The 38 Best Restaurants in Austin, Fall 2026

When dining in Austin, one of the biggest questions is always: What are the best restaurants in Austin — those essential dining destinations that should not be missed? Eater Austin has the answer. The Eater 38 map strives to show diners where to eat across

the Texas city, with restaurant recommendations fit for any situation. The list spans numerous cuisines and budgets, collectively satisfying every need from food trucks to fine dining spots (we have maps for those, too), and ultimately covers the restaurants and food trucks that truly define Austin.

Eater Austin updates this map regularly to add pertinent restaurants, whether it’s because they have become newly eligible (a spot must have been open for at least six months) or revamped their menus or services. The goal is always to keep the list highly specific, inclusive, and reflective of Capitol City.

New to the map in October 2026: Fabrik, J. Carver, and Habanero Cafe. Meanwhile, Jeffrey’s, Ensenada ATX, and Veracruz All Natural have been rotated out.

Our write-ups include insider tips from our experienced writers and editors, as well as a rough range of pricing for each destination — ranging from $ for quick, inexpensive meals with dishes largely under $10, to $$$$ for places where entrees exceed $30.

For other Austin picks, check out the heatmap, a collection of the city’s hottest new dining options. For all the latest Austin dining intel, subscribe to Eater Austin’s newsletter.

Himalaya Kosheli Nepali & Indian

8650 Spicewood Springs Road, Austin, Texas 78759

[phone]

Open for: Lunch, dinner

Price range: $

Austin’s South Asian food scene has a small but strong contingent of North Indian and Nepalese restaurants. Of those, this casual Barrington Oaks restaurant is a standout: It serves the greatest hits from the Indian subcontinent, including momos, chow mein, chilis, dals, Himalayan goat curry, and biryanis. Inside, find a cozy, diner-like interior with booths flanking the far wall and 1980s-style lighting. Takeout orders can be placed online.

Must-try dish: Momos — the chewy, pan-fried Nepalese dumplings.

Pho Phong Luu

11800 Dessau Rd, Austin, TX, 78754, US

[phone]

Open for: Lunch, dinner

Price range: $$

This North Austin Vietnamese restaurant has been slowly building a base of die-hard fans for almost a decade. Even with a somewhat eccentric schedule (closed Wednesday and Thursday and for dinner on the weekends), Pho Phong Lu’u stays bustling, thanks to some of the most aromatic, flavorful pho broth in town. Though the pho is the main attraction, be sure to try a full spread: crackling egg rolls with pork and shrimp, expertly seasoned fried rice, and savory banh mi.

Vibe check: The strip-mall restaurant has a simple but cute interior and friendly staff, so it’s definitely worth a dine-in.

Usta Kababgy

9310 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin, Texas 78753

[phone]

Open for: Lunch, dinner

Price range: $$

With locations in North Austin and Round Rock, this casual Middle Eastern restaurant focuses on delectable halal grilled meats. The menu boasts a bevy of kebab options, such as lamb-and-beef adana and chicken, as well as shawarma bowls, wraps, falafels, and dolmas. Inside, find booth seating and friendly service. Online to-go ordering is available.

Must-try dish: The lahmajun (meat flatbread) is a filling, ripe-for-any-time comfort food.

House of Three Gorges

8557 Research Boulevard, Austin, Texas 78758

[phone]

Open for: Lunch, dinner

Price range: $$

The casual North Austin Sichuan restaurant, which has vowed to “keep Austin spicy” since it opened in 2020, offers some of the best regional Chinese in the city. Find specialties like red braised pork belly, spicy jumping fish, and brisket in a tangy radish soup; the mapo tofu, silky chunks of tofu bedded in a savory sauce, is also a diner favorite. The small dining room is typically packed on weekends, so consider getting there early, or take your order to go.

Know before you go: Feel like staying in? Order your meal to be delivered through Uber Eats and DoorDash.

