Best New Restaurants in Austin (With Map) – January 2025
THERE ARE ALWAYS SO MANY FABULOUS NEW RESTAURANTS IN AUSTIN...
...and it’s hard to keep up with them all! That’s where this list comes in: these are some of the best new restaurants in Austin, and they’re all listed out on a map so you can find one that’s convenient for you.
Every restaurant on this list has opened in the past 12-24 months. (So some are *brand* new and some are just new-ish.) They’re all absolutely fantastic and worth a visit.
Psst: and if you don’t care about the hottest restaurants in Austin and you just want to find some tried-and-true restaurants in Austin that have been among the best for years, here are the best restaurants to eat in Austin.
Use this map to find a new Austin restaurant near you:
Best New Restaurants in Austin, Texas
day Maker Half Day Cafe
(Opened November 2024)
Day Maker is the new diner concept from the Jack Allen's/Salt Traders team, and it's awesome. It's called a "half day cafe" because it's open for breakfast and lunch only, and you'll be able to find lots of diner classics on the menu like chicken and waffles, chilaquiles, and various Benedicts. It's located right next to Salt Traders Coastal Cooking in Zilker, in the building that used to be an IHOP. They did a great job renovating it into a cool, retro diner!
WEBSITE | 1101 S MoPac Expy, Austin, TX 78746
Loudmouth Pizza and Beer
(Opened November 2024)
The team behind Paperboy (one of the best brunch spots in Austin) opened this East Austin pizzeria. You'll recognize the location as being the old mansion that used to be Rosewood restaurant, which closed shortly after the pandemic.
Loudmouth is Neapolitan-style pizza, cocktails, beer, and other pizzeria favorites like Italian subs, wings, and meatballs and focaccia.
One of the major selling points is the massive outdoor patio that overlooks downtown, complete with a kid's corner with turf, a safety wall, and some toys to play with. This is a great family-friendly restaurant near downtown with excellent pizza, cocktails, and apps!
WEBSITE | 1209 Rosewood Ave, Austin, TX 78702
Mian & Bao
(Opened October 2024)
Chengdu Taste, the famed Los Angeles Sichuan restaurant (which also has an offshoot in Las Vegas) has officially opened a sister concept here in Austin! Main & Bao is a small restaurant at the Triangle, featuring a small menu of both Sichuan and Shanghai cuisine.
The menu is much less robust than the original Chengdu Taste restaurant, but you can find a few staples like the Zaijang noodles, beef noodle soup, and Xiao long bao (soup dumplings.)
Ordering is done with a QR code at your table, making this a combo of sit-down service and fast/casual service. It's an excellent spot to stop by for lunch, and you can order an entree for less than $20.
WEBSITE | 4700 W Guadalupe St Ste A5, Austin, TX 78751
Rockman Coffee + Bakeshop
(Opened October 2024)
If you've lived in Austin for a minute you know about Amanda Rockman, James Beard Award semifinalist/pastry goddess who has appeared on Beat Bobby Flay and brought us the incredible pastries at the South Congress Hotel (Cafe no Se, Mañana Coffee, and later all of New Waterloo restaurants.)
Well...her very own bakeshop is officially open in East Austin, and it's darling. Stop by early if you want to try something in particular (everything sells out!), but rest assured that every croissant, kouign amann, rip-and-dip bagel, cookie, pecan pie bar, and sugar-laden treat that you find behind the pastry case will be perfection.
A note: this is definitely an "elite bakery" experience, and prices reflect that!
WEBSITE | 2400 E Cesar Chavez St Suite 200, Austin, TX 78702
Mercado Sin Nombre
(Opened September 2024)
This little alleyway masa bakery and coffee roaster officially opened in September 2024, but it had a "soft opening" a few months prior. However, now you can officially stop by and enjoy masa everything, including a masa Twinkie, pancakes, biscuits and jam, and a biscuit sandwich.
This family-run "market without a name" roasts everything in house, so be sure to try a cortado or drip coffee to go with your corn-based treat. Or, just enjoy a dirty horchata or delicious cold brew coffee to enjoy in the breezy alley.
No indoor seating, but with a patio this cute...who needs it?
