-
$$$ | Clarksville |
One of local restaurateur Larry McGuire's white-hot eateries, Clark’s has occupied a top seat in the Austin repertoire of hot spots since its 2012 debut. The hip, and decidedly cozy, oyster bar tucked into a modest corner lot of West 6th has all the appeal of a sophisticated seafood restaurant, with the comfort of a neighborhood bistro. You'll find a pristine, daily rotation of raw oysters served with fresh horseradish, house cocktail sauce, and a tangy mignonette. The lobster roll is a signature home run, but the house burger is a surprising favorite, which spikes in popularity during the daily happy hour, when select dishes are half-off and all martinis are $5.
1200 W. 6th St., Austin, Texas, 78703, USA
Known For
- Impeccably twee setting and decor
- Decadent happy hour deals
- Reputation for the freshest oysters in town
-
$$$ | 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
-
$$$ | North Austin |
This beloved villa-style North Loop spot combines sophisticated ambience with a solid menu of authentic Mexican classics. Start with the ceviche Veracruzano (with chiles, onion, tomato, and spices), and continue with a multilayered dish like the ancho relleno San Miguel—a roasted pepper stuffed with chicken, capers, raisins, and cilantro cream—or try the pollo pibil, chicken baked in a banana leaf. Yes, it’s pricier than other Mexican hot spots, but the lovely, romantic atmosphere makes up for it.
2330 W. North Loop Blvd., Austin, Texas, 78756, USA
Known For
- Signature ancho relleno
- Striking interiors that transport patrons to interior Mexico
- From-scratch ingredients, most notably their homemade tortillas
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. No lunch
-
$$$ | South Austin |
Respectful of traditional sushi and sashimi methods—but not limited by them—this standout sushi bar (and consistently ranked top restaurant in Austin) starts with super-fresh ingredients. After that, anything goes, including touches of the South or south-of-the-border: yellowtail with ponzu sauce and sliced chilies, tempura-style fried green tomatoes, or seared monkfish cheeks with Vietnamese caramel, Belgian endive, roasted red grapes, and cilantro. You can make a tapas-style meal from the cold and hot "tastings" menu. Sit at the sushi bar during the daily sake social hour (4–6:30 pm) and watch the enthusiastic cooks at work. An intimate but welcoming interior and attentive, knowledgeable service seals the deal.
801 S. Lamar Blvd., Austin, Texas, 78704, USA
Known For
- One of the most sought-after happy hour seats in town
- High-octane interiors to match the food, both of which can be loud
- Raw bar that doesn't miss
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch
-
$$$ | South Congress District |
This sophisticated outpost of the Chicago-based Mediterranean restaurant opened to high acclaim in the Music Lane mixed-use development on South Congress Avenue. Specializing in Israeli, Turkish, Greek, and Lebanese cuisine, the extensive menu would be overwhelming without the helpful direction of the servers, but you can't really go wrong with the variety of hummus, mouthwatering homemade pita bread, and delicious mains, like shawarma-spiced skirt steak and black-garlic shrimp scampi. Their cocktail program is top-notch (try the Mediterranean Mule), and desserts are worth saving room for.
1011 S. Congress Ave., Austin, Texas, 78704, USA
Known For
- Reputation as a celeb-sighting destination
- Excellent cocktails
- Multiple-level terrace and patio seating
-
Recommended Fodor’s Video
-
-
$$$ | East Austin |
The Guyanese roots of chef Tavel Bristol-Joseph take hold in this Caribbean concept eatery on the east side. In addition to Guyana, the house specialties feature influences from Jamaica to Puerto Rico, with standouts like jerk chicken and wild-boar pepper pot. Careful attention is also paid to cocktails and desserts here, like the tres leches with coconut, roasted white chocolate, and guava.
1914 E. 6th St., Austin, Texas, 78702, USA
Known For
- Established pedigree from the team behind Emmer & Rye
- Reservations essential
- Melt-in-your-mouth savory "trytating" specials like Guyana-style roti
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch
-
$$$ | Downtown |
This contemporary Mexican restaurant (from acclaimed chef Philip Speer) has people arriving in droves for the bone-marrow tacos with pecan gremolata. Servers will encourage you to mix and match inventive plates for the table. Brunch here is always bumping, and happy hour is a fabulous time to enjoy house margaritas and discounted tacos and tostadas.
501 Colorado St., Austin, Texas, 78701, USA
Known For
- Signature bone-marrow tacos
- Hot Sunday brunch that requires reservations
- Striking architecture and interior design
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch Mon.–Sat.
-
$$$ | 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.
-
$$$ | University of Texas Area |
Now Hotel Ella, the historic Goodall Wooten mansion still retains its stately, old-world charm, and Goodall’s occupies the main floor. The romantic setting screams special occasion, with a concise (and pricey) menu. Service is first-rate, but the cuisine gets inconsistent reviews from patrons who think the lackluster flavors of dishes like fish and chips and seared strip steaks aren’t worth the prices. Seasonal ceviches are popular, however. Breakfast and lunch are served on weekdays, replaced by brunch on weekends. Snag a table on the wraparound porch if the weather is nice.