Korea House

2700 West Anderson Lane, Austin, Texas 78757

[phone]

Open for: Lunch, dinner

Price range: $$

Dining at the casual Korean restaurant in North Shoal Creek is a perfectly homey experience. The traditional menu boasts stews (budae jjigae and the seaweed-y miyukguk), kimbap, and kimchi jeon. Then, there’s the fun grill-it-yourself barbecue setup with all sorts of meats, such as galbi and tender duck breasts, and a wide variety of banchan. Order from its selection of wines, cold sake, select beers, or its yuja ade, a Korean honey citron tea combined with sparkling water, lemon, and mint. The physical space is beautiful, with a pond outside and many group-friendly tables, though to-go ordering is also available.

Vibe check: Korea House is a place for the community: co-owner Mrs. Kim offers monthlyfree meals to those who need them.

Bufalina Due

6555 Burnet Road, Austin, Texas 78757

[phone]

Open for: Dinner

Price range: $$

Owner Steven Dilley and his pizzeria teams continue to impress diners at this Brentwood restaurant, which has an East Austin location with even more pasta options. The Neapolitan pies are simple but skillfully executed. Diners can’t go wrong with the exemplary margherita and the various special pies, which have included zucchini or potato pizzas, or appetizers like the Caesar salad or burrata with juicy peaches. Wine nerds will dig wine director Rania Zayyat’s intriguing and affordable bottle selection.

Best for: This is a wonderful date night option, with fancy pizza, great wine, and cozy quarters. Both locations accept takeout orders as well.

Paprika ATX

6539 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin, Texas 78752, United States

[phone]

Open for: Lunch and early dinner

Price range: $

This beloved trailer expanded to a restaurant (with air conditioning) in 2025, and taco lovers rejoiced. Paprika exudes feel-good vibes in its compact new space, serving classic tacos like carnitas, tinga de pollo, nopalitos, and champiñones, along with tortas, quesadillas, and specials. Start with the juicy suadero or carnitas wrapped in a warm corn tortilla with spicy salsas, and don’t forget an agua fresca — they rotate often but are always refreshing.

Best for: Paprika is a popular spot to take out-of-towners for the best tacos in Austin.

Fonda San Miguel

2330 W North Loop Blvd, Austin, TX, 78756, US

[phone]

Open for: Dinner

Price range: $$$$

This high-end restaurant in Allandale is a classic for a reason: Since the 1970s, Austin co-founders Tom Gilliland and late chef Miguel Ravago are credited with focusing on fine-dining Mexican food whose origins can be traced to regions like Oaxaca, Puebla, Veracruz, and Yucatan. Classic regional Mexican dishes include an array of chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, and wagyu steak tacos. Entering the restaurant is a truly transformative experience — the beautiful dining rooms decked out with lush plants and Mexican artwork will make you feel like you’re in a gorgeous Mexican villa.

Best for: Special occasions. Fonda is gorgeous with excellent food, but cost-appropriate.

Foreign & Domestic

306 East 53rd Street, Austin, Texas 78751

[phone]

Open for: Dinner, brunch

Price range: $$$

Chef-owners Sarah Heard and Nathan Lemley are still knocking it out of the park at this North Loop restaurant, which has been a neighborhood staple for 15 years — so much so that there would probably be local upheaval if any of its staple dishes were removed. The gruyere popovers with charred onion butter, homemade charcuterie, and rotating seasonal dishes like goat mafaldine and duck cassoulet have devout followings. Adventurous eaters should seek out the tasting menu, which makes skillful use of less common cuts of meat. With its small patio, intimate chef’s counter, and table seating, Foreign & Domestic works just as well for spontaneous meals as it does for special occasions — and it even offers online to-go ordering.

Know before you go: Foreign & Domestic is a small restaurant with an open kitchen, so reservations are a good idea. Opt for the chef’s counter for a front seat to the magic.

Komé

5301 Airport Boulevard, Austin, Texas 78751

[phone]

Open for: Lunch, dinner

Price range: $$

Co-owners Také and Kayo Asazu offer their takes on homestyle Japanese fare at this laid-back North Loop restaurant that offers excellent quality at a reasonable price. The menu offers a little bit of everything: starters like brie tempura, creative rolls like the sunshine roll with salmon, mango, and avocado, and luxe cuts like otoro nigiri, when available. Drinks-wise, there’s surprisingly good house wine, beer, and sake. The interior is beautiful, with natural wood and calming blue tiles and artwork, and there’s a small outdoor patio, too.

