New Austin Restaurants: The Archives
You might have stumbled upon the guide to The Best New Restaurants in Austin. It's updated monthly and contains a few of the must-visit new hot spots in ATX.
But once those restaurants reach 2 years old, they're moved over here: The Archives.
This is where you can scroll through and dozens of great restaurants that have all opened recently(ish) and are worth trying.
New Austin Restaurants: The Archives
The Grey Market
(Opened Jan 2022)
If you can’t make it up to the rooftop restaurant at the Thompson Hotel (Wax Myrtles), stop by this first floor diner for a quick burger and beer, or a grab-and-go chicken salad sandwich. Part bodega, part southern diner, this is a great place to stop in for a quick breakfast or meet a friend for lunch.
The Grey Market is linked to to The Grey in Savannah, Georgia, run by chef Mashama Bailey who co-wrote Black, White, and Grey.
WEBSITE | 501 Brazos St, Austin, TX 78701
Wax Myrtle's (permanently Closed)
When someone mentions a “downtown Austin hotel restaurant” to me, I go in with some reservations. My expectations are: overpriced “craft” cocktails (that are actually watered down batched cocktails), the expected classics like a burger, a steak, a chicken dish, and a few menu items that sell well (overpriced brussels sprouts, I’m lookin’ at you.) But Wax Myrtles (get this…) is actually realy good.
Yep, the ambiance alone of this restaurant inside the newly-opened Thompson Hotel could sell it. But on top of the poolside dining and sweeping rooftop views of the Frost Bank Tower, you’re going to get top-notch cuisine created by a chef who was previously at Aba. (Yep, the other restaurant that could sell on looks alone.)
This is one of those places that you could visit for a quick happy hour drink at the bar, a full-blown dinner, or some combo of the two. (Psst: try the Spiced Roasted Half Chicken.)
WEBSITE | 506 San Jacinto Blvd Suite WM, 4th Floor, Austin, TX 78701
Diner Bar Austin
(Opened April 2022)
Upscale southern restaurants Diner Bar Austin is now open in downtown. This is where you go for oysters and caviar, cocktails, and elevated southern cuisine.
From the Grey Spaces team, Diner Bar is the sister restaurant to The Grey in downtown Savannah (led by James Beard Award-winning Chef Mashama Bailey.)
Kristine Kittrell is chef de cuisine of this new Austin restaurant. She was formerly at El Chile in Austin, and she has competed on Bobby Flay's namesake tv show...and was the first woman to ever beat him.
Diner Bar could swing casual or upscale. Check out the picture above and you'll see that the ambiance works for flip-flops and shorts or a nice take-the-parents-out sort of restaurant.
WEBSITE | 500 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78701
Pecan Square Cafe
(Opened May 2022)
Pecan Square Cafe is the newest concept from the MML Hospitality group (which now has a whopping SIXTEEN restaurants in Austin!). It's in the shuttered Cafe Josie space, just behind Clark's Oyster Bar (also owned by MML Hospitality.)
It's a cute, quaint cafe that feels like an upscale place to go out to lunch (a perfect place to impress a client or bring your mom for her birthday). The food and branding are, per usual for MML, completely beautiful.
They offer menus for lunch, snacks (the time of day in-between lunch and dinner), and dinner. Expect lots of fresh, summer-y flavors, fresh pastas, golden squash pizzas, local lettuces and foie gras mi cuit, and larger dishes like a 44 farms bavette.
WEBSITE | 1200 W 6th St #B, Austin, TX 78703
Summer Revival Wine Co
(Opened May 2022)
Dripping Springs is now home to Summer Revival Wine Co., a fabulous new tasting room pouring flavorful, playful natural wines.
Some of their wines are made with 100% Texas-grown grapes, and others (from their Oregon label) are made with 100% PNW grapes.
Stop in for a flight of wines with very creative yet accurate tasting notes (like "orange nerds, grapefruit soda, and margarita salt") as well as a "drinking snack" from their food menu.
Try their cheese plate and tinned fish plate, along with one of the most delicious rosés around. On your way out, pick up some yummy snacks or fresh flowers to take home at Picnic House, the sweet little market inside the main entrance.
WEBSITE | 665 US-290, Dripping Springs, TX 78620
Maie Day
(Opened May 2022)
This new steakhouse on South Congress is located inside the South Congress Hotel in the space that used to be Central Standard. It's from the New Waterloo Group and MaieB Hospitality.
Super fun spot for cocktails, raw bar, delicious apps (try the smoked fish dip with homemade “ritz” crackers), and locally sourced high-quality steaks.
It’s a fun, festive ambiance! Austin doesn’t have a lot of steakhouses (except for national chains…which are fine, but sometimes you want something a bit more unique), so this is a fun addition to the ATX dining scene!
