Where to Eat in Austin Right Now

Ema. Credit to Chase Daniel. 

Fresh Gulf oysters meet relaxed Texas hospitality at Austin Oyster Co, a highly anticipated newcomer on East Cesar Chavez Street. The local proprietors earned their reputation while spending five years delivering fresh Maine oysters — sauced with lemon, Tabasco and house-made mignonette — to homes, catering gigs and pop-up events via their Ford shuck truck. Today, the coastal-inspired space (with a patio) offers an expansive raw bar complemented by cocktails.

Ema brings Mediterranean flavors with bold, modern energy to Domain NORTHSIDE for lunch and dinner. The small plates feature vibrant spreads like charred eggplant and a variety of hummus, along with raw seafood such as the octopus carpaccio. Entrees include pan-seared branzino with marcona almond salsa verde and slow-braised short ribs, sided with parmesan polenta. End your meal with the warm, sticky date cake. The team behind South Congress favorite Aba Austin operates Ema.

A neighborhood gem with big barbecue flavors, Two Goose Market serves hearty breakfasts, artisan sandwiches and house-cured meats — all made with thoughtfully sourced Texas ingredients. Try the Big Honkin burrito stuffed with brisket, egg, potato and cheese for breakfast. For lunch, the Blue Collar Combo includes your choice of any meat, a small side, bread, pickles, onions, sauce and a drink. The North Lamar restaurant also offers grab-and-go items such as a vegan sammy, pimento cheese on a croissant and breakfast tacos.

The lush Leona Botanical Cafe & Bar blurs the line between garden retreat and cocktail bar. Fresh pastries, seasonal dishes and botanical-inspired drinks make it an ideal stop for brunch, happy hour or a stylish midday break. On-site eateries include Thai food at DEE DEE, Mexican at Veracruz All Natural and handcrafted burgers from Bun Bun Burger. You can dine and drink in the main cafe, pavilion or outdoor garden surrounded by more than 7,000 plants on five acres in Sunset Valley.

VanHorn's. Credit to Jane Yun.

Sip and shop at Flourish Plant Shop & Wine Bar, a charming hybrid space selling greenery alongside glasses of natural wines from small producers. It’s intimate, relaxed and perfect for a low-key evening sampling small plates and thoughtfully selected pours. The menu also features spritzy cocktails, cider, beer and nibbles such as olives, meat-and-cheese boards, tinned seafood and desserts.

Classic American dining gets a refined update at VanHorn’s in Downtown Austin’s Warehouse District. The polished service, strong cocktails and a menu that balances comfort and sophistication make it a standout choice for date night or celebratory dinners. Start with a dirty martini and oysters Rockefeller, then move on to entrees such as the dry-aged bone-in ribeye, steamed Maine lobster or lamb shank shepherd’s pie.

Bread Boat spotlights Georgian flavors and freshly baked breads as the foundation for its creative sandwiches and shareables like the vegan appetizer sampler that includes a quartet of vegetables mixed with walnut paste. Casual and full of personality, Bread Boat makes for a cozy lunch or dinner. A must-try is the signature khachapuri — a pillowy bread boat filled with rich melted cheeses, a golden egg yolk and a pat of butter (also available with chicken or beef).

Franklin Barbecue. Credit Wyatt McSpadden. 

Serving Tex-Mex fare since 1952, Matt’s El Rancho is a rite of passage for Austin visitors. Order the Bob Armstrong Dip (a creamy queso), sip a margarita and settle into the lively dining room that grew from 10 tables on East First Street to its current South Lamar location that serves hundreds of people each day. The extensive menu offers everything from enchiladas to tacos, chile rellenos, seafood and steaks.

Recognized as a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand restaurant, Franklin Barbecue is legendary for its brisket — smoky, tender and worth waiting for in a line that forms early. Like MICHELIN, barbecue pilgrims appreciate Franklin’s high-quality, great-value cooking. Besides the brisket, try their pork ribs, pulled pork, sausage or turkey with classic sides like pinto beans, potato salad and slaw. 

Chef Tyson Cole’s James Beard Award for Best Chef Southwest helped put Austin on the fine-dining map in 2011. Today, his Uchi restaurant remains a cornerstone of the city’s upscale culinary scene, serving innovative sushi and Japanese-inspired dishes in a chic South Lamar setting. Try the chef’s tasting menu featuring omakase or a vegetarian option.

A 2023 James Beard America’s Classic winner for the Texas region, Joe’s Bakery & Coffee Shop is beloved for its Tex-Mex breakfast tacos, migas, barbacoa and welcoming East Austin atmosphere. The restaurant is lauded for its handmade flour tortillas and fluffy pan dulce, a Mexican sweet bread. Founded in 1962, the Avila family has been running the business for four generations

Fresh off celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2025, Fonda San Miguel elevates interior and coastal Mexican cuisine in a vibrant, art-filled space. Signature dishes like cochinita pibil — braised pork covered in banana leaves — and complex mole sauces showcase the restaurant’s enduring excellence. Many ingredients come from the restaurant’s on-site garden.

A staple for 20 years on South Congress, Home Slice Pizza serves New York-style hand-tossed pies either whole or by the massive slice (folding over your slice to eat it is part of the experience here). The casual patio, cold beer, subs, salads and consistently great pizza make it a dependable crowd-pleaser. Home Slice also has a North Loop location.

Odd Duck. Credit to Richard Casteel.

Originally started as a food truck, Odd Duck is now a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand recipient with a brick-and-mortar restaurant that presents creative dishes featuring local and seasonal Austin ingredients. Chef Bryce Gilmore, a seven-time James Beard Award finalist, continues to shape Austin’s farm-to-table movement. Menus change often, but a sampling of choices might include Texas pickles, beet salad, grilled wagyu and oatmeal icebox cake.

Modern Mexican cuisine shines at Suerte, where executive chef Fermin Núñez (a 2024 James Beard Award finalist for Best Chef Texas) showcases local ingredients and bold flavors. Heirloom corn transforms into fresh masa, tortillas and chips. Diners will want to order the barbacoa, oak-grilled half chicken or seared tilefish. The restaurant also earned a 2025 MICHELIN Sommelier Award, making it a standout choice for wine lovers.

A Clarksville neighborhood classic, Jeffrey’s offers refined steakhouse fare in an intimate setting. MICHELIN Recommended in 2024, Jeffrey’s is the place for special occasions and impeccable martinis. Try wood-fired, dry-aged steaks like the tenderloin filet and ribeye, or opt for venison medallions, coq au vin or Dover sole. Pair your meal with a selection from the extensive list of wines available by the bottle or glass.

Famously welcoming and open late (operating 24 hours Thursday to Sunday), Magnolia Cafe has been a South Congress comfort food haven for locals for nearly 50 years. The restaurant’s sign that reads “Sorry We’re Open” embodies Austin’s quirky spirit. Top of FormFrom pancakes to queso and fish tacos to a veggie Reuben, diners are sure to find something to satisfy their cravings at all hours of the day (and night!).

Discover more dining options at visitaustin.org/food.