The document provides a list and descriptions of the top 15 restaurants in Austin, Texas. It discusses the variety of cuisines available, including Tex-Mex, barbecue, sushi, pizza, and farm-to-table options. Several of the restaurants highlighted are considered among the best in their type of cuisine, such as Uchi for sushi and Franklin Barbecue for barbecue. Many of the restaurants focus on using high-quality, local ingredients.

1. The Top Restaurants in Austin
The Austin food scene is hot, with new, innovative restaurants opening
seemingly on a weekly basis. Tex-Mex and barbecue still reign supreme, but
there's also great sushi, pizza, and farm-to-table fare. Oh, and doughnuts.
Here’s our favorites:

2. 1. Uchi
Uchi is one of the best sushi places in the country, if not the best. Chef Tyson Cole’s
modern, classy, and creative takes on sushi, sashimi, and hot and cool tastings
bring Japaneses cuisine to a new, more contemporary level. Chef Cole opened Uchi in
2003 after studying for 10 years under sushi masters in Japan and New York City and
being declared an American sushi master. In 2011, he was named “Best Chef Southwest”
by the James Beard Foundation.
• Wagyu Hot Rock “Sear It Yourself” with Wagyu Beef, Ponzu, Japanese River Rock.
• Walu Walu – Oak-grilled Escolar, Candied Citrus, Yuzupon, Myoga.
• Bacon Steakie – Pork Belly, Watermelon Radish, Citrus, Thai Basil.
Uchi is located in a contemporary space in a remodeled cottage. The service and
experience are generally seen as being well worth the high prices - read more
here (Photo by Kimberly Vardeman)

3. 2. Franklin Barbecue
Franklin Barbecue sells perfectly-cooked, oak-smoked brisket, pulled pork, ribs,
turkey, and sausage from a turquoise and white cinder block building, and the long lines
form early.
Aaron and Stacy Franklin opened for business in a trailer in East Austin in 2009. By
2010, they had been named the best barbecue in the country by Bon Appétit.
The Barbecue Bible named Franklin the best brisket in Texas. As opposed to other Texas
barbecue joints that cook brisket in high-temperature brick pits, Franklin’s secret may be
that he slowly smokes the brisket for up to 15 hours, which leaves the meat very tender
with a black crusty exterior. He also gets up in the middle of the night to tend the
fire. They moved to a storefront location in 2011, and they have sold out of barbecue
every day since the day they opened. The lines form as early as 8 AM, the restaurant
opens at 11, and they typically sell out of barbecue by about 1 PM. Chairs are available
for rent to wait in line, and BYOB is OK - read more here (Photo by T.Tseng)

4. 3. Stubb's Bar-B-Q
Stubb’s Bar-B-Q is a legendary barbecue and beer joint, and a 2,000 person live music
venue. Go for the barbecue, stay for the music.
Christopher B. “Stubb” Stubblefield, Sr., was born in 1931 in Navasota, Texas, to a
family of 12 children. His father was a minister and sharecropper, and Stubb worked as a
sharecropper before joining the Army and fighting in the Korean War in the last all-
black Army infantry. It was there where he learned to cook, often preparing meals for as
many as 10,000 soldiers. After the war, he moved back to Texas and learned the art of
smoking brisket from restaurateur Amos Gamel. In 1968, Stubbs opened his eponymous
restaurant in Lubbock. The small place features a hickory pit out back and blues music
in the front. The Sunday Night Jams at Stubb’s became famous and featured artists such
as Willie Nelson, Joe Ely, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and Muddy Waters.
The original Stubb’s location closed in the early 80’s, and Stubb’s died in 1995. The
current Stubb’s restaurant opened in 1996 and features live music most nights, plus a
gospel brunch on Sundays - read more here (Photo by Michael Morrow)

5. 4. Barley Swine
Barley Swine start with the simplicity of beer and pork (thus, the name) and quickly
ventures out a wonderful array of small shared plates using rustic, local ingredients. The
place is casual in demeanor, but serious about food and drink. Barley Swine was named
one of the ”Top 10 New Restaurants in America” for 2012 by GQ magazine for their
delicious, innovative creations. The menu is fixed price and changed with the seasons,
and the ingredients are local when possible. Save room for dessert, too.
Chef and owner Bryce Gilmore made a name for himself in Austin by selling pork
sliders from a trailer for graduating to a brick and mortar location in 2010. He was
named “Best New Chef” by Food & Wine for 2011 - read more here (Photo by T.Tseng)

