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$$$$ | North Austin |
Reservations are essential at this intimate eatery (and can be made a month in advance), but there are also a limited number of communal tables available for walk-in patrons. The strictly seasonal, locally sourced daily specials blend the artistic style of Japanese sushi with the familiarity of Southern comfort food. Be sure to list any food allergies when reserving as dinner comes in the form of a fixed daily menu of chef-selected small plates ($105 per person). Chef/owner Bryce Gilmore delivers innovative dishes like duck-blood crepes with sweet chiles and pear-and-turnip soup with apple cider and chanterelles. Trust the servers for expert beer and wine pairings.
6555 Burnet Rd., Austin, Texas, 78704, USA
Known For
- Bougie vibe for an elevated date night
- Fixed menu of chef-selected small plates that gives serious street cred for adventurous foodies
- A beer list for the true aficionado
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.–Wed. No lunch, Reservations essential
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$$ | West Austin |
Local critics consistently rank this Clarksville newcomer as one of the city's best restaurants, and the sprawling patio is almost always packed. It's a lovely downtown-adjacent atmosphere to enjoy upscale, indulgent takes on juicy burgers and pastrami (as a sandwich or a queso topping), and with great coffee and cocktails to boot. There are even more burgers at the Quonset hut next door, where Hold Out Brewing slings food and beer all day. Both eateries have a hot brunch ticket.
406 Walsh St., Austin, Texas, 78703, USA
Known For
- Pet-friendly patio seating
- Decadent hair-of-the-dog destination
- All-day menus
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$$ | East Austin |
The predominantly outdoor layout of Texas ranch–inspired Contigo consistently draws a steady evening crowd—even when summer temps are well over 100 degrees. With a chef-driven stable of cocktails and a creative Southern-comfort-meets-contemporary-American menu, it's easy to understand why: ox tongue sliders, house-made pigs in a blanket, a gooey cheddar-filled grilled cheese sandwich on brioche, and the cast-iron sautéed okra with jalapeño and walnuts are among the top menu picks. The varied list of weekend brunch offerings includes buttermilk biscuits and gravy, beef tongue hash, and pecan coffee cake.
2027 Anchor La., Austin, Texas, 78723, USA
Known For
- Expansive outdoor seating that's ideal for all ages
- Dog-friendly policy
- Locally sourced comfort food
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues. No lunch
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$$$$ | East Austin |
This Manor Road hot spot hangs their hat on seasonal local cuisine, with an emphasis on farmers’ markets, Texas beer and wines, and even ingredients foraged by the chefs themselves. A butcher-shop display-case greets patrons upon entering, showcasing various charcuterie and house-made canned and pantry goods. The cozy dining room, accented with exposed brick walls and reclaimed wood fixtures, is down the hall. Their initial prix-fixe “supper club” menu quickly expanded to include nightly à la carte items and a breakfast and lunch service (only on the weekend). Chefs and servers are passionate about their carnivore-heavy cuisine, and it shows. Charcuterie plates are an obvious staple, and daily creations span wide-ranging territory, from venison ceviche to turkey tamales. Try the refreshing house libations, like wild persimmon sodas or sparkling peach jam cocktails.
2406 Manor Rd., Austin, Texas, 78722, USA
Known For
- Hyper-local offerings focusing on meat
- Outstanding cocktail program
- Servers with encyclopedic knowledge of the menu
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. No lunch weekdays
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$$$$ | South Austin |
Bouldin Creek’s best date-night destination might have limited dining space, but the seasonal prix fixe selections and shabby-chic decor is worth the hype. In addition to the nightly menu offerings, diners can indulge in a chef's choice menu ($64) with five courses that could be creations like striped-bass crudo and bowfin caviar, green curry fumé, seared antelope heart, or jerk quail with pecan butter and watermelon radish. Menus change weekly, and single off-menu dishes are available. An impressive European-focused wine list elevates the experience. The shady backyard wine garden has additional seating for weekly happy hours and dinner service. Walk-ins are accommodated.
