Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Austin

OpenTable

Updated October 05, 2024

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!

Sushi Bar ATX

5.0

5 (20)

$50 and over

Sushi

East Austin

About the restaurant

Step into the extraordinary world of Sushi | Bar ATX, an intimate Omakase speakeasy that invites you to embark on a whimsical culinary journey presented through 17 exquisite courses.

Behind an unmarked door in East Austin, you'll discover a hidden gem featuring two intimate dining rooms, each boasting only 10 coveted seats. Positioned directly in front of our chefs' cutting boards, experience a free-spirited interpretation of the traditional sushi counter, where beloved standards receive unexpected and delightful riffs. Throughout your dining experience, our talented chefs will guide you through a captivating culinary journey, showcasing interpretive new takes on traditional nigiri sourced from both land and sea.

Reserve your seat today and unlock the extraordinary world of Sushi | Bar ATX, Austin's premier Omakase experience.

Top review

Jordanvip

Dined on Sep 16, 2024

So good! Was a fun experience and amazing food. Will be going back

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Experience

Chef's Counter Omakase

Fabrik

5.0

5 (215)

$50 and over

Vegan

East Austin

About the restaurant

Note: Opentable is up-to-date with our availability. Select "show next available" to see future openings.

Fabrik is the intersect of fine dining and mom & pop restaurant hosted in an intimate micro restaurant space. We offer a 5 and 7-Course tasting at 6pm, and a 7-Course tasting at 8:30pm Wed-Sun. Fabrik's current menu focuses on Japanese, Nordic, and Italian flavor profiles. Fabrik is 100% independently owned and operated.

Led by Executive Chef-Owner Je Wallerstein, Fabrik is Austin’s first 100-percent plant-based tasting restaurant featuring curated menus that highlight the seasonality and diversity of plant-based cuisine in an upscale, sophisticated setting. With sustainability as a priority in our approach, we source 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.

Top review

Kevin

Dined today

It's an amazing vegan tasting menu. The price is not out of line for what I'd normally expect a fancy tasting menu to be -- and the taste and quality are off the charts.

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Experience

7-Course Tasting

Uchi Austin

4.9

4.9 (5403)

$50 and over

Sushi

Downtown

About the restaurant

:: ADDITIONAL RESERVATIONS AVAILABLE ON RESTAURANT WEBSITE ::

Translated from the Japanese word “home,” the original Uchi is located in a refurbished South Austin bungalow. Award-winning Chef Tyson Cole’s signature non-traditional take on Japanese food has delighted Austin’s diverse dining crowd as well as visitors from across the country and around the world since 2003. Reservations are encouraged and can be made up to 1 month in advance. Walk-in seating is limited to the Sushi Bar 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

Mrs Lennyvip

Dined 2 days ago

Another amazing food/dining experience. Brother and his partner are here visiting from London so brought them along and they Loved it!

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4.8

4.8 (250)

$31 to $50

Mexican

Downtown

About the restaurant

Chapulin Cantina offers authentic Oaxacan cuisine in a vibrant atmosphere. Our bar boasts creative cocktails and an incredible selection of mezcals you won't find anywhere else! Striving to bring the flavor of Oaxaca to South Congress, Austin TX.

Allergies to Nuts and Seeds not friendly.

Chapulin has a 15 minute Grace period for reservations, please call if you are running late.

Top review

Thomas

Dined on Sep 28, 2024

Food was truly exceptional. Great service. Everything we coulda asked for.

El Naranjo - South Lamar

4.8

4.8 (1180)

$31 to $50

Traditional Mexican

South Austin

About the restaurant

El Naranjo is an Austin, TX restaurant that is proud to serve up high quality, fresh Mexican cuisine that has an authentic traditional favor. You can always find something interesting on the menu and those who visit often will find that it changes regularly.

Some of the typical items you will find on the menu at El Naranjo include guacamole, empanadas, ceviche. In addition, you can enjoy the homemade moles, all of which are made from scratch. El Naranjo is the place to dine for authentic flavor.

