78 Best Restaurants in Austin, Texas

Local critics consistently rank this Clarksville newcomer as one of the city's best restaurants, and the sprawling patio is almost always packed. It's a lovely downtown-adjacent atmosphere to enjoy upscale, indulgent takes on juicy burgers and pastrami (as a sandwich or a queso topping), and with great coffee and cocktails to boot. There are even more burgers at the Quonset hut next door, where Hold Out Brewing slings food and beer all day. Both eateries have a hot brunch ticket. 

Most definitely the best place on the notorious “Dirty Sixth Street” strip of downtown to chow down is Casino El Camino, a longtime favorite of Austin burger lovers. Locals arrive in hungover droves around midday on the weekends, when wait times for signatures like the Amarillo and Buffalo burgers can stretch upward of an hour. But this iconic juke joint is worth the wait as you'll find out once sated by their trademark Bloody Marys, stacked with bacon, pickled okra, taquitos, and, yes, even meatballs. The hearty Angus-beef burgers deliver a classic artery-clogging ecstasy, especially when paired with a greasy basket of verde chili fries.

One of local restaurateur Larry McGuire's white-hot eateries, Clark’s has occupied a top seat in the Austin repertoire of hot spots since its 2012 debut. The hip, and decidedly cozy, oyster bar tucked into a modest corner lot of West 6th has all the appeal of a sophisticated seafood restaurant, with the comfort of a neighborhood bistro. You'll find a pristine, daily rotation of raw oysters served with fresh horseradish, house cocktail sauce, and a tangy mignonette. The lobster roll is a signature home run, but the house burger is a surprising favorite, which spikes in popularity during the daily happy hour, when select dishes are half-off and all martinis are $5.

A tried-and-true destination for homemade Indian cuisine, Clay Pit has developed a devoted following in Austin since 1998. Wash down some of their signature curried mussels with garlic and red wine sauce with one of their sweet lassi drinks. The historic (and maybe haunted) Bertram Building (a favorite on downtown ghost tours) is romantic and stately and just a few blocks from the Capitol, so lunch crowds attract everyone from state workers to tourists. 

This greasy spoon just north of the UT campus has been satisfying the guilty pleasures of students (and those from all walks of life) since 1926. There might not be dirt floors and open-flame grills anymore, but the burgers and sides are still classically unpretentious (with no grass-fed menu descriptions) but with plenty of flavor (and grease). Sit at the counter to watch the longtime short-order chefs at work at the grill, flipping hundreds of burgers, patty melts, and chicken-fried steak sandwiches for hungry diehards. The outdoor patio tables fill up fast during UT home games, when the football game is broadcast on large HD TVs. The O.T. Special is a signature, and the draft beers seem to taste best in their icy schooners.

The newest location of this beloved German-style bakery and beer garden features 15,000 square feet of outdoor space, plus a spacious interior, for beer and sausage lovers. The sprawling outdoor patio attracts lively lunch, happy hour, and late-night crowds with a full menu of artisan sandwiches, house-made sausages, and “big as your face” pretzels, as well as one of the best beer selections in the city. The wholesale bakeshop, which provides several local restaurants with specialty breads and pastries, opens bright and early every morning; don't miss the $6 “Easy Morning” deal (weekdays, 7–10 am) that includes a small coffee and any pastry.

This clever nouveau Vietnamese-French concept from chef-restaurateur Larry McGuire—of Lamberts and Clark's fame—sits on the corner of South First and Elizabeth Streets as a cozy little café serving a delectable menu of banh mi and pho as well as a fantastic array of French pastries, including daily macaron specials. Fresh shrimp spring rolls, pork meatball banh mi (served on fresh baguettes), and spicy beef and pork buns with thick, soft, airy noodles are safe bets. In addition to sake, beer, and creative punch offerings, the wine list is short and sweet, brimming with French-only wines that pair beautifully with this cuisine. Brunch is offered on weekends.

If Central Texas is the hub of the state's best barbecue, then this place has become its favorite darling. The former food truck become full-fledged, world-renowned restaurant, owned by pit master Aaron Franklin, attracts a daily throng of fans who wait in line upward of three hours in hopes of devouring a paper-lined tray of brisket, sausage, and pork ribs pulled straight from the smoker. Sides of classic potato salad, pinto beans, and coleslaw are simply filler for the main event. Franklin’s continues to receive national acclaim—and even served President Obama during an Austin visit. Doors open daily at 11 am and stay open until the meat sells out, which is usually well before 2 pm.

Local chef and native east Austinite Hoover Alexander has created one of the city’s best comfort-food oases, blending Mama's home cooking, diner short-order specials, Tex-Mex favorites, and Cajun influences in one Southern comfort mecca. The self-styled "Smoke, Fire & Ice House" is known for its large portions and flavorful recipes, like a Jamaican jerk chicken and a chicken-fried steak that puts most others to shame. "Side mates” like mac 'n' cheese, fried okra, and creamed jalapeño spinach round out any home-style cravings. A full bar serves popular staples like beet margaritas. It’s hard to save room for dessert, but the homemade pies are excellent—and their New Orleans–influenced breakfasts are worth a try.