6. 5. La Barbecue
La Barbecue is the place to go in Austin if you’re looking for really excellent brisket,
but don’t want to put in the wait time at Franklin’s. In fact, John Lewis – the pitmaster at
La Barbecue – came from Franklin.
La Barbecue got its start in 2011 and is from famous barbecue lineage. LeAnn Mueller
opened the trailer, pit, and picnic tables set-up with her brother, John, and the original
name was JMueller BBQ. Their grandfather was the founder of the legendary Louie
Mueller Barbecue. John had previously run a barbecue joint on the East Side that had a
good reputation, but it eventually went out of business. Soon after opening, LeAnn and
John had a falling out, and LeAnn kept the place and changed the name to La Barbecue,
with the “La” part being a reference to her first name. In a very good business move, she
hired John Lewis, who had quit Franklin and was about to move to California, as
pitmaster. He built his own smoker and started making his own sausages.
La Barbecue is known for wonderful slow-cooked smoked meats, chipotle slaw, John
Lewis’ house-made and smoked sausages, and free beer on the weekend for those
waiting in line - read more here (Photo by Lars Plougmann)

7. 6. Gourdough's
Gourdough’s makes doughnuts – big, fat doughnuts. Gourdough’s makes doughnuts in
crazy flavors. The doughnuts are huge and fried to order. You can find them in an
Airstream trailer on South 1st Street surrounded by picnic tables and festive overhead
lighting. They’ve been featured in numerous magazine and TV shows during their
relatively short existence – not only because the doughnuts are really good, but also
because they are known for pushing the limit on what a doughnut can be.
In addition to the trailer, Gourdough’s also has a Public House at 2700 S. Lamar with a
full restaurant and bar and both inside and outside seating. The Public House serves
doughnuts, craft beer, and good pub food (burgers with doughnut buns, etc.) - read more
here (Photo by Dennis Yang)

8. 7. Odd Duck
Odd Duck is a former food trailer turned farm-to-table contemporary restaurant with a
welcoming patio and expansive views of downtown Austin. James Beard Award-
nominated Chef Bryce Gilmore is also the creative genius behind Barley Swine, and
both restaurants go above and beyond in their efforts to support local farms and keep
things as close to home as possible. The Odd Duck food trailer came first (it closed in
2011), then Barley Swine, then the Odd Duck restaurant. Odd Duck is the slightly more
casual of the two restaurants, and at Barley Swine the focus is on the small-plates-tasting
menu.
The cocktails and dessert should not be overlooked. There’s a good happy hour in the
afternoons and all day Sunday - read more here (Photo by chris.wojtewicz)

9. 8. Home Slice Pizza
Home Slice Pizza makes the NY-style pizza that Austin craves most – pizzas with a
thin, hand-tossed crust and artisan ingredients that are cooked in a wood-fired oven.
Home Slice opened in 2005 after Jen Strickland, a former NYU student, moved to
Austin and couldn’t find good pizza. To insure the authenticity of the pizza, she went
back to New York to learn the craft from a master pizza-maker. Pizzas are sold either by
the pie or by the slice. On Mondays, Home Slice also offers thicker Sicilian pies with
lots of sauce and cheese on crust with an oil-fried bottom. Home Slice Pizza has a good
selection of Italian wines and craft beer that complement the pizza well - read more
here (Photo by Eric Wittman)

10. 9. Wink
Wink is an intimate and unpretentious Austin restaurant where the focus is on the food,
as it should be. Chef Mark Paul came from Le Cirque, and Chef Stewart Scruggs from
Four Seasons in NYC. In the 12 years they’ve been in business together at Wink,
they’ve formed relationships with the farmers who supply their food that similar farm-
to-table restaurants would love to have. Over 75% of the items on the menu come from
within 100 miles of the restaurant.
Wink also takes their wines seriously – over 50 are offered by the glass. For the full
Wink dining experience there is a daily 5 or 7 course Chef’s Tasting Menu - read more
here (Photo by Dion Hinchcliffe)

