Austin loves a full-blown party, and the special-occasion restaurants in this famously quirky city are as distinct as the people who celebrate here. From sleek steakhouses to showstopping sushi shrines, the best nice restaurants in Austin guarantee a good time no matter the occasion.
Enjoy a margarita-filled birthday happy hour at a Mexican hotspot in Downtown. Head for a date night at a seriously cool wine bar with bold Korean fare in Bouldin Creek. Celebrate an anniversary with an intimate table for two at a farm-to-table Italian gem in East Austin.
These fancy restaurants in Austin are sure to fill up quickly, so skip the wait by booking an OpenTable reservation instead.
Read on for a guide to the 12 best celebration-worthy restaurants in Austin right now.
For an intimate farm-to-table Italian experience and the best chocolates in Austin: Intero (East Austin)
Wife-and-husband team, pastry chef Krystal Craig and executive chef Ian Thurwachter, chose the Italian word for “whole” for their East Austin trattoria. The name reflects a sustainable, zero-waste cooking philosophy, which makes every celebration here a seriously ethical one. The hyper-seasonal menu is always changing, but expect housemade pastas along with meats from Texas farms and ranches. Sweeten any occasion with Craig’s exceptional truffles, chocolate barks, or sipping chocolate.
For a sleek steakhouse with local Austin flavors and a great happy hour: Vince Young Steakhouse (Downtown)
Pitch-perfect wagyu and porterhouse headline the menu at this stylish Southern steakhouse. But Vince Young’s occasion-friendly menu also includes sleeper hits like a bacon mac and cheese and an off-menu wine “milkshake” that blends vanilla ice cream with Cabernet Sauvignon. If you’re leaning toward a drinks-driven celebration, the restaurant hosts one of the city’s best daily happy hours with $10 bites like steak frites with chimichurri.
For modern Mexican with cocktails and a killer Hill Country view: Bulevar Mexican Kitchen (Arboretum)
This lively spot comes from the team behind another local modern Mexican favorite, ATX Cocina. Bulevar’s floor-to-ceiling windows overlook a massive patio, and you won’t find a better spot for a sunset celebration. Fuel your party with street snacks and corn tortillas, made from heirloom Oaxacan corn ground onsite—bonus points for a kitchen that’s 100 percent gluten-free. Bulevar’s high-energy bar is known for top-notch agave cocktails, plus a rollicking happy hour.
For Texas-inspired New American fare at one of the nice restaurants in Austin: Carillon (Downtown)
Special moments were made for this elegant New American restaurant. Carillon is ideal for a celebratory pre-show dinner or an outdoor Sunday brunch with the family. The restaurant’s burnt-orange interiors—the University of Texas color—also make it a go-to for graduation parties. Chef Kyle Barham’s Texan menu is sprinkled with fun international accents (case in point: seared sea bass with tom yum and Thai herbs), best enjoyed as an occasion-worthy three-course meal.
For inventive sushi and showstopping Japanese cuisine: Uchiko (Central Austin)
There are plenty of high-roller touches at this modern sushi and sashimi shrine, including fish flown in daily from Japan and sleek private dining rooms. James Beard Award-winner Tyson Cole oversees a kitchen serving occasion-worthy nigiri like cured Norwegian mackerel with tomato, truffle, and basil, but Uchiko’s menu has something for everyone, including a knockout omakase selection and seasonal specials. Add a killer wine list and desserts, and you’ve got one inventive special-occasion spot.
For Israel-inspired Mediterranean small plates and cocktails at one of the nice restaurants in Austin: Ezov (East Austin)
Ezov might be the newest restaurant from Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group, but this Mediterranean hotspot is already a special-occasion fave for Israel-inspired dishes like DIY chicken shawarma (you get to carve it), falafel, and crispy phyllo cigars with spiced sweetbreads, all made with locally grown ingredients. Most of the menu is made for sharing, so bring a crew to celebrate over a family-style feast and take a group photo by the wall decked with Hebrew lyrics to Britney Spears’s “Toxic.”
