Check out our list of the best restaurants in Austin, Texas. Featuring our top 30 Austin restaurant experiences based on atmosphere, originality, menu quality, and overall style.
Last updated on Aug 06, 2026 by Loretta Adams
If you're not careful you'll walk right past Aba, tucked into a walkway off Music Lane with only a small sign pointing you into the courtyard. Inside, ivy dangles from the ceiling, the outdoor space bends around a beautiful rolling oak, and it all feels like a small Mediterranean seaside town; we forgot we were in Austin entirely. The Crispy Short Rib Hummus is an absolute stunner, the beef melting away into its own au jus, and the Shawarma Skirt Steak arrived perfectly medium rare with cinnamon and peppercorn in the crust, over fries dusted with za'atar and feta. Save room for a few desserts: the honey pie with frozen grapes, the lemon meringue frozen Greek yogurt, and if the manager offers you the frozen yogurt with olive oil and sea salt, say yes. It's the best palate cleanser we've ever been handed.
Hillside Farmacy is a lovingly restored 1950s drugstore, still owned by members of Doc Young's family, and settling into the jade green booths beside apothecary bottles and art deco wallpaper feels like stepping back in time. We ordered off the soda fountain, a nod to the drugstore era, choosing a CBD spiked Hibiscus Lemonade and a Turmeric Ginger soda; you can also make any of them boozy or virgin. The Farmacy Plate lived up to all our hype: hard Texas cheese drizzled with local honey, earthy house charcuterie, candied pecans, pickled onions, and fresh berries, plenty for two or three to share. The Fried Egg Sandwich won our table's ordering game, its fried green tomatoes passing the Southern Grandma Test with salty, crispy breading. Split the Campfire Mousse for dessert, a posh take on s'mores crowned with roasted marshmallows.
We could spend a whole evening just wandering Eberly, a South Lamar sanctuary named for Angelina Eberly, the innkeeper whose cannon shot saved Austin's status as the capital in 1842. The skylit greenhouse Study has been voted one of the most beautiful dining rooms in the nation, the speakeasy lounge in back is said to be haunted, and the famous Cedar Tavern bar was shipped down from Manhattan with its original Tiffany stained glass intact. Start with buttery oysters and the Kanpachi Crudo, but do not skip the steamed mussels in green curry broth, easily the best we've ever had. The salmon over creamy, crunchy rice with chive beurre blanc will hook you and reel you in for more. Order a Charging Bull with its smoky mushroom salt rim, ask how that bar made it to Austin, and yes, peek at the award winning bathrooms.
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Getting to P6 feels like finding a speakeasy: walk into The LINE lobby, find the neon pink hallway, and ride the elevator to the sixth floor. You'll step out onto what might be the best bat watching balcony in Austin, perched right above the Congress bridge with sunset views over Lady Bird Lake. Don't underestimate the food at this rooftop bar. The beef tartare with house made bread crisps was a top tier treat, the Patatas Bravas had us fighting over the bowl, and our waiter was right to insist on Chef Luna's charred cabbage. Order a Coconut Clover and stay until the bats fly.
Wu Chow reimagines Chinese food with farm to table vegetables and organic meats, and it lands on this list for a simple reason: the food is just plain good. We always start with the Tenderbelly pork dumplings and the Sichuan braised eggplant in sweet and savory Yu Xiang sauce. The Gong Bao chicken delivers all the Sichuan heat you want without the MSG aftertaste, and the veggie fried rice is a sneaky standout. Grab a corner booth under the koi scale chandelier, and don't skip dim sum on Sunday evenings.
Verdad means truth in Spanish, and the truth is the Pork Spare Rib Barbacoa might be some of the best ribs in town: a full rack, slow smoked with a four chile rub, big enough for the table to share. We'd also point you straight to the Mole Tasting, three succulent traditional moles served with fresh house made masa chips. The margaritas come in ten flavors including hibiscus and tamarind ginger, and the tequila and mezcal flights are worth building a night around. You'll leave with a deeper appreciation for Mexican tradition and a plan to come back.
