The best restaurants in Austin right now

Leading the crusade to change the game for the restaurant scene in the city, Intero is at the tip of everyone’s tongue when asking locals where to go to dinner. Lightyears ahead of your typical sub-par interior U.S. Italian joint, Intero bridges the culinary divide between Texas and Italy with farm-to-table Italian dishes. Far from imports, Krystal Craig and Ian Thurwachter are modern-day Julia Childs of Italian cooking, with a passion for locally sourced ingredients to ensure every dish comes with that inimitable taste of freshness. Expect to dine on dishes made from seasonal ingredients, proteins from their in-house butchery program, and bites of chocolate made by Krystal Craig herself.

Texas is hot, but Canje is hotter. This East Austin new-age Caribbean spot is one of the hottest dining destinations in the state. With technicolor tastes like Wild Boar Pepperpot, Jerk Chicken, Haitian Griot, and Ceviche, Canje has a savory spell over the city. All these dishes float to tables to the delight of diners, who will no doubt leave convinced their Caribbean island travel funds should be put to better use with more dinners at Canje. 

From James Beard Award-winning chef Iliana de la Vega, this upscale South Lamar restaurant is an Oaxacan oasis on a bustling bar street. Mexican fare is well represented in dishes like mole, seasonal ceviche, and tostadas. Traditional cooking methods are used, and ingredients are fresh and responsibly sourced. If your meal leaves you craving a firsthand experience, check out their Oaxaca and Mexico City culinary tours.

From a gas station to a grocery store, this passion project focusing on Malaysian comfort food has found a home in the hearts of everyone who's tried it. Located inside the Royal Blue Grocer on Congress Ave, this queen of nasi lemak greets her guests like family despite the entire food world descending on her. With national coverage coveting her cooking, Wee's Cozy Kitchen might have to grow to accommodate her growing fan base.

Formerly found in a trailer and now living under their own giant red neon sign adorned roof, LeRoy & Lewis are as successful as they are innovative. Ushering in a new barbecue school, the timeless cuisine feels thoroughly modern at LeRoy & Lewis while maintaining a firm flavor of respect for the old ways. Frito pies share space on plates next to kale Caesar slaw while slices of brisket rub proverbial elbows with miso-glazed carrots. This results in a delicious display of where the Austin food scene started, where it is today, and where it will be tomorrow. Also, don’t forget to order the banana pudding tiramisu. Seriously.  

Fabrik is the vegan answer to those praying for something original in multi-course dining in a city overrun with omakase and meaty-tasting menus. As a seven-course celebration of the Earth's bounty, plants take center stage on each plate. Diners can exhale and know their preferences are not delegated to one or two menu items, but rather take their fork to each dish, knowing there's only a master class in the depth of flavor a chef can make with sustainable, locally sourced vegan ingredients. Fabrik is the hopefully first of many fine dining experiences whose only cruelty is that it ends.

At Suerte, chef Fermin Nunez uses local heirloom corn to craft his upscale Mexican dishes, which include goat barbacoa with handmade tortillas and tetela al carbon. A sizeable mezcal and tequila menu is available, and you'll find both spirits in Suerte's specialty cocktails, like the Don Dario with reposado tequila, tamarindo, sarsaparilla, and lime.

With legendary pitmaster Louis Mueller’s granddaughter at the helm, you know this Central Texas-style barbecue joint will be good. Now located at East Cesar Chavez, with indoor and outdoor seating, La Barbecue serves up brisket, pork ribs, and house-made sausage. Sandwiches are tasty too, both straightforward options and over-the-top ones like La Frito Loco (pulled pork, chopped beef, chipotle slaw, Fritos, cheese, and jalapeños).

Brothers Zane and Brandon Hunt opened the first Via 313 trailer in 2011; it was named after the zip code in Detroit where they grew up. It's pure Detroit-style here: The pies are square, the edges laced with crispy burnt cheese, and the sauce is dolloped on top. The menu offers great out-of-the-box options, but don't miss a simpler option: “The Detroiter” features smoked pepperoni under the cheese and natural casing pepperoni on top.

Everybody knows that Barton Springs institution, El Alma, is the best place for a feast slash party. The multi-tiered rooftop is the best place to gather during the weeks surrounding Cinco de Mayo and Dia de Muertos. Outside of the fiestas, things are merrily chill, but the food’s just as lush. Popular items include the duck Relleno and pork tamales, and you can’t go wrong with any of the vast selections of tacos. Of course, no Mexican meal in Austin is complete without a margarita. Their frozen offerings are the medicine during a long, hot Texan summer.

