New Fall/Winter 2025 Restaurants Austin, TX

✨ Approved Restaurants for Fall + Winter 2025 ✨
Here are my picks for the newest and must-try spots this season—places that are bringing something fresh and worth checking out.

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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.

Noble Pho

Noble Pho is a spot by the owners of Tso Delivery located in Round Rock, TX. They’re serving one of the best bowls of pho you can find in Texas—which makes sense, because their recipe comes from a local favorite, Pho Phong Luu. However, I think it worth noting that the broth was exceptionally made that day that it might even be better than the original when spot on.

The banh mi is also well done. The last time I tried it, they were still modifying the bread—currently using torta bread—but it still had thick smears of pâté and really well-layered cold cuts.

The fish sauce wings are excellent too, and I highly recommend trying them.

Click here for their IG

Suculenta Cantina

This new spot originally piloted as a food truck in the Domain but is now focused on serving elevated modern Mexican cuisine in the Pflugerville area—a very interesting location to open this kind of concept. The menu is large and ambitious, with dishes ranging from mole to enchiladas to classic Mexican seafood preparations.

We enjoyed their ceviches and recommend getting the tostada portions, which are smaller but still sizable. Their torta ahogada—made with birote bread imported from Guadalajara—is also worth trying and is something I’ve personally only found at this restaurant.

I think the restaurant is still a work in progress, but I like what I see so far, and I think it’s a great concept to have in Austin as it reminds me of the food in Mexico City.

Click here for their IG

Leona Botanical Cafe + Dee Dee

Located in Sunset Valley—essentially South Austin—you’ll find Leona Botanical Café, a concept from the owners of DeeDee and Veracruz. They serve authentic Thai dishes in a lush, botanical setting, along with food from Veracruz All Natural. The drinks are handled separately in the café area, so you’ll order food directly from the restaurant stalls and then order your drinks from the café.

Parking can be a bit difficult since it gets crowded, and it can feel cumbersome having to wait in line separately for drinks. However, they are still working out some kinks. Overall, I’m happy with how beautiful the space is, and I’m especially excited that DeeDee is back open. I recommend the botanical tea, pineapple agua fresca, and the Pad Kaprow.

Click here for their IG

Vanhorns

Van Horn’s is a new steakhouse located in downtown Austin, created by the team behind Bill’s Oyster. They source their meat from Pat LaFrieda, similar to the approach at Peter Luger Steakhouse in New York. I was told the interior is inspired by Four Charles in New York as well.

We ordered a variety of dishes, but the clear standout was the steak—the porterhouse was incredibly rich, buttery, and cooked perfectly. I’ve since gone back to re-review their tiramisu, which I found to be wonderfully made, packed with eggs and mascarpone, with a balanced, rich, and velvety texture. I also enjoyed their beef tartare.

I’m excited to see what else they do with the space as they continue to evolve.

Click here for their IG

Kiin di

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—rich, bold, 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

Hung Ky

Hung Ky is a bit of a hidden gem that has flown under the radar in Round Rock, serving excellent Chinese–Vietnamese food. Their menu is extensive, but there are a few standout dishes I highly recommend.

The coconut heart salad is a huge portion, packed with juicy boiled shrimp and pork. We also enjoyed their crab, which is an incredible deal—you can buy one and get an additional one for only $25. I recommend the tamarind crab, and I’ve heard great things about their seafood hot pots as well.

But the best dish for me was the bo luc lac, which reminded me of my favorite childhood restaurant, Sea Dragon. I’m excited to return and explore more of their menu.

Click here for their IG

Salam's Grill

Salam’s Grill is a Mediterranean-style food truck in South Austin serving generous sized box combos featuring beef or chicken shawarma. The wraps are tightly packed with fresh vegetables and plenty of flavor. If you opt for the box, it comes with a side of fries—nicely seasoned, full of spice, and a bit on the spicy side, but perfectly balanced when dipped in their garlic sauce or hummus.

