This popular French bistro from ELM Restaurant Group has great bones but the execution can veer from sublime to ragged. Don’t skip the bread service with flavored, whipped butters: It’s perfection. Read more.
Everything’s homemade and very tasty at this quirky sandwich shop nestled in an historic house. We especially like the apple pork on ciabatta and the addictive blackberry balsamic vinaigrette.
Pies both sweet and savory are the main attraction here. The traditional strawberry rhubarb and buttermilk shine, but the junkberry and sweet & salty chocolate elevate the whole operation. Read more.
This cavernous campus-area space is a little fancy-pants for the average student, but quite reasonable for high-class delicious fare of this caliber and innovation. Read more.
The evidence: High-quality meats. Big portions. Freshly baked breads. Fair prices. A healthy dose of sass from the staff. The verdict: Among the best sandwiches in town. Read more.
Think French comfort food in a cozy space. Crazy-good craft brews paired with creative sandwiches, intelligent noshes, and a burger and frites twofer worth the trip alone. Read more.
Thai food fanboys love the joint for its authenticity, its spice level, and the value-to-price ratio. Ditch the pad thai and explore more of the menu, which explores all corners of the nation.
Enjoy a shake while waiting for chicken, shrimp, venison, or avocado slices battered in nuts, seeds, cornflakes, & seasonings, then deep-fried and served in a tortilla cone with slaw and smoky salsa. Read more.
Award-winning barbecue served in a down-home setting, with an outstanding assortment of vegetarian options and side dishes. All meats are available as sandwiches, by the plate, or by the pound.
Banger’s laid-back biergarten aesthetic is a great break from the übercool ethos of Rainey St. Wash down the delish housemade sausages with 100+ taps of craft brew. Stellar vegetarian options, too. Read more.
What started as a supper club has grown into a full-fledged bistro with limited menus that change frequently. Solid farm-to-table, Cali-Med fare, and ideal for the neighborhood. Read more.
The independently owned Austin Land & Cattle serves steaks that are succulent, tender, and cooked as-ordered, and you get three sides with your entrée. One downside: Parking can be a real bitch.
This cozy spot shares space with a 2,700-pound Neapolitan brick oven firing rustic, insanely good pizza. For antipasti, we flip for the roasted Brussels sprouts with pancetta and Pecorino Romano. Read more.
We love the Bonneville at all hours, but most especially at brunch: Think Pop-Over Eggs Benny, bananas Foster french toast, and chipotle-lime chicken hash. Read more.
Killer jukebox. Pool tables. Huge, juicy burgers. Psychotronic movies. Lounging with a post-apocalyptic flair. Casino keeps the best parts of dark and surly pub life alive and well.
Chef David Bull didn't bring foie gras to Austin but he surely helped evangelize it. Few other chefs use such precious ingredients so confidently. The cool kids always make it seem effortless. Read more.
A Mediterranean tree-house atmosphere, bold flavors, and iconoclastic taste combinations make for a cosmopolitan take on traditional bar fare. The pizza bianco is inspired. Read more.
Time to carb up, y’all: The street-level bakeshop serves up top-of-the-line breads and pastries; mosey on to the downstairs beer garden and you’ll find mouth-watering cured meats and excellent brews. Read more.
Chef Iliana de la Vega operated a world-famous restaurant in Oaxaca. Lucky for us, she made the move to Austin, where her classically modern restaurant and traditional Mexican cuisine are a huge hit.
Our favorite dishes here are the dahl makhani (lentils in a creamy sauce) and Malabar (lamb, coconut, onion). The level of spiciness here depends on who's in the kitchen, so it's a good idea to ask.
Perennial fave La Condesa reflects the culinary trends of Mexico City's hip neighborhood Colonia Condesa. Feeling adventurous? Try the chapulines – a Oaxacan specialty of tiny fried grasshoppers. Read more.
The beautiful limestone building on the National Register of Historic Places offers Deep South charm, with water served in mason jars, corn muffins, and broiled rainbow trout with cornbread stuffing.
It's worth navigating the Sixth St. circus for this divine bistro. Best as a late-night haven or at happy hour, when the half-price bar menu gets you steak frites & a killer martini for under $20. Read more.
