Best Restaurants in Austin, TX!

Here is my comprehensive list of my personal best restaurants in Austin, TX. As someone who has traveled the world solely to dine and was born and raised in Austin, I have made it my career to review restaurants anonymously and share my experiences.

Map Below

Tsuke Edomae

Assorted Fish

If you're lucky enough to procure reservation at Tsuke Edomae, It's the best meal or sushi you'll have in Austin, maybe even Texas. The menu is set course and at the end Chef Mike offers A la Carte uni and otoro for extra. Menu changes every visit. This is considered one of the hardest reservations in the US but the chef himself flys to Tokyo weekly to procure his fish. In 2026 Chef Mike is a Jame's Beard semifinalist. Click here for his website.

Pthai Khao Man Gai

Pthai is a small yet humble Thai Chinese concept from Chef Thai Changthong. Staying true to his roots, he delivers fiery, deeply authentic dishes for those seeking bold, traditional Thai flavors. Standouts include the gai tod (fried chicken), pig ear salad, gai yang (rotisserie style chicken), and the boat noodles. In 2026 Chef Thai is a Jame's Beard semifinalist. Click here for their website.

Kappo Kappo

Kappo Kappo is one of the best restaurants I’ve tried in Austin. This is an omakase style course menu that rotates seasonally. They operate out of the Proper Hotel, with a French and Japanese inspired tasting menu. It’s also one of the most expensive meals I’ve had in Austin, coming in around $250 per person.

My favorite course was easily the little jewels box, featuring a variety of small, beautifully presented dishes in a bento style format. The menu feels thoughtfully curated, and I appreciate the balance of cooked and raw dishes throughout the experience.

I’m not entirely convinced the sushi is necessary, since the focus leans more toward French and Japanese fusion, and it feels slightly out of place. That said, the sushi itself is high quality and still very enjoyable. Headed from twin chefs Gohei and Haru Kishi. Book here

Parish Barbecue

Parish BBQ is food truck. The owner, previously at Franklin BBQ and Interstellar, has taken his BBQ knowledge and combined it with Creole flavors for a unique fusion concept. You’ll find pulled duck with orange zest, the most tender pork ribs, perfect brisket every time, boudin balls, and crawfish dressing. Everything I’ve tried multiple times has been solid. I’m a big fan of the pimento mac and cheese too. They’re still running as a humble food truck, but I can see awards in their future. Get there early and try the Lagniappe Platter, it comes with a little of everything, meats and sides included.

ELDorado Cafe

Let me share a personal secret with you. I've never been a big fan of Tex Mex, having tried numerous spots in Austin that all seemed to blend together with their tortillas filled with ground meat and smothered in queso sauce. However, everything changed when I discovered ElDorado! After years of anticipation, I finally had the pleasure of trying their enchiladas and Tex Mex-style cuisine, and I must say, they are the best in Austin. Every dish is cooked to perfection with fresh ingredients.

I highly recommend the Dartbowl enchiladas, featuring cheese enchiladas topped with short rib chili, jack cheese, queso, red onions, fried egg, and jalapeños. The flavors are decadently delicious. I also tried their Joes Happy plate, Salsa Sampler, and ElDorado Burrito, which were all fabulous. ElDorado also offers an impressive breakfast menu, and I particularly enjoyed their Glorias Chilaquiles, topped with fried egg, chile verde, jack cheese, queso fresco, and sour cream. Don't miss their famous smoky Salsa X!

To avoid long wait times, it's advisable to make reservations online. Otherwise, be prepared for a one-hour wait during peak times. Click their website here.

Odd Duck

Odd Duck in Austin, TX, is a standout farm-to-table restaurant that highlights local and seasonal ingredients in creative ways. The menu focuses on inventive small plates and thoughtfully crafted dishes, changing often to reflect what’s fresh and in season. Each visit feels unique, with bold flavors and surprising combinations that showcase Austin’s innovative food scene. Paired with a warm atmosphere and a well-curated drink list, Odd Duck remains a must-visit for anyone looking to experience one of Austin’s most celebrated dining spots. Their website here.

