7 Best Restaurants in Austin, Texas

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.

The strictly seasonal, locally sourced daily specials at the celebrated Barley Swine 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 ($115 per person) with expert beverage pairings (starting at $65 per person). Executive chef and owner Bryce Gilmore and his team deliver innovative dishes like duck-blood crepes with sweet chiles and pear-and-turnip soup with apple cider and chanterelles. Reservations are essential at this intimate eatery and can be made well in advance or sometimes the day of.

This fine-dining destination tucked away on the UT campus is a convenient bonus for guests staying at the AT&T Hotel and Conference Center. The simple but elegant interiors are a classic backdrop for gourmet, locally sourced fare at anytime of day. Buffet and à la carte items are available for breakfast and lunch, and the three-course, prix-fixe dinner ($45) is an artfully presented, well-proportioned sampling of any starter, main entree, and dessert on the menu. Full dinner offerings fluctuate, with evergreen signatures like Rosewood Ranch steak and Niman Ranch pork shanks and seasonal standouts, like creamy carrot risotto and crispy pork belly with peach butter and fennel.

Austin's first French bistro, owned by Paris natives, manages to maintain its quiet and cozy atmosphere despite its location mere feet from raucous 6th Street. Simple dishes from the French playbook make appearances on the reasonably priced menu, and the three-course prix-fixe dinner ($32.50) is a bargain. Start with the house-made pâté du jour or escargot, then treat yourself to housemade confit duck legs. The casual bistro atmosphere encourages long meals and romantic glances, so pace yourself accordingly.

Another rave-worthy hit from the team behind Ramen Tatsu-Ya, this modern take on traditional Japanese hot pot is Austin's long-awaited answer to a new-school shabu-shabu–style destination. The required meal here is in the name: thinly sliced meats and veggies designed for dipping shabu-style in various house-made broths and dips. A decadent omakase menu and sake pairings are also great for date nights.

South First Street's best date-night destination might have limited dining space, but the seasonal prix-fixe selections, expertly prepared culinary creations, and fanciful decor are worth the hype. In addition to the nightly à la carte menu offerings, diners can indulge in a chef's choice menu ($72) 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. The shady backyard wine garden has expanded with additional seating for weekly happy hours and dinner service. Walk-ins are accommodated.

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.