They also serve one of the best hummus  I’ve had in Austin, so make sure to add a side of that. All in all, it’s a very solid experience, and it makes sense—the concept is a sister spot to Peace Bakery.

Click here for their IG

Roccos

In a city like Austin that’s short on casual Italian spots, Rocco’s is a welcomed new addition to the neighborhood. Their sign was up for months before officially opening next to Pthai, and with the chef’s ties to southern Italian immigrants, the focus here is cozy, neighborhood-style Italian food.

We started with the arancini, stuffed with risotto and peas over a bed of red sauce, and the meatballs, served as a trio topped with ricotta. Pro tip: order the scarpetta (bread sourced from Sourdough) so you can soak up every bit of that sauce. You have to try their Caesar salad with chunks of parm as well!

For pasta, we tried the casarecce with bolognese, the lumache with summer corn, pancetta, cheese, and chanterelle mushrooms, and the rigatoni alla vodka. Everything was fresh and house-made, though I found the casarecce a bit salty and wished the meatballs had more flavor. That said, the rigatoni alla vodka might be my favorite in Austin, and I can’t wait to come back to try more.

Find their IG here!

Injera and Beyond

In a city that once had an abundance of Ethiopian restaurants, it’s refreshing to see a new spot like Injera and Beyond pop up in Cedar Park, Texas, taking over the former location of TJades. I’m honestly happy to see this change — Austin could definitely use more Ethiopian food options.

We ordered the Meat Combo for Two ($45), which came with a generous spread: multiple pieces of injera, including one large base layer topped with an assortment of dishes. They served up Key Sega Wot (spiced beef stew), Doro Wot (stewed chicken with boiled eggs), Alicha Kikil (lamb stew), and Gomen Be Sega (collard greens with beef).

While I’m not an expert on Ethiopian cuisine, I can say that everything was flavorful, tender, and well-prepared. The Doro Wot and Key Sega Wot were definite standouts — rich, hearty, and packed with depth. The lamb was a bit gamey, so if that’s not your thing, you might skip that one. Service was friendly and attentive, and for the amount of food, it’s a solid value for two people.

Overall, Injera is a great addition to the Cedar Park dining scene, and I hope it sticks around.

Click here for the Website

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Lynnys

Lynny’s is a new woman-owned brunch and breakfast spot in East Austin. After running a successful food truck, they’ve now expanded into a brick-and-mortar serving biscuit sandwiches, ham sammies, breakfast plates, and more.

During my visit, we tried the All-Day Sandwich, the Sweet & Spicy Compote Biscuit, and the Ham Sammy — all priced around $7–12. The biscuits themselves are on the smaller side, so you might want to grab two if you’re looking for a full meal.

They also offer house-made lemonades and a few other drinks. Overall, Lynny’s gives off a cozy, casual vibe and feels like a great, affordable addition to East Austin’s breakfast scene. The standouts were definitely the house-made compotes and chipotles, crafted by one of the owners who hails from Mexico City — adding a unique and flavorful twist to every bite.

Click here for the Website

Paprika

Paprika isn’t new to Austin, but they’ve recently opened their brick-and-mortar right next to their original food truck. They’re serving all their classic tacos, now with a bit more space and comfort.

During my visit, a few items were sold out, but I always recommend their carnitas — tender, flavorful, and perfectly seasoned. They also have a few vegetarian options, with my favorite being the nopalitos, served over a bed of creamy frijoles. The suadero (a cut similar to brisket) is another standout — rich, juicy, and full of depth.

Their red salsa actually brings the heat, so be prepared if you like spice. Overall, these are some of the best tacos in Austin — flavorful, affordable, and easy to grab. Parking can be a bit tight, but there’s usually space on the nearby back streets.

Click here for the Website

Bread Boat

Austin has seen a surprising rise in Georgian restaurants this year — going from zero to two. One of them is Bread Boat, located in East Austin, specializing in Khachapuri bread boats — fluffy baked bread filled with egg and cheese.