Know before you go: Stop by during the day for satisfying lunch-only options like filling ramen or loaded donburi bowls — the rich hokkai-don with salmon sashimi, ikura, and scallops

Allday Pizza [Tarrytown]

3111 West 35th Street, Austin, Texas 78703

Open for: Lunch, dinner

Price range: $$

This summer,Allday closed its East Sixth trailer behind Daydreamer to focus on its two brick-and-mortar locations in Tarrytown and Hyde Park — and the move seems to be for good measure. In an era when everyone’s charging what seems like too much for a slice, Allday delivers and is worth every penny. The Austin upstart turns out New York–style slices and 18-inch pies made from 48-hour cold-fermented Barton Springs Mill flour dough. Standouts include the Sweet Sausage, topped with ricotta cream, mozzarella, crumbled sausage, soppressata, red onion, and Calabrian honey, and the Industry Plant, a bright, vegetarian pie layered with mozzarella, verde sauce, arugula, lemon, and Grana Padano.

Know before you go: Sometimes it’s advertised on a menu, sometimes it’s not, but you’re gonna want to try out that pickle pizza.

Uchiko

4200 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin, Texas 78756

[phone]

Open for: Dinner

Price range: $$$$

Omakases may have taken over the country, and Uchiko may have expanded into a multi-state empire, but chef Tyson Cole’s second restaurant in Rosedale is still serving some of the best Japanese fare in Austin 15 years after its opening. Exceptional bites like simply garnished madai, the classic hama chili, and the cult-favorite milk and cereal dessert make up the very fabric of Austin dining. Despite the mainstays, the menu stays fresh with new and seasonal offerings, too, and a variety of seating means it’s easy to switch things up. Uchiko offers table service, a sushi counter, patio seating, a bar with some of the most delicious people-watching in town, and, surprisingly, takeout and delivery. Check out the happy hour for a slightly more wallet-friendly experience.

Vibe check: Uchiko is the epitome of Austin fancy. The space is simple but gorgeous, and contains patrons wearing anything from shorts to suits.

P Thai’s Khao Man Gai & Noodles [North Loop]

4807 Airport Boulevard, Austin, Texas 78751

Open for: Lunch, dinner

Price range: $$

The Eater Award-winning casual counter-service North Loop restaurant is a premier destination for comforting Thai Chinese dishes courtesy of chef Thai Changthong. The namesake khao man gai is the Thai iteration of Hainanese chicken, with tender chicken paired with chicken-fat rice, a sweet chili sauce, cucumbers, and chicken broth. Don’t skip the noodle soups or the daily specials. Takeout orders can be placed online, but if you can, dine in so you can take cute photos of your plates atop the restaurant’s gingham-print table covers.

Know before you go: Take vegetarian friends elsewhere — all P. Thai’s dishes are made with meat.

Fabrik

3108 Windsor Rd, Austin, TX 78703

[phone]

Open for: Dinner

Price range: $$$$

The vegan fine-dining tasting menu restaurant has reopened in its new Tarrytown home, in a sleek plant-filled space with clear influence from Nordic design. The seven-course tasting menu from co-owner and chef Je Wallerstein is full of creative plates that pull from her Japanese, Italian, and Nordic training. This can mean seasonal dishes like springy breads with bean dip and sticky leeks, and mushroom capelletti with corn cream. There’s an optional biodynamic wine pairing, or nonalcoholic options like kombucha. The restaurant has a sustainability focus, so many ingredients are from local farms, the restaurant’s hydroponic garden, or foraged.

Know before you go: Even in its new home, this is an intimate restaurant — make reservations early.

