Best No Reservation Restaurants in Austin

De Nada Cantina – This east side (and now South Lamar) spot feels like a popular bar mixed with a quality ingredients Tex-Mex restaurant all in one. You’ll witness their hot pink plastic cups on every table, which hold their dangerously strong, yet delicious, frozen margaritas, and the space really reminds me of Mexico City in the main dining room, an atrium-like space where you’re surrounded by plants and a fountain. The bar area is decorated with bright yellow, pink, and green colors, and if you can snag a seat here, you’re the lucky one! Believe it or not, I’m not the type to order queso at a Mexican restaurant regularly, unless I’m here! I love their chips and array of salsas and queso. For dinner, order the fried Mexico City Quesadillas, which you can’t find anywhere else in town, and the Sweet Potato Tacos.

Cisco’s – Willie Nelson and Lyndon B. Johnson used to eat here, so you probably should, too. The back rooms are full of historic photos on the walls and on the tables, and the front room has a nice countertop area with some colored and white tiles looking onto 6th Street. The only things you should be ordering here are the Buttered Biscuits — make sure to ask for them to be buttered — and the Migas.

Eldorado Cafe – I used to work out next to Eldorado twice a week for three years, so yes, I’ve known about this place and that restaurant critic Matthew Odam raves about it, but it took me 8 years to finally try it. What a shame because I could have been eating that incredibly tender Carne Asada Taco Bowl with fresh greens and black beans all these years! I love that this no-frills spot has a 45-minute wait regularly, even on a Tuesday, and that the menu has so many different options compared to other Mexican/Tex-Mex spots. Taste the freshness of every bite at Eldorado, chat with the kind staff that makes Austin feel like Austin, and the salsa sampler wins your initiation here with all 5 house salsas, made fresh every day. Don’t be scared about the wait as you can order that salsa app and have drinks out on the patio while you wait.

El Marisquero – El Marisquero actually looks like Mexico City to me for some reason, unlike a lot of other trucks — maybe because it has its own area away from any other restaurants, but maybe it’s the flags, decor, and long picnic tables. Their menu is quite large and all the seafood really excited me since most taco trucks in Austin primarily boast their Al Pastor recipes. I can’t live a day without seafood. Go for the Shrimp Taco and Battered Fish, which is the biggest monster I’ve ever seen and still tender inside vs. being overly fried to a crisp. I have no idea how they make it so soft!

La Santa Barbacha – La Santa Barbacha is a food truck connected to Fleet Coffee and across from Love Supreme on Manor Road. Sometimes, I feel like tacos are skimping on the amount of ingredients inside the tortillas, but everything here is up to par with my proportion requirements (ha!), especially in the Crispy Cheese Taco and the Quesabarbecha. This is basically a quesadilla with crunchy cheese on the edges and soft cheese on the inside, with an ideal amount of juicy barbacoa that will fill you up. Plus, the beet and spinach tortillas that you can choose from add both flavor and color to the already tasty tacos. There’s covered seating, wooden tables, and sturdy chairs, and I need to go back for breakfast!

Taco Flats – The fact that you can actually order a margarita, beer, or glass of wine and have tacos makes these giant flour monsters taste even better. It’s an actual restaurant so they have a liquor license. The tortillas are super floury, and you could easily just eat one and be full, but we all know that’s no fun! I prefer breakfast tacos here over dinner. Go for the Black & Green: Grilled Jack Cheese, Refried Black beans, Scrambled Eggs, Guacamole, Grilled Onion. Just make sure you order one with their refried black beans.

Thai Fresh – This Thai spot that screams South Austin vibes won my heart when I moved back to Austin in 2016 with their bowl of Pad Prik King, made with red curry paste that emits a sweet flavor, green beans, and the heartiest brown rice. Now that I live around the corner and work with the owner, Jam, who is from Bangkok, I walk over for lunch way too often and debate between the Red Curry with Shrimp, Pad See Ew with ground beef, or Broccoli Stir Fry, if it’s a special. They have my favorite ice cream and baked goods in town, plus it happens to all be gluten-free and the ice cream’s vegan. Everything is mostly soft and sweet the way I like it, such as the Salted Caramel Brownie (get it heated up), Coffee Cake, S’mores Bar, and the Chocolate and Golden Milk ice cream. All the flavors change seasonally so the holidays are fun! You can place orders for birthday cakes or ice cream cakes at their sister bakery and coffee shop, Gati, and my favorite is the Chocolate Cake with Peanut Butter Icing.

