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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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$ | Sixth Street District |
Most definitely the best place on the notorious “Dirty Sixth Street” strip of downtown to chow down is Casino El Camino, a longtime favorite of Austin burger lovers. Locals arrive in hungover droves around midday on the weekends, when wait times for signatures like the Amarillo and Buffalo burgers can stretch upward of an hour. But this iconic juke joint is worth the wait as you'll find out once sated by their trademark Bloody Marys, stacked with bacon, pickled okra, taquitos, and, yes, even meatballs. The hearty Angus-beef burgers deliver a classic artery-clogging ecstasy, especially when paired with a greasy basket of verde chili fries.
517 E. 6th St., Austin, Texas, 78701, USA
Known For
- Trademark Bloody Marys with wild ingredients like taquitos and meatballs
- Texas-size portions
- Punk rock jukebox and a gritty vibe to match
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$$$ | Clarksville |
One of local restaurateur Larry McGuire's white-hot eateries, Clark’s has occupied a top seat in the Austin repertoire of hot spots since its 2012 debut. The hip, and decidedly cozy, oyster bar tucked into a modest corner lot of West 6th has all the appeal of a sophisticated seafood restaurant, with the comfort of a neighborhood bistro. You'll find a pristine, daily rotation of raw oysters served with fresh horseradish, house cocktail sauce, and a tangy mignonette. The lobster roll is a signature home run, but the house burger is a surprising favorite, which spikes in popularity during the daily happy hour, when select dishes are half-off and all martinis are $5.
1200 W. 6th St., Austin, Texas, 78703, USA
Known For
- Impeccably twee setting and decor
- Decadent happy hour deals
- Reputation for the freshest oysters in town
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$$ | Central Austin/Downtown/Capitol Area |
A tried-and-true destination for homemade Indian cuisine, Clay Pit has developed a devoted following in Austin since 1998. Wash down some of their signature curried mussels with garlic and red wine sauce with one of their sweet lassi drinks. The historic (and maybe haunted) Bertram Building (a favorite on downtown ghost tours) is romantic and stately and just a few blocks from the Capitol, so lunch crowds attract everyone from state workers to tourists.
1601 Guadalupe St., Austin, Texas, 78701, USA
Known For
- Popular lunch service
- Amazing vegan options
- Incredible quality without any hype
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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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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$ | University of Texas Area |
This greasy spoon just north of the UT campus has been satisfying the guilty pleasures of students (and those from all walks of life) since 1926. There might not be dirt floors and open-flame grills anymore, but the burgers and sides are still classically unpretentious (with no grass-fed menu descriptions) but with plenty of flavor (and grease). Sit at the counter to watch the longtime short-order chefs at work at the grill, flipping hundreds of burgers, patty melts, and chicken-fried steak sandwiches for hungry diehards. The outdoor patio tables fill up fast during UT home games, when the football game is broadcast on large HD TVs. The O.T. Special is a signature, and the draft beers seem to taste best in their icy schooners.
2808 Guadalupe St., Austin, Texas, 78705, USA
Known For
- Best stick-to-your-gut burger in town
- Raucous game-day crowds
- Classic campus vibe complete with cheap prices
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$$ | East Austin |
The newest location of this beloved German-style bakery and beer garden features 15,000 square feet of outdoor space, plus a spacious interior, for beer and sausage lovers. The sprawling outdoor patio attracts lively lunch, happy hour, and late-night crowds with a full menu of artisan sandwiches, house-made sausages, and “big as your face” pretzels, as well as one of the best beer selections in the city. The wholesale bakeshop, which provides several local restaurants with specialty breads and pastries, opens bright and early every morning; don't miss the $6 “Easy Morning” deal (weekdays, 7–10 am) that includes a small coffee and any pastry.