Crown & Anchor Pub

2911 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX, 78705, US

[phone]

Open for: Lunch, Dinner

Price range: $

For almost 40 years, this casual North Campus pub has been slinging affordable bar fare like fried pickles, Frito pie, and some of the city’s best burgers to hungry college students and sports fans who can enjoy more than 30 beers on tap. The vibes here are immaculate, and walking in can feel like a time warp, as patrons shoot pool and chat with friendly bartenders, often with nary a phone in sight. Though the pub is utterly unpretentious, it takes food seriously — the beef is sourced locally, the fries are crispy, and everything is properly seasoned. Open 365 days a year, Crown & Anchor is a great place to take out-of-towners to showcase the Lone Star State’s motto: Friendship.

Must-try dishes: The juicy burger — don’t forget the fries.

KG BBQ

3108 Manor Road, Austin, Texas 78723

[phone]

Open for: Lunch, dinner

Price range: $$

Austin veritably brims with barbecue restaurants, but this MLK Michelin Recommended food truck from pitmaster Kareem El-Ghayesh stands out because of the incredible Egyptian-Texan menu and minimal wait times. Look for pork ribs glazed with pomegranate seeds and za’atar, kebabs, turmeric rice studded with brisket and tahini, and smoked meats, available by the pound or in rice bowls and wraps. KG is located at Oddwood Brewing, which has indoor and outdoor areas (think picnic-table vibes). Those in a hurry can also order takeout online.

Best for: Families — Oddwood has an on-site playground, and KG makes a great macaroni and cheese.

Dai Due

2406 Manor Road, Austin, Texas 78722

[phone]

Open for: Dinner, brunch

Price range: $$$

This Cherrywood Texan restaurant is so regionally minded that even beer and wine are exclusively from the state. Equally satisfying for a lingering brunch or blowout feast at dinner, the Texas-forever menu under chef Jesse Griffith has heavier dishes like dry-aged wagyu rib-eyes, quails stuffed with boudin noir, grilled chicken hearts, and coffee-cured antelope leg filets. Diners can go lighter, too, with dishes like mixed greens salads and grilled cabbage. The decor vibe is industrial farmhouse — wood, brick, black accents, walls of preserves — and the outdoor patio has a vine canopy with twinkle lights.

Best for: Showing out-of-town visitors why Texas is great.

Este

2113 Manor Rd, Austin, TX, 78722, US

[phone]

Open for: Brunch, dinner

Price range: $$$$

This Cherrywood restaurant from the team behind Suerte is the ultimate destination for quality coastal Mexican food in Austin — that’s precisely why the team, led by Fermín Núñez, won an Eater Award in 2023. Every dish guarantees big flavor: There’s messy camarones “el ricas” (buttery spicy grilled shelled shrimp), creamy salsa-drenched pan-seared halibut, and fresh raw bar offerings. Don’t sleep on the large, nearly plate-sized tostadas that come with its salsa array, which may be some of the best chips and salsa in town. The indoor dining room is cool and coastal, and the outdoor patio has a view of the large garden that supplies fresh produce for the restaurant group.

Know before you go: Este can be pricey, but it runs happy hour for lunch service Friday through Sunday, including margaritas and excellent fish tacos.

Birdie’s

2944 East 12th Street, Austin, Texas 78702

[phone]

Open for: Dinner

Price range: $$$

This Chestnut neighborhood wine bar offers a friendly, casual dining experience with James Beard Award-recognized food and beverages. Every month, co-owner and chef Tracy Malechek-Ezekiel creates a new seven-course prix fixe menu of simple dishes done well. Expect handmade pasta, minute steak with a rotating vegetable like smoked cabbage, and wine-friendly seasonal appetizers like fried green tomatoes. Don’t skip the creamy soft serve drizzled in olive oil for dessert or the after-dinner drinks from co-owner Arjav Ezekiel.

Know before you go: Though there are a few reservations available, the restaurant is mostly walk-in. There will almost certainly be a line to get in — but it will be minimal when the restaurant opens at 5 p.m. Stalk their Instagram, where they often post about the rare times the line is short.

