‘Where should I go to eat‘ and ‘what are your favorite restaurants in Austin‘ are two of the hardest questions I get from potential visitors and other Austinites. Thankfully, I like to eat and am pretty good at it. I’ve compiled my master list of my favorite Austin, TX restaurants for the next time you’re looking for a memorable meal.
Here are the places I think are the best restaurants in Austin!
Some notes:
- There are always new and great restaurants opening up in Austin, so please understand this is a live list (last updated February 2020) of the restaurants that I think stand out in this town. There are plenty of restaurants I have yet to try, both newly opened and Austin’s staples.
- This list is my opinion. We all have different tastes we enjoy and have different experiences when we visit a restaurant. If you want to get a sense of the “best” in Austin, study several lists (see the end of this post) and gather the similarities. Have questions or recommendations? I’m all ears!
- See a map of the restaurants at the bottom of the post.
Enjoy!
Chinese
Fat Dragon
- 8650 Spicewood Springs Rd #109, Austin, TX 78759; Website
- Details: Northwest Austin off 183
- Wow Factor(s): soup dumplings
- What I Order: sweet and savory soup dumplings
First Chinese BBQ
- 10901 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78753; Website
- Details: North Austin; Chinatown on Braker
- Wow Factor(s): variety of Chinese dishes; strong flavors
- What I Order: Wonton Noodle Soup; barbecue pork, roast pork and roast duck
(Note: While I do have family relations with this restaurant, I legitimately enjoy the food.)
Asian Fusion
Kemuri Tatsu-ya
- 2713 E 2nd St, Austin, TX 78702; Website
- Details: shareable plates with Texas and Japanese fusion
- Wow Factor(s): bites are full of unique flavor
- What I Order: smoked brisket; smoked fish collar
The Peached Tortilla
- 5520 Burnet Rd #100, Austin, TX 78756; Website
- Details: Asian food with a southern flair
- Wow Factor(s): fusion done well
- What I Order: banh mi tacos; JapaJam burger
Thai
Sway
- 1417 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78704; Website
- Details: North Austin; community tables; sometimes loud and hard to hear if you have a big party; bar seating is great
- Wow Factor(s): Consistently good; their Thai Tea Affogato dessert
- What I Order: Son in Law; Tom Kha Gai; Thai Tea Affogato
Titaya’s
- 5501 North Lamar Blvd, Ste C101, Austin, TX 78751; Website
- Details: Central Austin; Thai food
- Wow Factor(s): authentic and delicious Thai food
- What I Order: Gang Garee (yellow curry); sticky rice with mango
Korean
Chi’lantro
- Seven locations; Website
- Details: Korean BBQ-inspired eats; all restaurants are cashless
- Wow Factor(s): cute restaurant, tasty menu
- What I Order: Kimchi Fries; Korean Fried Chicken Wings; Burger
Vietnamese
Pho Dan
- 11220 N Lamar Blvd, Ste 200, Austin, TX 78753; Website
- Details: North Austin; close to Chinatown on Braker
- Wow Factor(s): flavorful pho broth
- What I Order: Pho with brisket and meatball
Baguette House
- 10901 N. Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78753; Website
- Details: North Austin; Serves Bahn Mi Sandwiches and other Vietnamese dishes
- Wow Factor(s): their fresh crispy French bread
- What I Order: #1 House Special (traditional banh mi sandwich)
Tex-Mex / Mexican / Tacos
La Condesa
- 400A West 2nd Street, Austin, TX 78701; Website
- Details: Downtown in 2nd Street District; park in nearby lots; fancy Mexican food
- Wow Factor(s): great food and very cool restaurant design
- What I Order: guacamole (comes with multiple kinds); hamachi ceviche; carnitas taquitos; tostadas de atun (tuna torta)
American / Fusion
Barley Swine
- 6555 Burnet Rd #400, Austin, TX 78757; Website
- Details: sister restaurant to Odd Duck; check out happy hour
- Wow Factor(s): creative dishes, impressive presentation
- What I Order: specials
Easy Tiger
- 709 E. 6th Street, Austin, TX 78701; Website
- Details: laid-back bakery and beer garden with tasty snacks; has a patio
- Wow Factor(s): homemade beer cheese; wide beer selection
- What I Order: croissant; pretzel with homemade beer cheese; whatever sandwich or sausage I’m feeling
Hopfields
- 3110 Guadalupe St suite #400, Austin, TX 78705; Website
- Details: French-inspired gastropub with great selection of beers on tap
- Wow Factor(s): consistently delicious
- What I Order: Pascal burger; IPA
Mongers
- 2401 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702; Website
- Details: East Central Restaurant; the place for seafood; great happy hour
- Wow Factor(s): seafood!