1900 Rio Grande St., Austin, Texas, 78705, USA
Known For
- Wonderful on-site luxury for hotel guests
- Exclusive, special occasion atmosphere
- Popular brunch service
-
$$$ | 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
-
-
$$$ | South Austin |
This is another South Congress standby that matches its impeccable style with a heft of substance. The sunny-side-up neighborhood café and wine bar is a sophisticated injection of Parisian, alfresco attitude on the pedestrian-heavy strip of south Austin. Kick up your heels after a day of SoCo window-shopping to enjoy tasteful bistro classics like smoked salmon Nicoise salad, croque madame, and snapper carpaccio. And as the name implies, there's something on the menu to satisfy any type of craving, at any time of day.
1722 S. Congress Ave., Austin, Texas, 78704, USA
Known For
- Dual strengths for grab-and-go pastries and leisurely bistro lunches
- Patio seating with primo SoCo people-watching
- Bright and cheery interiors
-
$$$ | East Austin |
On a distinctly unromantic stretch of far East 5th Street, this intimate French brasserie is a romantic oasis, perfect for any first date or special occasion celebration. You can’t go wrong with the steak frites (featuring a Texas-size rib eye), while the escargots and ratatouille are reliably exceptional. Weekends can equal a lengthy wait for a table, and they don’t accept reservations for parties under six. The outdoor patio features café-table seating, boccie ball courts, and other spaces carved out for temporary art installations and special events.
4710 E. 5th St., Austin, Texas, 78702, USA
Known For
- Ultra-chic date-night destination
- Romantic atmosphere that stays open late
- French-centric special events, especially around Bastille Day
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues. No lunch
-
$$$ | Downtown |
Smack in the middle of Second Street, Lamberts draws a broad range of downtown business crowds, local foodies, and tourists, all for its stylish take on Texas barbecue. You know this isn't your father's barbecue joint when you hear Belle & Sebastian coming from the speakers instead of Willie or Waylon; for further evidence, there's Chimay beer on tap and a $23 "breakfast Frito pie" on the Sunday brunch menu. Appetizers range from Asian-style crispy wild boar ribs to broiled Gulf oysters with apple-smoked bacon. The restaurant, housed in a historic two-story 1873 brick building, features a lovely whitewashed brick interior, leather booths, and an upstairs bar with adjacent seating area and a stage where bands perform weekly.
401 W. 2nd St., Austin, Texas, 78701, USA
Known For
- Mouthwatering Sunday brunch that's worth a reservation
- All-night happy hour on Monday
- Hip atmosphere with weekly live music performances
-
$$$ | South Austin |
If you're looking for Austin's best sushi, you might just find it here. The tatami-lined interiors are sleek and sophisticated, and chefs achieve unparalleled quality in every dish, whether it's nigiri or hand rolls, Wagyu short ribs or snow crab. Omakase is available for connoisseurs, and don't sleep on their sake pairings and delicious desserts like lychee jellies and milk chocolate semifreddo.
1716 S. Congress Ave., Austin, Texas, 78704, USA
Known For
- Coveted bar seating for front-row viewing of the chefs at work
- Outdoor sake garden with small drink and bar-food menu
- Daily-changing menu with seasonal favorites
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential
-
$$$ | South Congress District |
This buzzing Italian bistro consistently attracts hordes of South Congress Avenue’s heavy foot traffic, with patrons crowding the narrow, warmly lit bar while waiting for a table in the small, tawny-hued dining room. Noshing on the gratis white-bean puree with basil-infused olive oil makes perusing the menu of delicate handmade pastas, thin wood-fired pizzas, and robust northern Italian–inspired entrées an even greater treat. Chef specials change daily, including soul-warming risottos of the day—perhaps one with braised veal and black truffle oil. Smoky, prosciutto-wrapped prawns never disappoint, nor does the savory veal scalloppine wrapped with sage, prosciutto, and wilted spinach.
1610 S. Congress Ave., Austin, Texas, 78704, USA
Known For
- Traditional, straight-forward Italian staples
- Usually bustling throughout the evening thanks to SoCo foot traffic
- Cozy ambience
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch
-
-
$$$ | Clarksville |
Tucked in a small strip mall off Lamar Boulevard, this sleek, petite restaurant is as dedicated to excellence in service and artful dishes as it is to fresh, quality ingredients from local purveyors. Put your trust in chef Eric Poltzer's tasting menu (vegetarian options available), which changes daily. Each course brings a surprising mix of flavors, from grilled antelope with sweet potatoes to seared dayboat scallops in a lemongrass-red-curry broth. Succulent options, like the foie gras–stuffed quail, are ideal for special occasions. The adjacent wine bar is a more casual way to experience the full menu or just small bites and selections from the formidable wine list.
1014 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin, Texas, 78703, USA
Known For
- Daily seasonal tasting menus
- Intimate date-night vibes
- Elevated but unpretentious atmosphere
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.–Tues. No lunch