For bold Korean fare and natural wines at one of the upscale restaurants in Austin: Underdog (Bouldin Creek)
One of Austin’s best new restaurant openings of 2023, this bright and convivial Bouldin Creek hotspot pairs an extraordinary selection of natural wines (from former Momofuku sommelier Richard Hargrave) with modern Korean fare, inspired by his partner Claudia Lee’s heritage. Rice bowls, fried chicken, pancakes, and various kimchis grace the seasonal menu, which includes a traditional ‘Hansik’ tasting option—perfect for a birthday dinner or anniversary meal.
For Barcelona-inspired tapas at one of the nice restaurants in Austin: El Raval (South Austin)
Inspired by her time living in Barcelona’s international neighborhood El Raval, chef Leila Bazahm crafts perfect-for-sharing tapas and mains like gambas al ajillo, paellas, and oysters. Both the lively bar and the dining room with lush greenery and stylish banquettes are ideal settings for a group celebration fueled by Spanish wine and inventive cocktails developed by renowned bartender Moe Aljaff, founder of Barcelona’s Two Schmucks.
For a swanky cocktail bar with fancy small bites and downtown views: Prélude (Downtown)
Head to this sophisticated spot from Mathew Peters, the only US chef to win the Bocuse d’Or, for fancy canapés and inventive cocktails. Try sweet pea croquettes with Iberico ham and minted labneh along with clever drinks like Corn & Rice, a tequila-forward highball topped with cornflakes and toasted rice. The stunning location in a historic home surrounded by heritage oaks and a back lawn with Downtown views only add to the restaurant’s special-occasion cred.
For modern takes on traditional Mexican fare at one of the nice restaurants in Austin: Mexta (Downtown)
At Mexta, chefs Mikel Alonso and Jonatán Gómez Luna serve up elegant traditional Mexican dishes with contemporary twists. Order the shrimp aguachile wrapped in crispy tortillas and a tetela, an Oaxacan snack made from corn masa and served with mole and spicy greens. If you’re drinking, grab a seat at the vibrant bar for creative cocktails, like the ¿Margarita?, a bubbly take on the classic made with smoky mezcal topped with Champagne.
For a French bistro with Austin bohemian vibes and music on vinyl: Justine’s Brasserie (East Austin)
One of Austin’s most beautiful restaurants, sophisticated and stylish Justine’s checks all the boxes for a fun-filled celebration. Reserve a table in the artsy dining room or in the velvet-clad winter tent for bistro-inspired fare like steak frites, escargot, and a killer burger. Bartenders pour French wine and mix classic cocktails while spinning classic vinyl records, from blues to reggae and Edith Piaff, keeping the party going all night long.
For showstopping wood-grilled dishes and ice-cold martinis at one of the upscale restaurants in Austin: Hestia (Downtown)
Hestia’s sleek, industrial-chic interiors and top-shelf ingredients level up any celebration. The modern-day grill house is part of Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group behind other local hits like Emmer & Rye, Canje, and Kalimotxo. Dishes are fired up in a 20-foot custom-built hearth with techniques from around the world. Extra-special occasions call for the multi-course tasting menu with wine pairings, while the new upscale bar has a scaled-down menu—think oysters and burgers and $10 martini Tuesdays.
From seriously cool listening rooms with bistro-inspired French fare to modern Mexican favorites with mezcal-forward cocktails, these 12 nice restaurants in Austin dazzle with a wide variety of cuisines and experiences for every special occasion. Whether you’re marking a milestone with small bites at a swanky cocktail bar located in a stunning historic home or enjoying a happy hour with friends at a local sports legend’s sleek steakhouse, these Austin hotspots promise a celebratory experience on every visit.
Snag your table at one of Austin’s best special-occasion restaurants by booking with OpenTable now.
Want to learn more about Austin’s amazing restaurant scene? These city guides can help:
- The 12 best restaurants to dine outdoors in Austin
- The 11 most beautiful Austin restaurants to visit right now
- 12 top restaurants for every kind of date in Austin
Claudia Alarcón splits her time between Mexico City and Austin, covering dining, drinking, and travel since 1999. Her writing has appeared in publications including Forbes, Austin Chronicle, Austin American-Statesman, and more.