There’s something conspicuously ironic about the vibe – nightclub in front, little-old-lady-quaint in back – but the diverse menu has some sincere standouts, like the Ukrainian borscht and Uzbek plov. Read more.
Playful cuisine, delectable desserts, appropriate libations, and excellent service. The atmosphere can get boisterous, but a night at Swift's promises both a memorable meal and a super fun time. Read more.
The menu’s great for snacking and sharing, and unless your party’s big enough to fill a picnic table, you’ll get to know your neighbor, too. It’s that kind of place, and we really love this place. Read more.
A fine selection of thin-crust pies for pickup or delivery. Go for the anchovies, black olives, & feta or the Wild Blue with salmon, capers, red onions, & goat cheese. The garlic knots are great.
An Austin champion for organic produce, this Manor Road beauty serves an exquisite bounty of freshness, with dishes ranging from artichoke manicotti to beef and goat cheese enchiladas.
This tiny snuggery seems like it jumped out of a postage stamp. Entrées include pulled pork and a terrific lentil soup, while bourbon buttermilk pie and ancho chocolate brownies are standout desserts. Read more.
You'd better circle the wagons early if you want to snag some of Franklin's world-famous brisket. It has a smoky and spicy bark, a deep smoke ring, and is exceedingly moist and tender. Perfection. Read more.
The atmosphere – we're tempted to say "art direction" – is superb, and the food's splendid, too. Meats and produce genuinely are farm fresh, often picked in the morning at neighboring urban farms. Read more.
This vintage 1960 Comet trailer serves all kinds of meat, from duck sausage to smoked brisket, and they’re all flat-out delicious. Micklethwait Craft Meats belongs up with the elite of Austin BBQ. Read more.
Sagra puts an emphasis on fresh, regional Italian cuisine. Great selection of pizzas (we heart the Sagra with egg and truffle oil) and a good deal on all-you-can-eat-mussels night on Tuesdays.
Barn chic, with a pleasant atmosphere, nice for a special evening out with friends. The gems on the menu dwell in the vegetables category: Brussels sprouts, fried smashed potatoes, and glazed turnips. Read more.
Chef Ray Tatum's porkalicious sliders and crackling meatloaf are sublime, as is his Asian fried chicken. Get a pairing suggestion from neighboring East End Wines and enjoy dining on the lovely patio.
This elegant Neapolitan-style pizzeria is always packed, but worth the wait. If you’re lucky enough to dine on a night when the mushroom pie makes an appearance, you’d be a damn fool not to order it. Read more.
Think Parisian bistro, burlesque cabaret, and steampunk film set, with upscale food and bar menus based on seasonal, local ingredients. Execution can be spotty, but the ambience is always spot-on.
Unctuous rib meat barely clings to the smoke-stained bone before it melts in your mouth. John Mueller, the Yoda of beef ribs, dispenses fantastic barbecue in a relaxed, comfy trailer set-up. Read more.
This no-frills brasserie perched in a remodeled 1930s bungalow serves authentic Gallic comfort food and (more importantly?) people-gawking until the early-morning hours. Read more.
The first brick & mortar outlet of the popular food truck business is still serving its signature Middle Eastern wraps stuffed with tender, succulent meat or falafel and tangy cucumber tzatziki sauce.
The Kerlins are newbies, but have made a strong showing right off the bat: They use sweet-smelling pecan wood and crank out pork ribs and sausage to die for.
This trailer leaves most brick-and-mortar BBQ joints in the dust. Freshly handmade sausage, moist, meaty brisket, and tender beef ribs make this spot a wait-in-line destination. Read more.
Ever-evolving cuisine from one of Austin's most famous chefs. But despite all that praise, Paul Qui never takes himself too seriously. Check out the pong game on the restaurant's website. Read more.
Calling all meat lovers! This charmingly retro artisan shop sells fresh cuts of locally sourced meats, sausages, salumi, and charcuterie, as well as fresh-baked goods and some prepared foods. Read more.
Superior micheladas, legit Interior Mexican cuisine, a beautiful patio, some of the best carnitas in the city, and killer mezcal and sotol cocktails. Viva Mexico! Read more.
