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Restaurant list

The Best Bars for Foodies in Austin

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by The OpenTable Team
Updated December 15, 2023
Austin is the cutting-edge, super-hip heart of the Lone Star State, and its dining and drinking scene is just as cool. There are traditional, Texas-style swinging and rocking honky-tonk live-music venues and barbecue joints teeming with family-secret recipes that simmer for hours. But where are the smartest, savviest diners grabbing a drink? We’ve pulled data from thousands of restaurants to find the top spots among OpenTable's most expert, seasoned diners. These spots offer up exciting fusion dishes with cuisines from around the globe, locally-brewed craft beers and spirits, and staggering wine lists.
Wu Chow-Downtown
4.6 (2252)
$31 to $50
Chinese
Downtown
This downtown Austin institution from chef Ji Peng Chen is the place to go to for authentic farm-to-table Chinese food. Weekends and weeknights are packed with young professionals and locals dining on dishes and washing those down with one of Wu Chow's signature cocktails, many mixing Asian and traditional American flavors. A top-notch spot for dinner and a few drinks with a group of friends.
Top review
Gary
Dined on Jun 22, 2025
Continues to be one of our favorite restaurants in Austin!
This downtown Austin institution from chef Ji Peng Chen is the place to go to for authentic farm-to-table Chinese food. Weekends and weeknights are packed with young professionals and locals dining on dishes and washing those down with one of Wu Chow's signature cocktails, many mixing Asian and traditional American flavors. A top-notch spot for dinner and a few drinks with a group of friends.
Top review
Gary
Dined on Jun 22, 2025
Continues to be one of our favorite restaurants in Austin!
Uchi Austin
4.9 (5471)
$50 and over
Sushi
Downtown
Uchi is a groundbreaking Asian fusion restaurant from James Beard Award-winning chef Tyson Cole. It's one of Austin's sushi hot spots, with a creative and ever-changing menu for visitors and locals to enjoy. There's also an expansive sake list, a selection of Japanese-influenced cocktails, and a fine beer selection that includes Japanese favorites and local Texas brews
Top review
Megan
Dined 5 days ago
The kitchen was unexpectedly slow during our visit but the service really made up for it. The food was overall spectacular. Would definitely visit again.
Uchi is a groundbreaking Asian fusion restaurant from James Beard Award-winning chef Tyson Cole. It's one of Austin's sushi hot spots, with a creative and ever-changing menu for visitors and locals to enjoy. There's also an expansive sake list, a selection of Japanese-influenced cocktails, and a fine beer selection that includes Japanese favorites and local Texas brews
Top review
Megan
Dined 5 days ago
The kitchen was unexpectedly slow during our visit but the service really made up for it. The food was overall spectacular. Would definitely visit again.
Uchiko Austin
4.8 (6088)
$50 and over
Sushi
Central Austin
Uchiko is the little brother of the aforementioned Uchi restaurant, delivering the same type of experimental, tasty fare in its intimate and beautiful Rosedale neighborhood location. It's a fantastic post-work Happy Hour spot, with small plate appetizers and dishes paired with fine sushi and cocktails.
Top review
Brian
Dined 4 days ago
Uchiko is hands down our favorite restaurant in Austin. Food is delicious, service is impeccable, vibe is elite.
Uchiko is the little brother of the aforementioned Uchi restaurant, delivering the same type of experimental, tasty fare in its intimate and beautiful Rosedale neighborhood location. It's a fantastic post-work Happy Hour spot, with small plate appetizers and dishes paired with fine sushi and cocktails.
Top review
Brian
Dined 4 days ago
Uchiko is hands down our favorite restaurant in Austin. Food is delicious, service is impeccable, vibe is elite.
Eberly
4.7 (1901)
$31 to $50
American
Bouldin Creek
One of the loveliest spots in all of Austin. This gorgeous rooftop bar and restaurant is warm and welcoming with an extraordinarily beautiful dining room and a menu full of local favorites, with an emphasis on food from Texas farms. There's an excellent brunch on the weekends, an expansive Happy Hour menu, and a superb drink list featuring creative cocktails and Texas-brewed beer.
Top review
Blake
Dined 6 days ago
Great overall experience from wait staff, ambiance, cocktails & food.
One of the loveliest spots in all of Austin. This gorgeous rooftop bar and restaurant is warm and welcoming with an extraordinarily beautiful dining room and a menu full of local favorites, with an emphasis on food from Texas farms. There's an excellent brunch on the weekends, an expansive Happy Hour menu, and a superb drink list featuring creative cocktails and Texas-brewed beer.