Uroko – Truthfully, I’ve never been a big fan of handrolls because the seaweed is hard to bite into or the roll falls apart in my hand. However, the temaki here were unlike any I’ve had, so much so that I felt a whole change in my spirit and attitude. The Bluefin Tuna Taku held bluefin tuna, cucumber, takuan, wasabi butter, and shiso for $8, and I absolutely loved the sour, vinegary flavor mixed with the tuna in a warm and comforting roll with every ingredient in each bite. I also tried the Marfa Roll with tuna, hamachi, avocado, yuzu kosho, cucumber, and shiso, and the Spicy Tuna, which almost tasted like sriracha, but I would go back just to get a bunch of the Bluefin rolls. It’s counter-service, open for lunch every day, and I can’t wait to eat there again. They also offer sushi making classes, including private ones that could be fun for an event, and an omakase with 12 courses for $84.

Soupleaf – Soupleaf offers an all-you-can-eat hot pot lunch for $25 and dinner for $35, and it’s exciting and extremely overwhelming at the same time to see the options. Choose from five different types of broths, but I’d recommend the Miso Dashi, which they poured out of a teapot-like spout. After receiving your broth, head to the buffet tables full of vegetables, greens, sauces, rice, and noodles, plus a table of seafood and a buffet of desserts. Pick your protein from your waiter, and they bring it to you on a tower, but the meat was actually the least tasty part because the vegetables were so much better. I scooped a bowl of rice from the rice maker, and topped my bowl of soup after letting the root veggies cook in the broth before adding spinach and bean sprouts. They also had a soft serve machine, so after three bowls of soup (I couldn’t stop), I had two bowls of soft serve that tasted just like the Jason’s Deli soft serve I loved as a kid, and then literally couldn’t eat dinner that night. I will happily go back any time, whoever wants to come with me!

Super Thai – Sometimes I mix it up and go to Super Thai, which I like because they have different offerings and a lot of seafood, such as Ahi Tuna Scoops. I also love the sticky and chewy Thai Chives Dumplings that are street style made with tapioca flour paired with a sweet and tangy soy sauce. I LOVE Khao Soi as it is the dish that truly turned me onto Thai curries and it’s hard to find here. I order this one with chicken, and for a vegetarian option, go for E2 the Veggie Supreme! I like the interior and service style here better than Sap’s.

P-Thai’s – The traditional Thai dish of Khao Man Gai brings so many of my ideal flavors together with poached chicken, rice with chicken fat, cucumbers, and a fermented bean ginger chili sauce. After trying this dish at P Thai’s, I will happily eat here every day of my life. The place reminds me of a restaurant that would be in a large metropolitan city like Houston because it feels very authentically Asian in terms of the way the chickens are hanging up and how the menu is designed — known for one popular dish, but everything else is outstanding, too. We added the Wontons, which are the best dumplings I’ve had outside of the soup ones from Qi, but the Khao Man Gai comes with a broth so it’s plenty of food on its own. There’s plenty of parking, order at the counter, and the food comes out quickly. I’d want to go even by myself, knowing I will get something warm, healing, and authentic.

Kitsu Nori – At Kitsu Nori, walk through a gigantic back garden upon arrival into a midnight blue dining room with a square bar. The space doesn’t feel like anything I’m used to in Austin because of its size — I find that most sushi spots in town are either a 10-seat omakase centered around the chefs or a really expansive space like Uchi, but this was somewhere right in the middle. I typically much prefer nigiri or Uroko’s temaki to hand rolls, but these hand rolls enticed me with a “build-your-own” process that led to such a fresh bite and crisp paper. The food arrives on a wooden plate, then you pick up a nori sheet, flip the fish and rice onto the nori, dress it yourself with a soy sauce “eyedropper,” wrap it and eat right away. Of course, I went for the Toro, and the ideal proportions really made the fish sing. As for starters, the greens in the Midori Salad tasted so fresh, and the Toro Cashew with sultana raisin, shiro dashi, negi, and olive oil melted in my mouth. Next to the hand rolls, the must-order dish is the deconstructed Salmon Butter Tostada with medium rare Ora King salmon topped with chili crisp, and layers next to each other of smoked trout roe, pickled onion, egg, and a white cream sauce. The fish is served with a sumac-seasoned tostada chip, that, again, you get to dress yourself so the chip stays fresh from start to finish. I loved this space, and the hand roll lived up to my desires since I love raw fish so much! This is a great place to pop in on a weeknight, grab a couple hand rolls, and go on your merry way solo or with a crew.