WEBSITE | 1603 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704
Neighborhood Vintner
(Opened June 2022)
There's a new wine bar and bottle shop on Bee Caves Rd, and it's way more than just an adorable place to sip a glass of rosé.
Two certified sommeliers have stocked more than 1,000 wines from around the globe in this beautiful Westlake shop. They're there to educate you on all things wine. Whether you're a total pro or you know nothing about wine, they'll meet you where you are and help you select a fun bottle.
There are about 20 wines by the glass available. But you can also purchase a bottle and enjoy a glass at the bar and take the rest home with you - no corkage fee.
If you're feeling snacky, they offer cheese and meat boards from Antonelli's. The food and beverage options are fairly limited in Westlake, so this is a much-needed addition to Austin's wine scene.
WEBSITE | 3663 Bee Caves Rd #4D, Austin, TX 78746
Local Foods
(Opened June 2022)
Local Foods, a Houston-based restaurant with four Houston locations, opened their first Austin restaurant in June 2022. It's located in the 2nd Street District of downtown.
The menu is full of THEE most delicious salads and sandwiches you've ever tasted. They work with local farmers and butchers to provide locally-sourced food, so you're getting farm-fresh cuisine at a approachable, fast-casual restaurant.
The space was designed by Michael Hsu and it's a beautiful, modern 2-story restaurant. There's a small sidewalk patio outside.
Super fun spot for cocktails, raw bar, delicious apps (try the smoked fish dip with homemade “ritz” crackers), and locally sourced high-quality steaks.
It’s a fun, festive ambiance! Austin doesn’t have a lot of steakhouses (except for national chains…which are fine, but sometimes you want something a bit more unique), so this is a fun addition to the ATX dining scene!
WEBSITE | 1454 W 2nd St, Austin, TX 78701
Ski Shores Cafe
(Opened June 2022)
Ski Shores Cafe is a waterfront restaurant in Austin that's been open for decades, and here's the short of it: the new facelift and ownership (by MML Hospitality, one of the biggest restaurant groups in Austin) means old Austinites are pissed about the nearly 2X prices, and new Austinites are in love with the aesthetically pleasing space. So you can kind of use that to decide where you'll land...
It is a really beautiful, fun space, and there's no better place to enjoy a few cold cocktails and a delicious burger during your sunshine-filled day on the lake. If you can go into it expecting the MML prices, you'll probably have a wonderful time.
WEBSITE | 2905 Pearce Rd, Austin, TX 78730
Casper Fermentables
(Opened June 2022)
This new restaurant/bakery in Sunset Valley started as a booth at the farmers market, and they recently opened a new brick and mortar in Sunset Valley (right next to Stouthaus Coffee Pub.)
Stop by for all sorts of delicious fermented foods, like sourdough bread, chewy bagels, all sorts of fermented veggies, and kombucha brewed in house. Note: the hours seem to be pretty limited right now, and they're only open Thurs-Sun.
WEBSITE | 4715 S Lamar Blvd #101A, Sunset Valley, TX 78745
Bulevar
(Opened August 2022)
Sister restaurant to ATX Cocina (and from the same team that created Hopdoddy, Z'Tejas, Tumble 22, Salty Sow, and others), Bulevar Mexican Kitchen is an upscale grill that just so happens to also be 100% gluten free. And offers sweeping hill country views from the rooftop deck. And has some of the best margaritas in town. Are you sold on it yet?
Located in the Arboretum in north Austin, Bulevar is the type of restaurant you'll want to visit for a celebratory meal, like a fun date night, an anniversary celebration, or a big meal out with girlfriends you haven't seen in a while. (Multiple cocktails will occur!)
Be sure to check out their happy hour menu for some discounted bites. But if you want to splurge on an entire dinner meal, you can't go wrong with the duck carnitas huarache, the premium wood grilled meats, or pretty much anything that has mole in the description.
WEBSITE | 9400 Arboretum Blvd, Austin, TX 78759
Este
(Opened Sep 2022)
This Mexican seafood restaurant from the team behind Suerte is finally open! It's in the space the used to be Eastside Cafe, and there has been LOTS of anticipation for this new east Austin restaurant.
The award-winning team behind Suerte has been building up the concept and transforming this darling little building into Este, a Mexican seafood restaurant that draws inspiration from the coastal cuisine and charcoal cooking that you find throughout Mexico.
As expected (based on Suerte's success...), reservations are hard to get right now. But the Este team is reserving a number of tables for walk-up guests.
WEBSITE | 2113 Manor Rd, Austin, TX 78722
Proud Mary Cafe
(Opened Sep 2022)
G'day, mate! This Australian cafe is the newest restaurant in Austin! Do you remember Olivia restaurant on South Lamar? It closed several years ago and the building has been empty while 4-story buildings pop up around it. Well, it's officially has a new concept!