Nixta Taqueria

2512 E 12th St, Austin, TX, 78702, US

[phone]

Open for: Lunch, Dinner

Price range: $$

Chef Edgar Rico has to be one of the country’s most lauded taco chefs, winning the James Beard Awards’ emerging chef of 2022 and Michelin Guide’s Texas Young Chef Award. Rico works magic into every single one of Nixta’s tacos and tostadas, pulling influences from fine dining, Mexican-American cuisine, the on-site garden, and his wife and co-owner Sara Mardanbigi’s Iranian background. The vegetarian options truly showcase his creativity: the beet tartare is an artist’s statement piece, with tender cubed jewels of beets perked up by avocado crema and a squeeze of lime. Even a bean and cheese taco is made rich with duck fat refried beans and a hunk of chewy panela cheese. For a more in-depth experience, check out Nixta’s omakase service, which includes a six-course meal for $95 per person with optional beverage pairings ($45 per person for non-alcoholic drinks, $65 for wine). For something quick, order takeout — though you’ll miss the lively garden patio.

Must-try dishes: The ultra-rich duck carnitas taco and the beet tartare tostada even beet haters will marvel at.

Better Half Coffee & Cocktails

406 Walsh Street, Austin, Texas 78703

[phone]

Open for: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Price range: $$

This all-day cafe was named Eater Austin’s restaurant of 2018, and still, the team, which includes co-owners Matt and Grady Wright and Matthew Bolick, continues to deliver fantastic service and convivial vibes. The West Fifth space feels appropriately Austin with its large patio shaded by an old live oak tree, great coffee, and a first-rate lineup of beer, wine, and cocktails. The laid-back dishes steal the show: Think breakfast sandwiches layered with crispy hash brown patties, a filling fried chicken biscuit, and the iconic cauliflower tots. Dinner includes things like a Taiwanese-style fried chicken sandwich; smoked butter chicken crispy rice; and the same earthy beans and greens dish you can order in the morning, topped with a runny fried egg. Bonus: There’s a large parking lot on-site.

Best for: Casual first date. Brunch with friends. Coworking. Literally any occasion.

Franklin Barbecue

900 E 11th St, Austin, TX, 78702, US

[phone]

Open for: Lunch

Price range: $$$

There’s a reason Franklin has sold out of brisket every day since opening in 2009. In a city known for smoked meats, Franklin stands out. Yes, the lines are long — but yes, the brisket is worth it, with a peppery bark that melts in your mouth. Franklin sticks to a classic menu, offering snappy sausage, ribs with a bit of chew, and moist turkey, alongside potato salad, coleslaw, and pinto beans, but it’s all executed perfectly every time.

Know before you go: You can skip the line with a preorder — but be warned that waiting in line is half the experience.

J. Carver’s

509 Rio Grande Street, Austin, Texas 78701, United States

[phone]

Open for: Dinner

Price range: $$$$

There are many options for a fancy steak dinner in Austin, but J. Carver’s just off West Sixth is one of the most accessible, reservation-wise, while still delivering an exceptional culinary experience. From the owners of also-great Red Ash and Restaurant Francois, J. Carver’s serves steakhouse standards like oysters, dry-aged steaks, and lobster, while still keeping things exciting with sides like sweet corn brulee, blue crab fried rice, and baked potato gnocchi. Vibe-wise, this is definitely a celebration restaurant — brick, dark wood, cozy booths — and “business casual” attire is expected.

Know before you go: Feeling lucky? J. Carver’s has a large bar that often has room for walk-ins during the week.

Lao’d Bar

9909 Fm 969, Austin, Texas 78724

[phone]

Open for: Dinner

Price range: $$

The 2024 Eater Award-winning Far East Austin bar is chef Bob Somsith’s fully realized vision of fiery Laotian American cuisine, which he started during his food truck days. Lao’d Bar is all about full-on spices, from the nam khao (crispy fried rice with red curry) to its papaya salad, to the meaty skewers with dipping sauces (try the chicken with yellow curry and pineapple jicama slaw). First-timers should not miss the coconut escolar ceviche — escolar tuna cured with coconut water, coconut cream, and punchy vinegar — served in a fresh coconut bowl; it’s never too soon to order a second round. The converted space has garage doors for patio season and stellar tropical cocktails like the frozen guava-lanche margarita.

