15 Best Restaurants in Austin, Texas
Forget what you know about Texas food. Austin’s restaurant scene has evolved way beyond brisket and queso.
The hardest part isn’t finding good food here; it’s choosing where to eat first. Check out these 15 best restaurants in Austin, Texas.
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1. Corner Restaurant
Inside the JW Marriott, Corner Restaurant serves up modern American dishes with a Texas twist. The kitchen isn’t afraid to remix bold Austin flavors and make them feel brand new.
Menus change with the time of day — from breakfast and brunch to late-night bites — so you’re never stuck with the same old choices. Instead of the usual hotel fare, you’ll find a clubby vibe and cocktails that feel more like a local hangout than a lobby bar.
Local ingredients get the spotlight, and Southern classics get clever upgrades. The bar program is worth a look, too; the drinks keep pace with the kitchen’s creativity.
Location: 110 E 2nd St, Austin, TX 78701
Website: Visit Website
2. Odd Duck
Odd Duck takes New American cooking and filters it through a Texas lens, pulling from local farms to create flavors you don’t see elsewhere in Austin. The menu keeps pace with the seasons — beer-battered broccoli with queso and spicy sorghum, pork belly chalupas with refried peas, and salsa macha are just a few examples.
The aged wagyu burger is a showstopper, loaded with spicy tomato pork jam, fried beer cheese, and pickled squash. It’s messy, rich, and totally worth it.
Ingredients come straight from nearby River Field Farm and other local producers, so what lands on your plate is fresh and unmistakably Texan. Prices are on the higher side, but portions are generous, and the kitchen doesn’t hold back on bold combinations.
Location: 1201 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
Website: Visit Website
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3. Ember Kitchen
Ember Kitchen brings live-fire cooking and bold Latin flavors to the city. At the heart is their Josper oven — a charcoal grill that gives every dish a deep, smoky edge. Ingredients cook right over the embers, so you get that extra depth on both proteins and veggies.
The menu is all about Latin American influences, but every dish is carefully executed. The Josper oven isn’t something you see everywhere in Austin, and it really sets this place apart. Flavors here are assertive but balanced, and the smoke ties everything together.
Location: 800 W Cesar Chavez St Ste PP110, Austin, TX 78701
Website: Visit Website
4. Corinne Austin
Corinne is tucked inside Austin Marriott Downtown and boasts the largest outdoor patio in the area; it’s a solid pick when you want to eat outside and soak up the Austin air.
The kitchen keeps things simple — straightforward American food, done right. Hearty meat plates sit alongside lighter, healthier options.
The rotisserie chicken is a standout, with perfectly crisp skin and juicy meat. Ora king salmon is another favorite, cooked with the kind of attention that makes even simple ingredients pop.
Location: 304 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78701
Website: Visit Website
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5. Acre 41
Acre 41 does New American food with a real focus on burgers and steaks. The name pays homage to the University of Texas’s original “Forty Acres” — the extra acre is their way of saying you’ll get something more.
Their burgers have a following, especially the signature Acre 41 Burger, which arrives with a perfect sear and all the right toppings.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch are all covered in a chill, modern dining room near campus. The menu takes classic American comfort food and cranks it up a notch with quality ingredients and careful technique.
Location: 1901 San Antonio St, Austin, TX 78705
Website: Visit Website
6. Caroline
Caroline stretches across three spaces downtown, so you’ve got options — full meal, rooftop drinks, or just a quick coffee. American food is the focus, built on local ingredients that change with the seasons.
Brunch on weekends draws a crowd for classics done right. Local suppliers keep things fresh and the menu rotating, so repeat visits never feel stale. The Congress Avenue location puts you in the thick of things, whether you’re coming from work or out exploring the city.
Location: 621 Congress Ave. Suite 101, Austin, TX 78701
Website: Visit Website
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7. Salty Sow
Salty Sow hangs out on Manor Road, putting out slow-cooked Southern food with a Texas spin. Chef Harold Marmulstein focuses on braised, poached, and stewed dishes, sourcing from local farms and Austin purveyors.
The menu changes, but you’ll always find comforting plates with bold, fresh flavors and Southern tradition. The laid-back vibe makes it easy to drop in for happy hour or a full dinner.
If you’re after real Texas comfort food without shortcuts, Salty Sow delivers. The menu keeps things interesting, and execution is consistently solid. Grab a craft beer or cocktail, kick back indoors or out, and let the kitchen do its thing.
Location: 1917 Manor Rd, Austin, TX 78722
Website: Visit Website
8. Aba Austin
Modern Mediterranean cooking gets a breezy California spin at Aba, tucked into South Congress. Chef Partner CJ Jacobson leads the kitchen, drawing on Mediterranean traditions but never sticking to a script.
“Aba” means “father” in Hebrew; the menu pays homage to classics but isn’t afraid to riff or experiment a bit. Smoky garlic hummus and whipped feta spread are the kinds of starters that disappear in minutes.
The hamachi and shawarma-spiced skirt steak show the kitchen’s range, shifting from light seafood to bold, meaty mains. For dessert, frozen Greek yogurt keeps things bright and not too heavy — just the thing after a big meal.
The bar digs into lesser-known Mediterranean regions, pouring rare wines and spirits you probably won’t see elsewhere in Austin. The space feels like summer somewhere on the coast; there’s an outdoor patio, a mezzanine, and a paseo that ties it all together.