Perry's grew from a 1979 Houston butcher shop into the standard for Texas steakhouses, and the downtown Austin location lives up to the legacy. It fills the Gothic Norwood Tower, once the tallest building in the city, and there's even a dining room built inside an original bank vault with a golden longhorn perched over the door. We started the classic way with dry martinis and a shrimp cocktail of five colossal shrimp on crushed ice, warm bread and whipped butter landing before we'd even ordered. Book it for special occasions; the spiral staircase and glass walled wine cellar do half the celebrating for you.
Juniper hides behind a minimal industrial exterior on Cesar Chavez, and stepping inside is half the fun: deep blues, natural wood and stone, and an open kitchen beneath a cascading steel light sculpture. Chef Nic Yanes's six course Northern Italian tasting is one of the best values in Austin fine dining. The warm house focaccia with whipped ricotta and Calabrian honey sets the bar immediately, and the post oak grilled octopus we added a la carte was so tender it justified every extra penny. Sit by the glass wall and watch the courtyard herb garden while you eat.
Swift's Attic perches above the beloved Elephant Room, and the whole place balances luxury with a sense of humor. Exposed brick, birdcage chandeliers, and millennial throwback jams set the scene for Chef Edgar Cuspinera's playful menu. The Stoopid Fries show up looking like a bird's nest guarding an egg yolk aioli, the bacon wrapped Tiger Apricots rest on a cloud of chipotle mascarpone, and the Pad Thai fooled us completely with squash and carrot noodles standing in for the real thing. If you can't decide, hand the job to the kitchen and order the weekly Chef's Cut.
We played what we call recommendation roulette at Dai Due, ordering whatever our server sounded most excited about, and we highly suggest you do the same. That night it meant nilgai tartare with house made potato chips and a wild boar boudin blanc nestled against stewed cherries, and neither disappointed. Every single ingredient here comes from Texas, right down to the beer and wine. By day it's a butcher shop and deli; by night it becomes supper club style dining that earns its cult following.
Salty Sow has been an East Austin heavyweight since 2012, and its happy hour remains one of the best deals in town. We showed up with a party of six and worked through nearly the whole list: truffled deviled eggs plated in a meticulous row, chicken liver mousse that spreads like room temperature butter, and crispy fried brussels leaves under shaved pecorino. Pay the extra five dollars to crown your duck fat fries with the 110 minute egg; the prep time shows in every bite. The honey rosemary fried chicken alone is worth the trip east.
Quattro Gatti translates to four cats, an Italian expression for small groups, and it sits on Congress between 9th and 10th in a pocket of downtown that somehow escapes all the chaos. We celebrated a birthday there with four couples, lounging on the patio with Negronis and martinis and snapping photos with the Capitol glowing down the street. The spaghetti carbonara had richer pancetta than any version we've tried around town, and the wood fired pizzas and shareable primi kept the whole table happy. Everyone found parking within a block, which feels like a small downtown miracle.
Truluck's has anchored the Warehouse District since Austin's upscale dining scene was still finding its legs, and it remains our pick when we want to feel truly taken care of. The Florida stone crab claws arrive fresh, never frozen, and the miso glazed sea bass with crab fried rice and chilled cucumber slaw is a knockout. Their Wine Spectator recognized wine list runs deep. Come between 4:30 and 6 any night for happy hour in the bar, when half off drinks make the white tablecloth treatment feel downright accessible.
El Raval brings Barcelona's famous neighborhood to South Lamar, complete with graffiti, sneakers dangling from the rafters, and an open kitchen where you'll usually spot Chef Laila Bazahm working the line. We surrendered to the Feed Me Experience with paired Spanish wines and let the kitchen decide. The hamachi ceviche in leche de tigre was bright and fresh, the Croquetas de Jamon nearly demanded a second order, and somehow the humble Pan Con Tomate stole the night. The Calamares en Adobo might be the best fried calamari we've ever had. Come hungry and share everything; that's the point of tapas.
