When visiting Austin, many people head straight for downtown or East Austin. But Austinites know the secret—North Austin has decidedly delicious restaurants. It’s worth taking a little trip north to skip the wait for reservations or pricey parking. Here is our list of 15 must-try places to eat in North Austin.

clinking two glasses of wine over table with three dishes at Andiamo Ristorante in Austin Texas
Courtesy of Andiamo.

ANDIAMO

Head to Andiamo to be transported to Italy. Share a bottle of Chianti, some delectable pasta, a towering Tiramisu and be part of an Austin tradition since 2004. Make sure you take a look at their seasonal specials, like homemade pumpkin ravioli.

BARLEY SWINE

Barley Swine defies definition. Their tasting menu is subject to the whims of nature - all seasonally driven and locally sourced, if possible. Each dish is a work of art (and heart), and it’s a must visit if you’re celebrating something special… or if you want to experience something special.

DISTRICT KITCHEN

District Kitchen has something for everyone, in the best way. Their cocktails are delish, the menu has serious range (think King Crab Roll to Texas Wagyu to Moroccan Lamb) and they have a tidy little patio to enjoy it all. Happy hour is popular here, and it’s probably best to arrive early for brunch.

FAT DRAGON

We can almost guarantee that there are no better soup dumplings in this city than at Fat Dragon. This mom and pop shop next to Asia Market (also amazing) serves heaping portions of spicy mala fish, steaming bowls of ramen, colorful pepper beef, Korean rice cakes and more. You will absolutely need a to-go box.

FRENCH QUARTER GRILLE

New Orleans may be an eight hour drive, but you can find food that’s just as good at French Quarter Grille. This cozy spot with exposed brick and black-and-white awnings serves escargot as readily as it does gumbo. Cajun and French inspired dishes litter the menu making this the place to laissez le bon temps rouler (let the good times roll).

A lobster sandwich and bag of Cape Cod chips from Garbo'sCourtesy of Garbo's.

GARBO'S LOBSTER

If you’re feeling decadent, stop in at Garbo’s Lobster where they do New England favorites with an Austin twist. Naturally, you can dig into a lobster roll or some East Coast oysters, but don’t sleep on the ceviche, the lobster mac, or their brunch special, a lobster benedict.

LITTLE OLA'S BISCUITS

Biscuits are an all day affair and no trip to North Austin would be complete without a stop at Little Ola’s Biscuits. The buttery bundles of love take all forms here. From a spicy fried chicken biscuit to a biscuit sausage roll, the Baby Elvis with peanut butter and banana to the pimento cheese biscuit.

NG CAFE

NG Cafe's banh mis are the stuff of legend. Fresh bread jam packed with meats, seafood, or tofu, plus crunchy veggies. Their menu also has Vietnamese and Thai specialties like tom kha, drunken noodles, and the daringly named Evil Jungle Curry.

two bows of ramen at Ramen Tatsu ya in austin texasRamen Tatsu-ya. Credit Kirsten Kaiser.

RAMEN TATSU-YA

Try Ramen Tatsu-ya, the visionary restaurant that brought the now-ubiquitous ramen to Austin. Winner of multiple awards, and now practically a conglomerate, the original location on Research Boulevard still feels like you’re discovering something. Make sure to add a corn bomb and an extra Ajitama egg.

REVELRY ON THE BOULEVARD

Revelry on the Boulevard is hip and casual with lots of TVs for watching whichever sports team you’re rooting for. The menu is more than burgers and wings, try the antipasto quinoa salad, gourmet brunch, and Cubano grilled cheese.

SEAREINAS

Austin is well known for its Mexican food, and the team behind Seareinas features Mexican seafood recipes from the state of Sinaloa. Mariscos, aguachiles, delectable fish dishes and sushi, plus tons of events and live music.

SLAB BBQ & BEER

Meat, glorious meat, is the name of the game at award-winning Slab BBQ & Beer. Craft brews and cleverly named sandwiches like the Notorious P.I.G and the Texas O.G. along with ribs, sliders, and nana puddin’ accessorized with a hip hop sugar cookie.

SUNFLOWER

Try Sunflower, specializing in Vietnamese food, for some of the only banh xeo (crunchy, savory crepe) to be found in Austin. Their pho is rich and savory, the Sunflower prawns buttery and garlicky and their shaken beef is fork-cutting tender.

Moody shot of Top Notch Burger sign at night, juxtaposed on a dark purple sky.Top Notch. Credit @corey123.

TOP NOTCH

If you’re in a hurry—but want to see some OG Austin culture—drive through at Top Notch. Featured in Dazed and Confused, this hamburger drive through does charcoal burgers, fried chicken, grilled cheese, and hand pies. Check the calendar to see if they’re showing a movie and really feel those 1950s vibes.

VAZQUEZ RESTAURANT

Vazquez Restaurant’s menu might feel a little more familiar. Tucked in a strip center, their fajitas and eggs will keep you full all day. Belt-busting breakfast tacos, enchiladas verdes, giant burritos, and traditional dishes like chicharron and barbacoa are some of the best in the city.

Ready to explore more of North Austin? Check out our North Austin Neighborhood Guide for a list of our favorite things to see & do.

Contributed by Kelly Stocker.