One of the things that first drew us to Austin (besides being the Live Music Capital of the World and the coolest part of Texas) is the food scene. Austin is at the confluence of Mexican and TexMex, rich southern food and the world’s best barbecue, all intertwined (and sometimes fused) with great global influences and options. Tacos for breakfast (in addition to lunch and dinner) is how we do it, and brunch is always in order on the weekends – when the weather’s nice, we head straight to the patio. In addition to loads of creative cocktails, there is of course a limitless number of twists on the classic margarita – but be sure to try an Austin original: the Mexican Martini. You’re welcome. Dining in Austin is simply awesome. Here are our favorite eateries downtown and beyond.

Downtown
- ATX Cocina – Upscale Oaxacan Mexican food, delicious tequila and mezcal cocktails and a nice happy hour. Do not miss the sensational queso fundido served with their fresh homemade tortillas.
- Velvet Taco – Casual taqueria serving lots of different tacos, great for lunch or dinner. We love the Slow-Roasted Angus Brisket with comté cheese-encrusted flour tortilla and the Grilled Salmon with citrus lime crema, but you really can’t go wrong.
- Veracruz All-Natural – A small shop in the Line Hotel (with a window on Congress), this place makes really great, authentic tacos for breakfast or lunch. They also offer juices and smoothies.
- Tacodeli – Fast, casual taco institution for 25 years, perfect for breakfast tacos or lunch and dinner as well. Try the Otto or Jess Special for breakfast!
- Walton’s Fancy & Staple – Cute little bistro owned by Sandra Bullock. One of our favorite breakfast and lunch haunts with excellent desserts and pastries as well as soup, salads, and sandwiches.
- Lambert’s – Upscale barbecue in downtown Austin has really nice smoked meats, southern-inspired dishes and creative cocktails.
- Comedor – Upscale modern Mexican restaurant featuring shareable plates and creative craft cocktails. Huge selection of tequila, mezcal and sotol. Michelin Guide 2024.
- Terry Black’s Barbecue – Our favorite barbecue in town when we don’t feel like waiting in long lines, Terry Black’s takes its heritage from Lockhart, TX, a town south of Austin known for amazing barbecue and smoked meats. Great sides too. Michelin Guide 2024.
- Olamaie – Award-winning Southern cuisine with some of the best buttermilk biscuits I’ve ever eaten. Michelin Guide 2024.
- Wu Chow – Farm-fresh modern Chinese food inspired by the eight styles of traditional Chinese cuisine. The soup dumplings are delicious.
- Qi Austin – Our favorite Chinese restaurant downtown, with farm-driven dim sum. Great soup dumplings, Honey Akaushi Beef and house fried rice.
- Red Ash – Popular Italian restaurant with custom-built wood-fire grill offering handmade pasta dishes and rustic small plates, steak and seafood, plus craft cocktails and a large selection of Italian wines.
- Fixe Southern House – Upscale Southern comfort food for lunch and dinner. My favorites are the deviled eggs and Texas red fish. Order what you want, but do not miss the fresh homemade biscuits.
- The Peacock Mediterranean Grill – Eastern Mediterranean restaurant in the Austin Proper Hotel serving mezze, kebabs and taglines. Don’t miss the Beef Short-Rib Hummus. Fresh-baked pita bread and creamy labneh is a religious experience.
- Uchiba – The newest creation of Uchi and Uchiko, Uchiba is an izakaya‑inspired cocktail bar and restaurant located downtown. Sushi, dumplings, yakitori and other small plates in an elegant space. Happy hour daily 4:00 – 5:30 pm.
- Bar Peached – We love to hit this place for Social Hour (5-6:30 pm daily). Favorites include the Chimichurri Fried Fish, Banh Mi Tacos, Charred Brussels and BP Social Burger, plus a few Margaritas de Peached.
- Arlo Grey by Kristen Kish – Airy, upscale restaurant of Top Chef winner Kristen Kish, located in the LINE Hotel right on the lake. Italian- and French-inspired plates and cocktails.

Rainey Street
- Anthem Tex-Asian Pub – Tasty Asian-fusion pub food and delicious tiki-inspired cocktails. I love the mezcal and jalapeño Cheech + Chong. Happy hour 2-6 M-F and all day Sunday.
- Banger’s Sausage House and Beer Garden – A plentiful selection of sausages and beers on tap, served in a rustic-chic cottage or outdoors in a charming, leafy beer garden. A great place for beer and brats on a nice afternoon or cool evening.
- Emmer & Rye – Fancy, pricey but really good new American restaurant featuring steak, seafood and pasta. Michelin-recognized in 2024. We love the cacio e pepe.
South Lamar
- Ramen Tatsu-Ya – The original location of our all-time favorite ramen – and we are ramen connoisseurs. This restaurant has a couple of locations in Austin, and this group has several other concepts (Tiki Tatsu-Ya, Kemuri Tatsu-Ya, and dipdipdip Tatsu-Ya for Japanese twists on the local). All are amazing.
- Tiki Tatsu-Ya – Japanese twist on a vintage tiki bar, you’ll go downstairs to an incredibly decorated cave and be dazzled by the waterfall and elaborate cocktails with smoke. Individual (and group) drinks served in creative tiki-style mugs, plus tapas-style small bites inspired by Japan and Polynesia.
- Loro Asian Smokehouse and Bar – One of our favorite places to hang out on a nice sunny day, especially at the location on S. Lamar, which is large and has a spacious outdoor area as well. Another fantastic marriage of Texas barbecue and Japanese cuisine, Loro was created by the award-winning chefs behind Uchi and Franklin Barbecue.
- Uchi – Upscale restaurant founded by James Beard Award‑winning Chef Tyson Cole offering elevated sushi and Japanese dishes and impeccable service. This is one of our go-to special occasion restaurants.
- Odd Duck – Former food truck with the mission of serving only food with ingredients locally sourced from Austin farms. Creative sharable plates and nice wines and cocktails. Michelin Guide 2024.