WEBSITE | 408 N Pleasant Valley Rd, Austin, TX 78702
House Wine
(Opened September 2024)
OG Austin wine bar House Wine announced its closure/relocation earlier in 2024, and now it has officially re-opened in an adorable bungalow on South First Street in the space that used to be Art For The People.
You can expect the same unpretentious approach to wine with a small selection of rose, white, and red, plus a food menu of bites + shareable like baked brie, sausage pizza, and cheese boards.
WEBSITE | 1711 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78704
Casa De Luz - East
(Opened July 2024)
Casa De Luz, the cafeteria-style vegan restaurant that has been an Austin classic near BARTON nSprings for years, officially has an East Austin location.
For $15 you get a pre-fixe meal consisting of nourishing veggies, salad, legumes, fermented food, plus a bowl of soup and a cup of tea. (Low-sugar desserts are available for an additional fee.)
This new location is a lot bigger than the original, with a bunch of indoor and outdoor seating. It's located inside a space that was previously an apartment building, so if you're a bit confused the first time you walk in...you're probably in teh right place.
I love that Casa de Luz is a non-profit that highlights sustainability, whole plant nutrition, and kindness. Dining here feels amazing, not just because of the healthy food, but also because you know you're doing something good for the planet and for others around you.
WEBSITE | 1915 E MLK, Austin TX 78702
The Dead Rabbit
(Opened July 2024)
The Dead Rabbit, the New York-based Irish pub and cocktail bar, officially opened in downtown Austin in July 2024. And yes, that is sawdust you see all over the floor. It's their thing!
The Dead Rabbit located on Dirty Sixth (across the street from the Driskill Hotel), which is quite a move for an upscale cocktail bar. The door has a bouncer of sorts opening and closing the door, most likely to keep tabs on the clientele who enters. So it definitely feels like an upscale cocktail bar inside, despite its location.
Open from lunch through late night, the menu features Irish classics (Scotch eggs, fish and chips) as well as "cocktail food" like raw oysters.
The cocktails really are excellent, clearly prepared with the upmost care by a talented staff and made with creative ingredients.
However, you'll be paying New York prices for these. Two cocktails and a Guinness set us back $65, so these might be among the most expensive cocktails in Austin.
WEBSITE | 204 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78701
Swim Club Austin
(Opened June 2024)
The poolside lounge and restaurant at Downright Austin hotel is called a "non-members-only social club," and it's CUTE!
The old Sheraton hotel in downtown Austin underwent a huge renovation, and part of that included this new Swim Club Austin restaurant. Guests can dine indoors in the now-empty indoor sunken swimming pool, or enjoy poolside bites and drinks at the outdoor pool.
Everything is pink and retro and very fun. The food is typical summer-y poolside eats like burgers, tacos, ceviche, pizza, and tiki cocktails.
WEBSITE | 4807 Airport Blvd, Austin, TX 78751
Lil' Easy
(Opened May 2024)
I'm SO excited about this new Cajun food restaurant and bar from the team behind De Nada Taqueria. It's a casual Louisiana dive bar with frozen daiquiris, an excellent happy hour menu, seafood baskets, and po'boys.
This interior is pretty small, so plan on eating outdoors. There are lots of fans and misters, though, so it's pretty comfortable even on warm afternoon.
WEBSITE | 5000 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702
P Thai's Khao Man Gai and Noodles
(Opened May 2024)
This might become your new favorite rainy day comfort food in Austin. P Thai's Khao Man Gai is now open in former Vamanos space on Airport Blvd.
What is Khao Man Gai? It's the Thai street food version of a simple Chinese chicken rice dish, and when it's made well it is FREAKING DELICIOUS. Think: yummy chicken fat rice, soft and juicy chicken, a bowl of hearty chicken broth on the side, and a spicy dipping sauce to tie it all together. It's the best $20 meal I can think of in Austin right now.
WEBSITE | 4807 Airport Blvd, Austin, TX 78751
Casa Bianca
(Opened April 2024)
A self-proclaimed "weirdo Italian" restaurant in East Austin, Casa Bianca is from former Uchi chef Jospeh Zoccoli and 12 year NYC cocktail vet Richard Thomas. This spot is lot of fun! A little bit upscale, a little bit casual, and perfect for a date night before a concert or a meetup with a friend at the rooftop bar.