11. 10. Contigo Austin
Contigo Austin is a fun place to sit on a patio and enjoy fresh Mexican food washed
down with a beer or margarita – if you happen to enjoy that type of thing. The East
Austin hot spot is modeled after the Contigo Ranch 3 hours south of Austin. The ranch
has been in Ben Edgerton’s family for years, and, in 2004, the property became a guest
ranch. In 2011, Ben and chef/partner Andrew Wiseheart opened the Austin restaurant
and strived to recreate the ranch feel in the city.
The patio at Contigo is dog-friendly and comes with picnic tables with lights strung
overhead, making it perfect for relaxing outside while enjoying food, drink, and
conversation. The vibe is friendly and relaxed, and the menu features lots of small plate
items - read more here (Photo by Josh Lackey)

12. 11. Kerbey Lane Cafe
Every city has that one restaurant that is a dependable choice any time of day or
night. Kerbey Lane Cafe is a Austin’s 24/7 answer. Go there for giant, fluffy pancakes
in the morning, an awesome burger for lunch, seasonally-inspired specials at dinner, or
queso at 3 in the morning – it will be good. For the vegan/vegetarian/gluten-free crowd,
Kerbey Lane will not leave you stuck with an afterthought of a salad.
Patricia Atkinson and David Ayer opened Kerbey Lane Cafe in 1980 – they lived in the
back of the house and opened the restaurant in the front of the house. Their focus was
using local ingredients to create home-cooked dishes, and, with a dash of creativity
added, the food was delicious and the small cafe out-grew its space. Today, there are
7 locations of Kerbey Lane, with more likely on the way - read more here (Photo
by Steve Santore)

13. 12. Amy's Ice Creams
Amy’s Ice Creams sells creamy, super-premium ice cream made with 17% butterfat ice
cream in lots of fun flavors. Amy Simmons opened her first location in Austin in 1984
after learning the skills while working through college in Boston. The store was an
immediate hit, and a second location opened one year later. Today, there are numerous
Austin locations, plus stores in San Antonio and Houston.
A rotating selection of ice cream flavors are offered in each store on a daily basis, but
the highly-acclaimed Mexican Vanilla can always be found. In addition to the ice cream,
there’s also milkshakes and smoothies, fruit ices, chocolate-covered strawberries, ice
cream cakes. Some of Amy’s Ice Cream flavors even have alcohol - read more
here (Photo by Paul Joseph)

14. 13. Tacodeli
Tacodeli has been a winner of number of awards for best tacos, salsa, ceviche, and verde
salsa in a town with serious competition for such things. The first store opened back in
1999, when founder Roberto Espinosa set out to recreate the Mexico City food of his
childhood. Most everything at Tacodeli is made from scratch using local, organic and
sustainable ingredients. The food is very good and a great bang for your buck.
Recently, Travel and Leisure named Tacodeli one of the “Best Tacos in America.”
They are only open for breakfast and lunch. There are 10 breakfast tacos on the menu
and over 20 lunch tacos, including a good number of vegetarian options (plus 1 vegan).
They also offer soups and salad - read more here (Photo by Robb1e)

15. 14. La Condesa
La Condesa offers upscale modern Mexican cuisine in a contemporary and bright
downtown Austin space in the Warehouse District. The food is made with great care and
is exquisite in both presentation and taste, and the dishes are more fresh and light than
the typical Mexican fare. La Condesa also has a vast selection of tequilas and earns high
marks for their hand-crafted drinks - read more here (Photo by shu)

16. 15. Uchiko
Uchiko is a sister restaurant to Austin’s Uchi and makes “Japanese Farmhouse Cuisine”
in a warm and welcoming setting. Some of the favorite dishes from Uchi are also at
Uchiko, such as Hot Rock and Hama Chili, plus some more experimental offerings.
Chef Paul Qui, a former winner of Top Chef Texas, also adds Thai and Vietnamese
influences such as lemongrass, fish sauce, chiles, garlic, and Kaffir lime to dishes.
Chef/Owner Tyson Cole spent 10 tears training with 2 sushi masters before opening
Uchi in 2003. He won the James Beard Award for “Best Chef Southwest” in 2011 - read
more here (Photo by Emily Goodstein)