1501 E. 7th St., Austin, Texas, 78702, USA
Known For
- Dog-friendly outdoor patio and weekend crowds
- Wholesale bakeshop with excellent early-morning special
- Charcuterie-fueled happy hours
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$$ | South Austin |
This clever nouveau Vietnamese-French concept from chef-restaurateur Larry McGuire—of Lamberts and Clark's fame—sits on the corner of South First and Elizabeth Streets as a cozy little café serving a delectable menu of banh mi and pho as well as a fantastic array of French pastries, including daily macaron specials. Fresh shrimp spring rolls, pork meatball banh mi (served on fresh baguettes), and spicy beef and pork buns with thick, soft, airy noodles are safe bets. In addition to sake, beer, and creative punch offerings, the wine list is short and sweet, brimming with French-only wines that pair beautifully with this cuisine. Brunch is offered on weekends.
1501 S. 1st St., Austin, Texas, 78704, USA
Known For
- Bright and cheery wait staff
- Mouthwatering macaron display cases at the hostess stand
- Cozy outdoor patio that's perfect for a weekday happy hour
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$$$ | Downtown |
The standard for Rainey District fine dining since 2015, eating at Emmer & Rye is an immersive experience that's best enjoyed when the expert servers take the reins. Prix-fixe dinner menus of their signature rustic American cuisine are available, but this exclusive dining delight comes with the option to partake in creative dim sum offerings from a circulating fleet of carts that crisscross the sleek interiors.
51 Rainey St., Austin, Texas, 78701, USA
Known For
- Savory stand-outs, like dry-aged Wagyu tartare and Blue Beard Durum spaghetti
- Popular with preshow Moody Theater crowds
- Dim sum service that creates memorable culinary experience
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. No lunch
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$$$ | North Austin |
This beloved villa-style North Loop spot combines sophisticated ambience with a solid menu of authentic Mexican classics. Start with the ceviche Veracruzano (with chiles, onion, tomato, and spices), and continue with a multilayered dish like the ancho relleno San Miguel—a roasted pepper stuffed with chicken, capers, raisins, and cilantro cream—or try the pollo pibil, chicken baked in a banana leaf. Yes, it’s pricier than other Mexican hot spots, but the lovely, romantic atmosphere makes up for it.
2330 W. North Loop Blvd., Austin, Texas, 78756, USA
Known For
- Signature ancho relleno
- Striking interiors that transport patrons to interior Mexico
- From-scratch ingredients, most notably their homemade tortillas
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. No lunch
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$ | East Austin |
Local chef and native east Austinite Hoover Alexander has created one of the city’s best comfort-food oases, blending Mama's home cooking, diner short-order specials, Tex-Mex favorites, and Cajun influences in one Southern comfort mecca. The self-styled "Smoke, Fire & Ice House" is known for its large portions and flavorful recipes, like a Jamaican jerk chicken and a chicken-fried steak that puts most others to shame. "Side mates” like mac 'n' cheese, fried okra, and creamed jalapeño spinach round out any home-style cravings. A full bar serves popular staples like beet margaritas. It’s hard to save room for dessert, but the homemade pies are excellent—and their New Orleans–influenced breakfasts are worth a try.
2002 Manor Rd., Austin, Texas, 78722, USA
Known For
- Fast and casual service
- Portions that will have diners leaving with leftovers
- Finger-licking-good pies
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
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$ | Hyde Park |
This North Austin sushi joint is the best place to find superior sashimi, sushi rolls, and Japanese cuisine without daunting prices. The izakaya-style menu (an homage to Japan’s casual pub-style eateries) offers a wide range of cold, fried, grilled, and rice dishes. Sit at the sushi bar to watch the experts at work, creating specialties like the crunchy dynamite roll (tuna, avocado, and crunchy tempura flakes), or grab a table to enjoy Japanese comfort food like yakitori skewers (beef tenderloin, chicken thigh, and chicken and taro croquettes), gyoza (pork dumplings), and ikayaki (grilled squid).
5301 Airport Blvd., Austin, Texas, 78751, USA
Known For
- Outstanding sushi and Japanese signatures without the upscale prices
- Wonderful selection of beer, wine, sake, and cocktails
- Casual izakaya-style dishes and service that's great for lunch dates
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations not accepted
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$$$$ | South Austin |
Bouldin Creek’s best date-night destination might have limited dining space, but the seasonal prix fixe selections and shabby-chic decor is worth the hype. In addition to the nightly menu offerings, diners can indulge in a chef's choice menu ($64) with five courses that could be creations like striped-bass crudo and bowfin caviar, green curry fumé, seared antelope heart, or jerk quail with pecan butter and watermelon radish. Menus change weekly, and single off-menu dishes are available. An impressive European-focused wine list elevates the experience. The shady backyard wine garden has additional seating for weekly happy hours and dinner service. Walk-ins are accommodated.
