Looking for new Austin restaurant recommendations! I visited 41 spots in the second quarter of the year, and I’ve got details.
Here are 14 places I ate at in April, May, and June.
Reminder – If it says Complimentary, that means I was hosted by the restaurant and all opinions are my own.
Matcha at CaPhe.in Coffee
A new coffee shop opened in Austin, and it has been very buzzworthy because of the quality of its drinks. Located near the UT Campus, this place serves Vietnamese coffee (the strong stuff!) and the top matcha quality. I tried the ube matcha, but I hear the banana cream matcha is the one to try. I’ll be going back for it for sure!
Donuts at Salty Donut (Complimentary)
Salty Donut is a chain from Miami, and Austin’s second location is now open at The Domain Northside on Rock Rose. They invited me to check it out, and it’s the perfect addition to the area. If you’ve never had The Salty Donut, expect extravagant, delicious donuts that are more dessert than breakfast.
Donuts in my pastry box:
- Horchata
- Mixed Berry Cheesecake
- Texas Chocolate Sheet Cake
- Tiramisu
- Brown Sugar Peach Cobbler
- Plus a Terry Blacks Brisket Kolache
Crawfish at HappyRito Seafood
I haven’t indulged in crawfish as much this year, but I did stop at my favorite spot – HappyRito.
Dinner at Craft Omakase
After our outstanding visit to Craft Omakase last fall, we had to bring our family to try it. For our annual sushi dinner, we indulged and enjoyed! Each bite is perfect, and it’s still a great place for fine dining in a relaxed setting.
See my post about Craft Omakase here: Why Craft Omakase’s Sushi Tasting Became the Best in Austin
Dinner at Paratha Rollers (Complimentary)
After trying PavBhaji Express last year, I was excited to visit their sister location, Paratha Rollers in North Austin. I’m glad these Indian dishes are now closer to me! This North Indian cuisine is probably something you don’t find a lot, but you’ll love it when you try it. To oversimplify it, it’s flatbread and curry-like mixtures and fresh dishes with yogurt and sprouts. Also, their whole menu is vegetarian.
Paratha is what the flatbread is called, and it’s made with whole wheat flour and is layers of pan-fried goodness. (You might have eaten naan or roti in a similar fashion.)
Many of the menu items are named after the regions or cities the dish is from (in case you aren’t familiar with the words like I was). Here are some of the dishes we enjoyed:
- Thandai Lassi – yogurt drink with a unique spice mix
- Rajasthani Tawa Paratha – aloo (potato) masala
- Udaipuriya Samosa
- Varansi Raj Kochori – crispy deep-fried pastry filled with potatoes, yogurt, and more
- Delhi Tandoori Kulcha with aloo masala – leavened flatbread
- Paneer Biryani – mixed rice dish with cheese
Honestly, if the chef hadn’t ordered for us, I wouldn’t have known what to get, but everything we got was delicious!
Snacks at Sip Munch Cafe
If you’re looking for boba, specialty drinks, and snacks, this Vietnamese cafe in North Austin should be your next try. I tried out the artichoke water, fish tofu, and pandan croffle. Have you ever tried artichoke water? It’s a traditional Vietnamese beverage made from boiled artichoke water. Served cold, it includes grass jelly, basil seeds, and other toppings.
Ice Cream from Besame
Besame started as an ice cream food truck and is popular for its pint drops. Every week, people hustle to grab pints with exclusive flavors. I was lucky to get Moonbeam Ice Cream in May, and it took three days for it to disappear. Moonbeam had a malt base, galaxy buttercream, white chocolate crumb, and black cocoa milk crumb, basically an upgraded Oreo ice cream.
Brunch at Oribello’s
This new Filipino restaurant is a casual spot for a spin on classics. I went on the weekend when you can get the brunch pizza, which has garlic sauce, eggs, cheese, bacon, and potatoes. If you’re in the mood for dessert, the ube tres leches is a good ending.
Happy Hour at Teddy’s
I went to Teddy’s (the restaurant, not the bar) for happy hour with my friends, and we liked it! For happy hour, they have their delicious fried chicken sandwich for $10 and frozen prickly pear paloma for $10.
Drinks at Teddy’s Bar
Speaking of the other Teddy’s, it was a good visit too. This neighborhood bar on East Manor Road has a cozy design and a good selection of craft cocktails.
Dinner at Happy Lamb Hot Pot (Complimentary)
Hot pot has exploded in Austin, and this newer U.S. chain location is one of the best places to try it. There are two all-you-can-eat levels and a full buffet of vegetables and seafood to add to your pot. They also have a cooked buffet section and a loaded sauce bar. They’re known for their bone marrow broth and plenty of lamb options.
Pastries at Texas French Bread
One of my favorite, consistent bakeries for pastries is Texas French Bread. They have yet to rebuild their bakery that burned down in 2022, but they operate their bakery in a trailer behind the original building. (They bake in a commercial kitchen.) Stop by for a Danish or a lunch sandwich.
Brunch at Paperboy
When Paperboy opened their food truck in 2015, it quickly became a success. Now, with a second brick-and-mortar open on South Lamar, they are one of the most popular spots for brunch. I recommend the chicken and biscuit, and I hear the pancakes are delicious too.
Key Lime Pie from Lulu’s Pie Shoppe
I first had Lulu’s Pie Shoppe (from Georgetown) at an event at PREP, and I say we start a petition for them to open a second location in the Austin city limits! My siblings brought a key lime pie to a family dinner, and I’ve officially been converted to a key lime pie lover. Though I’m pretty sure I won’t find another key lime pie this good!
What should I eat next??
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