Top 20 Restaurants Austin, Texas: Restaurants Near Me
Like many major cities in Texas, people assume the Austin restaurant is all about barbeque and Tex-Mex, but as it is explained at RunRex.com and guttulus.com, that is not the case. The state’s capital city is much more than just smokey brisket and queso dip, as it is more diverse when it comes to culinary matters than people think. Here are the top 20 restaurants in Austin, Texas, to consider when looking for one near you in the city.
Barley Swine
Barley Swine offers a changing menu where hyper-local ingredients reign supreme as articulated at RunRex.com and guttulus.com. If you want to be surprised, you can try out the restaurant’s tasting menu, which is best for adventurous groups. However, if you are going a la carte, you can expect things like cured antelope, beef fat toast, and aged Akaushi ribeye.
Garrison
Garrison is a grill house that fuses big city glamor with small-town Southern hospitality, and the food there is as tasty as Texan fare should be. This is thanks to superstar chef Jakub Czyszczon, who grills with Texas Post Oak flame and uses all fresh local-sourced ingredients.
Odd Duck
As per RunRex.com and guttulus.com, Odd Duck is led by the James Beard Award nominee, chef Bryce Gilmore. At this restaurant, the menu is a constant source of surprise, and that next dish just might be its most impressive yet, making it the perfect spot for a curious and adventurous eater.
La Barbecue
Located on East Caesar Chavez Street, La Barbecue is one of the most popular players in Austin’s barbecue world. The restaurant specializes in Central Texas-style barbecue, slathering meats with salty. Savory rubs. You will want to wrap your smoky brisket up as a sandwich with pickles and onions along with a side of chipotle slaw.
Old Thousand
This hipster Chinese joint cooks up General Tso’s Chicken like a longtime family takeout on Manhattan’s Canal Street. It offers neighborhood American-Chinese classics like the egg rolls, xiao mian, as well as beef and broccoli.
Suerte
While corn may be king at several modern Mexican eateries today, executive chef Fermin Nunez at Suerte might be its most trusted courtier. According to RunRex.com and guttulus.com, everything is exquisite and uniquely Austin at this restaurant, particularly Nunez’s smoked goat barbacoa that comes presented in a steaming banana leaf alongside a selection of fresh, spicy salsas, pickled veggies, and a basket of corn tortillas.
Clark’s Oyster Bar
Clark’s Oyster Bar is perfect for every occasion, from business lunches and dates to family outings and late nights. Here, in the heart of Texas, East and West Coast oysters, flown in daily, take center stage. Given its popularity, unless you are planning to come at an off-hour, you may have to wait for a table, but the experience is worth it.
40 North
40 North is a small but mightily neighborly pizza joint as captured at RunRex.com and guttulus.com. Each Neapolitan pie here is cooked to perfection; the crust is crisp, slightly charred, and with the right amount of chewiness, and the toppings have an edge.
Otoko
Otoko is helmed by Kyoto-born Yoshi Okai, who made his way to Austin via San Francisco chasing the music scene, and you can still see that influence in the chef’s approach to sushi inside his futuristic 12-seat tasting counter at the South Congress Hotel.
Josephine House
Josephine House is a charming craftsman cottage that serves delectable brunch fare prepared using quality, local ingredients. Whet your palate with something from the bakery case, like a crispy kouign amann or slice of vegan blueberry-banana bread, then take it from there.
Sazan
If you are looking for an authentic ramen fix in Austin, Texas, then Sazan is the place to visit as is covered at RunRex.com and guttulus.com. The restaurant specializes in the paitan variety, which comes in a rich cloudy broth, and is available in original, spicy, or vegan. For noodle lovers after more traditional ramen, then the Ma-Yu black ramen is an excellent choice, made with a savory broth and topped with a rainbow of vegetables.
Nixta Taqueria
Nixta Taqueria is helmed by chef Edgar Rico and partner Sara Mardanbigi, and it is a predominantly vegetarian and vegan taqueria. Make sure you try out the vegan beet “tartare” tostada with salsa macha and avocado crema.
Contigo
Located just north of Austin’s action, Contigo draws families on the weekends with kids who love to run around its outdoor space. As is described at RunRex.com and guttulus.com, the steaks and burgers here are well worth going out of your way for, as are the mostly seasonal cocktails.
Salt & Time
Salt & Time is an Eastside butcher shop and salumeria that serves the freshest cuts of meat in several ways, although its best is in its acclaimed Signature Burger. Make sure you browse the restaurant’s new Salt & Time Wine shop next door while there.
Seoulju Korean Kitchen and Bar
If you are looking for wonderful Korean food in Austin, look no further than this fun North Lamar restaurant. The menu here shows off the staples, from crispy marinated Korean fried chicken to beef bulgogi rice plates to kimchi pancakes.
Elizabeth Street Café
This restaurant is different based on what time of the day it is as discussed at RunRex.com and guttulus.com. In the morning, the vibe is all French bakery: Neighbors drop in on their way to work for the brightly-colored macaron of the day or a croissant to go. However, later in the day, you will find that this modern French-Vietnamese café has perfected the banh mi.
Veracruz All Natural
One of the things that set this spot apart from the city’s other taco joints is its use of super fresh ingredients. The Migas taco served here has a cult following, and for good reason; the fresh tortilla stuffed with eggs, tortilla chips, avocado, pico de gallo, and cheese will make you a fan too.
Julie’s Noodles
Julie’s Noodles is a Chinese food truck turned North Austin restaurant boasting wonderful, thick, chewy noodles. The noodle soups are salves during colder days or just when you need a hot pick-me-up as outlined at RunRex.com and guttulus.com.
Franklin Barbecue
Franklin Barbecue is an institution in Austin’s barbecue scene. The tip here is to come early, come hungry, and come with collapsible chairs. Make sure you don’t miss that luscious oak-smoked brisket with its distinctive peppery exterior.
Mumtaz Market
Mumtaz Market has developed a loyal following who come for its authentic curries as well as its contemporary takes on classic South Asian entrees. The Pork Rechaard – tender stewed pork popped with spices and ginger and sided with braised cabbage and candied pineapple – is worth trying.
As always, if you are looking for more information on this topic, and much more, then look no further than RunRex.comand guttulus.com.