15 Best Dining In Austin: Top Restaurants You Must Try

Jump To: Affordable | Downtown & Central | Views & Special Occasions

Austin’s culinary scene is a vibrant mix of legendary BBQ, sophisticated fine dining, and creative food trucks. Whether you are a local looking for a new Friday night spot or a visitor wanting the quintessential ATX experience, finding the best dining in Austin is an adventure for your taste buds.

From the bustling streets of downtown to quiet corners with breathtaking views, the city offers something for every palate. This guide breaks down the top-rated spots that define the capital city’s current flavors.

Editor’s Note: We work hard to provide you with accurate and up-to-date information. However, all details are subject to change. Please verify information before heading out.

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Curious about how we choose our content? Here’s our process.

Also check out these articles – Best Patio Restaurants in Austin, Austin Seafood Restaurants, Late Night Food Austin, Best Austin Rooftop Bars & Restaurants, and Best Sushi Restaurants in Austin!

Affordable Best Dining in Austin

Franklin Barbecue

Image credit: Franklin Barbecue

The legendary spot that requires a morning-long commitment in line. The brisket is worth the wait.

Vibe Check: Cultural landmark.
When: Mon: CLOSED | Tue-Sun: 11 am – 3 pm
Where: 900 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78702

Terry Black’s BBQ

World-class BBQ with a much more manageable wait time. Their beef ribs and sides are top-tier.

Vibe Check: Classic Texas BBQ hall.
When: Sun-Thurs: 10:30 am – 9:30 pm | Fri-Sat: 10:30 – 10 pm
Where: 1003 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704

Home Slice Pizza

Authentic NY-style pizza in the heart of SoCo. It is a mandatory stop for anyone visiting the area.

Vibe Check: Fast-paced and nostalgic.
When: Sun-Thu: 11 am – 11 pm | Fri-Sat: 11 am – 12 am
Where: 1415 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704

Suerte

Award-winning East Side spot focusing on masa-based Mexican dishes. Their Suadero Tacos are iconic.

Vibe Check: Bright, artistic, and cool.
When: Mon-Thu: 5 pm – 10 pm | Fri: 5 pm – 11 pm | Sat: 11 am – 11 pm | Sun: 11 am – 10 pm
Where: 1800 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702

Kemuri Tatsu-ya

A unique “Texas Izakaya” that blends Japanese flavors with Texas smoked meats.

Vibe Check: Funky, cozy, and experimental.
When: Mon-Thu: 5 pm – 10 pm | Fri-Sat: 4 pm – 11 pm | Sun: 4 pm – 10 pm
Where: 2713 E 2nd St, Austin, TX 78702

Loro

Image credit: Loro Asian Smokehouse & Bar

An Asian smokehouse partnership between Aaron Franklin and Tyson Cole. It’s casual, counter-service, and incredibly high quality.

Vibe Check: Relaxed neighborhood hangout.
When: Sun-Thu: 11 am – 10 pm | Fri-Sat: 11 am – 11 pm
Where: 2115 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704

Best Dining in Austin: Downtown & Central Gems

Hestia

Hestia is a modern live-fire steakhouse that centers its entire kitchen around a 20-foot hearth. It offers a sophisticated atmosphere where the cooking process is as much a part of the experience as the meal itself.

Vibe Check: Modern, upscale, and smoky.
When: Tue–Wed: 5:30 pm – 10 pm | Thu: CLOSED | Fri–Sat: 5 pm – 11 pm | Sun: 5 pm – 10 pm
Where: 607 W 3rd St, Austin, TX 78701

Emmer & Rye

Image credit: Emmer & Rye

Located on Rainey Street, this spot is famous for its dim-sum style service for small plates and its focus on heritage grains.

Vibe Check: Inventive and bustling.
When: Mon: CLOSED | Tue-Thu: 5:30 pm – 10 pm | Fri-Sat: 5:30 pm – 11 pm | Sun: 5:30 pm – 10 pm
Where: SkyHouse, 51 Rainey St UNIT 110, Austin, TX 78701

Comedor

A modern Mexican restaurant with stunning industrial architecture. Comedor focuses on unique interior Mexican flavors.

Vibe Check: Chic, dark, and energetic.
When: Sun-Thu: 5 pm – 10 pm | Fri-Sat: 5 pm – 11 pm
Where: 501 Colorado St, Austin, TX 78701

Uchi

The restaurant that put Austin on the national culinary map. Chef Tyson Cole’s non-traditional Japanese cuisine is a must-try.

Vibe Check: Intimate and world-class.
When: Sun-Thu: 4 pm – 10 pm | Fri-Sat: 4 pm – 11 pm
Where: 801 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704

Odd Duck

What started as a food trailer is now a brick-and-mortar powerhouse of local farm-to-table creativity.

Vibe Check: Crafty, local, and unpretentious.
When: Sun-Wed: 4:30 pm – 9 pm | Thu-Sat: 4:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Where: 1201 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704

Best Dining in Austin with a View & Special Occasions

P6 at The LINE

This rooftop lounge offers panoramic views of Lady Bird Lake and the Congress Avenue Bridge.

Vibe Check: Mediterranean rooftop garden.
When: Mon–Thu: 4 pm – 10 pm | Fri: 4 pm – 11 pm | Sat: 10 am – 11 pm | Sun: 10 am – 10 pm
Where: 111 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78701

Oasis on Lake Travis

Image credit: The Oasis on Lake Travis

The “Sunset Capital of Texas.” While the food is standard fare, the multi-tiered decks offer the best lake views in the city.

Vibe Check: Touristy but visually breathtaking.
When: Sat-Sun: 11 am – 9 pm | Mon-Fri: 11:30 am – 8 pm
Where: 6550 Comanche Trail, Austin, TX 78732

Jeffrey’s

A Clarksville institution. It is arguably the most upscale dining room in Austin, featuring French-American classics.

Vibe Check: Old-school luxury and quiet elegance.
When: Daily: 4:30 pm – 11:00 pm
Where: 1204 W Lynn St, Austin, TX 78703

Perla’s

Fresh fish and oysters served on the best oak-shaded patio on South Congress.

Vibe Check: Coastal-chic and prime people-watching.
When: Fri: 11:30 am – 11 pm | Sat: 10:30 am – 11 pm | Sun: 10:30 am – 10 pm | Mon-Thu: 11:30 am – 10 pm
Where: 1400 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704

Common Questions about Best Dining in Austin

Are these spots kid-friendly?

Casual locations like Home Slice Pizza, Loro, and Terry Black’s BBQ are very welcoming to families. For fine dining spots like Jeffrey’s or Hestia, we recommend a sitter.

How do I get a table at the top restaurants?

For Uchi and Hestia, book at least 2-3 weeks in advance. For Franklin Barbecue, there are no reservations—you must stand in line!

Looking for more? See the upcoming Weekend Events in Austin.

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Lacey Morris

Lacey is a freelancer and Austin local who’s always on the hunt for new restaurants to try, fun activities to do, and local events to attend. She loves sharing her discoveries with others through her writing and hopes her work encourages both visitors and locals to be active in the community. When she’s not writing, you can find her exploring one of the city’s many hiking trails with her Blue Heeler, Oreo, getting lost in a good book, or dancing the night away to some house or techno beats at one of her favorite rave spots.