1807 S. 1st St., Austin, Texas, 78704, USA
Known For
- Exceptional service
- Romantic atmosphere with delicate interiors and decor
- Inspiring prix-fixe menus and wine pairings
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues. No lunch, Reservations essential
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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$$$$ | South Austin |
This food truck turned brick-and-mortar was an early trailblazer of the city’s farm-to-table movement, thanks to chef Bryce Gilmore’s inventive take on locally sourced, modern American cuisine. Gilmore and his team’s artistic approach to Southern seasonal fare comes in tapas-size portions, so servers recommend a few dishes per patron. All the better to sample their variety of rotating dishes, from charred eggplant baba ghanoush and fried whole quail with peaches and squash puree to buckwheat crumpets and beer-battered sweet potatoes.
1201 S. Lamar Blvd., Austin, Texas, 78704, USA
Known For
- Rotating menu of highly inventive, bite-size creations
- Heavy emphasis on locally sourced ingredients
- Popular daily happy hour
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$$$$ | Sixth Street District |
A gem in the midst of Dirty Sixth, Parkside’s austere interior features exposed brick walls, a shotgun bar, and bare light bulbs suspended by black cables. Celebrated chef Shawn Cirkiel has created an equally simple menu, but delivers on taste with fresh oysters and ceviche-style offerings from the raw bar, in addition to a meat-centric array of bone marrow appetizers, savory grilled lamb, and shareable portions of steak and (perfectly crisped) fries. Floor-to-ceiling windows look onto 6th Street for ideal people-watching while lingering over desserts like homemade doughnuts, served warm and sugar-dusted in paper sacks. Dinner can be pricey, but the daily happy hour (5:30–7 pm) is one of the best bargains in the city.
301 E. 6th St., Austin, Texas, 78701, USA
Known For
- Extensive raw bar
- Lively downtown location that makes dinner reservations a must
- Happy hour specials
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch, Reservations recommended
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$ | Downtown and the Capitol Area (Second Street and Warehouse District) |
Don't miss out on the state dish of Texas at this downtown icon. Just a stroll away from the Capitol, the Chili Parlor has been a favorite of legislators, lobbyists, and local hellraisers alike for a midday meal (or late-night beer) since 1976. Get a gut-sticking bowl of bean-less chili (marked X, XX, and XXX for spice), an ice-cold Lone Star beer, or a fully loaded Bloody Mary, and soak up some Old Austin history.
1409 Lavaca St., Austin, Texas, 78701, USA
Known For
- Low-key reputation for celeb sightings
- Daily lunch crowd of state and Capitol employees
- One of the best living legends of old-school Austin dive bars
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$$ | Lake Travis |
This scenic Austin institution, on a 450-foot cliff above Lake Travis, is famed for its sunsets and special-occasion atmosphere, popular with tourists, birthday revelers, and anniversary lovebirds. If you can, arrive early to get a table directly overlooking the lake, but most seats in the multitiered eatery have decent views. The menu includes unremarkable Tex-Mex fare like burgers, fajitas, and margaritas, but weekly and seasonal events, such as their Sunset Music Series, create an enjoyable ambience that justifies the 30-minute drive from downtown.
6550 Comanche Trail, Austin, Texas, 78732, USA
Known For
- Rather unremarkable Tex-Mex cuisine outshone by the views
- Surrounding Oasis Complex, including the Lakeview Winery, that's good for after-dinner browsing
- Ultimately romantic date spot
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$$ | Clarksville |
The upscale breakfast fare and comfort food of this Clarksville favorite might carry an unconventional price tag for a diner, but the quality of dishes (from Belgian waffles to meat-loaf sandwiches) has earned a loyal fan base. The always bustling interior is an efficient mix of mid-century retro and contemporary efficiency, with booths and barstool seating at high tables. The menu rotates with the seasons, but staples include chicken and waffles, three types of breakfast hash, and a weekly chicken and dumpling special. There’s an expected list of coffee drinks, plus a full bar and specialty milk shakes, from chocolate cherry to coconut cream, to satisfy any craving.
