Looking for new Austin restaurant recommendations! I visited 28 spots in the fourth quarter of the year, and I’ve got details.
Here are 13 places I ate at in October, November, and December.
If you’re new here, if it says Complimentary, that means I was hosted by the restaurant though all opinions are my own. This quarter was a busy one with four media invites. I greatly appreciate the brands/restaurants that partner with me!
Classic Italian Sandwich and Lake Austin IPA at Handsome Dan’s
The spontaneous meals can be the best, as evidenced by this sandwich and beer at Handsome Dan’s. This sandwich reminded me that I love a good sandwich and that I should go seek these out more. It’s also very satisfying to see these sandwich layers. I also enjoyed the IPA, which they brew in-house.
Breakfast at Toastique (Complimentary)
The most colorful breakfast at Toastique – healthier AND delicious! This location at the Domain opened in October, and you can get gourmet toast, smoothie bowls, cold-pressed juices, and smoothies. It’s a counter-service spot, so it’s good for a quick breakfast. On our table:
- Smoked Salmon Toast
- Tomato Burrata Toast with Prosciutto
- Dragonberry Bowl
- Blue Mystique Smoothie
- Defender Juice
Dessert from Kat’s Handbaked
This pop-up bakery has some of my favorite cake! This time I ordered the pandan coconut and the Thai tea. Both were delicate and fluffy.
JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery at la Barbecue (Complimentary)
JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery is an award-winning (Michelin-starred) vineyard in Paso Robles, California making Bordeaux-style blends. They paired their wines with the barbecue of Jess Pryles, a local BBQ expert, and la Barbecue, a Michelin-starred barbecue restaurant in Austin, and it’s safe to say it was an incredible 3-course meal.
My favorite pairing was the Candied Jalapeno Brisket Burger with the 2022 JUSTIN Reserve Cabernet. Yes, they have this bottle of wine and others for sale online as well as at your local Total Wine & More store.
Matcha at Hecho Amano Coffee
A new coffee shop trailer opened in North Austin by Old Gregg Brewing Company. They specialize in Latin-inflused flavors, though on this occasion, I tried their seasonal matcha with pear puree. I’ll be back!
Dinner at Fixe
We came here for a birthday dinner, and not only were they experts at service and timing of our large group, but the food was good! Fixe has been around for a while, and yes, you need to order the biscuits!
Lunch at Peached Tortilla (Complimentary)
Did you know Peached Tortilla now has weekday lunch? I tried the Korean steak bowl and their house ginger beer. They also have salads and wraps. It’s a good option if you want something a little healthier.
Khao Man Gai Combo at P Thai’s
I finally made it to P Thai’s! They’re known for Thai-Chinese-style Hainan chicken and rice. I tried their OG combo dish with portions of the normal poached chicken and the fried chicken. It comes with chicken fat rice. It seems so simple, and it’s very satisfying.
Cocktails at Foxtail
A new, great cocktail bar up north!?! The food gods have listened to our pleas. They are newly opened, the cocktails were up to par, and the ambiance is excellent. I have a feeling I’ll be back.
Dinner at Laurel (Complimentary)
Hotel Viata invited me to check out all the holiday happenings, including festive dishes at their restaurant Laurel. Our group agreed that the show-stopping dishes were the creamy salmon and the mashed potatoes! The hotel has a full schedule of family-friendly holiday activities, so check it out if you’re looking for things to do.
Baked Goods at Neon Belly Bakery
A new bakery opened off Burnet Road near the Crestview neighborhood. I didn’t love their orange ginger matcha, though likely a personal flavor preference. They have some tasty baked goods, like campfire cookie, ginger molasses cookie, and pumpkin bread.
Sushi Happy Hour at Uchiko
To celebrate our birthdays, my friend and I re-visited one of our favorites – Uchiko. We love their happy hour, where we can order many dishes! They also have a special happy hour 9-course for 2 people for $120, but we went a la carte. Our must-haves are the hama chili and the jasmine cream dessert, but you can’t go wrong.
Chicken Pesto Croissant Sandwich at Heaven’s Bistro
Heaven’s Bistro is a bakery in North Austin and has some of the best croissants in town. As you can imagine, make the croissant a sandwich and you’ve got a very tasty sandwich! This one has house-smoked chicken, fresh pesto, tomato, and mozzarella, which melts wonderfully.
What should I eat next?
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