Best New Restaurants in Austin (With Map!) – December 2023
THERE ARE ALWAYS SO MANY FABULOUS NEW RESTAURANTS IN AUSTIN...
...and it’s hard to keep up with it 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
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
Bacalar
(Opened September 2023)
This new Yucatan-cuisine restaurant at the veeerry south end of Rainey Street (adjacent to Lady Bird Lake) can hardly be considered a "Rainey Street restaurant" at all. It's so far south on the street you could actually completely avoid the bar scene to get here.
From Season 18 Top Chef winner Chef Gabe Erales, Bacalar's menu is inspired from both the coastal and interior regions of the Yucatan peninsula, where chef grew up with his family.
This means a corn-centric menu, including a complimentary sweet corn drink upon sitting down. The corn tortillas that are served with the delicate mole side are exceptionally light and flavorful (on par with those fantastic corn tortillas at Suerte!) and the grilled swordfish is melt-in-your-mouth soft with a charred, flavorful exterior.
Bacalar's design is modern and grand, as it's in the base of one of Austin's newest condo towers. It lacks a bit of the Austin soul that you'll find at the other new Yucatan restaurant in Austin (Nomadé on South First street), but it makes up for it in grandeur, finesse, and excellent cocktails and cuisine.
This is a great spot to bring a group of friends or a corporate gathering (an office holiday dinner, perhaps?) if you want an upscale Mexican restaurant in downtown Austin.
WEBSITE | 44 East Ave #100, Austin, TX 78701
Elementary
(Opened July 2023)
Originally an Austin pop-up from several Austin hospitality veterans, Elementary now has a permanent brick-and-mortar on South Lamar.
The interior is cozy, chic, and adorable. The perfect spot for a casual date night. The concept is upscale cuisine with global influences, served in a casual setting. And as the name suggests, the menu is printed on lined elementary school paper, and some of the dishes have a schoolhouse theme (especially the weekend brunch options), but in general, Elementary is just a cute new place to enjoy excellent seasonal cuisine.
WEBSITE | 2026 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
Goldys
(Opened July 2023)
Austin bakery Cookie Rich opened this food trailer at Littlefield's in the Tarrytown neighborhood of Austin. (This food truck was previously home to Fleet Coffee.)
Goldy's serves all-day brunch, sandwiches, and snacks. The WARM part of the menu includes like a sausage and cheese biscuit, roasted chicken panini, and avocado hash brown - their creative take on a classic avocado toast, but this one is served on a salty, crispy hash brown base. The COLD menu items include pasta salad, pimento cheese, chicken salad, and a tomato salad. There's also a kids menu portion.
WEBSITE | 2401 Winsted Ln, Austin TX 78703
Valentina's BBQ (New Location!)
(Opened June 2023)
You've most likely visited Valentina's in South Austin, or tried their tacos at an Austin FC game at Q2 Stadium. This exceptional BBQ restaurant is listed on our guide to the best BBQ in Austin and the best breakfast tacos in Austin.
Well, as of June 2023, Valentina's has officially opened their doors at the new Buda indoor location! The original food truck on Menchaca will be closed.
The Buda location of Valentina's is a HUGE indoor space, with air conditioning (bless!), a lot of picnic table seating, and a full bar.
You can expect the same menu, which includes both Tex (bbq) and Mex (tacos) favorites, loaded brisket tacos, brisket sandwiches, and some of the best flour tortillas in the greater Austin area.
This location has been a long time coming! It's at the Buda Mill & Grain, a mixed-use modern development that includes a winery, a few restaurants, and some boutique shops. It's really a charming little area and a great place to bring the family or a group of friends for a fun evening out.
WEBSITE | 308 S Main St, Buda, TX 78610
Bill's Oyster
(Opened May 2023)
New Orleans-inspired Bill's Oyster is the newest spot in downtown Austin to perch at the bar and order raw oysters and a ice-cold martini. Of course, the menu expands beyond that, including seafood towers, lobster rolls, caviar, and a classic "Bill's Burger," plus a full raw bar portion of the menu.
The cocktail component plays a major role at Bill's. After all, the majority of this long, skinny restaurant (formerly Daily Juice on 3rd St) is dedicated to the bar. The large selection of spirits are in full display at this bright, happy place. Not feeling any of the signature cocktails on the menu? Ask your server to make you something else!
