Best New Restaurants Austin, TX 2026

This is a comprehensive guide to the best new restaurants in 2026. I’ll be updating it frequently as I discover more spots, so follow along to see all the restaurants I’ve tried this year and what I think is worth the hype.

La Vi

La Vi is a new Vietnamese coffee truck in downtown Austin, serving an excellent salted caramel Viet latte and egg coffee. While technically a drink spot, it’s definitely worth a visit.
Click Here for their IG.

Matok Bakery

Matok Bakery is another must try. Owned by a female chef who has worked in multiple bakeries in New York City, they aim to make the best pastries in town, including cherry pistachio croissants, knafe croissants, and other treats. They also offer Jewish-inspired pastries, like challah bread. Overall, I think they might have some of the best pastries in Austin, and their croissants are easily among the top I’ve had. Be sure to check their IG before visiting as they sell out quick. You can also preorder online in advance.
Click Here for their IG.

Pedroso's Pizza

Pedroso’s Pizza recently opened their second slice and sandwich shop, now serving alcohol. It’s a great grab-and-go spot with tables inside and on the patio. I love their Italian sub, and they’re experimenting with new pizza specials as well.
Click Here for their IG.

Anh Em

Anh Em, by the former owners of phoCraft, serves delicious banh mi and pho. Prices are on the higher side for smaller portions, but they deliver with some of the best bread I’ve had for banh mi and a generous smear of pâté and mayo. Their nitro Thai tea is also worth trying. The pho has improved on subsequent visits and we enjoy their matcha soft serve
Click Here for their IG.

Roya

Roya is a Persian family-style restaurant focused on elevating Persian cuisine. They offer a leave it up to the chef menu called the Sofreh, a curated tasting of their signature dishes. We tried it at $85 per person, which saved us time and was a fun experience. Standout dishes included the duck meatball soup, Olivier chicken cups, and tender lamb.
Click Here for their IG.

Hanshin Pocha

Hanshin Pocha, technically a chain from Korea, serves authentic pocha-style food in an indoor setting. You can check in online, and they’re open late. Highlights include the whole chicken and multiple stews. I found the army stew lacking and it didn’t come with ramen, but their spicy, well-made chicken feet is a must-try.
Click Here for their IG.

Aburi Tora

Aburi Tora, by the Toronto-based Aburi team, serves conveyor belt sushi at Miku. It’s a fun, modern concept that offers a refreshing alternative to the many omakase spots in Austin. It’s not as affordable as Kura Sushi, but the quality is noticeably higher.
Click Here for their IG.

Rogue Radish

Rogue Radish recently reopened in a new location at Swift Attics, moving from Fairground. They serve my favorite salads, including the sunflower sprout bowl, and I also enjoyed the steak. They have poke bowls too, but the sunflower sprout bowl with a side of rice is a must. Everything I’ve tried here has been excellent, thanks to the former executive chef of the award winning Pitchfork Pretty.
Click Here for their IG.

Shokunin

Shokunin has flown somewhat under the radar. Early on, they received attention from local bloggers, but as the hype has settled, I’ve recently tried their hand rolls and found the in-house milled rice pleasantly seasoned, and the fish high quality. Dining here can be pricey, but if you use the InKind app and in-store deals, it can be more affordable. The negitoro is a must.
Click Here for their IG.

Vua Bo Bun

Vua Bo Bun is perhaps my most frequently visited new spot this year. They serve Bun Bo Hue, a spicy Vietnamese stew where you flavor the broth yourself. You can add satay for extra spice or shrimp paste for more umami. Their fresh rice noodles and giant beef tendon are excellent, providing a rich, collagen-packed meal. They recently started sourcing high-quality bánh mì, which pairs perfectly with the broth.
Click Here for their IG.

Taco N Maiz

Taco n Maiz quietly opened in the old Vacu Road Taqueria location, a hidden spot in Austin. The owners have multiple businesses in Mexico City and are testing the Austin market. We tried a variety of tacos, and the pastor on the trompo and the asada were my favorites. The tacos are authentic to what you’d find in Mexico, and it’s nice that they have AC—a rarity among highly rated taco spots in Austin. The choripapa is also worth trying.
Click Here for their IG.

Garage Pizza

One of the newest spots inside Garage Texas—a bar located in an actual garage—is Philip Speer’s new concept, Garage Pizza. They’re currently open Tuesday through Saturday and sell dough until they sell out. The pizza can best be described as a Sicilian, focaccia-like style: very bubbly, light, fluffy, and incredibly crispy around the edges.

Each slice runs about $8–$9, but the quality of the ingredients and the flavor absolutely justify the price. It’s still one of the more affordable meals you can find in downtown Austin. The ambiance is dark and intimate, and the space is 21+, but it’s definitely worth a visit. Try the Daytona 500 and the Hog Pen. Click here for their IG. I recommend making a reservation to Garage TX.

Kiin di

Khao Soi

How lucky Austin is to have one of the best Thai spots in the city open a brick-and-mortar in South Austin. Kiin di is the closest to the Thai food you’d get in cities like LA. We ordered their killer noodles, banana blossom salad, creamy crab curry, and the Khao soi. Everything was well cooked and flavorful.

My only hope was for a bit more acidity in some of the dishes, which is a note I’ve already passed along to the restaurant. Other than that, it was an excellent meal, and I’ll definitely be back to try more of the menu. I love how much they’ve expanded from their food truck days, and I have high hopes that this will be a top contender for the best Thai restaurant in Austin.

Click here for their IG

Small's Pizza

Pepperoni Pizza and Vodka Pie
Small's Pizza recently relocated to Springdale General, bringing a New Haven–style approach with signature crispy, smoky bottomed pies. This isn’t the type of pizza you fold—these are so crisp you can literally snap a slice in half. We tried the vodka pizza and the pepperoni, both 16-inch pies that are generous in size for the price.

The vodka pie stood out with its rich, addictive sauce (though we wished for just a touch more). The pepperoni was solid, but I personally prefer a slightly sweeter tomato sauce to balance the toppings. IOverall, Small Pizza is a welcomed new addition to East Austin, especially for fans of crispy crusts. They now offer bagels and slices of pizza as well. Be sure to try their eggplant rollatini. Click here for their website!