Where to Eat in Austin, Texas Now

Qi – This is the sister restaurant to Lin Asian in Clarksville and located downtown. Decorated like a more upscale Chinese restaurant, there are two large format dining tables when you first walk in, so it’s ideal for a large party and reminds me of big family dinners. I like to waltz in on the weekend for lunch after a swim and sit at the bar with a friend to order two platters of Shanghai Soup Dumplings, Egg Drop Soup, and Pea Shoots.

Uchiba – The Uchi team’s newest venue reminds me so much of NYC with its more elegant and luxurious design. I particularly love the gorgeously-lit bar and arches throughout the space. They do offer several different dishes than their original, but I’m still coming here for all my go-to nigiri, including the Bluefin Otoro, Hamachi, Kanpachi, and Nasu (Japanese Eggplant). However, you can order Buns and Baos, Dumplings and Yakitori.

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 go for lunch way too often and choose the Red Curry with Shrimp, Pad See Ew with ground beef, and 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, and 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.

Siti – Filipino Chef Laila Bazahm’s food draws from her heritage and time living and cooking in Singapore, and as a result, every exciting dish will teach you about different flavors you might not have experienced in town. The Laksa, Wok-Fired Duck Noodles, Serrano Curry Cabbage, and Hiramasa are some of my first favorites, and the menu is always evolving. Don’t skip dessert, as chef Laila partnered with Merry Monarch Creamery to create incredible desserts like the frozen Tiramisu and Banana Split, along with scoops of Tom Kha Lime and Oreo Miso ice cream.

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 would happily eat here every day of my life. The Wontons 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.

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, so it’s all good. Kids will love the fried chicken and rice!

Mum Foods – Mum Foods started at farmers’ markets in town before doing a pop-up where Este is now, and eventually opening their brick-and-mortar pretty far east on Manor Road. This is some of the best pastrami I’ve ever had — maybe better than Katz’s Delicatessen in NYC — and you feel like you’re in Lockhart when you stand in line for their smoked meats with your tray to order. It’s almost like a Jewish Texas deli serving up Matzo Ball Soup, Corned Beef, and Brisket for the ages!

Pecan Square Café – When you walk into Pecan Square Café, your nervous system settles. Something about the artwork, black-and-white tile, and eye-level windows everywhere transport you to California. When you look at the menu, you recognize the dishes and the seasonal ingredients in their Alice Waters-esque cuisine, allowing every dish to taste like it came straight from the garden. The Local Lettuce here is how food should taste featuring only lettuce and herbs, a sign that the chef knows what they’re doing. Super salty, crispy, and thick enough to taste the potato, their Hand Cut Frites have earned the title of my favorite fries in Austin! The Spring Onion Pizza tastes more like flatbread with super fresh ingredients, and the Wood Oven Roasted Chicken with spinach, caper, and lemon jus is perfectly crispy and my kind of comfort food. The corner of the bar feels like someone’s San Francisco home, the dining room lighting cozies you up, and the patio is an ideal al fresco dining experience. Not a bad seat in the house! You can eat healthy and indulge throughout the same meal without feeling too heavy as they don’t overdo it with heavy amounts of oil and butter and showcase salt-of-the-earth ingredients. I’m convinced that Pecan Square is such a sleeper hit as it showcases what MML does so well in its music, design, and service. The food almost feels like an afterthought, but since Chef April Bloomfield joined the MML team, the menu has been elevated. I would love to go anytime.

Odd Duck – When I first moved back to Austin eight years ago, I always read about Bryce Gilmore and his restaurants, Barley Swine and Odd Duck, because those were the places to be, but I would look at the menu and just didn’t “get it” until I finally went and understood. It turns out that all the flavors in your mouth come together to create a culinary adventure that doesn’t always exist at other restaurants. Everything is playful and unique and very farm-to-table. Your meal can be as light or as heavy as you want as their typical menu is meat-heavy, but they also have a vegetarian menu. My most recent favorite dish was the Butternut Squash Chalupa that tasted like fall in my mouth, and I also love the Grilled Jerk Shrimp! This might not look like a place for everybody as I can imagine someone looking at the menu and not recognizing ingredients, but even the pickiest eaters will leave here having enjoyed a true culinary experience.

Emmer & Rye – I consider Emmer & Rye to be one of the restaurants that put Austin on the map (aside from Bryce Gilmore or Tyson Cole) as Chef Kevin Fink was named one of Food & Wine’s Best New Chefs in 2016, the year after they opened. It’s the only real restaurant on Rainey — RIP— and won a Michelin Green Star for sustainability. The chef’s counter is almost like an omakase, but you get to order whatever you want and watch the chefs as they move through courses, from bread to pasta and dessert, in their different stations. I loved noticing that the kitchen and the executive floor positions were run by females, and the food truly tastes better eating up here while interacting with the whole scene. What I think Emmer & Rye does best is their vegetables and pasta. Everyone talks about their Cacio e Pepe with Paddlefish Caviar, but the vegetarian dishes are the most elaborate and exciting dishes to me. The Pappardelle with Ragu was incredible with plenty of ragu and meat, and my favorite dish of the night ended up being a vegetarian Sweet Potato Tamal with mushroom chorizo, corn relish, and pecan salsa macha. They do such a great job sourcing from farms, hence the Green Star, and the chef’s counter will heighten your senses and take you to another place!