East Side
- Buenos Aires Cafe – For years we went to their Bee Cave location for one thing: the award-winning Lomito Beef sandwich: Beef tenderloin grilled and topped with their house-made chimichurri sauce on a French baguette. It’s absolutely sensational, one of my all-time favorite sandwiches anywhere. You can find it on the East side with loads of other Argentinian specialties and desserts.
- Ramen Tatsu-Ya – Our all-time favorite ramen, and we are ramen connoisseurs. Newest location on the East side is less crowded than the original location on S. Lamar but just as good – plus, it has an awesome backyard when the weather’s nice (Domo Alley Gato Patio Bar).
- Kemuri Tatsu-Ya – The perfect fusion of Texas barbecue and a Japanese izakaya, Kemuri received well-deserved Michelin recognition in 2024. With creative cocktails and fun, smoky shareable plates, it’s one of our favorite places to go in Austin. Don’t miss the Chili Cheese Takoyaki, the Hot Pocketz, and Brisket. Also serving beer, sake and soju.
- Suerte – Creative and award-winning Mexican restaurant with seasonal menu based on Mexican techniques and fresh, local ingredients. Michelin Guide 2024.
- Este – Modern Mexican cuisine with an emphasis on seafood. Michelin Guide 2024.
- Il Brutto – Classic Italian pasta and wood-fired pizzas with a great outdoor area.
- Lazarus Brewing Company – Large, chill beer garden featuring really good tacos and other Mexican fare, plus award-winning beers on draft.
- Oseyo – Modern Korean-American cuisine with spacious patio. Lunch, brunch, dinner and happy hour. When we’re in the mood for Korean, we head here, especially for the Chimaek – pairing of fried chicken and beer – on Sundays 5 – 9pm.
- Launderette – New American upscale restaurant offering lunch, brunch and dinner. Michelin Guide 2024.
- De Nada Cantina – These are our favorite tacos in Austin. We always get the Barbacoa, Carnitas, and Camarones Píbil (spicy shrimp) plus a Camote (sweet potato, deceptively delicious). Located at a small but very hoppin’ place on Cesar Chavez, they have some of my favorite chips (and really good salsa), plus delicious cocktails including one of the best margaritas in Austin. My poison is the Spicy Pineapple, made with mezcal and served in a pineapple glass.
- Franklin Barbecue – Famously designated as the Best Barbecue in America or according to Texas Monthly, “the best barbecue in the known universe,” Franklin is the real deal but you’re gonna work for it. They open at 11 but the line starts much sooner, maybe closer to 9. They close when they sell out, usually around 2 or 3 pm. You definitely want to try the brisket, which is cooked low and slow until all the fat is beautiful rendered to melt in your mouth. Don’t leave without baby back ribs and jalapeño cheddar sausage. Craft beers, sides and desserts as well, if you’re still hungry. Michelin Guide 2024.
- La Barbecue – Right up there with Franklin (but lesser known) is La Barbecue. This female-owned business and former food truck produces excellent brisket and other smoked meats. Michelin Guide 2024.
- Snooze – A great brunch establishment with three locations in Austin, Snooze opens every day at 6:30 am and offers fresh, diner-style breakfast dishes and tasty mimosas and bloody marys.

Other Notables
- Sushi Soto – We love this delicious, creative sushi restaurant, especially for its happy hour 4-6 everyday (3-6 on the weekends). Great value!
- Uchiko – Similar to Uchi but with “smoke and char” and a space designed by Michael Hsu, this location on N. Lamar is a bit bigger and just as good. Don’t miss the hama chili – yellowtail, ponzu, thai chili, orange supreme.
- Pho Please – On Riverside south of downtown, this popular place pumps out truly delicious and authentic Vietnamese pho, banh mi and other specialties.
- Aba – Mediterranean restaurant with California influence serving mezze plates and grilled dishes. Large selection of Mediterranean wines. Don’t miss the warm pita with whipped feta spread.

Dining Favorites in Downtown Austin and Beyond
These are our favorites, but there are many more awesome eateries in these areas and new ones sprout up all the time. Check Google reviews if you’re not sure about a place, but these are all SOLID. New in 2024, Michelin has added 44 Austin restaurants to its guide – see the list here.