The third generation of Tamale House founder Carmen Vasquez runs this Eastside spot, which boasts more seating and a hipper vibe. The migas with cheese is a surefire hangover cure.
Smoosh a traditional frito pie into a giant tortilla, grill it, wrap it, and serve with a little cup of Cholula hot sauce. Voilà, you’ve got the Vegan Yacht’s delicious Freeto Burrito.
Detroit natives Zane and Brandon Hunt have thankfully introduced Austin to the wonders of Motor City-style pizza. We are officially addicted. You can't lose with the double-pepperoni "Detroiter."
Classic cocktails, a short but uncommonly adventurous wine list, and an elevated bar food menu make the casual Yellow Jacket a winner. Snag an outside table and enjoy a pork belly bánh mì in the sun.
Asti is one of the best midpriced neighborhood cafes in Austin. Food is consistently delightful, whether it is grilled octopus, a thin-crust pizza, or their ever-popular chocolate cannoli.
Start with shrimp 'n' grits, tofu popcorn, or a choose-your-own tasting plate, then wash down a sandwich with one of the tasty local brews on tap at the nation's first-ever cooperatively run brewpub.
Small but snazzy, offering a slew of creative craft cocktails and a rotating draft beer selection. Upscale bar food includes sliders al pastor, bourbon beanie weenies, and a Texas Kobe burger. Read more.
Pair the house-made merguez with a seasonal salad, and go ahead and order a bottle of wine; it beats getting back in line for another glass, and the ambience is so nice you're going to want to linger. Read more.
Three decades serving Interior Mexican cuisine (cochinita pibil, pescado veracruzano) surrounded by vibrant art and an organic garden makes this fine dining spot one of the loveliest anywhere.
Reasonably priced and informal but still very fine dining, indeed. Rising star Ned Elliott’s seasonal menu is spare but stunning, with each well-conceived plate coming together in delicious harmony. Read more.
This small pizza shop has a dedicated crowd of regulars who can't get enough of the Neapolitan-style pies, cold draft beers, and early-Nineties indie rock jukebox.
The Teishoku lunch specials are one of the best deals going: a bowl of savory clear noodle soup, a farm-fresh salad, soft steamed rice, homemade Japanese pickles, and an entrée all for $8-$12. Read more.
Little Deli's popularity was built on great sandwiches. It bakes its own breads daily, which is reflected by the taste; also, all of the meats and cheeses are first-rate. The cheese steak is delish. Read more.
This second spot is bigger and brighter than the SoCo sibling and includes a larger kitchen. The food is the same, which is to say, outstanding. So much fried deliciousness.
Ramen is Japanese comfort food, which is precisely what Michi serves, along with all the trimmings. Thrill seekers may go for the spicy Jungle Ramen flavored with lemongrass with crisp bean sprouts. Read more.
A welcoming vegetarian refuge since 1979, the meatless menu presents a mix of Southern and Tex-Mex soups, salads, enchiladas, and heartier fare. The cashew tamari salad dressing is rightfully adored.
This is refined, amazingly complex, and authentic Persian food that tastes like it came from a favorite grandmother's table. Don't miss the spinach pie and lamb shanks.
In addition to homemade pita bread, hummus, gyros, shawarma, cookies, and North African pastries, the store is bursting with grocery goodies from all over the Mediterranean and Eastern Europe.
The grownups can enjoy a flight of microbrews while the little ones groove on the arcade games. And while it may sound gross, the macaroni-and-cheese pizza is some tasty business. Read more.
Quality has been Austin's signature fishmonger since 1938, and in 2012, it underwent a major expansion. Go for oysters, Gulf shrimp, and Cajun- and Creole-influenced seafood dishes. Read more.
Weekend brunch is where it's at, with well-prepared varieties of eggs Benedict – hollandaise & smoked salmon, filet medallions & béarnaise – plus excellent crab cakes and crème brulee French toast. Read more.
Back before Austin's Thai food boom, Satay owner Foo Swasdee was serving it up, delicious and authentic. She's still practicing her art with favorites like duck in red curry and grilled spicy snapper.
From the sublime teas and sandwiches to the stellar scones, cupcakes, and tortes, we adore this tea shop & bakery. Just as tranquil as the original Domain location, but without the stressful commute. Read more.