There's a small sidewalk patio, which will be lovely in the cooler months. The interior includes a long row of small bar seats, some window perches, as well as a handful of tabletops for larger groups.
WEBSITE | 205 W 3rd St, Austin, TX 78701
Underdog Wine Bar
(Opened May 2023)
Sure, it's listed as a wine bar, but Underdog is SO much more! The Korean-influenced menu is small yet mighty, packed with flavor and variety.
The happy hour selection (one white, one red) rotates, so stop by early if you want a $7 glass and a few $7 bites. Otherwise indulge in a full bottle of wine from the menu that's been curated by their Master Sommelier (there are only a few humans who hold that title in Texas!) Underdog doesn't have an exact "theme" with their wine list, but they just strive to provide diverse, delicious, ethically- and sustainably-made wines for their guests to enjoy.
As far as the menu goes, it's divided into four parts: snacks, seafood, meat, and veggies. There are 5 or 6 options in each category, and everythign is made to be shared. So this is an excellent wine bar for a night out with a few friends.
There are few wine bars in Austin where you can truly indulge in a full dinner (Aviary and Birdie's are exceptions, but most wine bars like Kalimotxo, Rosie's, The Meteor, Salt & Time Wine Bar, and Golden Hour include tpasa or small plates), but Underdog is the type of bar where you'll want to arrive hungry and plan on leaving very, very full.
WEBSITE | 1600 S 1st St Suite 100, Austin, TX 78704
Estelle's
(Opened May 2023)
Estelle's, an upscale social lounge downtown Austin's warehouse, opened in May 2023 in the two-story 16,000-square-foot space that was previously Trulucks.
What is Estelle's? Well, it's first a foremost an elaborately decorated lounge. Walk in the front door and you'll be greeted by a dramatic curved staircase adorned with flowers, feathers, and sparkly chandeliers. There's no shortage of greenery, luxurious artwork, and rich, vintage furniture the multi-floor lounge.
Estelle's is also a bar. This is the most approachable way to enjoy Estelle's, as the oval-shaped bar on the first floor is near the entrance and provides an easy way to order a craft cocktail or a glass of wine.
And then, of course, Estelle's is a full-service restaurant. There are the shareable seafood platters, caviar everything, and then more down-to-earth options like The Estelle Burger, lobster mac n cheese, and even chicken fingers with house-made ranch.
WEBSITE | 400 Colorado St, Austin, TX 78701
Fast Friends Beer Co
(Opened May 2023)
Fast Friends Beer Co. is finally open! It's that giant new build on the east side of I-35 in South Austin. If you drive past the William Cannon or Slaughter exits frequently, you've seen it.
The head brewer, Luke Wortendyke, came to this position after working as head brewer at Wren House in Arizona. He's pretty well known for a certain hazy IPA, so if you're into big, hazy beers and you want to try a good one, check out Fast Friends.
There are also plenty of other delicious options on tap: a delicious Czech pilsner, served on an authentic Czech side-pull faucet, a low(ish) ABV cream ale, a West Coast IPA, and a few others in addition to cider and wine options.
Pizza and snacks are available. Just order from the QR code and you'll get a text when your food is ready for pick-up at the counter.
I get a lot of questions about "kid-friendly breweries," simply because I have two young children and I'm often at Austin breweries. I wouldn't list Fast Friends was a kid-friendly option. While it is very large, has plenty of space, and sells pizza and soft drinks, it's a tall building with steep staircases. In order to get from the main tap room to the outdoor area with corn hole, you have to go down a steep flight of stairs.
Fast Friends is an excellent spot for...friends! It's next to the highway, but the covered patio is on the side of the building that's away from the highway, so you actually feel like you're in a bit of a secluded oasis.
The building is large but parking is limited, so if you're visiting on a weekend try to get a ride share or carpool, if possible.
WEBSITE | 7313 N Interstate 35 Frontage Rd NB, Austin, TX 78744
Soupleaf Hot Pot
(Opened April 2023)
If you love hot pot, definitely check out this fun new restaurant in Highland! Soupleaf is a family-owned Canton style hot pot restaurant that's perfect for a solo lunch, a date night, or a big meal out with a bunch of friends.
For just $25 ($35 during dinner) diners can select a one of five scratch-made broths and all-you-can eat meat, veggies, seafood, noodles, and dumplings to dip, cook, and eat.