Bar Toti – Bar Toti sits next to sister restaurant Este and supplies communal tables for a shared happy hour, which is all day Monday and includes half-off Smashburgesas and $2 off most drinks. Chef Fermín Nuñez’s dishes here are inspired by Spain, France, and Mexico, and you can get Shrimp Al Ajilo, Tortilla de Patata, and Butternut Squash Pave. I like the natural lighting, coziness of the small space, tile, and easy yet different menu.

Canje – The much-lauded Canje really is worth the visit for its Caribbean fare by Chef Tavel Briston-Joseph, who is from Guyana. He makes the best roti in town, and make sure you get the Ceviche with Peanuts, Roasted Squash with Coconut Choka, and the fish entrée made with a rum sauce if they have it.

De Nada Cantina – This east side spot is a dive bar mixed with a quality ingredient Tex-Mex restaurant all in one. You’ll witness their hot pink plastic cups on every table, which hold their “dangerously” strong frozen margaritas, and the space really reminds me of Mexico City in the main dining room with plants and a bar with bright yellow, pink, and green colors. I prefer snagging a seat in that colorful room if you’re lucky. Order the fried Mexico City Quesadillas, Sweet Potato Tacos, and Chips & Queso Blanco.

La Santa Barbacha – I ate probably the best tacos I’ve had this year at La Santa Barbacha, 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 was up to par with my proportion requirements, especially in the Crispy Cheese Taco and the Quesabarbecha, which is basically a quesadilla with crunchy cheese on the edges and soft cheese on the inside with an ideal amount of  juicy barbacoa. Plus, the beet and spinach tortillas 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!

La Piscina – Austin Proper Hotel’s La Piscina serves a ton of fresh seafood, as well as the best and priciest fajitas that I believe are worth it and remind me of El Tiempo in Houston. Take the elevator up to the top floor by the pool. I love the Mezcal Skinny Marg, Achiote Marinated Chicken Fajitas that comes on a sizzling grill with melted cheese and all the fixings — the melted cheese is what makes us all come back for these pricy guys — Lobster Quesadilla, and Proper Guacamole!

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 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!

La Volta – This pizza house is close to Clarksville, housed in a little bungalow with minimal decor, but outrageous flavor. The pizzas they’re slinging are New York-style with a crunchy bottom and soft enough crust. I loved coming here for a friend’s birthday party and taking up the entire side room that is narrow and actually does make you feel like you’re in the big city. The red lighting creates a party vibe that you won’t want to leave all night. Surprisingly, the Beef Bolognese is probably the best pasta dish I’ve ever had in Austin! The slow-simmered beef sauce stretches over each bite of perfectly al dente rigatoni, also showered in parmesan and chives. It makes you wonder if you even want that pizza you just ordered! I cannot stop thinking about this pasta because of how flavorful and dense the sauce was — I felt like I could taste some grandmother stewing over it for days in the back, yet it’s from a guy named Eddie, not a grandmother! It might seem excessive to order a bunch of pizzas and start with a pasta app, but you’re doing it. The pies are 16 inches, and I prefer the Classic over the Vodka or the Whites. Just get a side of hot honey please! I can’t say if I like this or All Day better but this is the vibe I want on a Friday night for sure.

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.

Home Slice – An Austin classic for more than 20 years, Home Slice serves what might be the thinnest pizza you can get in Austin. I might prefer the outer crust at Allday as it’s a bit doughier, but the base of the pizza here is so thin with equal amounts of cheese and sauce. In my opinion, sauce should be the best part of the pizza as it’s really where the flavor comes from, and I love the sauce here. I have always loved Home Slice’s Turkey Sub with a thick layer of turkey, perfectly crunchy and soft bread, and shredduce. I even order mine without cheese because it distracts from the turkey! The Meatball Sub is also really good. There aren’t too many late night spots in town, and it’s so fun to come here at 10 or 11 p.m., sit on South Congress, and feel like you’re at a party full of locals and tourists alike. Home Slice is quintessential Austin, always consistent, and I will think about that turkey sandwich forever.

