The 15 Best Restaurants in Austin, Texas

This family-owned Greek restaurant is like something out of a Mamma Mia! Movie, and considering you’re in landlocked Central Texas, the seafood is unbelievably fresh. Diners rave that husband and wife duo, Roxie and Hristos Nikolakos, take them on a feast in the Mediterranean. At Yamas, you’ll nosh on a bounty-spanning grilled octopus, crisp calamari, shrimp loukoumades, and steamed mussels. A raw bar has all the fish ceviche and tartare to match.

Nômadé opened in 2023 and has been the talk of town ever since. The Mexican restaurant is outfitted with modern tropical decor, reminiscent of the lush jungles of the Yucatán, and fueled by the subtle scents of copal and open-fire grilling. What’s on it? Pollo Asado (grilled chicken breast with calabaza), Pork Entomatada (grilled bone-in pork chop with sweet potatoes), and 24-hour short rib are just a handful of their gluten-free treats. A plant-based menu, brunch, and weekday happy hour are also available.

Though Austin (still) doesn’t have a Chinatown, Zoé Tong more than suffices a need for excellent Chinese cuisine in the waiting game. It was opened by acclaimed Sichuan chef Simone Tong as a celebration of her Chinese heritage, along with a dash of playful Austin flare. Think Texas wagyu steak and broccolini, miso hoisin black cod, and the signature Rohan duck smoked with tea and five-spice. A dumpling and noodle meets mochi waffle and eggs brunch is also offered each weekend.

If you came to Austin for Tex-Mex, then look no further than Chuy’s. Though there are locations everywhere, it all began on Barton Springs Road, where the first store opened in 1982. The eclectic eatery’s still going strong, serving ‘big as yo’ face’ burritos: flour tortillas stuffed with refried beans, cheese, and your choice of filling, alongside signature sauces and Mexican rice. For other delicious alternatives, check out the jam-packed tacos, fajitas, and enchiladas, and always, always add guac.

Once an old print shop transformed into a verdant garden restaurant, Eberly takes timeless classics from around the world and puts a spin on them with seasonal and local ingredients. Select dishes from the ever-changing menu include eggplant Milanese, NY strip, and Mafalde pasta with oyster mushrooms. The bar team also shakes up classic libations behind the 160-year-old Cedar Tavern bar with standouts like the tequila-based Concrete Jungle, the Southern Nights made with Luxardo maraschino, and the rum-based Charlie Foxtrot garnished with a floral note.

Walton’s is Sixth Street’s neighborly cafe, owned by none other than Austin-adoptee Sandra Bullock. You wouldn’t know there was an A-Lister behind it, though; it’s a walk up to the counter, order incredible brunch and sandwiches, and sit amongst the plants, kinda place. The food’s farm fresh and so good (we don’t know how their eggs taste the way they do), that every weekend the eatery is packed with locals. Before you go, be sure to take out some $2 macaroons from the bakery counter or a slice of the cake of the day.

American supper club and cocktail lounge, The Statesman, will have your tastebuds and camera rolls spinning over two things: the food (obviously), and their nifty ‘press for Champagne’ button (akin to Bob Bob Ricard in Europe). The team elevates classics by product and technique, such as the humble seafood tower, cacio e pepe, and your favorite ribeyes and filets. Then it’s up to you to elevate things further: simply press your booth button and be served your preferred Champagne. Ours is a Billercart-Salmon.

Serving American favorites with a European influence, Birdie’s is a fine-casual restaurant where kids and pups are also welcome. The menu is always changing, with seasonal sharers like steaks and pastas of the day bringing patrons back again and again. Up to seven dishes are enough for a couple. The family-run restaurant operates a fair wage with benefits policy for all staff, so there’s no table service or reservations. Simply step up and order at the counter.

This year’s hottest new opening in town, Sushi Roku, is led by Executive Chef Sang Kim, the former chef and owner of Kai Sushi in Leander, Texas. He designs plates rooted in Japanese tradition yet accented with Western touches, like the American wagyu beef robata skewers and the indulgent Toro Carpaccio topped with oscietra caviar and truffle soy. Of course, you can’t have a session without a platter of sushi. The sushi plate features signature cuts of yellowtail, tuna, salmon, shrimp, albacore, and baked crab or spicy tuna cut roll. Ask your sommelier to pair it with a recommended sake.

Austin has the highest concentration of music venues compared to anywhere else in Texas, and Geraldine’s is one of the top places to catch it live. Artists perform here seven nights per week. The menu is equally a draw, celebrating local produce in sharing plates that get bigger the further down the menu you go. That’s from the Birria wontons and beet salad all the way down to juicy roasted Harissa chicken and the wagyu beef cheek. Stick around after the gig for a cocktail within Hotel Van Zandt’s adjacent rooftop pool.

ATX’s most popular BBQ food truck finally has a brick-and-mortar location on Emerald Forest Dr, and that now means double the chances of the meats done right in South Austin. Have your beef sliced and chopped on a plate or in a sandwich, or try the pulled whole hog and lamb, beef chorizo sausages, or even the cauliflower burnt ends. No visit to LeRoy and Lewis is complete without their long-standing dessert: a better-than-it-sounds, deep yellow cheddar cheesecake.

Sazan is best known for its paitan ramen: fresh noodles and chashu served in a rich white broth that’s made from chicken and pork, or a mix of vegetables in the vegan option. If you like it hot, have it with their classic spicy bomb, a tobanjan chili blend with garlic and ginger. Other Japanese restaurant staples in this quaint ramen shack on Airport Boulevard include tempura, takoyaki (octopus balls), and edamame. Dessert comes in the shape of mochi.

You’re in the South, so it’s time to get those fingers saucy over a shellfish boil. At TLC, it’s boil season all the time. Customize yours with a choice of King crab, Snow crab, Texas Gulf shrimp, or Maine lobster, then flavor it with signature spices and sauces like the Texas Heat or the Cajun Spice. Corn and red potatoes are your trusted sides. If there’s room for dessert, share a giant milkshake (chocolate, strawberry, or vanilla).

Jam Sanitchat came to Austin in 2001 and revolutionized the local dining scene. First and foremost, she brought authentic Thai meals to the city, using fresh local ingredients (all meats are raised in Texas and free of antibiotics and hormones) on all plates at Thai Fresh. Her vegan ice creams, based on coconuts, were such a hit at dessert that they spawned a stand-alone store, Gati, in East Austin. And finally, she abolished tipping, championing paying all employees a higher wage. The green curry and pad see ew are the real deal. y’all.