An Nyeong Korean Tofu House – The Korean-born owner of An Nyoeng Korean opened this as his first restaurant after feeling like there wasn’t an authentic Korean spot where he wanted to eat in town. The Raw Marinated Crab comes in its hard shell, and you dig out the raw crudo-like crab from the shell that’s doused in a powerfully red, sweet yet tangy sauce. The Seafood Pancake aka Pajeon is really crunchy and battered, and I loved the dipping sauce that came with it! One dish that really surprised me was the Arrowroot Cold Noodles, served in a complex knitting ball shape of noodles twisted together that Jacoby expertly separated using his chopsticks. The noodles almost tasted like soba noodles, but much thinner, and were served in a cold healing broth. You squeeze on vinegar and mustard to mix, which tasted like wasabi, to add even more flavor. They serve other standard Korean dishes like Tofu Soup, Bibimbap, and Bulgogi, but my mind was so elevated by eating these new dishes I didn’t expect, so I encourage you to go live an adventure and reward yourself here.

Kiin Di – There are a ton of Thai restaurants around here, but the newcomer, Kiin Di, offers dishes from the Northern part of Thailand that I don’t see regularly. Go for the Shrimp Blossom Salad appetizer covered in herbs and bold flavors like lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, mint, fried shallots, and a spicy homemade chili jam dressing, and the Dang! Curry, essentially a red curry served with potatoes, roasted onions, jalapeños, and basil. I also recommend the Pork Ribs Kati with grilled pork that fell off the bone and were paired with a spicy smokey green chili dip.The space kind of feels like an office building with nothing on the walls and a giant room so there is zilch vibe, but that’s not why I come here. Kids will love the fried chicken and rice!

Tancho – I’m always looking for great sushi, and one with an affordable omakase available for less than $30 at lunchtime like this is CRAZY. With four different offerings at both lunch and dinner from $29 to $59 AND at this high of quality, this really is a steal for everyone! The signature is $35 at lunch and $39 at dinner with the Suomono Cucumber Salad, Tuna Sashimi, and nigiri such as Yellowtail, Salmon, Albacore, Akami, which is my favorite tuna, and then two open handrolls. I loved it all except the salmon handroll, which was too sweet.

Terry Black’s – Terry Black’s is straight-up Texas barbecue that always reminds me of my childhood as I grew up visiting my family in Lockhart regularly, although the one on Barton Springs is the best one now. My family came from Poland in the early 1900’s and settled in this small town running the grocery store, tailor, and more. My cousins are close with Terry Black, so we’d always get their Chicken and Cobbler and pair it with Kreuz Brisket… shh! Newer to the Austin scene is this Terry Black’s BBQ outpost (Barton Springs Road only) owned by Terry’s two twin boys who are my age. I’m guessing this is the most profitable and busy BBQ spot in town since they are open for lunch and dinner. Get brisket, which is less wet than the other places on this list but still good (and served in a different style that won’t give you the meat sweats), the giant Beef Rib, Green Beans, and Corn Muffin! Everything is served cafeteria-style so grab a tray and load it up!

Rollin’ Smoke – I don’t know why more people aren’t talking about this BBQ food truck that offers the same high-quality and tender brisket as all the other top spots, but I’ve been coming here since 2021. Kyle, the owner, knows so much about barbecue and is really passionate about what he does as he creates new dishes on the reg. They offer a very different menu from other places, with menu items like a Questaco, a fried, cheesy, smoked barbacoa taco, and Pastrami Burnt Ends I can’t wait to eat again. Everything is so good that you don’t just come for one thing — you can do a traditional BBQ plate or try something different with every visit. I’ve also hired Kyle to do catering for an event, and I think he’s an all around good resource for barbecue. Check their Instagram to see what they have on any given day!

La Barbecue – This Barbecue counter on East Cesar Chavez has had many iterations from its start as a food truck to being tucked into the neighboring Quickie Pickie to now having its own space and earning a Michelin Star! There is always a line wrapped around the corner for the juicy brisket, turkey, and ribs, and their sides really shine, like the Shells & Cheese, which has a little kick to it, and the Chipotle Slaw. They are closed Monday and only open until 6 p.m.!

Leroy and Lewis – Recognized by Texas Monthly for its new school BBQ and now the owner of a Michelin star, Leroy and Lewis is innovating the barbecue game with Beef Cheeks, Barbacoa, and even vegan-friendly Cauliflower Burnt Ends. They source all their cuts from small, local purveyors, and they’re also known for their burgers, which I haven’t tried. Plus, their BBQ sauce is made from beets! Their brisket is at the top of the game.