Austin Oyster Co. – This is the best meal I’ve had in Austin this year by far. The space feels straight out of Charleston, and the menu somehow hits on Mexican, Asian, AND French cuisines, while staying squarely in the seafood lane. Starting with raw: the Scallop Tostada on Nixta’s fried tortilla. The Mexican flavors include a maggi-lime broth, cherry tomato, avocado, and aji chile oil. The Thai flavors came through on the Tom Kha Clam, which is a giant chocolate clam (named for their deep brown shells), coconut-galangal broth, pickled mushroom, and shallot. I’ve never seen a clam this big!! You could stop at the raw bar, but you’d really miss out on dishes that somehow heighten your experience even more. The North End Johnnycake ($25) is a corn cake with maple-honey butter, trout roe, and salmon bacon. The savory corn mixed with the sweet maple honey butter, which is basically syrup, makes for a fun pancake-type thing to eat for dinner. The salmon is more like smoked salmon than bacon as it’s still tender, and I wish the piece was even bigger! We loved the Lobster Roll, offered at a comparable price to others in town for $34 pre-caviar (that is another $15, and although it’s good, you don’t need it). You read Burger, Mussels, and Steak Frites and think, “I’ve seen this before,” BUT order the Swordfish Steak Frites with Sauce Chasseur. The swordfish melts perfectly under your fork, providing a curiosity boom of flavor and discovery to your taste buds. We enjoyed the Shells & Cheese, and I demand you order the Cabbage, which is definitely going to be a hidden sleeper as it tastes like chickpea, tomato ragu. The incredible Banana Bread Toffee Pudding style dessert is another must get. Hats off to the team!

Épicerie – Not only does this French bistro and grocery have incredible cookies and laminated pastries, but an ever-changing menu of French favorites and seasonal dishes. Owner Sara McIntosh brings French-Louisiana inspiration to dishes like the Gnocchetti pasta, Burgers and Frites, and Beef Tartare. Although the flavor changes often, the Quiche has a custardy egg filling that’s taller than any other quiche I’ve seen before, wrapped up in a tender, buttery crust, and their seasonal salad is consistently fresh and full of great produce — the summer version holds fresh, bright peaches, plus arugula, goat cheese, nuts, and high-quality honey. It’s a great place for lunch with all the nice lighting and the casual-yet-cute cafe atmosphere without overdoing it. Don’t leave without ordering my favorite Chocolate Chip Cookie topped with sea salt or the Funfetti one!

Restaurant Francois – Larry Foles and Guy Villavaso are probably the most legendary and successful restaurateurs in Austin. Who else has sold more concepts and continues to open one-hit wonders that stay booked on OpenTable months out, like Red Ash, J Carver’s, etc.? Their newest French restaurant reminds me of Paris with its red and gold hues and butter scent wafting through the air. I often find myself craving a nicer dining room and service style in Austin after I travel vs. enjoying the picnic tables and casual atmosphere our city often offers, and Francois hits the mark for both elegance and hospitality. The servers take care of you every bit of the way as you guzzle up champagne and cozy up in the red booths. The standout to me was the Steak Tartare with truffles, the Comté Cheese Popovers with house butter are non-negotiable, and I love the French Onion Soup. We probably should have skipped the salad to make room for the Angel Hair Pasta with Maine Lobster and Morel Mushrooms, which somehow feels lighter than all the other appetizers, although it’s filled with butter and cheese. Honestly, I was too full at this point to fully enjoy the Center Cut 10 Ounce Filet and Dover Sole with Brioche Croutons and Capers, but the few bites I managed to try were both cooked perfectly, although I did cut myself off to wait for dessert. Definitely indulge in the Chocolate Mousse to seal the deal that you dined in the best classic French restaurant in town. If I were going for the first time and not wanting to order like maniacs, this is your ticket — Steak Tartare, Popovers, French Onion Soup, Lobster Pasta, and perhaps the green beans. Bon appetit!

Justine’s – This is the kind of place people in Austin actually get dressed up as a different persona to visit and stay all night long. The staff is quirky, the space is dark and sexy, and their Steak Tartare and Fries are the only ones that would make me choose a beef tartare over a tuna. I like to take my chances going to snag a seat at the bar during dinner where you can barely squeeze in, but you’re in the middle of the party. The winter tents that pop-up outside make it a little more magical during the cold season and the food gets better every year. I get the Crab Salad, Moules Frites, or Royale burger (although after all the drinks and fries, this burger is the biggest hunk of chuck I’ve seen so you’ll only want to eat half or share it) Make sure you look out for their seasonal parties, too.

Aris – This Mediterranean steakhouse in Clarksville boasts a spacious room featuring plush booth seating that I rarely see in Austin, compared to Houston, where this restaurant group originates. Second, the fine dining style was striking — general manager in a suit, meat locker display, women in stilettos! I typically frequent “industry” spots or local Austin eateries, so this felt distinctly different from Austin’s usual vibe. As a seafood and veggie lover, I was thrilled by Aris’s more unique options that gave me an instant vacation high. The complimentary bread plate with three dips was just the beginning, but the Fattoush Salad with cucumber, pickled sumac onions, cherry tomato, feta, labneh, and DILL offers pure farmers’ market magic in every forkful. For our main, we chose the Pan-Seared Fish, and that crispy-skinned fish over creamy risotto made me scream. I don’t know how I’ll go back and not order that dish! I can’t wait to return and explore more of their fresh, vibrant menu.