600 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin, Texas, 78703, USA
Known For
- Savory sweet signatures like fried chicken and waffles
- Long wait times on weekends
- Specialty milk shakes
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$$$$ | Downtown |
Lady Bird Lake views stun at this flagship endeavor by Top Chef 10 winner Kristen Kish within the LINE Hotel. The elegant presentations of French- and Italian-inspired dishes, made with seasonal Central Texas–sourced ingredients, are impressive but pricey. The burrata with pear mostarda and grilled sourdough and a crispy rice dish with crab and saffron aioli are standouts. It might lack on authentic local flavor, but it's certainly a luxurious on-site amenity for hotel guests; the sleek dining room is also a great spot to view the Congress Bridge bats.
111 E. César Chávez St., Austin, Texas, 78701, USA
Known For
- International spotlight thanks to Top Chef winner
- Constantly rotating crowd of locals and guests at the LINE Hotel
- Patio seating next to the small outdoor pool
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues. No lunch
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$$ | |
Downtown’s Radisson hotel finally ousted an outdated TGI Fridays location on their ground floor and made way for yet another hit from chef and restaurateur Shawn Cirkiel. The delicious contemporary Southwestern cuisine is delivered in shareable or a la carte portions, from oyster taquitos to grilled hen with yellow mole. A limited menu is available in between lunch and dinner service and the Sunday brunch features more than 50 dishes served buffet style. Interiors are chic and floor to ceiling windows show off spectacular views of Lady Bird Lake.
111 E. Cesar Chavez St., Austin, Texas, 78701, USA
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$ | East Austin |
Austin’s iconic Counter Cafe closed its original (beloved, but tragically tiny) diner on North Lamar, but this east-side location doubles the square footage and offers an extended menu with signatures like polenta-fried oysters. The mid-century–styled interior looks almost identical, from the wooden countertops and blackboard of daily specials to the line of expert short-order chefs knocking out the familiar menu of classic breakfast and lunch dishes. Patrons will still find crab cake Benedict, enormous pancakes, quail and eggs, and succulent grass-fed burgers.
1914 E. 6th St., Austin, Texas, 78702, USA
Known For
- Hypnotic views of speedy short-order chefs
- Very loud during peak weekend hours
- Heaping portions
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
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$$$$ | South Austin |
Austin is known as a laid-back capital of style, whether it's food or fashion, but this swanky spot injects a lot of glamour into the South Lamar scene. Honoring Angelina Eberly, a storied local innkeeper who helped preserve Austin as the capital in 1842, the contemporary restaurant takes inspiration from its courageous namesake with an ambitious slew of snazzy dining areas, like a beautiful interior "atrium" room and an inviting rooftop terrace. Menu highlights include New American mains, such as braised oxtail ragù and mushroom mafaldini with black truffles, and a popular brunch service includes a range of oven-baked pizzas.
615 S. Lamar Blvd., Austin, Texas, 78704, USA
Known For
- Various private dining options in intimate settings
- Glitzy decor and elevated level of service
- Historic Cedar Tavern bar centerpiece, deconstructed and restored from its original home in Greenwich Village
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. No lunch weekdays and no dinner Sun.
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$$$ | North Austin |
This upscale, 47-seat North Loop gastropub was a trailblazer in the city's locavore and “nose-to-tail” movements. And it’s remained a reliably inventive spot that keeps loyal patrons on their toes with seasonal (and daily rotating) creations, from fried pig ears and shishito peppers to fresh market fish artfully accented with squid ink and foamed butter. F&D's menu isn't tailored to finicky eaters, but this is the place to be for adventurous foodies. The restaurant now offers a decadent Sunday brunch with standouts like a cast-iron frittata with seasonal vegetables.
306 E. 53rd St., Austin, Texas, 78751, USA
Known For
- Addictive cheddar biscuit starters
- Menu of adventurous dishes that an exceptional staff helps navigate and explain
- Cozy neighborhood vibe with a loyal local following
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. No lunch Tues.–Sat.