Allday Pizza –  Allday has collectively swept Austin, becoming the best pizza by the slice in town. Founders Townsend and Dan make pizza like artists creating a painting. These East Coast transplants create what might seem like New York-style pizza, but it’s truly their own. You can immediately taste the difference in their crust compared to Home Slice or a $2 street slice. Their dough is remarkably crunchy yet thin, never drooping under the toppings. The toppings don’t overflow, and though you won’t get that childhood cheese-pull, with flavors this good, you don’t need it. As a devoted tomato sauce girl, I rarely choose white pies, but All Day’s Sweet Sausage with Ricotta Cream, Mozz, Red Onion, and Calabrian Honey wraps a perfect sweet-salty balance that might be my menu favorite. The Hyde Park location feels like a blend of Austin and Brooklyn, and their pizza is light and refreshing. The Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie costs more than their Classic Cheese Slice, and respectfully so. Brown butter and flaky sea salt are my essential cookie ingredients, so I knew it would be amazing. That’s all — go get this match made in heaven!

Uptown Sports Club – Aaron Franklin’s non-BBQ spot pays homage to the original Uptown Sports Club in its East Austin building. It feels exactly like Louisiana and has nice exposed brick, plants, and a cool loose “L” shape to the room with half booths and table seating behind the bar. My favorite dishes at this Texas and Louisiana-inspired spot are the Raw Bar, Double Cheeseburger with the saltiest fries I’ve ever had, Grilled Redfish on the Half Shell, a Cherry Jubilee Freeze, and the El Jardinero Cocktail. They have TV’s so you can expect the Longhorn game to be on the screen, which makes it in between a dive/sports bar and a restaurant.

Dovetail – This pizza spot on South First has crispy pizza (get the Bittersweet pie with eggplant), big craveable salads, Negronis on draft, and a decadent chocolate torte to end the night. It’s super chill for an easy weeknight, a big birthday, and while it’s mostly for walk-ins, you can make a reservation for a larger group. It fits right in with the neighborhood, so don’t forget about it! They call this style of pizza Egyptian, and with the long thin-cut slices, crunchy crust, and stable base, I’m in!

Bufalina – As a pizzeria with a sexy-looking oven in the center and the best wine list in town, I became a big Bufalina fan when they relocated down the street from their original location and added a new chef. They have the absolute best happy hour that I’ll shout from the rooftops, which is 50% off pizzas and 50% off any wine under $100 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. daily. Go for their Neapolitan Pizza, cooked at 900 degrees for 90 seconds, but don’t miss their Red Sauce Pasta or Bibb Salad starter. Their vanilla ice cream drizzled with sherry is a fun way to end your Italian fantasy.

Kinda Tropical – Just around the corner is this old converted gas station (with the wall of drink fridges still intact) that offers a great menu of Mexican inspired dishes. Order the Cuban Yucca Fries with Jalapeño Avocado Dip. They are dense, comforting and will make you come back just for these with a frozen cocktail at dinner. One of my absolute favorite salads in town full of flavor is the Sesame Salad with Pulled Chicken, Local Butter Lettuce, Avocado, Peanut, Cilantro. They also have burgers, a fried chicken sandwich, and vegetarian options like a jackfruit and crispy tofu one that you can enjoy in the backyard that’s always packed with hipsters.

Bouldin Creek Café – Everything here is vegetarian, and I find myself coming here multiple days a week when I get the craving. I love the special salad bowl in the fall when it has butternut squash and chickpeas, but my favorite dish is the Zucchini Migas with real eggs and cheese (you can get both vegan as well), whole wheat tortillas, and the refried black beans. They have all kinds of coffee and tea, and the breakfast sandwich is also a good order, plus the curry. Weekend brunch looks like a long wait so I’d go for weekday lunch or dinner.

Casa de Luz – This macrobiotic vegetarian oasis, tucked right off Toomey Road and backing up to the Town Lake trail, has been here since 1991. The menu rotates daily and is posted at the cash register when you hand over $14 for the daily meal, which always includes a Soup, Salad, and Entrée Plate with a side of cooked kale topped with an almond sauce, shredded beets, beans or polenta, and then the main attraction in the middle. I love it when it’s Guacamole Tacos on Wednesday Lunch, Vegetarian Sushi, or an Almond Butter sauce-topped broccoli. This is definitely “old Austin” and my safe place for getting my health back on track when I need to and don’t want to cook.