
18 restaurants that define dining in Austin

by Diana Spechler and James Wong
Updated December 15, 2023
Whether they’re arguing over who slings the best breakfast tacos in the city or where to go for the most delicious barbecue, Austinites have strong opinions about their city’s greatest restaurants.
That’s because Austin’s got it all. A rustic spot in East Austin shakes up longstanding butcher shop traditions. In South Lamar, a James Beard Award winner serves reimagined Oaxacan dishes. Exceptionally buttery biscuits put a downtown restaurant on the map.
The Texan capital’s dining scene is as spirited as its residents. Read on for a guide to 18 restaurants that are vital to Austin.
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LauraVIP
Dined 4 days ago
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Anne
Dined 3 days ago
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Isaac
Dined on Feb 18, 2025
4.7 (2051)
$50 and over
Southern
Central Austin
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OpenTable Diner
Dined on May 26, 2024
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OpenTable Diner
Dined on May 26, 2024
4.9 (3781)
$31 to $50
Seafood
Downtown
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LindaH
Dined 2 days ago
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LindaH
Dined 2 days ago
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IngridD
Dined 3 days ago
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CindyVIP
Dined 2 days ago
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OpenTable Diner
Dined on May 11, 2024
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JohnVIP
Dined on Mar 5, 2025
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AngelaD
Dined today
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AlyssaVIP
Dined 5 days ago
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ShaneVIP
Dined today
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kathy
Dined 1 day ago
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Lisa
Dined 1 day ago
4.7 (2356)
$50 and over
Contemporary American
Downtown
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OpenTable Diner
Dined on Mar 6, 2025
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OpenTable Diner
Dined on Mar 6, 2025
$31 to $50
Mexican / Southwestern
Austin
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JaynieMVIP
Dined on May 14, 2019
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JaynieMVIP
Dined on May 14, 2019
4.7 (1193)
$31 to $50
Traditional Mexican
South Austin
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Patricia
Dined on Nov 15, 2024
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Patricia
Dined on Nov 15, 2024
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OpenTable DinerVIP
Dined 4 days ago
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