Diners' Choice: Best Ambiance restaurants in Austin

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best ambiance in Austin? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Residence by Anthony Martin

4.9

4.9 (9)

$50 and over

Contemporary French / American

East Austin

About the restaurant

Adept Hospitality is bringing another concept to the location of their original popup, Sushi | Bar ATX.

Chef Anthony Martin, who received 2 Stars from the Michelin Guide as the Executive Chef of Tru in Chicago, invites just 10 guests at a time into a converted East Austin Craftsman home for an elevated dinner party. Anthony's refined take on approachable cuisine will be prepared directly in front of his guests seated exclusively around the Chef's counter.

Top review

TedVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Chef Martin and his team bring a level of dining Austin sorely needs. Focus on local sources bringing a more global menu that far surpasses many, if not all Austin fine-dining establishments. Well done!!!

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Experience

Tasting Menu

Sushi Endo

5.0

5 (134)

$50 and over

Creative Japanese

Old West Austin

About the restaurant

For only $150 a seat for a limited time, experience the exquisite craftsmanship of Chef Endo Yasuhiro's 20-course omakase at our establishment, a collaboration with the renowned Sushi Nakazawa of Washington D.C. and New York City fame. Indulge in a culinary journey meticulously curated by Chef Endo, showcasing the finest ingredients and traditional techniques.

Enhancing your dining experience, our custom bar features an impressive selection of rare Japanese whiskies, top-rated sake, and artisanal beers sourced from both local and Japanese breweries. Immerse yourself in the rich flavors and cultural heritage of Japan as you savor each sip and bite.

To further entice your palate, please note that our menu changes daily, ensuring that you experience the freshest and most seasonal offerings handpicked by Chef Endo himself. Join us and embark on a culinary adventure like no other.

Top review

Cameron

Dined 3 days ago

Amazing experience! Highly recommended visiting Endo - incredibly good food, fresh fish, and extremely knowledgeable and friendly staff. Thank you to Endo, Kai, and the rest of the team!

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4.9

4.9 (1361)

$31 to $50

Cocktail Bar

Downtown

About the restaurant

The Roosevelt Room is Austin's most awarded cocktail bar, offering a seated experience with table service provided by its knowledgeable bar staff to guide guests through its expansive menu of classic and original cocktails, craft beer, wine, and epicurean bar food.

The Roosevelt Room has received the following accolades: Top Four Best American Cocktail Bar 2022 by the Spirited Awards, Top Four Best American Bar Team 2022 by the Spirited Awards, Top Five Best Cocktail Bar 2022 by Liquor.com's Liquor Awards, Austin's Best New Cocktail Bar 2015 by Thrillist, & Bar of the Year 2017 by TimeOut Austin.

RESERVATIONS ARE STRONGLY SUGGESTED. Walk-ins are welcome, but please note that there may be a short wait for the next available table. If your reservation details change, please let us know. We will do our best to accommodate last-minute alterations, but we cannot guarantee immediate seating for any additional guests. For reservations of 11+, click the "Book an Event" tab on our website.

Top review

Lapaulistana

Dined 4 days ago

The place is beautiful, really good ambiance. I think the food and service can be improved. But overall the experience was good.

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Honey Moon Spirit Lounge

4.9

4.9 (352)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Central Austin

About the restaurant

Honey Moon Spirit Lounge is a vintage-chic restaurant/speakeasy with a well curated menu of elevated comfort food and modern American share plates. The menu includes a craft cocktail list emphasizing fresh juices and classic ingredients, and an extensive and diverse wine list featuring varietals from around the world with a selection of beers and ciders, and a tap of local craft brews.

Top review

JESSICAVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Always a great experience! We were just in time for happy hour-which is amazing! We’ll be back!

J Carver's

4.9

4.9 (2176)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Downtown

About the restaurant

J Carver's Oyster Bar & Chophouse features market fresh oysters & premium wood grilled steaks. Nestled in West 6th District of Downtown Austin, John Carver, Owner and Chef delivers an elevated classic fine dining experience featuring a gorgeous raw & oyster bar and intimate dining experience.