Top review
Blake
Dined 6 days ago
Great overall experience from wait staff, ambiance, cocktails & food.
Jeffrey's Restaurant
4.9 (2374)
$50 and over
American
Central Austin
Jeffrey's is the spot to go when looking for a truly upscale dinner. This luxurious wine bar is a mixture of classic American steakhouse and traditional French cuisine, with an excellent bar menu and creative cocktail list—with drinks named after Hollywood classics. For a deluxe bar snack, try something from their large and extravagant caviar menu.
Top review
MichaelVIP
Dined 6 days ago
Excellence all around. Very attentive and friendly service. Celebrated a birthday and they made it feel special. Thank you!
Jeffrey's is the spot to go when looking for a truly upscale dinner. This luxurious wine bar is a mixture of classic American steakhouse and traditional French cuisine, with an excellent bar menu and creative cocktail list—with drinks named after Hollywood classics. For a deluxe bar snack, try something from their large and extravagant caviar menu.
Top review
MichaelVIP
Dined 6 days ago
Excellence all around. Very attentive and friendly service. Celebrated a birthday and they made it feel special. Thank you!
Truluck's - Ocean's Finest Seafood & Crab - Austin Downtown
4.8 (5388)
$31 to $50
Seafood
Downtown
This reliable chain is renowned for great seafood and fine drinks across the American Midwest and Southwest. Its downtown Austin location is big, beautiful, and perfect for a dinner out—especially when the Florida stone crab dishes are in season. Even when they're not, Truluck's is an excellent spot for a night out or a happy hour venture. Try something from their "Flirty Dozen" wine list or one of their signature cocktails.
Top review
Clover
Dined on Jun 24, 2025
My daughter and her friends had a fantastic time celebrating a birthday here. Thank you for excellence in all areas.
This reliable chain is renowned for great seafood and fine drinks across the American Midwest and Southwest. Its downtown Austin location is big, beautiful, and perfect for a dinner out—especially when the Florida stone crab dishes are in season. Even when they're not, Truluck's is an excellent spot for a night out or a happy hour venture. Try something from their "Flirty Dozen" wine list or one of their signature cocktails.
Top review
Clover
Dined on Jun 24, 2025
My daughter and her friends had a fantastic time celebrating a birthday here. Thank you for excellence in all areas.
Clark's Oyster Bar - Austin
4.8 (1854)
$50 and over
Seafood
Clarksville
Looking for one of the cutest bars in Austin? Go to Clark’s Oyster Bar. The place is gorgeous and has a lovely dining room that's usually lively and packed. Clark's has an unbeatable selection of oysters with offerings that come from New England states, the Gulf, Canada, and elsewhere. Stop by during Clark's Happy Hour for great deals on most of their food.
Top review
Bradley
Dined 4 days ago
I love this place- great food and service. Highly recommend the mussels with clams and make sure you try their shoestring fries
Looking for one of the cutest bars in Austin? Go to Clark’s Oyster Bar. The place is gorgeous and has a lovely dining room that's usually lively and packed. Clark's has an unbeatable selection of oysters with offerings that come from New England states, the Gulf, Canada, and elsewhere. Stop by during Clark's Happy Hour for great deals on most of their food.
Top review
Bradley
Dined 4 days ago
I love this place- great food and service. Highly recommend the mussels with clams and make sure you try their shoestring fries
Emmer & Rye
4.6 (3647)
$50 and over
American
Downtown
Emmer and Rye is a lovely spot on Rainey with a unique food style. Specializing in farm-to-table cuisine, Emmer and Rye focuses on small plates and changes the menu on a daily basis. Go there on different days and sample dozens of different meals. Stop in for dinner, brunch, or a cocktail and local draft beer.
Top review
ninaVIP
Dined 5 days ago
Great cocktails, food and service. We enjoyed all of our dishes
Emmer and Rye is a lovely spot on Rainey with a unique food style. Specializing in farm-to-table cuisine, Emmer and Rye focuses on small plates and changes the menu on a daily basis. Go there on different days and sample dozens of different meals. Stop in for dinner, brunch, or a cocktail and local draft beer.
Top review
ninaVIP
Dined 5 days ago
Great cocktails, food and service. We enjoyed all of our dishes
Lamberts Downtown Barbecue
4.7 (2364)
$31 to $50
Barbecue
Downtown
What bar or restaurant tour of Austin would be complete without some barbecue? Lamberts is one of the gold-standard BBQ joints in the city. There's an upstairs bar and lounge to relax, hang out, and put back a few local beers as guests dine on brisket. Don't forget to grab some of the appetizers—try the chicken-fried oysters for a real treat before the meal.