17. 16. Easy Tiger
If Easy Tiger were a haircut, it would be a beautiful, flowing mullet. Entering the
business from street level its a bakery and coffee shop brimming with just-made breads,
pretzels, pastries, and croissants. Out back, it’s a different story all together –
a creekside beer garden with 30 beers on tap and gourmet sandwiches made from house-
cured meats on the aforementioned bread.
The concept – which works every bit as well as Billy Ray Cyrus’ mullet once did – is a
product of the collaboration between Top Chef competitor (and meat-curer) Andrew
Curren and baker David Norman. Upstairs, there’s a full selection of coffee and tea
drinks to pair with the pastries. Out back, the beers are excellent and pair perfectly with
the thick corned beef and pastrami sandwiches and chewy pretzels, and the picnic tables
set along Waller Creek is a perfect place for a relaxing meal and conversation - read
more here (Photo by Nan Palmero)

18. 17. qui
qui is the culmination of Paul Qui’s journey up the Austin food chain from starting as an
intern at Uchi to owning the restaurant of his dreams. Highlights of the journey included
winning Top Chef Season 9and a James Beard award for Best Chef: Southwest. Suffice
it to say that when qui opened in 2013, it was highly anticipated and created quite a buzz
around town.
The funky, contemporary space features bar seats that surround the open kitchen, a small
dining room with close tables, an intimate tasting room, and an open-air patio. The food
is a wild melding of small plates inspired by Qui’s native Philippines, his Texas
surroundings, his classic French training, and his time spent under Tyson Cole at the
famed Uchi and Uchiko. The menu changes frequently as new inspiration hits the chef
and his capable staff. It is prix fixe with optional beverage pairings, and a vegetarian
option is available. There is an a la carte Pulutan menu available for the patio
that features Filipino pub food - read more here (Photo by Krista)

19. 18. Justine’s Brasserie
Justine’s Brasserie is an intimate French bistro tucked away in East Austin with
candlelight and romance, old jazz and soul. Above all else, though, Justine’s has
wonderful French comfort food.
Pierre Pelegrin and his wife, Justine Gilcrease decided to open a restaurant after being
inspired by the cafes they had frequented in France. After finding the 1937 bungalow
and spending two years converting it into the brasserie of their dreams, they opened in
2009, and the place was a hit from the start.
Inside, there’s antique wooden tables, a cozy bar. Outside features dining under the stars
and strung lights. The crowd is arty, urban and chic - read more here (Photo by Jon
Clegg)

20. 19. Jack Allen’s Kitchen
Jack Allen’s Kitchen partners with many local farms for their ingredients, and the
dishes they serve are reflective of the bounty available and the ground from which it
came.
Located just west of Austin in the Oak Hill community, Jack Allen’s Kitchen rightly
describes itself as “Local in source. Texan in spirit.” As a welcoming offering, every
meal begins with of Jack Allen€€s signature pimento cheese and flatbread
crackers. The spirit of warmth continues through the meal and is evident in the warm
and rich woods and earth tone of the restaurant, as well as the hospitality of chef and
owner Jack Gilmore and the rest of the staff - read more here (Photo by Seth Anderson)

21. 20. Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill
Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill serves New American comfort food, specialty cocktails,
and an outstanding brunch in a historic 160 year old former dry goods store in
downtown Austin. The building is part of the historical Waterloo Compound and has
been used as a general store, saloon, and residence over the years. The dining rooms
feature original limestone walls and cedar posts and are a wonderful place to sit down
for a meal. Outside, there’s a patio and a separate bar overlooking Waller Creek.
The Moonshine is highly popular with both locals and visitors, so don’t be surprised if
there is a wait – especially for the Sunday brunch. Spend the time wisely with a
specialty cocktail and a seat on the porch - read more here (Photo by Charles Kim)