Must-try dish: Get as much of the menu as you can, but don’t skip the nam khao or the rib-eye skewer.

Fish Shop

1401 E 6th St, Austin, TX, 78702, US

[phone]

Open for: Lunch, dinner

Price range: $$$$

Landlocked Austin doesn’t have a massive seafood scene, and Fish Shop has become a shining star since opening last year, earning the Eater Award for Best New Restaurant in 2025. Chef and co-owner Justin Huffman’s close relationship with his fish supplier means the menu has specials like ultra-sweet Half Moon Bay spot prawns and lobster ice cream. Huffman has also included his famous Le Beef burger from his one-time pop-up. The East Sixth space is tight but convivial, with friendly service and an excellent martini from co-owner Nicole Rossi.

Vibe check: This place is very cool, but doesn’t take itself too seriously. The restaurant is watched over by an old taxidermied marlin passed down from Rossi’s grandfather.

Canje

1914 East 6th Street, Austin, Texas 78702

[phone]

Open for: Dinner

Price range: $$$

The East Austin Caribbean restaurant from the talented Emmer & Rye restaurant group was named Eater Austin’s best new restaurant in 2022, and it continues to stack accolades, including a James Beard Award recognition. Canje pays tribute to executive chef and pastry expert Tavel Bristol-Joseph’s Guyanese roots with buttery roti, wild boar pepper pot, and jerk chicken. Since it’s a Bristol-Joseph project, don’t overlook the desserts, especially the tres leches cake and the puzzlingly good Cassareep ice cream, which features hints of dark chocolate; dollops of sweet, tangy passion fruit jam; as well as crunchy puffed rice, salty pepitas, and delicate flowers. The upscale tropical vibe delightfully seeps into the fruity but balanced drinks, its large bar, and the small outdoor patio.

Must-try dish: The boldly spicy jerk chicken. It’s unforgettable.

Apt 115

2025 E 7th St, Austin, TX, 78702, US

[phone]

Open for: Dinner

Price range: $$$$

Tucked in the bottom of an apartment building on East 7th lies this cozy, recently revamped wine bar from owner Joe Pannenbacker that makes for a great date night — even for the planning-averse. Pannenbacker curates the wines and the music, while Chef Joshua van den Berg offers a creative menu of classic French fare tinged by his time spent in Bangkok. That yields dishes like compressed melon with yuzu, a pad Thai “candy bar,” and duck confit with lentils, available as part of a tasting menu or a la carte. The restaurant is walk-in friendly, and there’s a separate bar menu with items like chef’s chili cheese dog.

Know before you go: APT 115 sells its extensive wine collection at retail price, so don’t be surprised if you leave with a new favorite bottle under $30.

Joe’s Bakery & Coffee Shop

2305 East 7th Street, Austin, Texas 78702

[phone]

Open for: Breakfast, lunch

Price range: $$

Founded in 1962 by Joe and Paula Avila, this historic Mexican bakery is a pillar of the East Austin community, now run by the Avilas’s granddaughter Regina Estrada. Diners will first encounter the exceptional daytime menu, with wonderfully tender and juicy barbacoa breakfast, excellent migas, filling lunch tacos like chicken and beef picadillo tacos served with diner’s choice of flour, corn, or crispy shelled tortillas, and rice and beans, and a hard-to-beat $12 rotating daily special served Tuesday through Friday with tea. The restaurant has also long been committed to providing resources and services to its community. Estrada is an advocate for East Austin, ensuring people are informed about local politics, and she even directly registers voters. Squeeze in at a table next to the tempting bakery case or on one of the outside tables.

Vibe check: Very old-school. Joe’s has been open for over 60 years and was named a James Beard Foundation’s America’s Classic restaurant in 2023.