We tried the beef and bean & bacon versions. Personally, I’d recommend the beef one — the tomato-based sauce gives it a comforting, pizza-like flavor that pairs really well with the gooey cheese. The bean & bacon version leans heavier, with beans similar to refried beans, making it rich and filling — think bean and cheese in a bread boat.

We also tried the Kharcho beef stew, which was incredibly hearty, aromatic, and full of tender beef and herbs — perfect comfort food.

Overall, we really enjoyed everything here. The space is small with limited seating, so it’s probably best for takeout, but the food is worth it. Between the two Georgian spots in Austin, this one’s my favorite so far.

Click here for the Website

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Twin Isle

When I first reviewed Twin Isle, they were still in their soft opening, serving mainly bowls and doubles. They focus on Trinidadian-South cuisine, which blends Indian, African, Creole, and more—so expect bold spices, curries, and seriously flavorful dishes.

We ordered two build-your-own bowls with different bases, proteins, sides, and sauces. One featured oxtail (an extra $9), paired with their macaroni pie (basically a Trinidadian-style mac and cheese), garlic sauce, and mango salsa. The oxtail was rich, fall-apart tender, and paired beautifully with the acidity of the mangoes. Everything on the plate worked together.

The jerk chicken was tasty too, though served a bit on the room-temp side. Still, it paired really well with their jerk sauce and pineapple salsa. The rice was slightly mushy but still flavorful.

We also tried their doubles, which are kind of like a flaky roti stuffed with sauces and herbs. Super solid—definitely worth ordering.

The food did take about 40 minutes, but the flavors made it worth the wait. Keep in mind, this is more of a grab-and-go spot with very limited seating (basically no indoor dining), so plan to take it to go. Overall, a strong addition to Austin’s food scene, and I can’t wait to go back to try more. Click here for their website

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Small's Pizza

Small 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. Overall, Small Pizza is a welcome new addition to East Austin, especially for fans of crispy, charred crusts. They plan to roll out some slices in the future! Click here for their website!

Gra Mor

Gra Mor is a brand-new Irish all-day café that just opened next to The Dead Rabbit, sharing the same kitchen. They serve all-day cocktails, grab-and-go drinks, plus breakfast and brunch until 3 p.m. daily. The menu overlaps with The Dead Rabbit in some places—like breakfast items—but Gra Mor also offers its own unique dishes such as the crunchy steak bowl and a hearty breakfast sandwich.

We tried the blueberry crumble latte and the Lychee Lush, a matcha drink made with their house-made lychee syrup, which had a really refreshing flavor. My favorite was definitely the breakfast sandwich, stacked with jalapeño sausage, back bacon, Irish cheddar, and an egg cooked to your style—rich, filling, and layered with flavor.

I’d definitely come back for that Lychee Lush matcha (sourced from Zhi Tea) and another round of their breakfast sandwich. Parking can be difficult because they are downtown.

Click Here for more.

Old Alley Hot Pot

Old Alley Hot Pot is a new spot from the creators of Mian and bao, bringing their concept from Houston to Austin. They specialize in à la carte hot pot instead of the typical all-you-can-eat style. I recommend the beef and lamb combo, which comes with a circular assortment of meats to cook in your hot pot. I always go for the three-broth option—spicy, original, and tomato. The meats are freshly shaped and super flavorful, and the broths are on point. Easily the best hot pot in Austin right now. Click Here for Website

Wicked Snow

Wicked Snow is a shave ice and bingsu spot from Carrolton, Texas. It used to be my favorite when visiting Dallas, and now they’ve opened near H Mart near Lakeline in Austin. Their bingsu is super soft, not too sweet, and absolutely delicious—probably the best in Austin. I recommend the Golden Snow or the half-and-half with strawberry and mango. Click Here for Website

Lau Lau

LauLau is a Chinese-American spot serving coffee and small bites, focusing on Asian-inspired drinks rooted in the owner’s childhood. You’ll find interesting options like a five-spice cortado, Thai tea matcha, and more. Their pastries are currently sourced from elsewhere, though I hear they plan to add more house-made items in the future. Click Here for Website

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