Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Austin

OpenTable

Updated May 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies 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!

Fabrik

5.0

5 (338)

$50 and over

Vegan

East Austin

About the restaurant

Winner of The Smart Green Guide's USA Discovery of The Year award, Fabrik is Austin’s first 100-percent plant-based tasting restaurant featuring curated menus that highlight the diversity of plant-based cuisine in an intimate, sophisticated setting.

Led by Executive Chef-Owner Je Wallerstein, Fabrik is focused on seasonality and sustainability, sourcing produce and ingredients from local growers and provisioners wherever possible. We offer an eclectic selection of vegan, biodynamic and organic wines, including an optional wine pairing. Fabrik also offers saké as well as a range of non-alcoholic options.

We offer two fixed 7-course tastings at 6pm and 8:30pm Tues-Sat. With 4 distinct seasonal menus each year, our cuisine highlights Japanese, Nordic, and Italian flavor profiles. Fabrik is 100% independently owned and operated - we look forward to hosting you!

Top review

Patience

Dined 5 days ago

Wonderful service and comfortable environment. Food has been phenomenal each visit

Discover more

Experience

Spring 7-Course Tasting | $95

Canje

4.9

4.9 (2284)

$31 to $50

Caribbean

East Austin

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

Brennon

Dined 2 days ago

Great experience food was delicious. Will definitely go back.

Foreign & Domestic - Austin

4.8

4.8 (2111)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Central Austin

About the restaurant

We are a bustling neighborhood restaurant in the heart of north loop. We are one of Austins oldest farm to table concepts. Our menu is foreign in style, while domestically sourced. Our menus change with the season, farm availability, & on chefs whim. Join us for our nose to tail tasting menu nightly if you appreciate whole animal usage. Our wine program is aimed toward biodynamic natural small production wines. If you'd like to have pre or post dinner cocktails, our awesome neighbors include the tigress bar & drink.well.
Please note that we have a 15 minute grace period on reservation arrival times. Should you find yourself running late, please give us a call or the table may be released to a waiting guest.
Tables of 1-2 guests will be reserved for 1.5 hours, tables of 3-4 will be reserved for 1 hour and 45 minutes, tables of 6+ will be reserved for 2 hours. These times reflect standard dining times of our guests. Should you feel that you need additional time, please notate this.

Top review

JannaVIP

Dined 2 days ago

This place never disappoints! LOVE coming here and sitting at the counter. :)

Discover more

Popular dish

Parisian Gnocchi

Popular dish

Gruyere & Black Pepper Popovers

Popular dish

Roasted Berkshire Pork Collar

Nori

4.8

4.8 (390)

$31 to $50

Sushi

Old West Austin

About the restaurant

Plant-based Japanese Cuisine serving sushi, ramen and crafted cocktails. Cozy romantic atmosphere with indoor and outdoor seating available. Come try our best seller Volcano Roll and handmade Shiitake Gyozas.

Top review

Robert

Dined 6 days ago

Absolutely masterful. Easily the best sushi we've ever had, and the ramen was an amazing symphony of flavours.

Uchiba Austin

4.8

4.8 (206)

$50 and over

Sushi

Downtown

About the restaurant

:: ADDITIONAL RESERVATIONS AVAILABLE ON RESTAURANT WEBSITE ::

Uchibā, loosely "Uchi Bar" in Japanese, is Uchi's izakaya‑inspired cocktail bar and restaurant delivering a vast selection of Japanese whiskies, unique cocktails, yakitori grill items and Uchi classics. Reservations are encouraged and can be booked online up to 1 month in advance. Walk-in bar seating is available and is subject to wait times. Patio seating is weather permitting and may be rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. We look forward to serving you, Kanpai!

Top review

ColleenVIP

Dined 4 days ago

We had an incredible time trying most of the vegetarian menu! Everything was delicious. Highly recommend for vegetarians!