Yamas is the Greek toast to life and health, and this family owned spot in North Austin lives up to its name. The Nikolakas family runs the room themselves, surrounded by Santorini white walls, loulaki blue accents, fuchsia bougainvilleas, and a massive octopus mural. The couple next to us insisted we try the Fried Feta, crispy phyllo wrapped around melty cheese and drizzled with honey, and they were absolutely right. Seafood is the specialty, from fried calamari to grilled octopus, and everything is served family style, so come ready to pass plates. The lunch prix fixe gets you three courses of family favorites; order the Dolmades and the Stifado, a heaping mound of mashed potatoes under bold beef stew. Cap the night at The Boat, their bar, with an Artemis Spritz and a round of Yamas Shots. When we asked what's in them, our server said nobody knows but it's good, and they were right.
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Eating at Intero feels like having a dinner party catered by a private chef. Austinites Ian Thurwachter and Krystal Craig source from at least twenty Texas farms for their farm-to-table Italian menu, so the dishes change with the seasons. On our visit that meant wagyu brisket arancini with sweet peaches, ricotta gnocchi with roasted rabbit and crispy fried sage, and a brick oven pizza piled with oyster mushrooms and fried rosemary. Strive to save room for dessert; you'll need the willpower.
Clay Pit is the kind of dinner you gush about to everyone for a week afterward. It fills the 1886 Bertram Building, raw limestone walls, resident ghost stories and all, and serves Austin's best upscale Indian food. The curried mussels set a high bar, the cheesy garlic naan arrives steaming and marvelously melty, and the chicken tikka masala is buttery and everything it should be. Take the staff's advice and order the Kothmir Salmon with its nutty Goan yellow curry; we now crave it weekly. Ask about the spicy ginger and mango infused vodka sitting in giant jars on the bar.
Bar Chi has held its corner of the Warehouse District since 2010 on a simple formula: a stellar daily happy hour, an excellent menu at reasonable prices, and owner Leo Wong's personal touch. Happy hour runs 4 to 7 every day and all day Sunday, but give the main menu its due. Our table's trophy went to the wagyu risotto spoons, five one bite wonders we graciously fought over, with the surgically precise scallop crudo close behind. Even the king oyster mushrooms surprised us with their rich, meaty depth. Go early, order the house made ginger beer, and watch the room pick up steam.
Canje lights up East Sixth with Caribbean flavors from Chef Tavel Bristol-Joseph, who draws on his native Guyana across the menu. The pink pineapple appetizer with aji amarillo comes from the only farm in the world growing them, and the oxtail beef patties with pineapple pique sauce are supremely savory. We kept reordering the flaky roti and fried sweet plantains until we ran out of excuses. Finish with the cinnamon hibiscus sorbet or the white chocolate coconut tres leches, and you'll understand why the New York Times put this place on its Top 50 list.
Twenty years after Chef Tyson Cole opened Uchi in an old South Lamar house, it still sets the standard for sushi in Austin, and many of the city's great kitchens trace their roots back to it. We grabbed a seat at the sushi bar and let chef Justin steer. His machi cure, smoked yellowtail with pears, candied raisins, and golden tobiko over yuca chips, was unlike anything we've eaten, and the hotate crudo with pineapple and jalapeno was remarkably fresh. Staples like the hama chili never miss. Check the rotating selection flown in from Japan and trust the counter.
For nearly twenty years, chef Reina Morris and her family have served generations old Argentinian recipes on East Sixth, and dinner at Buenos Aires Café feels like being welcomed to a family table. Our server Magui steered us right at every turn: carne suave empanadas, herb crepes smothered in béchamel, and the Matrimonio, their housemade bratwurst paired with morcilla that is honestly the best sausage we've ever eaten. The garlicky chimichurri is a 10 out of 10. Save room for the flan de Buenos Aires, and peek at the bakery case on your way out.
Arlo Grey is Top Chef winner Kristen Kish's lakeside restaurant in The LINE, and it strikes a rare balance of class and comfort where you can dress up or down and feel equally welcome. Vining plants and huge windows pull the greenbelt indoors. The menu looks brief but every plate packs complexity: we tore through the house grilled sourdough, some of the best bread we've had in ages, before moving on to the bucatini and braised wagyu short rib. Come summer, the lime sorbet and toasted sourdough ice cream are the way to finish.
You’ll now find Second Bar + Kitchen at the East Austin Hotel. Chef Gerard Kenny runs the kitchen on the east side with enthusiasm, skill, and love for each dish.