You can expect small shareable plates with lots of Italian influences (but not typical Italian food) and low-waste, inventive cocktails.
There's a 21+ rooftop bar called Bar Alcina that has a daily happy hour.
WEBSITE | 1510 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702
The Long Goodbye
(Opened April 2024)
A really fun spot if you love outdoor patio bars! The Long Goodbye is an all-day indoor/outdoor bar. It's open in the morning to customers who want to stop by Fleet Coffee or La Santa Barbacha, two food trailers parked on-site. And in the afternoon the indoor and outdoor bars open.
Each bar has its own menu. The outdoor bar is a bit more casual, with frozen cocktails, beers, and happy hour specials.
The indoor lounge is 21+ and features craft cocktails. The drinks are fantastic, featuring high-end spirits, lesser-known ingredients, and a wide variety of glassware to elevate the experience.
**Note: it's a bit confusing, because if you do a quick google search it looks like this place opens at 3 pm. But that's just referencing The Long Goodbye bars... Fleet Coffee is, in fact, open in the morning hours.
WEBSITE | 2808 Manor Rd, Austin, TX 78722
Lao'd Bar
(Opened April 2024)
If you've been missing SXSE food truck (formerly parked at Vacency Brewing), fret no more. It's now parked at Lao'd Bar, a new Laotian restaurant adjacent to Sign Bar in east Austin.
Chef and owner of SXSE, Bob Somsmith, is still serving some of the most popular items from his popular food truck from the past 6 years (like those chicken thigh skewers and crispy fried rice.) But the menu is MUCH bigger now, and it includes cocktails and beer.
The food is spicy and flavorful and incredibly delicious. Whether you're already familiar with Laotian cuisine or you want to try something new to you, Lao'd Bar is a must-try destination in east Austin.
Note: this is an open-air restaurant with lots of fans but no air conditioning. If you're dining here in the summer, I suggest stopping by after 8 pm when it cools down a bit.
WEBSITE | 909 FM 969 building 4, Austin, TX 78724
Yellow Ranger and Golden Horn
(Opened April 2024)
Yellow Ranger and accompanying bar Golden Horn opened in the old BurgerTex space on Airport Blvd. It's a low-ceiling, dimly-lit dive bar and American Chinese restaurant from chef Jeremy Young (Emmer & Rye, Ramen Tatsu-ya.)
It's kind of a three step process here to get all your food and drinks. Right when you walk in, you'll order your food at the counter. Next, step over to the Golden Horn bar space where they have draft cocktails, 30 beers on tap, and other bevs. Then, you'll seat yourself and wait for you food to be brought to you.
It's a really fun, creative spot. It's an excellent place to watch sports at the bar or just enjoy some old Austin vibes since it's in an older restaurant space.
Must-try items: crab rangoons, half-smash burger, spicy margarita on draft.
WEBSITE | 5420 Airport Blvd, Austin, TX 78751
Donkey Mo's Korean Fried Chicken
(Opened March 2024)
If you get the craving for some delicious Korean fried chicken, head to one of the two new Donkey Mo's locations in Austin. (South Lamar or Airport Blvd.)
It's a fast-casual concept with a simple menu of crispy Korean fried chicken, multiple dipping sauces, and sides like fried pickles, onion rings, and creamed corn.
The South Lamar location is in the old Jiim Barbecue (RIP, but from the same group that owns Donkey Mo's.) While the food is absolutely delicious and makes for a great spot for a quick and tasty lunch, the South Lamar restaurant was absolutely empty when I stopped by for a weekday lunch.
WEBSITE | 5312 Airport Blvd, Austin, TX 78751 and 1100 S Lamar Blvd ste 2140, Austin, TX 78704
Redbud Ice House
(Opened March 2024)
This one is the newest concpet behind the Olamaie group (one of the best date night spots in Austin, if you're looking for a fancy restaurant!)
Redbud Ice House is a simple concept: good burgers, cold beer, and lots of tables. It's in the old Contigo space on Anchor Ln, and it backs up to Batch Craft Beer and Kolaches.