Peppery brisket, crackling ribs, and spicy, coarse-ground sausage in a friendly setting. Go-to place for a casual family meal or to watch the game on a big-screen TV.
A trip to Uchiko is a treat for the senses, with creative flavor pairings in dishes like rosemary-smoked duck with candied citrus or pork-belly-and-egg sushi. Decor is almost too beautiful to look at. Read more.
Whether it's to meet friends for a glass of wine that's neither overpriced nor ho-hum or for a memorable meal with plenty of flavor and zero pretension, this cozy Hyde Park wine bar never disappoints. Read more.
Ridiculously authentic Sichuan cuisine. Favorites include the spicy fish and chicken in XO sauce, and we love the happy chaos of the perpetually packed dining room. Read more.
Makes a serious bid at best dim sum in town. The ambiance ain't bad, either – all dark wood and lacquer, with red linen table settings and loads of Chinese decorative accents. Read more.
This bright, casual place serves satisfying, authentic Louisiana home-style cooking by Famous Cajun Pie Man Aaron Hegger. Get the crawfish pie – tender crust, gently spiced filling. Read more.
Yes, the ramen is authentic and delicious, but it’s the spicy edamame tossed with citrus, fresh jalapeños, shichimi spice, and sea salt we're obsessed with. End your meal with the green tea mochi ice. Read more.
This is a restaurant of hearty roast meats and homemade pastas, where diners can sample savory stews of wild boar and luxuriate in the glow of a crackling fire. Elegant neo-Tuscan comfort-cooking. Read more.
A hybrid of Japanese flavors and Continental techniques, Soto brings elegance and family cooking to the table. Try the magical tiger maki roll or the mango kobe for an unforgettable experience. Read more.
Taquerias are a dime a dozen in this town, but only a handful are truly priceless. Among the treasures here are the carnitas, the cabrito consommé, the pastor, aguas frescas, and the famed salsa bar. Read more.
For a restaurant this good, Cafe Josie is still surprisingly under-the-radar. The cafe uses local, sustainable ingredients to create dishes that are colorful, inventive, and consistently exceptional. Read more.
A luxurious menu is matched by an adventurous wine list and an intimate, bistro feel. Don’t skip the house-baked bread: It’s stunningly good, especially when dipped in the Mussels & Clams wine broth. Read more.
This tiny spot offers excellent crab cakes, quail, and hanger steak alongside more typical diner fare. The Counter Benedict with pastrami and grilled pimento cheese sandwiches are standouts. Read more.
Here diners are treated to European classics such as escargots in garlic butter, moules marinière, steak frites, and paella. Elegant *and* affordable? How very Old World egalitarian. Read more.
Exceptionally good food at heart-stopping prices: You could drop 100 bucks for a single – and delicious – dry-aged steak. The must-have made-to-order soufflés take 20 minutes to make, so plan ahead. Read more.
Staged with Southern Living nostalgia, Josephine House is the type of place where you can easily dither away the afternoon sipping iced teas and grazing on cool melon salads. Pricey, but worth it. Read more.
Housed in a gorgeous mid-century-modern structure, this is Italian grandmother-inspired cooking with a sophisticated spin. Classic dishes meet seasonal, local ingredients in unexpected ways. Read more.
Any ATX 'best burger' list has to include this round-the-clock spot, but don’t gloss over the upscale riffs on meatloaf and chicken & waffles. Save room for the roasted banana & brown sugar milkshake. Read more.
Classy and chic, this is the perfect place to be a social butterfly while you enjoy refreshing drinks and divine Italian cuisine. The calamari and Pesce con Puttanesca will stop you in your tracks. Read more.
Since 2001, Wink has offered casual fine dining in the small salon and adjacent wine bar. As one of Austin's first restaurants to emphasize local sourcing, the eclectic menu changes nightly.
Excellent Cajun-Creole fare, with authentic everything – gumbo and jambalaya, boudin and étouffée, gator and redfish. If you ever wanted to fais do-do in South Austin, this is the place.
Open in the same location since 1947, Hill's Cafe is an Austin landmark serving up Texas specialties such as chicken-fried steak, tamales, barbecue, skillet enchiladas, fried chicken, and catfish.