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Ember Kitchen rose from the ashes of Boiler Nine in the Seaholm District, and the Spanish Josper oven at its heart was pumping sweet charcoal smoke the moment we walked in. Start with the caviar bites, layered over flaky masa sopes with crema, and the shrimp scampi swimming in Morita butter sauce you'll sop up with handmade masa tortillas. The prime filet arrives with its own carafe of bone marrow birria jus, and we poured every last drop. Head downstairs to the Subterra Agave Bar for a mezcal nightcap.
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We've loved Veracruz All Natural's taco trucks for years, so watching the Vazquez sisters go full restaurant in Mueller made us happy and hungry. The blue corn tortillas come out at the perfect thickness in that rich purpley blue color, and truck favorites like the migas and barbacoa tacos share the menu with dishes from the family's roots in Veracruz, Mexico. The shrimp ceviche with crisp totopos won't last long on your table. Trust us on the Mojarra Frita upgraded to red snapper: crispy fried skin, buttery flaky middle, and rice so good we scraped the plate clean.
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Kalimotxo, from the Emmer & Rye family, crowns the corner of the Arrive Hotel with romantic lighting, a DJ spinning vinyl, and superior Spanish tapas. We grazed our way across the menu: uni torrejas with fluffy saffron butter, calamari studded with squid ink croquetas, and their famous Croquetas de Jamon, which you should absolutely top with Iberico slices. The restaurant is named for Spain's classic red wine and cola mix, so order one and get brave with a porron, the pitcher that pours a thin stream straight into your mouth. It's a date spot that doesn't take itself too seriously.
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Lucky Robot has been slinging sushi on South Congress for over a decade, and walking into the neon pink dining room feels like a quick trip to Tokyo. Chef Jay Huang cooks in the Nikkei style, blending Japanese and Latin American influences, with sourcing sustainable enough to earn recognition from the James Beard Foundation's Smart Catch program. Our omakase started with a buffalo karaage shrimp bao and peaked at the signature Toro+Fig, sweet bigeye tuna with fresh fig and crunchy cashews. Whatever you do, save room for the Yuzu Pie with graham cracker crust; we're still dreaming about it.
Banger's is peak old Austin: a historic Rainey Street bungalow fronted by a flashing marquee promising twenty house made sausages and 202 beers on tap. The long shared tables fill up with friends, families, and most dogs, exactly as the welcome sign at the host stand intends. Many of the bartenders are trained Cicerones, so ask for a recommendation; ours steered us to a rum barrel aged imperial stout we ordered more than once. Between the beer hall, the massive patio, and live music behind the bungalow, it's a full day out disguised as a sausage house.
The Salt Lick sits on a rustic ranch spread in Driftwood, a thirty minute drive that's half the fun, especially with visitors in the car. It's BYOB, so bring a cooler and work up an appetite on the lawn while you wait; unlike certain famous lines in town, waiting here is genuinely pleasant. Go family style for all you can eat brisket, sausage, and pork ribs served around the giant open pit that perfumes the whole dining room. Bobby Flay has vouched for the beef ribs, and the desserts are huge. It's the quintessential Hill Country barbecue experience.
The original Black's opened in Lockhart in 1932, and this Guadalupe Street outpost is run with the same family pride by fourth generation pitmaster Barrett Black. On our visit Barrett showed us cutting boards worn into gentle dips by nearly a century of chopping; they replace the legs from time to time but never the boards. The post oak smoke greets you at the door, and the brisket lives up to the family legend. There's ample parking, plenty of covered patio, and none of the ceremony that usually stands between you and great Texas barbecue.
By Loretta Adams, Published on Aug 5, 2025
In honor of National Oyster Day we have compiled a few recommendations for getting your oyster fix any and every day throughout the year. Not everyone is looking for the same thing in their oyster ... View Best Oysters in Austin →
Loretta Adams
Editor
Hi there, I'm Loretta - born 'n' raised Austinite Unicorn. I studied theater, choir, dance, and all things creative at McCallum Fine Arts Academy in Austin (GO KNIGHTS!) and then Rutgers University in New Jersey. Now I'm back in Austin writing reviews and blogs about Austin restaurants, bars, and things to do for Austin City Guide. I'm a try everything once type of gal and love experiencing everything Austin offers!
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