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$$$ | University of Texas Area |
Now Hotel Ella, the historic Goodall Wooten mansion still retains its stately, old-world charm, and Goodall’s occupies the main floor. The romantic setting screams special occasion, with a concise (and pricey) menu. Service is first-rate, but the cuisine gets inconsistent reviews from patrons who think the lackluster flavors of dishes like fish and chips and seared strip steaks aren’t worth the prices. Seasonal ceviches are popular, however. Breakfast and lunch are served on weekdays, replaced by brunch on weekends. Snag a table on the wraparound porch if the weather is nice.
1900 Rio Grande St., Austin, Texas, 78705, USA
Known For
- Wonderful on-site luxury for hotel guests
- Exclusive, special occasion atmosphere
- Popular brunch service
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$ | South Austin |
Austin’s favorite over-the-top doughnut destination, born out of food-truck fame, is now a brick-and-mortar café, where diners can get their favorite perforated pastries topped with everything from chicken-fried steak to beer-battered oysters. Salads (served with garlic doughnuts) and sides like creamed corn and fried brussels sprouts, plus a full bar and rotating selection of local beers, round out the extensive menu. A weekend brunch features doughnut French toast and savory-sweet egg sandwiches, along with Bloody Marys and pitchers of mimosas. But plenty of folks still show up for the giant-sized coffee and dessert doughnuts, like the “Sin-A-Bomb,” with melted cinnamon butter drizzled over cream-cheese icing. A food-truck location is on nearby South 1st Street.
2700 S. Lamar Blvd., Austin, Texas, 78704, USA
Known For
- Gluttonous doughnut options for any occasion
- Weekend favorite for families
- Lively, celebratory atmosphere on any given day
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$$ | Hyde Park |
With a classic but eclectic menu focusing on comfort foods, this welcoming neighborhood hangout has kept the locals coming in since 1982. Both the original on Duval Street and the newer south Austin location decorate with pleasant, colorful paintings (for sale) by local artists, and maintain an easygoing atmosphere for both the shorts-and-T-shirt crowd and the dressier, special-occasion fraction. The variations on simple fare run from black-bean veggie burgers and chicken-fried steaks to fresh seafood. Weekend brunch and lunch hours are busiest—look for the hungry crowd milling around the fork-in-the-road sculpture staked in the front parking lot.
4206 Duval St., Austin, Texas, 78751, USA
Known For
- Giant fork towering over the entrance, decorated with seasonal impalements on holidays
- Buttermilk-battered and peppered fries, served on shareable platters
- Lovely neighborhood location
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$$$ | Clarksville |
The adorable little sister of Jeffrey’s occupies a beautifully restored, light-filled bungalow next door to the Clarksville fine-dining institution, offering a slightly more approachable, but still sophisticated, option for cocktails and modern American cuisine. Locals love to sit at the patio or front-lawn tables during the daily happy hour, and reservations are recommended for the popular Monday Steak Frites Night (4–10 pm), when a three-course meal (featuring a choice of steak, from rib eye to tartare) costs less than $50. Brunch is served daily (9 am to 3 pm) and features freshly baked pastries and seasonal dishes like sweet potato pancakes and coddled eggs served in miniature cast-iron pots.
1601 Waterston Ave., Austin, Texas, 78703, USA
Known For
- Picture-perfect outdoor patio ideal for sipping cocktails and lounging in style
- Quaint Clarksville location with a neighborhood feel
- Afternoon snack menu and daily happy hour
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations recommended
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$ | East Austin |
Housed in an old east Austin tire shop, this counter-service outdoor café is a favorite of families and on-the-go locals. Local hospitality juggernauts Larry McGuire and Liz Lambert kept the Aztec iconography, walk-up service, and sparse layout of the preexisting spot, and the new back patio is ideal for lazy lunches, family outings, and weekend day-drinking. The rotisserie chicken and burgers are popular, and ice-cold draft beer keeps things cool on hot summer days.
1900 E. César Chávez St., Austin, Texas, 78702, USA
Known For
- Lively outdoor setting that's great for pets and kids
- Popular rotisserie chicken to-go
- Weekly live music, trivia nights, and community events