Location: 1011 S Congress Ave Bldg 2 Suite 180, Austin, TX 78704
Website: Visit Website
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9. Launderette
Set in what used to be a gas station and Laundromat, Launderette brings a playful energy to East Austin’s Holly neighborhood. Chef-Owner Rene Ortiz puts out a New American menu that offers global flavors, always shifting with the seasons.
The space is polished and airy, with a covered patio that’s easy to settle into for any meal. The duck bolognese is a staple for a reason — rich, savory, and tangled with just-right pasta. There are clever vegetable plates, seafood that never feels like an afterthought, and a burger that doesn’t mess around.
Location: 2115 Holly St, Austin, TX 78702
Website: Visit Website
10. Dai Due
Dai Due puts Texas meat and seasonal produce front and center on Manor Road. The restaurant and butcher shop share a roof, so everything from sausages to steaks gets broken down in-house. Menus shift with whatever’s fresh, but the focus stays on local proteins and vegetables.
Using whole animals means nothing gets wasted. Chefs turn every cut into creative plates that respect tradition. House-made sausages, crafted from pasture-raised pork and beef, are a staple — spiced just enough to let the quality of the meat come through.
The dining room is rustic, letting the food do the talking. Watching the butchers work while you eat adds a cool, behind-the-scenes vibe. Brunch is hearty, with protein-forward plates that draw a crowd.
Location: 2406 Manor Rd, Austin, TX 78722
Website: Visit Website
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11. Franklin Barbecue
Franklin Barbecue sits at the top of most Austin food lists, and the hours-long lines outside prove it. This spot has built a massive reputation for Texas-style barbecue that people travel across the country to try. The brisket here is what made Aaron Franklin famous, with a thick black bark on the outside and pink, smoky meat inside that melts apart.
Showing up early is key if you want to get your hands on the goods before they sell out. Doors open at 11 a.m., but some folks start queuing up before sunrise. Once you make it inside, there’s pulled pork, ribs, sausage, and turkey, but brisket is the main draw for most.
Everything’s smoked low and slow over post oak wood, giving that unmistakable Central Texas flavor. Sides stay simple; beans, coleslaw, and potato salad don’t distract from the meat.
Franklin’s won a James Beard Award and landed on national TV more than once. It’s hardly a secret, but the quality never slips. If you’re chasing the best barbecue in Texas, this place is a must.
Location: 900 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78702
Website: Visit Website
12. Jeffrey’s
Jeffrey’s has anchored West Lynn Street since the ’70s, keeping its spot as one of Austin’s top fine-dining destinations. It’s where you go for a classic steakhouse meal. The dining room is refined but not uptight, while the bar stays lively if you want something more laid-back.
Premium cuts of beef headline the menu, but the Crispy Oysters are what regulars can’t skip — delicate, perfectly fried, and kind of addictive. Seasonal plates come and go, but the kitchen always puts quality and careful prep first.
The wine list is deep, cocktails are dialed in, and the staff knows how to pace a meal without making you feel rushed or forgotten. If you’re for a special-occasion spot that doesn’t feel like a museum, Jeffrey’s is your answer.
Location: 1204 W Lynn St, Austin, TX 78703
Website: Visit Website
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13. Moonshine Grill
Moonshine Grill is tucked into a historic house on Red River, serving up Southern comfort food with a modern spin. Crispy fried chicken, shrimp and grits, and other classics land on the table with plenty of flavor and a few clever twists.
Out front, the patio is perfect for people-watching and catching the Austin buzz. Indoors, it feels cozy — almost like you’re at a friend’s (very nice) house. The bourbon selection is no joke; the place even snagged a spot on America’s Best Bourbon Bars list not too long ago.
Head downstairs and you’ll stumble on Kinfolk Cocktail Lounge & Spirits Library, a speakeasy-style hideaway with more than 900 spirits. Bartenders here know their stuff and can steer you toward something you’ll love, even if you’re picky.
Location: 303 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701
Website: Visit Website
14. Barley Swine
Bryce Gilmore’s tasting menu spot on Burnet Road is all about what’s fresh from local farmers that week. The menu is always changing, but bold flavors and sharp technique show up every time.
No à la carte here; it’s a full tasting experience — with cured Hiramasa with caramel miso, baked oysters with kimchi, or 30-day dry-aged Akaushi ribeye.
Pig face carnitas pop up often, and they’re a perfect example of Gilmore’s approach — taking something unembraced and turning it into a rich, layered dish with carrot purée and preserved orange.
The beer list is deep, and there are optional beverage pairings if you’re feeling adventurous. The dining room keeps things intimate, so reservations go fast, especially on weekends.
Location: 6555 Burnet Rd #400, Austin, TX 78757
Website: Visit Website
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15. Red Ash
Wood-fired Italian cooking gets a bold downtown Austin twist at Red Ash, where a custom-built grill runs on live wood fires and sets the tone for the whole experience.
Executive Chef John Carver draws inspiration from both Northern and Southern Italy, building a menu around handmade pastas, prime cuts, and fresh seafood. Everything that hits the flames picks up that signature char — no surprise, given the place is named after the red ash from the fire.
Spanning two levels inside Colorado Tower, the space feels rustic. Fresh pasta is made right there every day, and seasonal vegetables or local meats show up depending on what’s good at the moment. Italian desserts are a daily ritual, too; the pastry team doesn’t mess around.
Location: Colorado Tower, 303 Colorado St #200, Austin, TX 78701
Website: Visit Website