WEBSITE | 6929 Airport Blvd, Austin, TX 78752
Ezov
(Opened April 2023)
Ezov, located in the old Pitchfork Pretty space in east Austin, is the newest restaurant from the Emmer & Rye Hospitality group. If you love Hestia, Canje, Kalimotxo, and Ladino (in San Antonio) you're a fan of Mediterranean food, you'll definitely want to give this upscale spot a try.
Ezov celebrates the "markets of Tel Aviv with the bounty of Texas." In typical Emmer & Rye fashion, great efforts are taken to source locally and sustainably while sticking to the theme of the restaurant. In this case, that means fresh Texas produce and sustainable meat, fish, and poultry, served in classic Mediterranean dishes with unexpected twists.
These small plates are meant to be shared, so be sure to make a reservation to dine with someone you really like. 😉 You'll be sharing plates!
The cocktails are bright and fun, with appropriate ingredients like turmeric and pepper and colorful fruit juices. Many of the wines are sourced from Greece, Spain, and Italy.
Reservations can be hard to get (it's a small, popular spot!) but you might have luck trying to slip in near opening time to snag a seat at the bar.
WEBSITE | 2708 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702
La Popular
(Opened April 2023)
La Popular is a Mexican restaurant that just opened at Lantana Place (on Southwest Parkway) in Austin. The restaurant is originally from Mexico City and serves Mexico City cuisine (slightly different from traditional Tex-Mex you might find in Texas, but not too different...) and this Austin location is their second location in the United States. More to come soon!
The restaurant is GORGEOUS. The square-shaped bar is the central focus of the room. There are plenty of indoor tables and lounge areas, and the wall of the restaurant opens up to the outdoor patio, creating a breezy, airy, indoor/outdoor feel.
The menu at La Popular lends itself to a celebratory occasion. Show-stopping cocktail, complimentary salsa samplers with 5 housemate flavors, guacamole with chicharron, and decadent ribeye fajitas. Everything is absolutely scrumptious.
Pro tip: if you can, save a little bit o space for dessert. The tres leches cake is among the best in Austin.
WEBSITE | 7415 Southwest Pkwy, Austin, TX 78735
Holiday
(Opened March 2023)
Snacky plates, fancy cocktails, and vacation-worthy patio vibes are what you'll find at the snew Eastside cocktail bar. Holiday is in a corner space that was previously used as a car repair shop, and the renovation is pretty remarkable.
Beautiful polished cement floors, bright white walls, and olive trees set the scene. The curved bar and chic pink couches make it feel like the type of place you'd visit on a coastal holiday.
Drinks aren't cheap, but you get what you pay for. They're excellent. The giant back patio is covered with gravel and has plenty of fans and large umbrellas; it's clearly made for Texas.
Holiday is from hospitality veterans (Olamaie, L'oca d'Oro, Kinda Tropical) so the food, service, and drinks are exceptional. The food menu is written as snacky options, but they could absolutely stand as a meal if you're hungry. Think: steamed mussels with sourdough, shaved kale salad, frites with aioli, and a cashew onion dip with potato chips and lots of chives.
One more thing: Holiday is a seat-yourself bar, so it's great for large groups. Once you're seated a server will find you and take your order at your table. It's a nice option if you hate having to weasel your way up to a crowded bar to place an order because that's not going to happen here.
WEBSITE | 5020 E 7th St, Austin, TX 78702
Uptown Sports Club
(Opened March 2023)
If it seems like everyone is talking about this new Austin restaurant, it's because...well, they are. Uptown Sports Club is one of the hottest new restaurants in Austin right now.
It's not only because it's owned by Aaron Franklin, founder of Franklin BBQ and one of the biggest names in the Austin culinary scene.
Or that it's in a historic east Austin building that was meticulously renovated instead of being torn down. (Which is what most developers are doing in east Austin.)
It's also that the restaurant, food, and vibes are so good. Really. This is a fun spot you'll want to visit again and again.
The menu is Texan take on Louisiana food, with coffee and breakfast in the morning and cocktails and po'boys, gumbo, and oysters in the afternoons and evenings.
WEBSITE | 1200 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702
Flo's Wine Bar
(Opened March 2023)
Flo's is the epitome of a neighborhood wine bar: it's cute, casual, bright, and welcoming. Families stop by for pizza and soft serve at the adjacent AllDay Pizza, couples stroll in to share a bottle of rosé at the bar, babies hang out in their strollers on the sunny patio, and groups of girlfriends perch on outdoor steps, waiting for tables to open up.