22. 21. Foreign & Domestic
Foreign & Domestic is a small neighborhood place where the cooking is taken very
seriously, and pork is a favorite. Co-owned by the husband and wife team of Chef Ned
Elliott and Pastry Chef Jodi Elliott (both graduates of the Culinary Institute of America),
the name Foreign and Domestic applies to both the food and the drink. The food is
seasonal New American with European influences, and the drink is craft beers and wines
from America and Europe.
The neighborhood place is located in a small cinder-block building with large storefront
windows, and the vibe is hip and casual with lots of tattoos and ponytails - read more
here (Photo by Matthew Rutledge)

23. 22. Via 313 Pizza
Via 313 Pizza opened in 2011 as a food trailer outside of the Violet Crown Social Club
in East Austin. It was opened by two brothers from Michigan, Brandon and Zane Hunt,
who’s mission was to bring Detroit-style pizza to Austin. In 2013, Thrillist named Via
313 one of the 33 Best Pizzas in America.
Detroit-style pies are square and have the sauce on top of the cheese. (In
authentic Detroit fashion, they are cooked in pans used for holding machine parts in the
automotive factories.) The dough is made in-house and is chewy and slightly thicker
than a New York-style pizza. Most importantly, they feature a much-sought-after
carmelized cheese crust around the edges - read more here (Photo by Stephanie)

24. 23. Lenoir
Lenoir opened in 2012 with the concept of serving “hot-weather food” to hungry
Austinites. Noting that Austin had a hot climate, chef Todd Duplechan and his wife
Jessica Maher, who is the pastry chef, envisioned using produce and meats from local
producers to make flavorful dishes influenced by hot climates such as the Gulf Coast,
Thailand, India, and the French colonies of northern Africa. Todd was trained in the
French cooking technique, so the dishes combine and classic preparation with the exotic
ingredients and a liberal use of spice and heat from the hot regions.
Their efforts have paid off. In 2014, the Austin Statesman named Lenoir the best
restaurant in Austin. The food is delicious, with a wonderful presentation leading to
excitement in every bite. The menu is three-course Prix Fixe organized by field, sea, and
land, with a dessert course at the end. The space is intimate and homey, and, for those
needing a little space, there’s an outdoor wine garden shaded by large, old trees - read
more here (Photo by Stephanie)

25. 24. Torchy's Tacos
Torchy’s Tacos serves up cheap and awesome tacos in creative combinations. They
were one of Austin’s food truck pioneers, and now they are an Austin institution.
Recently, Travel and Leisure named Torchy’s one of the “Best Tacos in America.”
Michael Rypka was a Johnson & Wales culinary graduate and a frustrated executive chef
who broke out on his own and started his taco empire with a small trailer, a red scooter,
and a dream. He succeeded, and Austin has him to thank for such “damn good tacos.”
There's numerous locations in the Austin area - read more here (Photo by Seth
Anderson)

26. 25. South Congress Cafe
South Congress Cafe serves fresh and well-prepared continental cuisine with a Texas
accent in a modern and chic old drug store building in Austin’s SoCo
neighborhood. With a killer Bloody Mary and their famous carrot cake French toast,
South Congress Cafe is one of the most beloved brunch spots in Austin. Come for
breakfast brunch or dinner, but expect a wait (at least on the weekends) at this popular
spot - read more here (Photo by Robert Banh)

27. 26. Eastside Cafe
Eastside Cafe has very fresh and local food – you know the food is fresh and local
when a restaurant has their own garden and chicken coop.
The restaurant opened in 1988 in a charming old bungalow on Manor Road. They were
one of the first restaurants on the street that is now teeming with cafes, taco joints,
coffee shops, and bars. They were also early adopters of the urban farming movement,
and the creative menu reflects the freshness of the the ingredients with lots of
healthy veggie options - read more here (Photo by Kari Sullivan)

28. 27. Fricano's Deli
Fricano’s Deli is possibly the best of the many great sandwich shops in Austin. The
sandwiches are huge and made with fresh-baked bread and quality ingredients.
Fricano’s is located on the west side of the UT campus and is a favorite of both students
and locals. The space is a small storefront with a few stools and tables and a large
blackboard menu on the wall behind the counter. In addition to the awesome
sandwiches, there are daily soups and fresh side salads. The staff is super-friendly and
eager to give recommendations - read more here (Photo by Fricano's Deli)

29. Featured photo by Stuart Seeger. All photos CC-BY-2.0.
See our list of the 49 best things to do in Austin here.