Al pastor pork is a must: glistening red from a dry-chile marinade, citrusy, charred, & tender; on a homemade flour tortilla and doused with an amazing green salsa – a contender for the best in town.
Unquestionably authentic and fresh, Sap's is also a bargain for the quality and quantity of the food you get. Consistent and delicious, with an expansive menu – and a haven for gorgeous roses, too.
Midcentury modern bistro meets affordable, mainstream menu. There’s a comfortable patio for enjoying jazz and Western swing and a cozy bar with a TV tuned to sports that is visible but not obtrusive. Read more.
This tiny hole-in-the-wall tortilla factory churns out fresh corn & flour tortillas all day. They also serve simple, delicious Mexican home cooking. Don't leave without one of the splendid salsas. Read more.
El Chile produces some fantastic enchiladas (mole rojo, sí), and their michelada – served in a frosty goblet with a generous rim of a secret salt-and-chile spice mix – just may be the best in town.
Tacos be damned! Get the al pastor torta: a bolillo roll sliced open, slathered with some mayo and refried beans, then topped with sweet and spicy al pastor pork and veggies. Messy and mucho sabroso.
The comfy bar, great service, and dazzling display of antipasti near the front door lure us in, and the pasta and heirloom tomatoes do the rest. A perennial favorite of our readers.
This casual Italian bistro produces handmade artisanal food at its finest. Customers rave about the delicious house-cured meats, the imported cheeses, the marvelous pastries, and great brunch options.
Classic Moroccan street food with quality ingredients like fresh vegetables and chemical/hormone-free eggs & meats. Flavorful beef, chicken, turkey, & vegetables are served on traditional flatbread.
From the moment Home Slice opened its doors, it's been packed – and for good reason. Genuine New York-style pizza made in an independent neighborhood pizzeria, by folks who know how it's done. Read more.
French technique, exotic ingredients, a judicious use of spice and heat, and strong Southeast Asian and Northern African influences on the three-course prix fixe menu distinguish this upscale option. Read more.
Perla's has transformed a land-locked SoCo corner into a beachy cafe. It's hard to beat this place on a sunny afternoon for fresh oysters, grilled octopus, and a Caesar cocktail on the shady patio. Read more.
Add together a great location, super cute interior, a winning "local products, global bites" concept, and airy shaded patio, and you've got yourself a winner. Bring friends and the dog. Read more.
The Thai-based menu offers the ideal platform for innovation at this South First hot boîte. The food is divine – and often quite spicy – and we especially love the simple but stunning peanut curry. Read more.
Curries and noodle dishes made with local organic produce and pastured meats and eggs = outstanding Thai home cooking. Boasts a gluten-free bakery case and homemade (vegan & nonvegan) ice cream, too. Read more.
The very cool Whip In boasts specialty beers, obscure wines, locally packaged gourmet foodstuffs, and a cafe menu that's a bricolage of Indian, African, European, and American flavors. Read more.
The pour is generous, the wines are commendable, and the service is swift and friendly. Crisp french fries, served in ample cones, come flavored with Parmesan truffle or pimentón and chile pepper. Read more.
An homage to the staple canned seafood, Barlata is a word mashup meaning "tin can bar." The octopus tapas is a tender, delectable version of the popular Spanish dish pulpo a la Gallega. Read more.
Small plates, small space: Only 34 seats, so expect a wait. It’s worth it. A farm-to-table ethos and thoughtful flavor combinations distinguish this first brick & mortar from Bryce Gilmore. Read more.
ESK's second brick-and-mortar offers beer and wine on tap and favorite dishes such as Thai Chicken Karaage, Poor Qui's Buns, and beet fries, as well as adventurous tacos, like moshi and octopus.
Love the folk art-festooned interior, but the rooftop patio with Downtown view can’t be beat. Try the tangy guacamole al chipotle, served with a smoky chipotle crema and crunchy sunflower seeds. Read more.
El Mesón boasts a lavish tequila selection and authentic Mexican fare. We adore the amuse-bouches here, like the unexpected tiny bowls of fideo or a little street-style corn on the cob. Read more.