Proud Mary is one of the newest restuarnats in Austin. Originally based in Australia, this Austin location is the second one in the States, after PDX. It's a weekday breakfast spot, coffee shop, and all-around cozy little spot to meet up with a friend or do a solo work sesh. And if you're having trouble finding it, you're not alone: Proud Mary intentionally didn't put up a sign because they want this to be a "word of mouth" type of place.
The breakfast and lunch dishes are incredible. Think curried scrambled eggs with fried roti, and ricotta hotcakes with miso and rye crumble. They roast their own coffee, and you can get "Australian" bevs that aren't in typical United States coffee shops, like a Flat White or a Piccolo.
WEBSITE | 2043 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
Marufuku Ramen
(Opened Oct 2022)
With eight locations throughout California, Texas, and New York, this well-known San Francisco-based brand is bringing authentic Hakata-style Tonkotsu ramen to the Mueller district in Austin.
The ramen bar is located on the ground floor of one of the new high-rise buildings in Mueller. It's a trendy space with counter seats facing all the action in the kitchen, bar stools at a white marble bar top, and several 2- and 4-top tables throughout the restaurant.
The menu includes both pork tonkatsu and chicken paitan ramen, as well as shareable apps like Japanese steamed buns, chicken karaage, and 7-piece gyoza potstickers.
WEBSITE | 1900 Aldrich St. Suite 180, Austin, TX 78723
Industry East Austin
(Opened Oct 2022)
Industry is now open in East Austin! They've had a successful location in San Marcos for a while, but this is the first Industry location in Austin. Stop by to enjoy all-day fare like tacos, sandwiches, bowls, and kid-friendly food, as well as cocktails on draft, local beer.
It's a counter-service restaurant with lots of big tables, so it's a good option if you're looking for a casual place to dine with a big group in Austin.
Industry is located on the ground floor of a mixed-used building and they offer parking validation for two hours in the adjacent parking garage.
WEBSITE | 1211 E 5th St. Ste 150, Austin, TX 78702
Howards Bar And Club
(Opened Oct 2022)
Caviar, cocktails, and hot dogs...this is definitely the night club for Clarksville! Connected to Rosies wine bar (and also from the MML team), Howards is a bar and night club with daily live music, DJ sets, and other events.
The menu includes several styles of hot dogs, including a Chicago dog and a sauerkraut, a burger, caviar service, and other small bites. Drinks include craft cocktails, wine, and draft beer.
There's no cover charge (except for select nights when there are special performances), and they often show sports in the afternoons. Oh, and happy hour is from 3-5 with half off drafts and hotdogs.
WEBSITE | 1130 W 6th St, Austin, TX 78703
Rosie's Wine Bar
(Opened Oct 2022)
Rosie's is a cute wine bar in Clarksville from the MML hospitality team. There's a small indoor bar with chic decor and a larger outdoor patio, and the entire space is walk-in only.
They source wine bottles from around the globe, and there's an emphasis on smaller producers. The food menu includes small plates with Portuguese and Spanish influences. While the plates probably aren't substantial enough to make a full meal, it's a great spot to get an interesting bottle of wine, indulge in a few tapas, and enjoy a sunny Austin afternoon.
WEBSITE | 1130 W 6th St, Austin, TX 78703
New Lazarus Brewing Location #2
(Opened Nov 2022)
Lazarus Brewing opened its second location in Austin in the space that used to be I Luv Video on Airport Blvd. It's a beautiful (massive!) space with a two-story interior, a long indoor bar, a big outdoor patio with bistro lights and heaters, and their traditional beer + Mexican street taco offerings.
WEBSITE | 4803 Airport Blvd, Austin, TX 78751
Dovetail Pizza
(Opened Nov 2022)
Dovetail Pizza is a collaboration project from the masterminds behind Austin hot spots Lenoir, Salt & Time, and Swedish Hill...but it's a lot more low-key than those restaurants. It's marketed as a "neighborhood pizza spot" in the Bouldin Creek neighborhood. It's family-friendly, so kids and babies are welcome.
But the menu is more sophisticated than your average family-friendly pizza spot. They offer a full bar of craft cocktails, local beer, and a nice selection of wine. The menu consists of apps, salads, 4 pasta options, and their signature oval-shaped pizza, which is somewhere between an old-school NY-style pie and a Roman-style pizza. It has a crisp, chewy crust, and medium-thickness, and the slices are large enough that you could fold them.
WEBSITE | 1816 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78704
Kelly's Irish Pub
(Opened Dec 2022)
You can now visit an authentic Irish pub in Austin, Texas. The old Winebelly space is home to Kelly's Irish Pub: a dark, cozy spot with a neighborhood bar feel. Stop by and enjoy the selection of Irish whisky, a plate of bangers and mash, or a pint of Guinness or Carlsberg.
WEBSITE | 519 W Oltorf St, Austin, TX 78704
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