- What I Order: everything on the happy hour menu
Odd Duck
- 1201 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704; Website
- Details: South Austin; parking lot is valet only; great lunch and dinner
- Wow Factor(s): impressive, regularly changed menu; very cool space
- What I Order: specials
Salty Sow
- 1917 Manor Rd, Austin, TX 78722; Website
- Details: Central Austin on the East Side
- Wow Factor(s): great happy hour
- What I Order: pork belly taco; fried chicken; DESSERTS
The Soup Peddler
- Five locations in Austin; Website
- Details: Casual restaurant for soup, sandwiches, salads, juices, and smoothies
- Wow Factor(s): Healthy eats that make you feel good
- What I Order: Love Cleanse juice; Nina Simone smoothie; Chicken Soup with Rice; Turkey Sandwich
Mediterranean
Santorini Cafe
- 11800 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78753; Website
- Details: cute and roomy Greek restaurant
- Wow Factor(s): expansive menu; Greek beers available
- What I Order: Gyro Plate; Appetizer Trio
Italian
L’Oca d’Oro
- 1900 Simond Ave, Austin, TX 78723; Website
- Details: restaurant supporting local ingredients
- Wow Factor(s): most of the dishes are made from scratch
- What I Order: whatever pasta dish sounds good at the moment
Patrizi’s
- 2307 Manor Rd, Austin, TX 78722; Website
- Details: food trailer at The Vortex bar
- Wow Factor(s): fresh noodles
- What I Order: Cacio e Pepe; Carbonara Alexandra
Pizza
Bufalina
- 1519 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702; 6555 Burnet Road, Austin, TX 78757; Website
- Details: delicious Neopolitan-style pizza; expect a wait
- Wow Factor(s): thin-crusted pizza goodness
- What I Order: margherita pizza; fresca pizza
Home Slice
- 1415 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704; Website
- Details: South Congress; NY-style pizza; sit-down restaurant or take out a slice or two
- Wow Factor(s): omgee pizza that you can’t get enough of
- What I Order: even a “regular” pepperoni slice will do
Pieous
- 12005 W Hwy 290, Austin, TX 78737; Website
- Details: Neopolitan pizza
- Wow Factor(s): The best pastrami in the world, Margherita pizza
- What I Order: Pastrami plate
Pinthouse Pizza
- 4729 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX 78756; 4236 S. Lamar Blvd., Austin, TX 78704; Website
- Details: counter service restaurant with community seating
- Wow Factor(s): large beer selection; great pizza
- What I Order: The Green Belt; The Works
Via 313
- Two trailer locations plus two brick-and-mortars; Website
- Details: Detroit-style pizza
- Wow Factor(s): the crispy pan crust
- What I Order: The Omnivore; The Cadillac
Barbecue
Franklin Barbecue
- 900 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78702; Website
- Details: Downtown Austin; expect a long wait – at least three hours; easily Austin’s most well-known and talked about barbecue restaurant
- Wow Factor(s): it’s like meat heaven; worth the hype
- What I Order: everything I can get; definitely the juicy brisket
La Barbecue
- 2027 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702; Website
- Details: a wait in line is worth it so get there early
- Wow Factor(s): beef ribs like butter
- What I Order: brisket and beef ribs
Stiles Switch
- 6610 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78757; Website
- Details: Central Austin; great sit-down place to enjoy barbecue
- Wow Factor(s): good ole barbecue; potato salad is dill-based
- What I Order: Two meat plate with brisket, ribs, potato salad and mac and cheese
- Read my full review here
Japanese
Ramen Tatsu-ya
- Three locations – North and South Austin; 183 and Braker; South Lamar; East 6th; Website
- Details: cool restaurant design
- Wow Factor(s): RAMEN! and amazing sliders
- What I Order: Katsu Sliders; #1 Tonkotsu Original
- See my review here
Tomodachi
- 4101 W Parmer Ln, Austin, TX 78727; Website
- Details: Far North Austin; laid-back restaurant with a great team
- Wow Factor(s): creativity of dishes; fresh fish; perfect flavors
- What I Order: chef/server-recommended sashimi; anything with Japanese Madai Snapper
- Read my full review here
Uchi
- 801 South Lamar Boulevard, Austin, TX 78704; Website
- Details: South Austin; one of Austin’s top restaurants; offers sushi/sashimi and Japanese dishes
- Wow Factor(s): incredible food and attentive service
- What I Order: hama chili; tako pops; Omakase if my wallet is feeling heavy
Uchiko
- 4200 North Lamar, Austin, TX 78756; Website
- Details: Central Austin; great happy hour; offers sushi/sashimi and Japanese dishes
- Wow Factor(s): incredible food and attentive service
- What I Order: hama chili; Brussels sprouts; gyutan (grilled beef tongue); madai; fried milk
Brunch
epicerie
- 2307 Hancock Dr, Austin, TX 78756; Website
- Details: cute little house in central Austin; very popular brunch; also sells grocery items
- Wow Factor(s): food and service are consistently good
- What I Order: quiche
Josephine House
- 1601 Waterston Ave, Austin, TX 78703; Website
- Details: Clarksville neighborhood; they serve all meals
- Wow Factor(s): pastries are always great
- What I Order: short rib hash
Want more options? Check out these lists:
- Best Pastries in Austin
- Best Cupcakes in Austin
- Austin Food Trucks with Brick-and-Mortar Restaurants
- Best Food Trucks in Austin
- 30 Best Cold Treats in Austin
- Craft Beer? Best Craft Breweries in Austin
Thinking you might need some Austin activities to fill the downtime before your next meal? Check out: of
Use this map to find the closest restaurant to you!
Please note: I’ve only marked one location for restaurants with multiple locations. Please check their websites.
What are your favorite Austin restaurants?
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