Dee Dee

1906 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX, 78702, US

[phone]

Open for: Lunch, Dinner

Price range: $$

After closing in 2025, beloved Thai restaurant Dee Dee has made a triumphant return — with new menu items, to boot — as part of the absolutely gorgeous Leona space in Sunset Valley. Familiar dishes include om gai, a spicy chicken soup, and the tofu stir fry, plus new bites like dumplings and Thai fried chicken. The new five-acre location reflects chef Lakana Sopajan-Trubiana’s own dedication to gardening, and provides a setting to linger in, with lots of native plants, a water feature, fire pits, a playscape, and an indoor area with coffee drinks and a full bar. (There’s also a location of taco favorite Veracruz on-site). It’s a casual spot that appeals to all crowds.

Must-try dishes: The spicy, veggie-loaded tofu stir-fry, the comforting om gai, and the refreshing papaya salad

Mercado Sin Nombre

408 Pleasant Valley Road, Austin, Texas 78702

[phone]

Open for: Breakfast, lunch

Price range: $

Off Pleasant Valley in East Austin, this coffee shop brews an excellent cup of joe that’s light on astringency and heavy on complex flavors. The signature Atole Cortado pairs espresso with masa-infused oat milk and a side of atole, a warm masa-based drink flavored with cinnamon and vanilla. There are seasonal offerings too like this summer’s Beet the Heat, an americano with golden beet juice, burnt honey, chile de árbol, brightened by atole. Though Mercado Sin Nombre is very serious about its coffee, the real star is the lean, masa-obsessed food menu. Biscuits, burritos, pancakes, and sandwiches all with masa as a focal point will have you daydreaming about them for years to come.

Know before you go: The food can sell out fast here, so you may want to get there a few hours before closing.

Odd Duck

1201 South Lamar Boulevard, Austin, Texas 78704

[phone]

Open for: Dinner

Price range: $$$

Odd Duck was a leader in the farm-to-table revolution in Austin when it opened in 2009, and is still making some of the best food in the city with a creative, ever-changing menu of small plates from chef Bryce Gilmore. Dishes at the casual Zilker restaurant might include braised goat pizza with pecan mole, spicy redfish chalupa, and tres leches made with cocoa nibs and grapefruit, all served within a rustic, homey dining room with floor-to-ceiling windows that let in a muted natural light. Don’t leave without one of its cocktails, which include palomas on draft, frozen margaritas, and an earthy Six Beet From the Edge, made with mezcal, tequila, Peychaud’s, rosemary-beet syrup, and lemon. Diners can also build their own Old Fashioned, choosing from a list of the restaurant’s top-shelf spirits, which is then mixed with Odd’s signature spiced syrup and Angostura bitters.

Know before you go: Reserve in advance; seating options include indoor and outdoor tables or a spot at the wraparound bar to watch the open kitchen at work.

La Barbecue

2401 East Cesar Chavez Street, Austin, Texas 78702

[phone]

Open for: Lunch

Price range: $$

The city has an embarrassment of world-class smoky meats, and this East Austin spot has earned plenty of honors: a Michelin star, a spot on Texas Monthly’s best barbecue list, and a rave review from TikTok critic Keith Lee. The late LeAnn Mueller, of the legendary Texas barbecue family, launched the barbecue joint in 2012, and it’s now run solely by Mueller’s wife, Ali Clem. Go for the brisket, sausages, and any of the inventive sandwiches, and be sure to order the superb shells and cheese made with smoked vegetables for a spicy kick. Tailor your tray for a true La Barbecue experience, and chow down amid classic barbecue vibes indoors or on the patio.

Know before you go: Be prepared to wait in line for at least an hour, but you can skip it by ordering ahead.

Intero

2612 East Cesar Chavez Street, Austin, Texas 78702

[phone]

Open for: Dinner

Price range: $$$

Chef and co-owner Ian Thurwachter uses beautiful fresh produce from local farms and whole-animal cooking to create memorable Italian dishes like roasted duck breast over risotto, springy pastas like mafaldine with rosemary-tinged Bolognese, and pizzas at this restaurant on East Cesar Chavez. The menu changes constantly, but the pastas and anything with duck are great bets. Co-owner and pastry chef Krystal Craig is a chocolatier, so save room for desserts such as brown butter cake with cinnamon gelato — or at least take home some of her handmade chocolates.