In order to honor all reservations booked, we ask that all bookings adhere to our suggested dining time frame. Please contact our reservationist if you have additional questions. Our time frames are as follows
2 people - 2 hours
3 people - 2 hr 15 minutes
4-5 people - 2 hr 30 minutes
6-7 people - 2hr 45 minutes
8+ people - 3 hours

Please reach out to our reservationist for private dining.
We offer Valet at $12 daily

Top review

Emily

Dined 4 days ago

My boyfriend and I had an amazing experience for my birthday dinner! Valet parking was smooth and the hosts were very friendly and welcoming. The ambiance inside was very romantic, and our server, Chad, made our first time dining there so memorable! He answered all of our questions and gave great recommendations. The food was absolutely delicious! We had the steak bruschetta for our appetizer, our bar drinks were delicious, and we shared the Porterhouse steak along with the potato puree and corn brûlée. We had the sampler dessert platter which was amazing as well! 10/10 would recommend a trip here for a special occasion!

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Popular dish

Beef Filet Steak Tartare

Goldies at Austin Proper

4.8

4.8 (159)

$30 and under

Cocktail Bar

Downtown

About the restaurant

Goldie’s is an intimate cocktail bar on the ground floor of the Austin Proper Hotel. Goldie's serves as an elegant and vibrant setting for a posh celebration, sophisticated drinks, or a romantic evening out. The focal point of the room is a marble sunken bar, surrounded by a plush array of tweed and velvet seating. Here you'll find Afternoon Tea on the weekends and seasonal cocktails in the evenings.

Top review

VincentVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Kevin and Armando always provide exceptional service and guarantee a good time at Goldies. I highly recommend visiting this cocktail bar!

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Experience

Cocktails at Goldie's Sunken Bar

Codependent

4.8

4.8 (64)

$31 to $50

Cocktail Bar

Downtown

About the restaurant

Serving up cocktails, coffee, and serious design - without taking itself too seriously.

The brain child of Urbanspace's Kevin Burns, CEO and Merrill Alley, Principal - Codependent is a conceptual cocktail and coffee bar inspired by Italian luxury, aperitivo culture and the belief that beautiful design should be enjoyed by all. Think of it as a high-end design showroom meets Austin hospitality.

Located on the ground floor of the Independent condo tower, Codependent is designed for duality. Where day meets night. Dark meets light. And iconic Italian furniture is best appreciated with a glass of wine.

We welcome design aficionados and cocktail connoisseurs, the local and the far flung, friends and neighbors to come for sustenance, fun, and for a bit of the unexpected.

Top review

BrittonVIP

Dined on Apr 27, 2025

Diana & Gabe were amazing!! Will definitely ne going back to visit them

Jeffrey's Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (2357)

$50 and over

American

Central Austin

About the restaurant

Jeffrey's Restaurant & Bar has been an Austin fine dining institution since 1975. In 2012 the restaurant closed for a major renovation and was reopened by McGuire Moorman Lambert Hospitality. The legendary restaurant, nestled in the Clarksville neighborhood just west of downtown, features a lively bar and three distinct dining rooms. The menus, from executive chef Mark McCain, features dry-aged prime steaks, updated classic fine dining, and locally sourced produce. The award-winning wine list, one of the largest and most diverse in Texas, features highly-sought after vintages from Old and New World producers. Private dining in the Napoleon Room and The Apartment is available for special events. Valet service is offered.

The charming neighborhood location, old world service & multiple private dining options make Jeffrey's a true Austin gem. Jeffrey's was named “Top 10 Best New Restaurants” in the country by Bon Appetit magazine in 2013.

Top review

Gabriela

Dined 1 day ago

Food was amazing, we were celebrating my husband birthday and they put a card on the table and bring a special cake at the end.

Aba - Austin

4.9

4.9 (1390)

$50 and over

Mediterranean

South Congress

About the restaurant

Aba, meaning father in Hebrew, is a Mediterranean restaurant with a California influence. The menu features Chef CJ Jacobson’s modern approach to Mediterranean cooking and the beverage program showcases spirits and rare wines from lesser known Mediterranean regions. Signature dishes include Smoky Garlic Hummus, Muhammara, Shawarma-Spiced Skirt Steak, Grilled Salmon Kebab and more.

Top review

DonaldVIP

Dined 6 days ago

great service, tasty food. great ambience. Jessica’s an efficient and very personable server.

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4.7

4.7 (826)

$31 to $50

French

East Austin

About the restaurant

Bienvenue à Justine's!
Our art filled dining room and winter tent are all available for walk-ins. We only take reservations for parties of 6 or more.

Guests waiting for tables are invited to have a cocktail, indulge in a caviar bump from the raw bar & lounge beneath the blue neon of our garden pagoda and meet friends old and new.
If you think you've gone too far ... keep going!

Top review

Rachael

Dined on May 18, 2025

They were so helpful with adjusting our party size to account for some unexpected additions to our reservation. Barbara took good care of us! Thank you :)

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