Though its sister location in the Second Street District attracts a more chichi crowd, the original Jo's on South Congress is where you're likely to run into your neighbor, catch the latest gossip on the Austin music scene, or spot a celebrity visiting town. The morning rush hour for their delicious coffee is intense, yet somehow cool and lively; local beers and frozen rosé (frosé) are also available. There's limited seating, and it's outside-only, so come early on a Saturday and bring a good read. You may witness patrons dancing in the parking lot by afternoon. Jo's is an integral part of South by San José during SXSW—a definite must-visit, with live music in a lively outdoor setting throughout the week.

The not-so-secret weapon of this classic east Austin breakfast spot is its owner and namesake, local legend Juan Meza, who has run his modest eatery since 1981 and still greets every diner with a bone-crushing handshake and a smile. Juan's strong community spirit is infectious, but the simple, filling, and reliably good fare will start your day off right on its own. The Don Juan taco (a massive mound of eggs, potato, bacon, and cheese) is the true east Austin breakfast of champions; the machacado con huevo (shredded dried beef scrambled with eggs), migas (eggs scrambled with torn corn tortillas, onions, chile peppers, cheese, and spices), and huevos rancheros are also above average. A variety of inexpensive Tex-Mex and Mexican specialties is served at lunch.

This North Austin sushi joint is the best place to find superior sashimi, sushi rolls, and Japanese cuisine without daunting prices. The izakaya-style menu (an homage to Japan’s casual pub-style eateries) offers a wide range of cold, fried, grilled, and rice dishes. Sit at the sushi bar to watch the experts at work, creating specialties like the crunchy dynamite roll (tuna, avocado, and crunchy tempura flakes), or grab a table to enjoy Japanese comfort food like yakitori skewers (beef tenderloin, chicken thigh, and chicken and taro croquettes), gyoza (pork dumplings), and ikayaki (grilled squid).

This lovely east-side spot has moved from its original trailer location into a shared space within Quickie Pickie, the quaint local neighborhood grocery and bodega, and remains another top spot for Texas barbecue. Portions of their prizewinning BBQ are Texas-size, including their popular El Sancho brisket sandwich with "Bobby Sauce." Lines are to be expected, but service is friendly and swift.

On any given sunny day, Austinites flock to Mozart's spacious lakeside patio to enjoy great coffee and indulgent baked goods. The expansive, multitiered deck overlooking Lake Austin can get crowded with weekend patrons, and weekdays are equally popular times for locals to post up and work remotely. Live music on weekends is an added bonus, and their annual Christmas lights display is a seasonal sight to behold.

This local drive-through and fast-food chain turned burger empire is an Austin favorite for a reason. What started as a humble mom-and-pop operation on the corner of South Lamar and Barton Springs Road has evolved into a sprawling web of locations all over Austin and beyond, but the original location is still the ideal spot to experience the simple pleasures of a fresh patty of hormone-free Black Angus beef (or black-bean veggie), hand-cut fries, and hand-spun shakes that make eating bad feel good. 

This approachable pizza place and brew pub is a great addition to the burgeoning Burnet Road food scene. The parking lot can fill up fast on weekends, but an award-winning selection of beers makes it easy to wait for signature house-made pies, like the Armadillo, with artisan sausage and poblano peppers, or the Shroomin' Goat, with local goat cheese and roasted mushrooms. 

Austin’s ramen craze went into full swing a few years ago, and this happening spot was one of the city’s first (and favorite) establishments. Try the “Ol’ Skool,” a chicken-based shoyu ramen with a traditional array of toppings, like aijitama (marinated soft-boiled egg), and optional “flavor bombs” from creamed corn and butter to Thai chili and habanero pepper paste. All ramen varieties are massive, but a small-plate menu offers modest portions of Japanese comfort food, like the Katsu slider (a juicy deep-fried burger on a fluffy Hawaiian roll) and sweet-and-sour “yodas” (fried brussels sprouts with apricot vinegar and curry spice).  

Don't miss out on the state dish of Texas at this downtown icon. Just a stroll away from the Capitol, the Chili Parlor has been a favorite of legislators, lobbyists, and local hellraisers alike for a midday meal (or late-night beer) since 1976. Get a gut-sticking bowl of bean-less chili (marked X, XX, and XXX for spice), an ice-cold Lone Star beer, or a fully loaded Bloody Mary, and soak up some Old Austin history. 

Relaxed and locally sourced, this Bouldin Creek café is a staple for lovers of high-quality Thai food in a casual neighborhood setting. Part grab-and-go market and coffee bar, part café, and part cooking-class destination, Thai Fresh is a popular lunch and dinner spot, with a diverse range of curries, stir-fries, and noodle and fried-rice dishes. Homemade breakfast tacos are also available throughout the day. Locals drop by for their iced chai lattes and sparkling Thai basil lime aguas frescas, or stick around to indulge in one of their organic vegan ice creams and kombucha cocktails with sake, sparkling rosé, or white wine. A popular brunch service happens on weekends as well.