Best for: Intero is a pro date move — tasty local fare, cute dining room and patio, and nice without being too nice.

Justine’s

4710 East 5th Street, Austin, Texas 78702

[phone]

Open for: Dinner

Price range: $$$$

This East Austin French restaurant enshrines indulgence with rich dishes, late hours, and a festive atmosphere. Open until midnight on weekends, Justine’s serves French food like steak frites, escargot, duck confit, and ratatouille, along with a hefty burger topped with Gruyere cheese. There’s a blood-red dining room, but most seating is on the patio, which is draped in fabric and lit by chandeliers in the winter.

Vibe check: Justine’s is absolutely a scene, and a popular spot for visiting celebrities who always think they are the first to discover this “hidden gem.”

Bouldin Creek Café

1900 S 1st St, Austin, TX, 78704, US

[phone]

Open for: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Price range: $

Beloved by residents of 78704 and beyond, this vegetarian cafe in Bouldin Creek from owner Leslie Martin offers a varied menu of diner fare paired with locally roasted coffee. The cafe provides a taste of old-school Austin in its design (a quirky Slackers vibe inside and out) and food, which features loaded vegetable taco plates with sides of crispy plantain chips. Breakfast is served all day with plenty of egg-centered dishes, like a potato leek omelet or breakfast tacos, but vegans can opt for tofu scramble instead. There is online to-go ordering, but at a place like this, it’s better to soak up the vibes.

Best for: A casual breakfast catch-up with friends

Habanero Cafe

501 W Oltorf St, Austin, TX, 78704, US

[phone]

Open for: Breakfast, lunch

Price range: $$

This small, family-owned cafe off South First is the absolute GOAT when it comes to homestyle Tex Mex fare and hangover food. Open for almost 30 years, the menu and decor have not changed much at Habanero — regulars would probably riot if it did. Veteran servers deliver sizzling fajitas, healing menudo, and enchiladas to Formica tables and mismatched chairs. Though nondescript, Habanero is hardly a hidden gem — expect a wait on weekends.

Know before you go: Elsewhere, menudo is often a weekend special, but at Habanero it’s served daily, and extra spicy.

LeRoy & Lewis [Restaurant]

5621 Emerald Forest Drive, Austin, Texas 78745

[phone]

Open for: Lunch, dinner

Price range: $$

Pitmaster Evan LeRoy, Sawyer Lewis, and their team made a name for themselves with this Michelin-starred, new-school barbecue restaurant in Garrison Park. Think intensely flavorful meats, including beef cheeks, smoked chicken, and pulled hog, plus dishes like chicken-fried steak specials and burgers. It may be a meat-centric spot, but don’t skip the vegetables, especially the cauliflower burnt ends. Meats may run out at lunch, but there’s a full bar, dinner specials, and a nice patio, so don’t be afraid to visit later in the day.

Must-try dish: Tender beef cheeks and that sinfully juicy burger.

Distant Relatives

3901 Promontory Point Dr, Austin, TX, 78744, US

[phone]

Open for: Lunch, dinner

Price range: $$

The McKinney food truck at Meanwhile Brewing has grown into an essential Austin barbecue spot — there’s a reason Eater named it one of the best restaurants in the country and in the city in 2021. James Beard Awards semifinalist pitmaster Damien Brockway and his team showcase the foodways of the African American diaspora. There are succulent chicken legs paired with a chile-vinegar dip, pulled pork with tangy tamarind-molasses barbecue sauce, and superb sides like burnt ends mixed with black-eyed peas and barbecue jumbled rice. Grab something crisp and bubbly from Meanwhile, like its iced tea and lemon kolsh, Fore!, or its Italian-style pilsner.

Know before you go: This truck’s host site at Meanwhile Brewing has a giant shaded outdoor area with picnic tables, a soccer field, and more food trucks, making it an excellent place for an outing with kids. There’s a small indoor seating area, too, for when the weather doesn’t cooperate.