The burger patties are made from beef that was raised right here in Austin from Ranger Cattle, and the burger patties are from Austin's own Texas French Bread. They have 4 craft beer on tap, and they're served in these big cold frosted 18 oz schooners, which is kind of fun. (And makes you feel like you're drinking way more than 18 oz.)
If you ever went to Contigo back in the day, you remember that ample outdoor seating, the indoor options, and the Texas-y feel to the space. That hasn't changed. There is, however, a little outdoor kids play space by the patio, which makes this an excellent kid-friendly restaurant in Austin.
WEBSITE | 2027 Anchor Ln, Austin, TX 78723
Taqueria 10/10
(Opened February 2024)
Ok, this is officially the coolest type of speakeasy. Why? They don't serve cocktails at this speakeasy...they serve TACOS!
Taqueria 10/10 is a legit little taco shop that you have to enter by going through an alley-way entrance into a bar. You can read all about how to find Taqueria 10/10 in downtown Austin here.
The bar will funnel you into an interior taco counter + restaurant inside the building that also houses Roma night club and Reina rooftop. (Yup, this taco place was designed for late night club-goers. But it's also open for lunch/dinner!)
The nixtamlized corn tortillas are incredible, but what really stood out to me was the incredible handmade flour tortillas. They're small and nearly transluscent, perfectly soft and the ideal vehicle for that incredible pastor that's shaved fresh off the trompo.
If you find yourself downtown and need a quick lunch or a late-night bite after a concert, keep Taqueria 10/10 in mind.
Murray's Tavern
(Opened December 2023)
From the team behind popular craft cocktail bar Nickel City, Murray's Tavern is that totally-unpretentious-super-cool-I-want-to-make-it-my-local-spot type of restaurant that east Austin needed.
You might recognize the building and location (it used to be Gourmand's), but the interior was totally gutted and reconstructed. It's now full of dark wood, jewel tones, and there's a cozy/moody feel throughout.
The Rob Roy is the biggest crowd-pleaser on the menu. Pair that with a wedge salad and an order of fish and chips (the most popular menu item) and you'll feel like you're stepping back in time to a New York City mid-century cocktail tavern.
Zoe Tong
(Opened November 2023)
Zoe Tong is a fun new modern Chinese restaurant on Barton Springs Road. It's from two highly-acclaimed New York City chefs (Simone Tong, Silver Apricot, and Matthew Hyland, Emily and Emmy Squared) who now live in Austin with their two children. The name Zoe Tong is a nod to both of their children, which a sweet gesture!
Inspired by chef Tong's upbringing in Singapore and China, the menu is full of hearty noodles, pan-seared dumplings, sticky BBQ ribs, and crispy 2-day dry-aged Rohan duck.
The menu looks familiar at first, with classics like homemade wontons filled with chicken and cabbage, two-piece lamb skewers with mala cumin spice, and a variety of hearty rice and noodle and veggie dishes. But once you dive in a bit deeper (and discuss with your server!) you'll find some new, creative takes: the flaky scallion swirls look like cinnamon rolls...except they're stuffed with nori and made from a yeasted laminated dough. And the Zoe Tong Rohan Duck is ANYTHING BUT you average Chinese restaurant entree. This beauty is a tea smoked duck that's been dry aged in Chinese 5-spice, served with a nourishing duck bone broth, their yummy signature Tong sauce, scallion, hominy bing, pear & herb salad, and house pickles. It serves 2-3 people.
Zoe Tong is a casual spot (this space used to be Uncle Billy's brewpub, and then Austin Eastciders tap room) and since all of the food is shareable, it's a great place to go with a big group of friends for a family-style meal.
Bureau de Poste
(Opened October 2023)
Hyde Park is the lucky recipient of chef Jo Chan's restaurant, Bureau de Poste (which translates to "post office" in French.) This adorable outpost tucked inside the newest location of Tiny Grocer serves French classics with a modern twist.
The building is a historic former post office building (hence the name) with a few indoor tables, a cozy bar that overlooks the market, and a sprawling sunken patio.
Chef Chan, who has an impressive resume of working under James Beard winner Marcus Samuelson, competing on season 19 of Top Chef, and rising to position of Executive Chef at Eberly here in Austin, has created a menu of all the French classics you'd expect...but with an elevated, modern twist.