This scenic Austin institution, on a 450-foot cliff above Lake Travis, is famed for its sunsets and special-occasion atmosphere, popular with tourists, birthday revelers, and anniversary lovebirds. If you can, arrive early to get a table directly overlooking the lake, but most seats in the multitiered eatery have decent views. The menu includes unremarkable Tex-Mex fare like burgers, fajitas, and margaritas, but weekly and seasonal events, such as their Sunset Music Series, create an enjoyable ambience that justifies the 30-minute drive from downtown.

When Texans argue about the relative merits of barbecue joints, the Salt Lick usually winds up at or near the top of the heap. Getting here entails a 30-minute drive southwest of Austin, but diners who make the trek are rewarded with finger-licking-good ribs, beef, chicken, turkey, and sausage slow-cooked over an open pit and accompanied by a tangy sauce (unusual for central Texas) and the usual sides. If you can manage it, top your meal off with blackberry cobbler or pecan pie. The area is dry, alcohol-wise, but the BYOB policy keeps crowds happy. It's cash-only, but there's an on-site ATM.

Veracruz wears a taco tiara in the Austin food scene and for good reason. The migas lives up to the local lore, and this always-hopping original location has a convivial patio where its best to enjoy tasty quesadillas, barbacoa, vegetarian and fish tacos on homemade tortillas, and fresh aguas frescas alfresco. 

Detroit lives in Austin at the capital city's delicious purveyor of deep-dish pies. Its original location, a tiny trailer at the back of an east-austin dive bar, is still slinging pizzas for late-night crowds, but they have recently expanded with another trailer and brick-and-mortar locations popping up all over town, including here on Rainey Street. Long wait times can be expected because of the depth of Via 313's goodness, so try to plan ahead of your cravings. 

What started as a streamlined coffee and craft beer purveyor with sparse hours has evolved into an all-day east Austin mainstay. The industrial garage vibe blends in well with its I–35-adjacent neighbors and attracts a hip clientele from morning to night, who flock here for cold brews and stacked breakfast sandwiches and then like to stick around for their local lineup of draft brews.

This casual Bouldin Creek neighborhood bistro with a breezy back patio is a refreshing respite for a leisurely happy hour or a midday meal during a day of shopping around nearby South Congress. The French-inspired cuisine is light and straightforward, with a wonderful wine list and craft cocktail selection.

The upscale breakfast fare and comfort food of this Clarksville favorite might carry an unconventional price tag for a diner, but the quality of dishes (from Belgian waffles to meat-loaf sandwiches) has earned a loyal fan base. The always bustling interior is an efficient mix of mid-century retro and contemporary efficiency, with booths and barstool seating at high tables. The menu rotates with the seasons, but staples include chicken and waffles, three types of breakfast hash, and a weekly chicken and dumpling special. There’s an expected list of coffee drinks, plus a full bar and specialty milk shakes, from chocolate cherry to coconut cream, to satisfy any craving.

Situated in a charming cottage just northwest of downtown, 40 North is a standard for classic Neapolitan pizza and light Italian fare. It's a lovely neighborhood setting with cozy patio seating and bright white interiors. The pies are the main draw, but the house burger and spicy chicken sandwich along with their other small plates are equally tasty. 

This sophisticated outpost of the Chicago-based Mediterranean restaurant opened to high acclaim in the Music Lane mixed-use development on South Congress Avenue. Specializing in Israeli, Turkish, Greek, and Lebanese cuisine, the extensive menu would be overwhelming without the helpful direction of the servers, but you can't really go wrong with the variety of hummus, mouthwatering homemade pita bread, and delicious mains, like shawarma-spiced skirt steak and black-garlic shrimp scampi. Their cocktail program is top-notch (try the Mediterranean Mule), and desserts are worth saving room for. 

This no-frills favorite of off-duty chefs keeps its diehard Sichuan fans satisfied. The unassuming strip mall location in far northwest Austin might look rundown, but the order-at-the-counter joint serves up reliably authentic specialties, like the palate-tingling Asia Eggplant and the Chicken Delight (kou shui ji, bone-in, chilled chicken slices in a spicy sauce). Sichuan peppercorns and fiery red oil are used liberally, so be prepared. Take-out is available.

A vegetarian-only restaurant might sound like a bland option at first, but even devoted carnivores frequent this hip South First neighborhood café, home to some of the best meat-free dishes in the city. Friendly servers help newcomers navigate their vegan and gluten-free options, whether it’s a maple latte and plate of zucchini migas, a tofu and broccoli salad, or a draft beer to pair with the Fajitas Italianas, made with roasted portabello and zucchini strips and chipotle pecan pesto. The lively gathering place always seems to be bustling, from brunch crowds to midday business meetings.