Justine’s is located just East of where most Austinites are comfortable hanging out. Upon entering, though, you'll feel instantly transported to another place—one clad in deep reds, emerald-green velvet and lit by vintage chandeliers. If you’re a sucker for ambiance, you’ll embrace the fact that your dinner will take place over a couple of hours - it’s a great after-bar spot for indulging in cuisine that’s decidedly classic French. Order the escargot Bourguignonne, salade de crabe, steak frites, and a Sazerac—or three.

Executive chef and owner Bryce Gilmore and his staff are dedicated to complex, visually stunning food—and cocktails—on a menu that varies dramatically season by season. In the savory department, sample dishes include Black Cod with pecan dashi, local long beans, lunchbox peppers, basil vinaigrette, and fish sauce pecans, and sweets include sunchoke flan and butternut cake. Barley Swine’s larger location makes these delights accessible to more people, and it’s worth going with a group for the adventurous tasting menu experience.

Another new kid on the block, Yamas is an adorable family-owned restaurant full of heart and homemade goodness. The dishes are distinctly Greek, like the chicken souvlaki, keftedakia (Greek meatballs), and fried feta, and there’s an extensive Mediterranean seafood selection. The goal of the husband and wife team, Roxie and Hristos Nikolakos, is to transport diners to the Mediterranean coast. Fans of the movie Mamma Mia! might want to burst into song.

Clark’s Oyster Bar reflects the personality of Clarksville, the historic neighborhood where this ode to bivalves is located. The elegant interior features white-and-black penny tile flooring and luncheonette-style seating at the bar. Get the oysters, of course; flown fresh from both coasts, they're the best Austin offers. The crab cakes and lobster rolls are winning picks for entrées, as is the mac and cheese with lump crab. Looking for good booze? The cocktail menu mixes martinis and modern classics, all prepared with care.

Veracruz All Natural sets itself apart from the city's other taco slingers thanks to super fresh ingredients. The Migas taco 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. Try a fresh juice to complete your breakfast, and you’ll see why they’ve earned a loyal following that's led to additional outposts—both food trucks and brick-and-mortar—around town.

Franklin Barbecue has long produced Texas’ most famous brisket, and the line forms early at this lunch-only spot. James Beard Award winner Aaron Franklin seasons and smokes his brisket to juicy perfection. It’s so good that people queue up and wait up to four hours for a taste. The line has become an experience in itself, as hungry patrons arrive early in the morning with chairs, drinks, and a willingness to chat with strangers.

This Downtown modern Mexican is from Chef Philip Speer, formerly of Uchi, and a team of culinary heavy-hitters. The menu features ingredients native to Mexico and influenced by Mexico City’s food scene. There’s a Texas flare, though, which results in standouts like huauzontle fritters, bone marrow tacos with hoja santa-pecan gremolata, and masa spaetzle. The impressive bar list features classic cocktails like the Comedor Margarita and more than 100 agave-based spirits.

Garrison’s long been on every Austinite bucket list, and it never fails to live up to sky-high expectations. The upscale grill house fuses big-city glamor with small-town southern hospitality, and the food is as tasty as the Texan fare should be. That’s thanks to Chef Jakub Czyszczon, who grills with Texas Post Oak flame and uses all fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The result is the juiciest selection of steaks, fish, and poultry. Don’t miss their famed Tater Tots (with aerated gruyere cheese and generous black truffle), the smokey Grilled Texas Redfish, and the warm Pecan Souffle.

Olamaie is award-winning Michael Fojtasek's ode to Southern cuisine, but one thing to note is his dishes are not the heavy and fried fare you might expect. It’s all seasonal here, so expect sample dishes like the Hoppin’ John (Sea Island red peas, Carolina Gold rice, soft-boiled egg) and the rye-brined pork chop (with pecan, sorghum, apple, and paprika). The cocktail program and wine list are equally exciting, and at the end of your meal, it's worth checking if they have any of their famous biscuits to go.

The decadent French-inspired house, just north of downtown, is both a dinner date night haven and a happening weekend spot for cocktails or brunch with the gang. Sit against sultry velvet walls in the company of fabulously chic antiques and tuck into delights like steak tartare, whipped cheeses and charcuterie; and if you're feeling extra fancy, caviar with creme fraiche. Sunday brunch, meanwhile, is all about the oyster tower. Honey Moon Spirit Lounge takes advantage of the warm Southern weather with a breezy patio where you can enjoy an extensive selection of beers, ciders, wines, cocktails and more.

Catch the throwback vibe at this retro-style diner, complete with a vintage jukebox and checkered tile. The cafe opens early with options like the famous matzo ball caldo, as well as crêpes and omelets. For dinner, indulge in bone marrow Bolognese with handkerchief pasta, kale, and parmesan. Take advantage of their daily Happy Hour specials or Pub Nights on Sundays, with pub-style Indian food, British Invasion music, and pints of Old Speckled Hen.