If you’re anything like me, finding amazing restaurants when visiting a new city is at the top of the priority list, but it can sometimes be challenging. Austin has a wide range of cuisine at varying price points, creating a multitude of dining experiences. You will have no shortage of restaurants to choose from during your time in Austin, and I’ve made it simple for you by compiling a list of the top must-visit restaurants throughout the city!
Bufalina Due
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(Photo via @bufalinapizza / Instagram)
As much as chain pizza restaurants can be tempting, trying local, one of a kind pizza places is a must. Visit
Bufalina Due to enjoy handcrafted, moderately priced Neapolitan pizzas that are made with fresh, artisanal ingredients. This restaurant will make you feel as though you’ve been transported to Italy!
Bird Bird Biscuit
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(Photo via @birdbirdbiscuit / Instagram)
This eatery is well known for serving affordable, mouth-watering fried chicken that is sandwiched between house-made buttermilk biscuits, made fresh to order.
Bird Bird Biscuit is the perfect spot to stop at for breakfast, lunch, or dinner while you’re in Austin.
Franklin Barbecue
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(Photo via @franklinbbq / Instagram)
While in Austin you absolutely must stop by the restaurant that Texas Monthly deems is “Serving the best barbecue in the known universe.” Now that is quite the review. The smoked meat scene in Austin is nationally recognized, and
Franklin Barbecue is a definite staple in the barbecue realm. Find out for yourself why this restaurant is so revered by locals, tourists, and celebrities alike. The long lines of flocking customers are absolutely worth the wait!
Clark’s Oyster Bar
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(Photo via @lefooding / Instagram)
If you’re in the neighbourhood of West Austin,
Clark’s Oyster Bar is a great, upscale-casual spot to stop by for a bite to eat. This chic restaurant prepares house baked sourdough, fresh fish, lobster rolls, pan roasted hamburgers, oysters (of course), and many more tasty menu items. This is also a great restaurant to consider if you would like to bring a furry friend along with you since they have an outdoor patio and are dog friendly!
Usta Kababgy
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(Photo via @ustakababgy / Instagram)
Finding yummy halal food in Austin can be a bit difficult, but worry no more,
Usta Kababgy is the only restaurant you need. They are committed to providing delicious, good quality Mediterranean food, and have worked tirelessly to reach their current, delectable recipes. Check out this spot to try their halal meat, grilled fresh daily.
Jeffrey’s of Austin
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(Photo via @jeffreysofaustin / Instagram)
If you’re looking to have an upscale dining experience while in Austin, a great choice is
Jeffrey’s of Austin.This location is a neighbourhood fine dining restaurant that features dry-aged prime beef and French American classics. Get all dressed up and stop by this restaurant when you desire a fancy outing with exquisite food.
Josephine House
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(Photo via @josephineofaustin / Instagram)
Josephine House is the sister restaurant to Jeffrey’s that offers breakfast, lunch, brunch, happy hour, dinner, and Monday night steak frites. This restaurant is located in a charming cottage that features a small marble bar for coffee or cocktails, intimate dining room tables, shaded nooks on a lovely patio, and a grassy front lawn that is perfect for lounging. Their eclectic daily menu featuring the best locally sourced products is a must-try in Austin.
Eddie V’s Prime Seafood
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(Photo via @eddievs\_ / Instagram)
Eddie V’s boasts delicious, expertly prepared seafood and steaks, and they do not disappoint. Stop by this fine dining restaurant to try their incredible seafood, such as raw oysters and Pacific Ahi Tuna, made with the freshest ingredients - your taste buds will thank you!
Launderette
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(Photo via @launderetteatx / Instagram)
If you’re looking to have a meal in a unique location,
Launderette is the place to go. This café is housed in a converted laundromat - hence the name - making it quite an interesting place to stop by during your time in Austin. Don’t worry, though, you won’t be cleaning anything while you’re there- just the food from your plate. This restaurant offers dinner nightly, weekend brunch, and lunch on Fridays, with savoury, vibrant, global flavours, and a loosely Mediterranean palette.
The Peached Tortilla
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(Photo via @peachedtortilla / Instagram)
Food truck turned restaurant,
The Peached Tortilla is a distinctive dining experience that provides the best of modern Asian comfort food with a Southern twist. This restaurant lets the taste and quality of their menu items speak for what they believe in. Check out this spot for a delicious Asian-fusion meal.
Sushi|Bar ATX
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(Photo via @sushibaratx / Instagram)
Located in East Austin,
Sushi|Bar ATX is Austin’s premier date spot, and for good reason. The chefs prepare 17 courses of creatively designed sushi in front of your eyes during your visit, and they also provide a rotating menu, therefore the items are constantly changing. This is a very exclusive location, with just 10 seats and a very long waitlist. Reservations are released at noon on the first of every month for the next month coming up. While the wait is well worth it, a useful tip is to follow their social media in order to keep an eye out for any last-minute openings!
Dai Due
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(Photo via @daidue / Instagram)
Created in 2006,
Dai Due is centred around representing the Texas region. This restaurant is dedicated to only using ingredients that are present in their region, allowing them to serve fresher foods, purchase food that is produced in a fair and equitable manner, represent local culinary traditions, and support farmers and ranchers who work hard to improve the quality of food. This is a fantastic restaurant to visit if you want to embrace and support the produce of the Texas region.
Guero’s Taco Bar
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(Photo via @guerostacobar / Instagram)
Did somebody say Taco Tuesday?
Guero’s Taco Bar is an essential restaurant to stop by for some yummy Tex Mex in Austin. The caldo de pollo and tacos al pastor are just a couple of favourites that this spot has to offer. Enjoy handmade corn tortillas, specialty dishes, and the delicious salsa bar.
