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Best Authentic Restaurants in East Austin

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79 restaurants available nearby

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A photo of Canje restaurant
1. Canje
4.9
Exceptional(2275)
Price: Expensive
• Caribbean • East Austin
Booked 77 times today
Traditional meets modern in this new age Caribbean cuisine restaurant brought you by Chef Tavel Bristol-Joseph of E&R Hospitality Group. Named after the Canje pheasant, national bird of Guyana, Canje pulls inspiration not just from mainland Guyana, but from Jamaica to Puerto Rico, and all the islands in between. Our menu explores the cooking techniques, ingredients, and many expressions of vibrant food across the region.Tucked away on the east side of Austin, this lively environment brings a unique cocktail program boasting both spirit forward and fruit driven cocktails and a small selection of natural wines alongside our inventive food menu.
A photo of Il Brutto restaurant
2. Il Brutto
4.5
Awesome(1677)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • East Austin
Booked 34 times today
Il Brutto is a neighborhood Italian restaurant located in East Austin with an emphasis on classic, multi-regional Italian dishes. The menu features fresh antipasti, daily home-made pastas, and pizzas baked in the restaurant’s Neapolitan wood-burning oven, in addition to house-made gelati, sorbets & desserts. The beverage program highlights an extensive selection of Italian wines from an on-site cellar, as well as local beers and handcrafted cocktails.
A photo of Ma'Coco - East Austin restaurant
3. Ma'Coco - East Austin
4.3
Awesome(188)
Price: Moderate
• Contemporary Mexican • East Austin
Booked 3 times today
A fresh approach to Mexican cuisine. We emphasize scratch ingredients to serve colorful, tasty & traditional bites. From tacos & enchiladas to fresh fruit frescas & cocktails, you’ll find an antojito just for you!
A photo of Kalimotxo restaurant
4. Kalimotxo
4.6
Exceptional(311)
Price: Expensive
• Tapas / Small Plates • Downtown
Booked 22 times today
Kalimotxo is a Spanish restaurant and cocktail bar from the Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group. Kalimotxo celebrates the vibrant small plates culture of Spain, from Basque style pintxos to tapas from Andalusia, all meant to be enjoyed with crushable cocktails, a curated Spanish wine list, and flowing porrones.
A photo of Licha's Cantina restaurant
5. Licha's Cantina
4.7
Exceptional(317)
Price: Moderate
• Mexican • East Austin
Booked 43 times today
BIENVENIDO A LICHA’S…Located in the heart of East 6th Street, Licha’s has become a niche restaurant for Austinites craving a bite of interior México. The restaurant is named after owner, Daniel Brooks’ mother, Alicia “Licha” Rivera, The atmosphere at Licha’s is casual and familiar. When you are here, you are in our home and we want to cater to you. Inspired by the Mexican soulfood cooking that we were raised with, our menu is prepared by a team of passionate cooks. All of our masa products are made fresh and daily in-house and our proteins are thoughtfully brined and braised with a medley of herbs and spices. If you’re interested in distilled agave products, Licha’s offers a large range of tequilas, mescales, bacanoras and sotoles. Lichas’ friendly and knowledgeable staff is here to help should you have any questions about any of our dishes or menu options.
A photo of Sammie's Italian restaurant
6. Sammie's Italian
4.8
Exceptional(1577)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Downtown
Booked 71 times today
Sammie’s is a little taste of old Italy in downtown Austin. It celebrates the great ‘red sauce’ institution—inspired by old school, legendary Italian-American restaurants. The menu offers classic dishes in a casual but sophisticated, retro-designed space that is both lively and comfortable, capturing the essence of a night out at your favorite neighborhood joint. The space consists of a central dining room overlooking Shoal Creek and 6th Street, polished wood bar, Mildred’s Room (a private dining/wine room), and wraparound patio dining area. Please note that patio seating is weather contingent. The menu offers riffs on standards including Housemade Mozzarella Sticks, Clams Casino, and Caesar Salad a la Tommy; timeless pastas like Spaghetti with Meatballs, and Linguine Vongole; and Sammie’s Classics: big portions of iconic plates like Chicken and Eggplant Parmigiana, Veal Marsala, and Baked Manicotti.
A photo of Quattro Gatti Ristorante e Pizzeria restaurant
7. Quattro Gatti Ristorante e Pizzeria
4.8
Exceptional(1539)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Downtown
Booked 18 times today
A neighborhood gem! This family-run Italian restaurant offers a chic, rustic atmosphere in a downtown Austin landmark historic 1876 building. Enjoy outdoor sidewalk cafe dining just steps from the Texas State Capitol (dog friendly).We feature a wide variety of authentic Italian pastas, pizza, meats, seafood & unique daily specials. (GF and Veg options). Daily specials highlight the freshest and most seasonal offerings, such as Rigatoni Alla Norcina (sausage with truffle oil), house-made Gnocchi Sorrentina, and Whole Roasted Fish. Gelato, sorbets and desserts are delicious and made in-house. The cozy full-bar offers classic Italian cocktails and a sizable wine list representing Italy’s diverse regions.All breads and pizza are made daily using naturally leavened dough and an ancient fermentation process; this improves digestibility and creates a delicious flavor. Neapolitan pizzas are baked at 1000 degrees in a wood-fired brick oven. Your new Austin favorite.
A photo of Intero restaurant
8. Intero
4.8
Exceptional(1751)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • East Austin
Booked 58 times today
Just as in Italy where the food is genuine and locally sourced, you'll find the same at Intero with farm-to-table Italian cuisine. At its core, the concept behind Italian cooking stems from necessity and gratitude for regionally available ingredients. Intero, translating to “whole’’ in Italian, embraces this concept utilizing local ingredients from their entirety, paired with traditional Italian techniques and cooking sensibilities. This naturally sustainable approach allows for innovative, yet familiar dishes that highlight the seasonal availability of what’s grown and raised in Texas. Additionally, Intero provides an authentic nod to the sweet side of Italy offering specialty house-made artisan chocolates (including truffles, barks, and sipping chocolate) along with other traditional Italian desserts in classic, seasonal and unique flavors. Enjoy various Amari, select wines and craft cocktails indoors or out, set in Intero's modern casual atmosphere.
A photo of De Nada Cantina restaurant
9. De Nada Cantina
4.7
Exceptional(591)
Price: Moderate
• Mexican • East Austin
Booked 117 times today
De Nada Cantina. Tacos y margs y menos. East Austin’s loveliest little taco spot. Handmade tortillas pressed and cooked on the comal, slow-braised meats, and traditional handcrafted margaritas served in a greenhouse.
A photo of ATX Cocina restaurant
10. ATX Cocina
4.8
Exceptional(2741)
Price: Very Expensive
• Contemporary Mexican • Downtown
Booked 88 times today
ATX Cocina experiments with the boundaries of Mexican cuisine. We have taken traditional Mexican dishes and elevated them with modern approaches and techniques. Corn, the basis of the Mexican cuisine for thousands of years, is also the foundation of our kitchen. We nixtamalize and process our masa in house sourcing it from heirloom varieties of corn grown by small family farms in Mexico.