To-die-for sandwiches, package wine sales, charcuterie, and an inviting, inspiring cheese case. We heart the Beecher's cheddar with house-roasted turkey and avocado. Read more.
Ambitious, delicious trailer food from caterer/chef Luke Bibby. Overdo it at next door Gibson Bar? Luke’s cheese fries and the Spicy Szechuan Chicken griddled sammy are gonna make everything alright. Read more.
Eclectic, upscale, and seasonal fare, an excellent wine list, private tables, and exemplary service flawlessly converge in a gorgeous, Michael Hsu-designed space. Simply one of our city's best. Read more.
This shiny, ultramodern brick-and-mortar matches the adventurous, farm-to-table cuisine. The superlative wine, beer, and cocktail list harmonizes with the whims of Bryce Gilmore's daily changing menu.
You'll lick your fingers clean from the guajolote en mole tacos with big chunks of shredded turkey smothered in a deep-red mole that's a pitch-perfect blend of sweet, savory, and fire. Read more.
Interior and traditional and a South Austin gem. The empanadas de huitlacoche of handmade corn masa are stuffed with corn truffle or "corn smut" to make a real delicacy. Read more.
People get religious about the extra-hot Dona sauce, for good reason: It's just that delicious. Don't overlook the handmade mole, and the brisket Tacoloco may be the best four bucks you ever spent.
When executive chef and owner Tyson Cole first opened shop in 2003, Uchi instantly became both a sushi and a fine-dining game changer. Quality and craft still out of this world. Reservations a must.
Brave the constant crowds and be rewarded with skillfully made, belly-busting, Southwestern-styled comfort food like Chicken-Fried Beef Ribs. Nab a mason jar of amazing pimento cheese on the way out.
The key word for the meats at Schmidt Family is moist, followed by the word tender. Expect no glazes, just smoke and spice. We dig the sausage's beefy flavor accented with pepper, garlic, and cayenne. Read more.
This former convenience store boasts a huge bar, an outdoor amphitheater, and a full menu from the same team behind Curra’s. Carne guisada, Julieta’s mole sauce, and tres leches cake impress most. Read more.
Classy wine bar meets inventive cuisine; add lovely hilltop location, and you've got a winner. We did flips for the Asian Crisp Salad and a glass of Crémant de Limoux – a steal of a meal at under $20. Read more.
The bakery case here holds a nice selection of crispy treats, but the sandwiches are the main attraction. Start with pan con lechón and work your way up to the massive, awesome El Cubanito burger. Read more.
Three words: Big Ass Burger. Roaring Fork is actually a lot classier than the name of its signature dish would suggest – think luxe leather couches – but that burger is to die for, y'all.
With its quarter-pound 80/20 Angus chuck patty ground in-house and delectable brioche bun, Sputnik should be locked into your East Austin orbit when you crave a well-crafted, high-quality burger. Read more.
This may be a bar servicing Drafthouse moviegoers with superior craft cocktails, but the snacky menu interpreting classic Mexican street food is worth its own special trip.
Vietnamese cuisine made with grass-fed meats, pastured eggs, local organic produce, and seafood fresh from the Gulf makes us happy, but not as happy as the dreamy drip coffee served iced or hot.
The three menus here (bar, dinner, and brunch) tip the hat to favorite comfort foods – pizza, mac & cheese, tacos, pasta – gussied up to go with the fashion-forward decor and a clever cocktail menu. Read more.
American classics repackaged with a flirty wink and just enough cleverness to make them seem exotic. Brunch is a bright spot, and the duck fat biscuits and gravy are a Sunday morning revelation. Read more.
This inexpensive, casual dive boasts some of the best Interior Mexican cuisine around. Superior tamales, salsas, Mexican breakfast, and regional dishes, as well as for an outstanding margarita bar.
Belly up to the lunch counter for migas, tacos, and award-winning menudo, then step up to the pastry counter for piedras, novias, cemitas, and capirotada. The American choices draw raves, too.
These easy-on-the-wallet, plentiful platters have delivered many Austinites from hangovers and Tex-Mex hankerings since 1980. For $4.50, the "Don Juan" El Taco Grande will challenge you to a duel.