Mattie’s
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(Photo via @mattiesaustin / Instagram)
Mattie’s offers both amazing food and a gorgeous and unique dining environment. Tuck into a meal under 300 year old enchanting oak trees, and watch as elegant peacocks strut around the farmhouse-based restaurant’s property. Enjoy magnificent comfort food made only with sustainably sourced and local ingredients, all in a stunning location.
The Vegan Yacht
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(Photo via @casslikestoeat / Instagram)
Calling all vegans - are you craving some Tex Mex?
The Vegan Yacht is the place to go! This vegan restaurant run by a husband and wife team offers plant based menu choices such as burritos, bowls, and chips and queso. Experience all of the Tex Mex deliciousness without any of the animal byproducts.
Old Thousand
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(Photo via @365thingsaustin / Instagram)
Old Thousand is a Chinese restaurant located on the East side of Austin that provides an inventive mix of flavours, ingredients, and styles of food, with a modern spin on classic American-Chinese recipes. When you visit this spot you’ll understand why they continue to rake in raving reviews.
Barley Swine
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(Photo via @barleyswine / Instagram)
When
Barley Swine opened in 2010, they made a commitment to support regional farmers and ranchers by utilizing their produce in every single dish that they serve. This restaurant does not only offer delectable food, but is also driven by hospitality, ensuring that each guest walks away with an incredible dining experience. This foodie hotspot is serving an ever changing menu for your enjoyment. This restaurant also operates with an environmentally conscious heart by working closely with ZeroFoodprint, a nonprofit organization that strives to help restaurants and diners understand and reduce their effect on climate change. Barley Swinestudies and measures the impact of their operations and ingredients in order to make improvements to reduce their carbon emissions. You can be sure to feel good about this choice of restaurant.
Titaya’s Thai Cuisine
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(Photo via @feastrails / Instagram)
Finding a yummy Thai restaurant is essential in any city, and
Titaya’s Thai Cuisine is the place to go in Austin. This modern bistro offers traditional Thai favourites and fusion dishes for you to delight in. This is a must-visit Thai spot to check out while you’re in the city.
Odd Duck
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(Photo via @oddduckaustin / Instagram)
What began as a Fleetwood Mallard trailer opened by two brothers has turned into an upscale eatery with the same heart and fantastic food, just in a larger location. Bryce and Dylan Gilmore opened
Odd Duck in 2009 with the mission to serve delicious food using only locally sourced ingredients, and that’s exactly what they did. Celebrate the love of food and drink with a meal that will blow you away at Odd Duck.
Garrison
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(Photo via @garrisonatx / Instagram)
Garrison is a fantastic location to visit if you are in the mood to get dressed to the nines as it is quite the swanky downtown gem. Led by Executive Chef Jakub Czyszczon, the restaurant consists of an open kitchen concept, features Texas Post Oak flame-grilled entrees, and draws inspiration from local, seasonal provisions. This fine dining, AAA Four-Diamond rated restaurant is sure to impress.
Lenoir
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(Photo via @lenoiratx / Instagram)
Named after the grape with roots all over the Texas Hill Country as an homage to the beauty of this part of the state,
Lenoir is focused on cooking the best of what Central Texas has to offer. Using spice, heat, and robust flavour, this restaurant serves up many scrumptious dishes for you to try. This is also one of the prettiest restaurants Austin has to offer, so make sure you check out the breathtaking backyard wine garden and take lots of photos.
Otherside Deli
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(Photo via @othersidedeliatx / Instagram)
Otherside Deli is another restaurant that began as a food truck in its infancy before gaining a large following, which allowed the owners to open a brick-and-mortar location. Their critically acclaimed sandwiches, specifically the pastrami and corned beef, sell out constantly - often before early afternoon - so I suggest you get there early to snag yourself one of their delicious creations!
Uchi
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(Photo via @uchiaustin / Instagram)
This sophisticated Japanese restaurant is sure to make you feel “at home” through its divine service and food, and refurbished South Austin bungalow location. Translated from the Japanese word for “home”,
Uchi is run by award-winning Chef Tyson Cole, who produces a non-traditional take on Japanese food that Austin locals and tourists from all over the world love. Stop by this restaurant for sushi and other creative hot and cold Japanese dishes.
Bao’d Up
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(Photo via @baodup / Instagram)
Check out
Bao’d Up for a casual dining experience that is affordable and yummy. The menu offers signature baozi made in-house daily, authentic regional noodle dishes, delicious boba teas, and much more. Bao’d Up strives to redefine Chinese takeout in the United States by sharing the familiar flavours of Chinese cuisine alongside Texas-inspired ingredients.
Kemuri Tatsu-ya
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(Photo via @kemuritatsu_ya / Instagram)
Kemuri Tatsu-ya is an unexpected crossover of Japanese izakaya with a Central Texas barbecue twist. The restaurant's decor, music, and food are all heavily imbedded with both Japanese and Texan culture, making it a unique dining experience. If you’re in the mood for Japanese but also want something with a Texas touch, this spot will give you the best of both worlds!
Olamaie
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(Photo via @olamaieaustin / Instagram)
Olamaie is located in an elegant refurbished home in downtown Austin. This restaurant serves elevated Southern cuisine that uses farm-fresh ingredients and modern plating to dazzle its visitors. Stopping by this romantic eatery rooted in love and tradition is a must.
Fresa’s Chicken al Carbon
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(Photo via @fresaschicken / Instagram)
If you’re looking for something on the healthy(ish) side that still tastes amazing,
Fresa’s Chicken al Carbon is the best place to go in Austin. This restaurant is the perfect spot for when you want a delicious salad that actually fills you up. If you need something a bit more substantial, they serve many other options as well, such as incredible tacos. They offer a dine-in location on South First St, or if you’re in a rush, there is a drive-thru location on 9th and Lamar blvd.