Top review

drew

Dined on Oct 2, 2024

Best place in austin and we have been to every place in Austin!!

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4.8

4.8 (271)

$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

NIcole

Dined on Oct 2, 2024

What an amazing experience!!!! First time vegan sushi eater, and I will be back for sure. It was a quiet lunch and the service was outstanding.

Emmer & Rye

4.7

4.7 (3396)

$50 and over

American

Downtown

About the restaurant

Emmer & Rye is a restaurant designed around the farmer’s haul, featuring a menu that changes daily with a focus on seasonal and local cuisine. Heirloom grains are milled fresh for house made pastas, breads, and desserts, whole animal butchery is done on site, and an extensive in house fermentation program captures flavors at their peak and preserves them for the off season.

We accept reservations 60 days in advance. For event inquiries, please visit our website.

Top review

Brandievip

Dined 2 days ago

Absolutely exceptional. We had a party of 5 so we were able to order several dishes and try them all. This was by a landslide the best food I have had in Austin. Service was personalized and accommodating. The on-site sommelier guided us through picking a great wine. The food was of the highest quality, everything made in house down to the bread and pasta itself. Our favorites were the Johnny Cakes, the Gnocchi, Pappardelle and you have to order the sourdough bread experience. Will be back VERY SOON. We are all still talking about the phenomenal dishes the next day over coffee!

Ezov

4.7

4.7 (602)

$50 and over

Mediterranean

East Austin

About the restaurant

Ezov, the Hebrew word for hyssop which is the main ingredient in za'atar, celebrates the markets of Tel Aviv and the bounty of Texas. The latest concept from E&R Hospitality, expect small plates, local sourcing, delicious cocktails, and regional wines.

Top review

Cindyvip

Dined 2 days ago

The food is SO delicious! No complaints whatsoever (just wish there was better parking)

Space Cowboy

4.5

4.5 (279)

$31 to $50

American

East Austin

About the restaurant

Where the whimsical child comes back to life with each sip and bite of adventure.

Chef, Juan Diego, who has had extensive culinary experience from Madrid, London, HongKong, and Mexico had the idea of combining global flavors & techniques that come together. He now wields his creativity at Space Cowboy making his experiences and techniques work together for this new modern American concept. With experiences of working with word renowned chefs, hotels, and opening various restaurants of his own, now brings it all together at Space Cowboy. Experience our perfectly braised, fall off the bone beef short rib delivered to your table by our hardworking little robot spaceships. Taste our best selling “Spaceballs” and experience a flavor explosions under a cosmic dream.

Top review

Jonathan

Dined on Sep 18, 2024

If there was a restaurant that encapsulated the best of Austin, including food, service, cocktails, ambiance, and just that splash of weirdness, this is it. Space Cowboy is a regular spot for me, and it is a must-hit if anyone is in town visiting. The food is outstanding (I could live off Space Balls), and the concept is one of the most fun things in this city. There is nothing bad on the menu (either food or drink), and the ability to share a meal while bots like Dave, Stuart, and Bob ensure that you're taken care of is perfect. So stop reading, hit that "reserve button," and find your new favorite spot.

Aviary Wine & Kitchen

4.1

4.1 (262)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

South Austin

About the restaurant

Aviary Wine + Kitchen is a funky, unique wine bar and restaurant on South Lamar. A neighborhood gem that brings international inspiration to the menu via the talents of our Chef team who craft small & large plates alongside our ever rotating selection of oysters and cheese & charcuterie. Pair your meal with a wine from our unique list of low intervention wines and lesser-known wine regions. Our knowledgeable staff is here to guide you! Seating is available both indoors in our socially distanced dining room and outside on our heated patio. Come see us for a night out with friends, a romantic evening for two, or happy hour with a coworker!

Top review

sxswHATER

Dined on Jul 17, 2024

We’ve been here a few times. Menu has always been on the smallish side but today was very limited. Apps were great. Entrees were mediocre. Sommelier and service are on point in a relaxed, comfortable space. Happy hour 4-6 is worth leaving work early.

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