Local Favorites: The 20 Best Restaurants in Austin
Austin is evolving at a rapid pace. It’s a city where creative and curious people go to experience interesting things and unique innovations are showcased and prized.There’s lots of experimentation and cuisine cross pollination, which is deliciously easy to appreciate in the food scene here. But where are the smartest, savviest diners eating out? We’ve pulled data from thousands of restaurants to find the top spots among OpenTable's most expert, seasoned diners. You’ll find incredibly designed eateries with big helpings of old Southern charm, the chic sort of Sushi spots dreams are made of, and copious amounts of Texas meats—all vetted by the types of tastemakers who know the best spots around the city. You'll want to follow their lead.
| Restaurants: | Le Politique, Mattie's at Green Pastures, June's All Day… |
|---|---|
| Price Range: | $$ - $$$ |
| Cuisines: | French, American, Contemporary American… |
| Neighborhoods: | Downtown, South Austin… |
For 2 people today
Le Politique
$$$$·French·
Downtown
- Good for a Date
- Special Occasion
- Fit for Foodies
From the lights hanging over the bar to the sherbet color palette (with bright pops of blue), you’ll instantly feel all of your senses get excited for the French flavor show that a…Read more
Mattie's at Green Pastures
$$$$·American·
Downtown
- Special Occasion
- Good for a Date
- Romantic
This lush Southern property from the 1800s is very unique. Nestled in the Green Pastures, is a very charming Victorian mansion that’s been converted into a restaurant and event spa…Read more
Not available on OpenTable
View More InfoJune's All Day
$$$$·Contemporary American·
South Austin
- Neighborhood Gem
- Good for a Date
- Fit for Foodies
This adorable gold and peach-colored cafe, with black and white checkered floors, will take you back in time. It’s from the same team behind Lambert's, Perla’s, and Clark’s (the la…Read more
Red Ash Italia
$$$$·Italian·
Downtown
- Good for a Date
- Special Occasion
- Good for Anniversaries
This loft-type space—with rough frescos on exposed concrete walls, metal piping, and steel beams—is a creative juxtaposition to the very classic Italian food they’re serving up her…Read more
There aren’t any available tables for 2 today at 7:00 pm
View AvailabilityUchi
$$$$·Sushi·
Downtown
- Special Occasion
- Good for a Date
- Creative Cuisine
Everything is special about this James Beard Award-winning Japanese restaurant housed in what looks like a little home. The contrast of a cottage exterior with a chic interior of r…Read more
There aren’t any available tables for 2 today at 7:00 pm
View AvailabilityClark's Oyster Bar
$$$$·Seafood·
Downtown
- Good for a Date
- Neighborhood Gem
- Special Occasion
The team behind Perla’s and June’s All Day—both on this list—is shucking and serving up some mighty tasty (but pricey) oysters, in a fresh, beachy-looking, casual space. They have …Read more
There aren’t any available tables for 2 today at 7:00 pm
View AvailabilityEmmer & Rye
$$$$·American·
Downtown
- Good for a Date
- Creative Cuisine
- Fit for Foodies
E & R offer an American menu of locally-sourced small plates that changes every day, plus a roaming dim sum cart (with unusual offerings) that you can order other items from. In ad…Read more
Table for 2 today
Il Brutto
$$$$·Italian·
East Austin
- Good for a Date
- Great for Outdoor Dining
- Special Occasion
Simple (but delectable) Italian food made in a simple space, with a variety of seating areas to choose from, including an outdoor patio. Start with the burrata and prosciutto, and …Read more
The Brewer's Table
$$$$·American·
East Austin
- Great Beer
- Local Ingredients
- Bar Seating
This massive, yet charming, restaurant is driven to connect beer and food very naturally. They’re not just pairing their beer and food, but making sure the two actually feed off ea…Read more
Pitchfork Pretty
$$$$·Contemporary American·
East Austin
- Creative Cuisine
- Good for a Date
- Fit for Foodies
This American restaurant has a mostly Southern focus—with tasty dishes like giant beef ribs and BBQ chicken—but one night a week, they change things up entirely. Every Monday, they…Read more
Not available on OpenTable
View More InfoUchiko
$$$$·Sushi·
Central Austin
- Special Occasion
- Good for a Date
- Creative Cuisine
This sister restaurant to the incredible Uchi (also on this list) is actually very similar menu-wise, even sharing some of the same dishes, like the Shag roll, which is a staple at…Read more
There aren’t any available tables for 2 today at 7:00 pm
View AvailabilityPerla's Seafood and Oyster Bar
$$$$·Seafood·
Downtown
- Good for a Date
- Great for Outdoor Dining
- Good for Anniversaries
Perla’s (from the same family as Clark’s and June’s All Day, among others) has a phenomenal space with a gorgeous deck area and huge menu for you to enjoy. Soaking up the sunshine …Read more
There aren’t any available tables for 2 today at 7:00 pm
View AvailabilityEberly
$$$$·American·
Downtown
- Good for a Date
- Special Occasion
- Fit for Foodies
Eberly is an enormous place, with really beautiful design and a variety of areas to eat and drink in, including dining rooms, a study, and both an indoor and rooftop bar. Also, on …Read more
Olamaie
$$$$·Southern·
Central Austin
- Special Occasion
- Good for Anniversaries
- Good for a Date
If you didn’t know any better, you could easily mistake Olamaie’s for someone’s adorable private residence. Inside this white house—with a wraparound porch, window shutters, and be…Read more
Dai Due
$$$$·American·
South Austin
- Local Ingredients
- Good for a Date
- Fit for Foodies
The folks at Dai Due know how to beautifully marry the old and the new. This rustic place feels traditionally Texan, with enough novelty to keep things interesting. Everything on t…Read more
North Italia - Austin 2nd Street
$$$$·Italian·
Downtown
- Good for a Date
- Happy Hour
- Special Occasion
This modern Italian restaurant has several locations around the country, but don’t let that worry you, they’ve grown because they’re great. They use seasonal ingredients and make a…Read more
True Food Kitchen - Woodlands
$$$$·American·
The Woodlands
- Healthy
- Casual
- Good Vegetarian Options
Everything’s bigger in Texas, and with all the copious amounts of delicious meat available here, sometimes your body needs some lean greens to balance things out. This place is def…Read more
Jeffrey's Restaurant
$$$$·American·
Central Austin
- Special Occasion
- Good for a Date
- Romantic
Since 1975, Jeffrey’s has been an iconic Austin eatery, delivering great fine dining experiences that are ideal for a special occasion.The wood floors, blue velvet chairs, and whit…Read more
There aren’t any available tables for 2 today at 7:00 pm
View AvailabilityATX Cocina
$$$$·Contemporary Mexican·
Downtown
- Good for a Date
- Creative Cuisine
- Hot Spot
The extensive use of light birchwood throughout ATX’s space—mixed with curved wooden ceilings—makes it feel light and reminiscent of a scene from Noah’s Ark. The menu features a lo…Read more