Jeffrey's

Jeffrey's is the perfect place to take your date if you're looking for an unforgettable experience or celebrating a significant milestone like a 10-year anniversary. It's truly a special spot. The food may come with a hefty price tag, but the porterhouse steak they serve is excellent and will likely be the best you've ever tasted. Securing reservations at Jeffrey's isn't too challenging either. Additionally, I highly recommend trying their seafood risotto. Click their website here.

Annyeong K Tofu

Annyeong has quickly climbed to the top of my list this past year. Their Korean food is some of the best in Austin. We keep coming back for the stoneware bibimbap, the pajeon, and the spicy soondubu with added ramen noodles. The rice cakes are also worth ordering. Overall, it’s one of the best spots in town for a consistently comforting meal, and the banchan is always plentiful.

Fabrik

An excellent option for vegans. They have a vegan only tasting menu. phenomenal bread and pasta at a relatively affordable price for prefixe. The focaccia bread is divine and we love the pasta here. The Chef is Chef Je Wallerstein. Click here for reservations.

Bill Oyster Bar

Bill's has one of the best burgers in Austin. The food is cooked well and their seafood tastes fresh. If your date is looking for seafood then Bill's is the perfect spot in my opinion. The must tries are the caesar, burger, and the chef specials. I recommend making a reservation in advance.

Click here for reservations.

Birdie's

Steak at birdies

Located in East Austin, this spot offers a seasonal menu and a charming counter service experience. It's the perfect place for a romantic night out, especially if you're a fan of pasta dishes. While there are a couple of downsides, such as the counter service format and the need to wait in line before ordering, Birdies compensates with its exceptional food. Additionally, the wait can be quite long due to the sampling of their wine pairings before ordering, but once you taste the food at Birdies, you'll understand why it's worth the wait. They now only offer a prefixe menu. And limited reservations Click their website here.

Uchiko

Uchiko is a must-visit spot known for its solid menu and delicious food. The Hama Chili combines Japanese and Texan flavors for a memorable experience. The Foie Gras is a rich and indulgent dish that melts in your mouth. Don't miss their Happy Hour bites for a variety of delightful treats. Uchiko guarantees an exceptional dining experience with impeccable service. Click their website here.

Discada

Discada has been my favorite taco spot for a long time. While I wouldn't necessarily say that they're the absolute best tacos I've ever had, they hold a special place in my heart. The restaurant specializes in one type of taco, which is cooked in a round pan called a disc for multiple hours, hence the name Discada. These tacos feature a delicious blend of meats and veggies, and they never disappoint. As of 2026 they have a Michelin recommendation. Click here for their website.

Cuantos Tacos

Cuantos Tacos is undoubtedly one of the most popular taco spots in Austin, currently located in the Arbor Food Park. What I really appreciate about their tacos is that they use NIXTAmalized style tortillas, and they offer a wide variety of meat options to choose from. While their tacos are on the smaller side, they pack a flavorful punch. They have a Michelin Bib as of 2026. Click here for their website.

Paprika ATX

Paprika is a taqueria in Austin that deserves a lot of recognition in my opinion. What stood out the most to me were their delicious carnitas tacos, the pastor, and the bistec. Note the Pastor is usually a saturday only special. Located right next to Michi Ramen, I highly recommend these tacos to anyone in the Burnet area looking for a top-notch taco. Additionally, I really appreciated the passion that the owner clearly has for his food. Click here for more.

Intero Restaurant

Located in Austin, TX, this contemporary Italian restaurant is farm to table. Make sure to try their delightful focaccia, flavorful bucatini, and irresistible brown butter cake. With its impeccable cuisine and inviting ambiance, it's a must-visit for an unforgettable dining experience. They are sustainable and farm to table with a rotating menu. Click their website here.

Ramen Del Barrio

Experience a unique fusion of Mexican and Japanese flavors at this  gem in Austin. Despite its offbeat location, it's a must visit spot for their remarkable fusion ramen, such as the delectable carnitas shoyu and seasonal ramen specials. As of 2025 they are the recipient of a Michelin Bib Gourmand. Click their website here. as of 2026 they’re currently moving to their new location.