Top review
KenVIP
Dined 7 days ago
Love the food and atmosphere. Arrived early for lunch and service staff was extremely friendly and accommodating.
What bar or restaurant tour of Austin would be complete without some barbecue? Lamberts is one of the gold-standard BBQ joints in the city. There's an upstairs bar and lounge to relax, hang out, and put back a few local beers as guests dine on brisket. Don't forget to grab some of the appetizers—try the chicken-fried oysters for a real treat before the meal.
Top review
KenVIP
Dined 7 days ago
Love the food and atmosphere. Arrived early for lunch and service staff was extremely friendly and accommodating.
Bob's Steak & Chop House - Austin
4.7 (2264)
$50 and over
Steakhouse
Downtown
Well, the specialties are right there in the name. Bob's is a reliable, delicious chain of steakhouses, with locations across America; the Austin spot advertises "the biggest steaks in Texas." Stop off at the bar for something from the large wine list or a local beer or two in a comfortable, luxurious atmosphere.
Top review
Ellen
Dined on Jun 21, 2025
Troy was a fantastic waiter. Food was excellent and it is right across from the hotel we stayed at!
Well, the specialties are right there in the name. Bob's is a reliable, delicious chain of steakhouses, with locations across America; the Austin spot advertises "the biggest steaks in Texas." Stop off at the bar for something from the large wine list or a local beer or two in a comfortable, luxurious atmosphere.
Top review
Ellen
Dined on Jun 21, 2025
Troy was a fantastic waiter. Food was excellent and it is right across from the hotel we stayed at!
Hillside Farmacy
4.5 (417)
$30 and under
American
East Austin
A prescription for a great meal, Hillside Farmacy has been adapted from a legendary East Austin drugstore into a hotspot for local dining, giving the location an undoubtedly cool vibe. The menu is creative and mouth-watering, offering up everything from oysters and roasted chicken to the "Tex-Strami.” The drink menu boasts classic cocktails and local craft beers.
Top review
ErikVIP
Dined 5 days ago
Great food and service! Nice decor; just like an old pharmacey.
A prescription for a great meal, Hillside Farmacy has been adapted from a legendary East Austin drugstore into a hotspot for local dining, giving the location an undoubtedly cool vibe. The menu is creative and mouth-watering, offering up everything from oysters and roasted chicken to the "Tex-Strami.” The drink menu boasts classic cocktails and local craft beers.
Top review
ErikVIP
Dined 5 days ago
Great food and service! Nice decor; just like an old pharmacey.
Red Ash Italia
4.9 (4350)
$50 and over
Italian
Downtown
One of the best Italian restaurants in Austin, Red Ash is a delicious Happy Hour option. All dishes are $7 during that magical time, with a selection of excellent Italian small plates, meats and cheeses, pasta, and crudo. There's a giant wine selection and excellent cocktails on the menu for guests to enjoy while dining in this beautiful, rustic location with an open kitchen.
Top review
Danielle
Dined 1 day ago
Excellent food and outstanding service from Miles!
One of the best Italian restaurants in Austin, Red Ash is a delicious Happy Hour option. All dishes are $7 during that magical time, with a selection of excellent Italian small plates, meats and cheeses, pasta, and crudo. There's a giant wine selection and excellent cocktails on the menu for guests to enjoy while dining in this beautiful, rustic location with an open kitchen.
Top review
Danielle
Dined 1 day ago
Excellent food and outstanding service from Miles!
Chez Zee
4.7 (4681)
$30 and under
American
Northwest
Chez Zee is a creative American restaurant with the vibe of a French bistro and a diverse menu full of specials. The creme brûlée French Toast is a must-have for dessert or brunch, and the New Orleans pecan chicken and jalapeño cornbread stuffed chicken is as good as they sound. There's also a full bar for fun times, with classic cocktails and a huge wine selection.
Top review
Jo AnnaVIP
Dined on Jun 24, 2025
Delicious food and friendly and attentive service.
Chez Zee is a creative American restaurant with the vibe of a French bistro and a diverse menu full of specials. The creme brûlée French Toast is a must-have for dessert or brunch, and the New Orleans pecan chicken and jalapeño cornbread stuffed chicken is as good as they sound. There's also a full bar for fun times, with classic cocktails and a huge wine selection.
Top review
Jo AnnaVIP
Dined on Jun 24, 2025
Delicious food and friendly and attentive service.
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