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See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • Amber
    Houston •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 1 day ago
    Canje SHOWED OUT! I had the pleasure of dining with them for my birthday dinner and it was nothing less than superb! The food was amazing, the staff was friendly and super kind! They gave me a hand made and signed card (that I forgot 😭). Overall the experience was a 10/10! I will be back!
    More info
    CanjePrice: Expensive• Caribbean• East Austin
    •
    4.9
  • JulietVIP
    Austin •38 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 5 days ago
    Server was absolutely impeccable and gave us free champagne to pair with all the food that we had ordered. He was absolutely phenomenal, and the food was amazing. Will absolutely be back truly such an impeccable experience in Austin! ❤️❤️❤️
    More info
    KalimotxoPrice: Expensive• Tapas / Small Plates• Downtown
    •
    4.6
  • Cherri
    Seattle / Eastern Washington •2 reviews
    5.0
    Dined on Apr 19, 2025
    Delicious food! Outside dining was wonderful with the ambience of Austin all around us. Very positive dining experience!!
    More info
    Il BruttoPrice: Expensive• Italian• East Austin
    •
    4.5
  • Erin
    San Francisco Bay Area •7 reviews
    5.0
    Dined on Apr 19, 2025
    I love Licha’s and somehow had not been since 2019. Was very happy to see they are very much still on their game. Such great vibes last night.
    More info
    Licha's CantinaPrice: Moderate• Mexican• East Austin
    •
    4.7
  • Christopher and EverettVIP
    Austin •58 reviews
    4.0
    Dined on Mar 23, 2025
    Cute place did not know they have 2 locations. Will have to try the Buda location to see if items are the same. Overall good food great drinks. California Burrito just like I had in San Diego. Carajillo OMG Yummers!!!!!
    More info
    Ma'Coco - East AustinPrice: Moderate• Contemporary Mexican• East Austin
    •
    4.3

Discover best authentic restaurants in East Austin

Discover the heart of authentic dining in East Austin, where a unique blend of culinary traditions meets a vibrant local atmosphere. In this eclectic neighborhood, each restaurant offers a genuine taste of diverse cuisines, ensuring an unforgettable experience for those seeking true authenticity in their meals. Restaurants in this area pride themselves on their commitment to quality and originality, often featuring locally-sourced ingredients and innovative culinary techniques that reflect the dynamic culture of Austin. East Austin's dining scene is characterized by its laid-back yet energetic vibe, making it a favorite among both locals and visitors who are eager to explore its culinary delights. From cozy, family-run spots to larger, more experimental kitchens, the emphasis is consistently on creating a warm, inviting experience that complements the food. Whether you're a food enthusiast or simply looking for a meal that captures the essence of Austin, these eateries promise not just a meal, but a journey through the flavors that make East Austin truly special. As you plan your next dining adventure, consider East Austin for an authentic experience that goes beyond the plate.

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