Must order items: a beautiful cheese board if you're there with a group, or the endive salad and escargot for date night. The Bureau de Poste moules frites is a creative take on the classic dish, and the duck leg cassoulet and skate wing fish fillet are highly recommended. And if you're lucky enough to dine there on a Tuesday night, go for the plats du jour, which is Lobster Frites. Dessert? The absolutely perfect vanilla bean creme brûlée.
Nomadé Cocina
(Opened October 2023)
This Mexican restaurant and raw bar from the Lucky Robot team serves Yucatan-inspired cocktails and food. One of the most fascinating parts about this restaurant is the buildout. Do you remember Seventh Flag Coffee on South First? It was a tiny bungalow shop that was open for years before it closed and briefly re-opened as Word Of Mouth Bakery, which also closed.
Well, Nomadé is in the same bungalow, but they have completed gutted and renovated it! There's a massive structure added to the front yard to provide covered, heated patio dining (completely safe from the rain or wind but it still has an open-air feel.)
The cuisine is bright and fresh. If you love aqua chile, fresh tostadas and pipian, and charred pulpo, definitely stop by for either happy hour or a late night meal.
WEBSITE | 1506 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78704
RADIO/EAST
(Opened October 2023)
For those of us who love getting in a laptop work session at Radio Coffee + Beer but HATE the search for parking and a table, great news: there's a new location!
RADIO/EAST is on a 2 acre lot in southeast Austin (near Meanwhile Brewing) with ample space for working, socializing, or enjoy live music in the evening.
The feel is very similar to the original Radio, except that there's a lot more space here.
Guests can head inside to order at the bar (coffee, beer, and pastries) or use the QR code on every table to order through their phones and pick up the food/drinks when they're ready.
There are a few food trucks on site (Side Eye Pies, Shortwave Diner) with room for more.
WEBSITE | 3504 Montopolis Dr. Austin, TX
Camp Out
(Opened October 2023)
There's a cool dog-friendly bar in on Burnet Rd called Yard Bar, and they have a new walk-up restaurant that just opened: Camp Out!
The idea is family-friendly comfort food like nachos, burgers, and tacos. They also have beer and wine, cocktails, and special meals made just for kids or dogs.
The food is good (not stand-out, but good in a family-friendly meal sort of way), but one of the best parts about this place is the huge fenced-in dog park and the separate play space for kids. It makes for an easy casual night out, any day of the week.
WEBSITE | 6700 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX 78757
Uchiba
(Opened October 2023)
Uchiba is the highly anticipated restaurant from Hai Hospitality (Uchi, Uchiko, Loro). Roughly translating to "Uchi Bar," Uchiba is a Japanese izakaya-style cocktail bar and restaurant located on the ground floor of the new "sailboat" Google tower in downtown Austin. This is the second location of Uchiba. The first one is in Dallas.
Let's get right to it, because everyone is asking: what makes this place different from Uchi or Uchiko?
This biggest thing that sets Uchiba apart is the Japanese izakaya-style offerings on the menu. There's an entire section devoted to yakitori (grilled skewers), several fried dumplings, and small bao and slider buns.
One of the most unique (and fun!) things about Uchiba is their selection of "Perfect Pairs," which are bite-size morsels paired with a small sip. An oyster + a tiny martini, for instance, or musubi + tepache (pictured above).
Of course, you'll still get that expert hospitality, beautiful interiors, and incredible award-winning sushi offerings that only the pros know how to bring.
Uchiba is a slam dunk and a welcome addition to the downtown Austin dining scene. Although it's marketed as an izakaya, it still is quite upscale and pricey and would make an excellent option for a special night out in Austin.
WEBSITE | 601 W 2nd St, Austin, TX 78701
Looking for more places to eat in Austin? Here are a bunch of food posts. Need some ideas for fun things to do in Austin? Check out these 25 ideas of fun things to do in ATX.
Oh, and if you're visiting San Antonio any time soon, we have a guide to the Best Restaurants in San Antonio, too!
This post is part of the Austin Food Bloggers Alliance City Guide! To see more guides to the ATX food scene, click here.
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