Tiki Tatsu-ya

4.7

4.7 (75)

$31 to $50

Polynesian

Bouldin Creek

About the restaurant

You’ve never seen anything like this extravagantly decorated tiki-bar funhouse from Tatsu
Aikawa and the team behind Ramen Tatsu-Ya, Kemuri Tatsu-Ya and dipdipdip Tatsu-Ya.

Recently named one of the 40 best bars in Austin by Statesman critic Matthew Odam, Tiki
Tatsu-Ya is disguised by a fake travel company on the outside, but stepping in, you’re
immediately transported to another world. The riotous colors, sound effects and over-the-top
tropical cocktails in custom mugs and glasses feel like an island vacation or 21+ Disneyland.
Shareable drinks come with fire shows, and even the food far surpasses typical bar fare with
mouthwatering dishes like Spam Musubi, Crab Lagoon, Kalua Pork and the Pu Pu Platter, which
shouldn’t be missed. Reservations are recommended.

Top review

John

Dined 7 days ago

The cocktails are absolutely unforgettable—crafted with precision.The presentation was Spectacular. Think flaming garnishes, whimsical mugs, and theatrical reveals. Every drink felt like a mini-performance. As for the food, just wow. The menu is packed with island fare that’s rich, bold, and perfect for sharing. The Spam Musubi was one of the best I’ve ever had: crispy, savory, and addictive. Everything we ordered was vibrant, flavorful, and beautifully plated. The service was also top-notch. Friendly, attentive, and enthusiastic staff made the experience feel even more festive. They clearly love what they do and it shows. Whether you're a cocktail connoisseur, a foodie, or just looking for a fun night out with friends, Tiki Tatsu-Ya delivers. It's a little slice of paradise in the heart of Austin, and I can’t wait to go back.

Discover more

4.7

4.7 (172)

$30 and under

Fusion / Eclectic

Downtown

About the restaurant

Anthem is a pub that honors American comfort food with lip-smacking Asian and Latin flavors. We feature 40 craft beers and lick-your-plate-clean options for every appetite. Our playful and eclectic digs located on Austin’s Rainey Street make Anthem the perfect place for friends, canoodling, and any other shenanigans you’re into.

Top review

Roger

Dined 6 days ago

Good food with great service. Would go again.

TLC Austin

4.6

4.6 (21)

$31 to $50

Comfort Food

South Austin

About the restaurant

Inspired by iconic Texas beer halls, the indoor-outdoor spaces of TLC allow people to gather around hand-crafted food and drinks inspired by America’s back porches. It’s a comfortable gathering place where kids and adults can play games and enjoy authentic Texas hospitality. It’s a blend of warm Texas kindness and Austin originality.

TLC is a place where you can enjoy food with friends like you’re on your back porch… Only you don’t have to cook or clean-up. You’ll visit for the food & drinks. You’ll come back for the memories.

Flip flops or heels, wing tips or western wear. All y'all'r welcome.

Top review

Riley

Dined on Apr 20, 2025

We enjoy the weekly specials from TLC and the Easter buffet experience was no different. Money well spent!

The Guest House Austin

4.5

4.5 (246)

$30 and under

American

Downtown

About the restaurant

Welcome to The Guest House – A new dining destination in downtown Austin. We are redefining the dining experience, infusing timeless classics with a modern twist. Our restaurant is perfect for any occasion, whether it's a casual meet-up, business meeting, or a special celebration.

Top review

Manny

Dined 4 days ago

Great experience… drinks are the main attraction here!

Mexta

4.2

4.2 (219)

$50 and over

Mexican

Downtown

About the restaurant

Mexta extends an invitation to a realm in the heart of Austin where the enchantment of Mexican gastronomy unfolds. It’s a concept that celebrates the magic born when authenticity encounters innovation, where history and contemporary flair merge seamlessly.

Mexta isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a destination for those who seek not merely a meal, but an indelible journey into the extraordinary.

Top review

Gavin

Dined on May 3, 2025

Excellent meal. Loved the innovative cocktails and use of lobster in various dishes. Service was first rate

Explore Diners' Choice best of Austin

Explore more Diners' Choice lists