1807 S. 1st St., Austin, Texas, 78704, USA
Known For
- Exceptional service
- Romantic atmosphere with delicate interiors and decor
- Inspiring prix-fixe menus and wine pairings
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues. No lunch, Reservations essential
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$ | West Austin |
On any given sunny day, Austinites flock to Mozart's spacious lakeside patio to enjoy great coffee and indulgent baked goods. The expansive, multitiered deck overlooking Lake Austin can get crowded with weekend patrons, and weekdays are equally popular times for locals to post up and work remotely. Live music on weekends is an added bonus, and their annual Christmas lights display is a seasonal sight to behold.
3825 Lake Austin Blvd., Austin, Texas, 78703, USA
Known For
- Lake Austin views
- Sprawling patio seating open until midnight
- Top winter destination thanks to signature hot cocoa and award-winning Christmas light display
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$$$$ | South Austin |
This food truck turned brick-and-mortar was an early trailblazer of the city’s farm-to-table movement, thanks to chef Bryce Gilmore’s inventive take on locally sourced, modern American cuisine. Gilmore and his team’s artistic approach to Southern seasonal fare comes in tapas-size portions, so servers recommend a few dishes per patron. All the better to sample their variety of rotating dishes, from charred eggplant baba ghanoush and fried whole quail with peaches and squash puree to buckwheat crumpets and beer-battered sweet potatoes.
1201 S. Lamar Blvd., Austin, Texas, 78704, USA
Known For
- Rotating menu of highly inventive, bite-size creations
- Heavy emphasis on locally sourced ingredients
- Popular daily happy hour
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$ | South Austin |
This local drive-through and fast-food chain turned burger empire is an Austin favorite for a reason. What started as a humble mom-and-pop operation on the corner of South Lamar and Barton Springs Road has evolved into a sprawling web of locations all over Austin and beyond, but the original location is still the ideal spot to experience the simple pleasures of a fresh patty of hormone-free Black Angus beef (or black-bean veggie), hand-cut fries, and hand-spun shakes that make eating bad feel good.
404 S. Lamar Blvd., Austin, Texas, 78704, USA
Known For
- Impeccable service and attention to detail
- Cult local following
- Best bet for a post–Barton Springs refresh
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$$$$ | Sixth Street District |
A gem in the midst of Dirty Sixth, Parkside’s austere interior features exposed brick walls, a shotgun bar, and bare light bulbs suspended by black cables. Celebrated chef Shawn Cirkiel has created an equally simple menu, but delivers on taste with fresh oysters and ceviche-style offerings from the raw bar, in addition to a meat-centric array of bone marrow appetizers, savory grilled lamb, and shareable portions of steak and (perfectly crisped) fries. Floor-to-ceiling windows look onto 6th Street for ideal people-watching while lingering over desserts like homemade doughnuts, served warm and sugar-dusted in paper sacks. Dinner can be pricey, but the daily happy hour (5:30–7 pm) is one of the best bargains in the city.
301 E. 6th St., Austin, Texas, 78701, USA
Known For
- Extensive raw bar
- Lively downtown location that makes dinner reservations a must
- Happy hour specials
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch, Reservations recommended
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$$ | North Austin |
This approachable pizza place and brew pub is a great addition to the burgeoning Burnet Road food scene. The parking lot can fill up fast on weekends, but an award-winning selection of beers makes it easy to wait for signature house-made pies, like the Armadillo, with artisan sausage and poblano peppers, or the Shroomin' Goat, with local goat cheese and roasted mushrooms.
4729 Burnet Rd., Austin, Texas, 78756, USA
Known For
- Long waits and crowds on weekends
- Staggering selection of draft beer
- Popular lunch special of a pizza roll, salad, and drink