Dai Due

Dai Due is an award-winning restaurant and butcher shop that emphasizes local sourcing and seed oil free cooking. While I’m not necessarily sold on the seed oil trend, I can confidently say the food here is excellent. Must tries include the antelope, meatballs, and a variety of other meat-focused dishes, all prepared with care and bold flavor. Every meal I’ve had has been consistently delicious, and I’ve heard their burgers are also well worth trying.

Click here for reservations.

JewBoy Burgers

In my opinion, Jewboy Burgers is an Iconic Austin spot. With ample outdoor seating and a dog-friendly patio, it offers a welcoming environment for all. The portions are generous, and a must-try is their shareable queso. While the burgers are solid, the real hidden gems are their flavorful burritos. Take a look at their menu, but keep in mind that they don't take reservations. Click their website here.

Paper Boy

Paperboy is arguably the best brunch spot in Austin. They rarely take reservations more than a week out, and there’s usually a 1–2 hour wait—for good reason. Starting as a humble food truck, they’ve now expanded to two locations, though I prefer the original in East Austin. Must-orders include the chicken and biscuit with rosemary gravy, chocolate chip pancakes, cheddar hash browns on the side, and their baked goods. Everything has been solid so far, though a few items, like the sweet potato hash, have been misses. The real test will be how consistent they stay across multiple locations, but so far, every visit has been great. Click here for reservations.

Pedrosos Pizza

So far, out of all the pizza spots I've tried in Austin, Pedrosos is by far my favorite. I've eaten a lot of pizza over the years in Boston, New York, and all around Texas, and I can say for certain that Pedrosos is the closest I've gotten to NYC! My first experience with Pedrosos was preordering the Sicilian and the Pep and Ricotta NYC style pizza. The Sicilian is the ooey gooey thick crust pizza of your dreams. The bread is soft and crispy on the edges, and the cheese compliments the delicious pizza sauce and charred cupped pepperoni. However, I revisited 10 times and decided their NYC cheese slice or just pepperoni is their best pizza. The perfect crisp crust to sauce to cheese ratio is perfect at Pedrosos. You can preorder in advance via their website. I also recommend trying their italian sub!

Craft Omakase

A contender for best omakase in Austin. Craft Omakase has a MICHELIN star and is my favorite omakase outside of Tsuke Edomae. Multiple sushi courses inspired by the chefs and their personal experiences and culture. If you can get a reservation I recommend it! Chef Charlie Wang and Nguyen Nguyen are the sushi masters here. Click here for their website.

Tan My

Tan My holds a special place in my heart, and I’ll admit I’m biased—it’s probably my personal favorite pho spot in Austin. I’ve been coming here since I was a kid, and later through high school and college, when my dad and I would go almost every Wednesday.

Fast forward a decade, and the secret is definitely out. Thanks to word of mouth and social media, Tan My has become one of the top pho destinations in Austin. These days, you might wait 10–30 minutes for a table, though weekdays are a bit easier. Despite the crowds, the hospitality remains personal.

One important note: Tan My does to-go only on certain nights, so double-check their hours/call before you go. Lunch is usually the safest bet if you want to dine in.

Kane Cedar Park, TX

If you're willing to drive to Cedar Park. The food at Kane is really top notch. The sushi pieces is a bit large for my taste but I love their tonkatsu. The ambience and presentation is excellent here and the service is wonderful. All the hot foods are excellent. I recommend the uni pasta, ramen, karagge, hamachi crudo and more. Make reservations here.

Ghama Zone - Round Rock, Texas

Ghamma zone is a must try spot in Round Rock, Texas. I’ve been several times, and while they’ve recently added sushi to the menu, the real highlight is definitely their traditional Korean dishes. I also recommend the dino rib, a 48-hour tender galbi-style beef rib served sliced. It takes around 20 to 30 minutes to prepare, but it’s incredibly flavorful and melts in your mouth. Other favorites include the pork rib stew and the rice cakes. Their website is here.

Sushi Yume - Round Rock, Texas

The best bang for your buck sushi in Austin that isn't omakase, it’s Sushi Yume. Honestly, the quality and taste is so good I'd rather eat here than most omakase spots in Austin. Consistently good and very nice. service. The uni is high quality as well! There's no reservations and wait times can be long but so worth it! Their Unitoro chirashi bowl is my favorite item here. Click here for more.