The barbacoa is top notch, while the picadillo is mind-numbingly good, made from minced – not ground – beef. La Fruta has vaulted into rarified territory as one of the best taquerias in town. Read more.
This family-friendly joint specializes in El Paso-style variations such as stacked Santa Fe enchiladas smothered in an authentic Chimayo-style red-chile sauce, topped with cheese and fried egg. Yum. Read more.
The dishes are authentic, wonderfully spicy, and super-fresh. The Ma Po Doufu is a lusty temple to the gods of chile and mala: warming on a nippy day, delightfully sweat-inducing on a hot day. Read more.
You'll find the unique treat of dao xiao mian, or "knife-cut" noodles, on the minimalist menu, as well as leek and onion pies. The wonton soup is loaded with minced pork and garlic wontons. Read more.
This downtown cozy-but-modern ramen shop offers a tasty twist on an old favorite. We crave the delicious chicken broth with chijire-style noodles and the belly-warming croquettes drizzled with katsu. Read more.
Individually crafted cocktails, an ingenious list of Euro-centric wines, and innovative food. In our increasingly sophisticated bar town, Bar Congress tops the list. Yep, we’ll drink to that. Read more.
A tiny, homey place for friends and neighbors to gather over fresh local pints and inexpensive classic cocktails made up of pre-Prohibition standards. Pam serve a righteous martini. Read more.
They had us at 4-hour validated parking. OK, there's also the terrific arthouse and foreign programming, the artisanal cheese plate and full bar, but it bears repeating: 4-hour validated parking! Read more.
This is about as hardcore as health food gets – everything is made entirely out of raw vegetable matter – but the menu isn't intimidating, and the atmosphere is sunny and cheerful. Read more.
The chill vegan/vegetarian/cyclist-proud vibe isn't the only drawing card here. From a tofu scramble to the Renedict, a reimagined eggs Benedict, the breakfast menu is outstanding. Read more.
What's not to love about this quirky sausage emporium? Aside from off-the-wall gourmet hot dogs (including vegan), Frank serves incredible coffee, well-made cocktails, and outstanding fried chicken. Read more.
This charming bistro transplants guests to the heart of France. The prix-fixe menu gets you three courses, with plenty of options in each. Unpretentious and respectful, and most of all, delicious.
Smart service, a comfy space (love the wraparound patio), and Mixed Mediterranean cuisine prepared authentically, whether it's shanks and paella or tapas with a drink from the intelligent bar list.
The elegant, inviting Paggi House has just about everything going for it. Try Paggi’s take on sweetbreads: Softly roasted with cremini mushrooms, it melts into a creamy sherry vinegar sauce. Read more.
You'll find this nationally recognized steak house in a historic Austin building. Good steaks and à la carte side dishes are accompanied by stock market quotes for the business crowd.
Eden East's dining room is a grouping of communal wooden tables under the stars at Springdale Farm. The combination of literally farm-fresh foods with inspired chefs in a peaceful setting is magical. Read more.
The devilish imp reigns supreme over the Drag's taco scene, with inventive combinations that appeal to the masses and salsas that are like crack to the endorphin-deprived.
This homegrown chain offers Austinites a quick, casual, and delicious version of the Döner kebap, a popular German street food. Carbophobes can skip the flatbread and eat it like a salad instead.
Channa striata, or Snakehead murrel, is a wonderfully sweet freshwater fillet with a medium flaky texture. Place this in a chapatti flatbread, and you have one of the best, fattest fish tacos in town. Read more.
From the best tortas anywhere, period, to quesadillas and tlacoyos, this is the closest we get here to real street-style antojitos. Superb pan dulce and tres leches cakes will satisfy the sweet tooth. Read more.
This is a traditional French bistro like you might find in Normandy, offering all the usual suspects like pâté de campagne, cassoulet, and beef bourguignon, plus on-site bakery. Magnifique!
West African fusion reigns at this darling trailer. We're still dreaming of the Couscous Moroccan, packed with cranberries, parsley, tomato relish, and set on a bed of mixed greens with cucumber.
Ingredients are of the highest quality, quantities are large, service is friendly, prices are very reasonable, and the flavors are outstanding. This is how a sandwich should be made. Read more.
