San Francisco restaurant.
Also, Susana Querejazu, the pastry chef, brings her knowledge from other esteemed venues.
35. Lamberts
Situated within Schneider Brother Builder, Lamberts is a barbecue eatery in the downtown area specializing in contemporary Texas cuisine and smoked BBQ.
This renovated general store features live music with a nice upstairs bar, fostering a relaxed and fun vibe.
Renowned mainly for its creative barbecue, their menu here also includes smoked meats such as babyback ribs and prime brisket, along with distinctive offerings such as wild boar crispy ribs in quail enchiladas and honey glaze.
36. Suerte
This is a modern restaurant serving interior Mexican dishes, refreshments, wine, beer, and artisanal cocktails.
Fermin Nunez, the executive chef, directs the restaurant's culinary team to add a sophisticated flair to their menu.
This restaurant offers unexpected chip-n-dip selections, chilled and uncooked items like ceviche, along with robust choices such as New York wagyu strip cooked in a Mexican manner and goat barbacoa.
Their selection of vegetables is also remarkable for its tasty options.
37. Justine’s
This is a lovely French restaurant situated within East Austin, providing a wonderful dining adventure.
The restaurant boasts a charming patio embellished with sparkling lights, establishing an ideal atmosphere for a festive dinner or a romantic date night.
Recognized for its tasty brasserie offerings, Justine's presents mouthwatering options like crab salad, in garlic escargot herb butter, Steak Frites, and Royale WithCheese (known as part of Austin's finest burgers).
38. Franklin Barbecue
This is a lively destination in Central EastAustin that has received many awards since 2009 when it opened.
The famous long queues that appear each morning in this restaurant are well-known, and their brisket, featuring a caramelized and peppery exterior, is deserving of the wait.
Franklin Barbecue has been honored by James Beard and has several mentions in Texas Monthly, among others.
39. Salt Lick Cellars
This is a famous Texas-styled BBQ establishment situated near Austin in Texas’ Hill Country.
Since 1975, the restaurant has been satisfying customers with delectable smoked meats like ribs, brisket, pork chops, and sausage links, all seasoned to perfection with their renowned sauces and rubs.
The restaurant provides a really laid-back and countryside atmosphere for guests to savor genuine Texan BBQ grilled over mesquite.
40. Leroy & Lewis Barbecue
This food truck presents a distinctive interpretation of classic Texas barbecue.
Evan LeRoy, the pitmaster, demonstrates his culinary flair here by highlighting unique meat cuts and imaginative sides prepared with ingredients that are locally sourced.
The menu also features barbacoa torta, smoked beef cheek, and sliced porchetta, along with traditional choices such as brisket, sausage, and ribs.
41. Jeffrey's
This is a famous high-end eatery in Austin that provides a classy atmosphere and an exquisite bar.
Having more than 40 years in history, this establishment was renovated in 2013, reinforcing its reputation as a top dining spot in Austin.
Its menu is updated frequently to highlight seasonal farm-2-table ingredients, emphasizing steaks locally sourced from the Lone Star Meat.
42. Dai Due
This is a famous butcher shop and farm-2-table restaurant located in Austin.
Established in 2006, this spot has served as a central hub for the community, featuring ingredients that are locally sourced and a dynamic menu.
The quaint atmosphere in this restaurant offers an appealing backdrop for savoring their varied selections, featuring a range of charcuterie, fresh farm sides, sandwiches, and distinctive desserts that rotate every day.
43. Scholz Garten
Situated in the heart of Austin, Scholz Garten is a historical German dining hall and beer garden established in 1866.
Established by a German War veteran and immigrant, August Scholz, the location swiftly turned into a central hub for the German local community.
Currently, it is recognized as Texas’s oldest restaurant still in operation and the United States’ longest-lasting biergarten.
44. Odd Duck
This is a high-end eatery that provides NewAmerican locally sourced drinks and dishes in a contemporary ambiance.
Starting in 2009 as a lovely food trailer, it has transformed into a well-liked South Lamar destination for dinner, gourmet brunch, and lunch since establishing its permanent location in the year 2013.
The daily menu here varies according to seasonal produce sourced from nearby farmers, ensuring a distinct dining experience with every visit.