It's located in the Colorado Foothills, just across the street from Camp Mabry. This neighborhood near Mount Bonnell really doesn't have a lot in the way of eateries, so a neighborhood spot that people can walk to so easily is a bit of an anomaly.
And it's hard to say if we're still in the honeymoon phase or if it will stay this crowded forever, but it's safe to say that Flo's is absolutely crushing it in their first few months of opening. This little Austin wine bar is constantly packed. (But tables clear out quickly, so don't be deterred...just hang out for 15 minutes and something will open up!)
WEBSITE | 3111 W 35th St, Austin, TX 78703
Ling Wu
(Opened Feb 2023)
Ling Wu Asian Restaurant, sister restaurant to Lin Asian Bar and Qi, has officially opened on Southwest Parkway in the Lantana Place Development.
If you've been to chef Ling Qi Wu's other popular Asian restaurants in Austin (Lin Asian Bar in Clarksville and Qi in downtown Austin) you'll be in familiar territory: amazing dim sum, the best soup dumplings in Austin, and fresh, delicious Asian entrees like Kung Pao Shrimp and Sesame Chicken. Everything on this menu is featured at at least one of the other restaurants, and even the hanging lanterns on the patio and the interior decor feel the same. (If it ain't broke, you know?)
However, this restaurant is new and exciting in one very important way: it's located in a part of Austin that desperately needs more local and high-quality restaurants.
With the fun cocktail and sake menu, the gorgeous restaurant, incredible food menu, and careful service, Ling Wu is a great option for lunch meetings, date nights, and dinners out with groups of friends.
WEBSITE | 7415 Southwest Pkwy, Austin, TX 78735
Luminaire
(Opened Feb 2023)
San Antonio chef Steve McHugh has officially opened his first Austin restaurant! Luminaire is a bright all-day eatery located in the Hyatt Centric hotel (next door to the historic Paramount Theatre) with a tall ceilings, a lively environment, and a meat-heavy menu. But, of course, the menu is no surprise to anyone who has dined at his flagship restaurant, Cured.
Luminaire's menu is a tad hard to explain. In fact, when they launched, the website simply said "a wide variety of food made from high quality ingredients." But upon dining you can tell that the emphasis is on meat, with a dinner board of curated meats, cheese, and snacks ($65), some light veg-focused starters (try the grilled broccolini with citrus yogurt), and larger meat-forward entrees. But one of the best parts of the menu is the "Delgado Chops" portion, which offers a list of meat (veal, boar, beef, lamb, etc.) available for $8 each. Choose your own adventure by mixing and matching to meet your hunger zone; your server will probably recommend you add a veggie starter to round out the meal. The chops are just a few ounces, and each one is served on crusty bread and covered in a hearty jus.
WEBSITE | 721 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701
Songbird
(Opened Feb 2023)
There's a new chicken sandwich food truck parked at Meanwhile Brewery in southeast Austin. The gist of the concept is this: "fast food, but wayyyy better." Think: a fried chicken sandwich made with Cook’s Venture heirloom chicken paired with crispy iceberg lettuce, homemade ranch, bread and butter pickles, and squishy milk bread, and a Patty Melt burger of ground sirloin, brisket, and short rib, all smashed into the flat top, then topped with sweet onion, onion straws, and horseradish. Psst: don't sleep on the salads! Not the type of food you'd typically see at a brewery, but the citrus salad is bright and zingy and packed with flavor.
WEBSITE | 3901 Promontory Point Dr, Austin, TX 78744
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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. {Photo Ski Shores Cafe}
WEBSITE | 2905 Pearce Rd, Austin, TX 78730
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
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
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
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
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
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
Wax Myrtle's
(Opened Feb 2022)
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
Llama Kid
(Opened Jan 2022)
TEMPORARILY CLOSED
This little Peruvian restaurant is located at the east Austin building that used to house Austin Daily Press. It’s a teeny space, but the patio is a fun place to pop by for a lunch date. Peruvian food isn’t too common in Austin, but Llama Kid does it really well. (As they should, considering their chef and co-owner is a native Peruvian.)
Expect the most DELICIOUS cebiche menu, lots of seafood, soft and flavorful rice, plenty of fried yucca, and a fun cocktail list.
WEBSITE | 4620 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702
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
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!
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