DINE
APIS RESTAURANT & AVIARY
Many trusted local foodies will tell you that Austin’s best restaurant is outside the city limits, tucked away in the Hill Country along the Pedernales River. Trust us: The 30-mile drive to this fine-dining gem is more than worth it. 23526 Texas Hwy. 71, Spicewood, 512-436-8918; apisrestaurant.com
BARLEY SWINE
Under the helm of native Austin chef Bryce Gilmore (Food & Wine Best New Chef, class of 2011), this warm and attentive restaurant gets it right every time with its 10-course tasting menu showcasing the best of local farms. INSIDER TIP: Take it up a notch with the pairing menu, which features craft beer along with delightfully surprising wine choices. 6555 Burnet Rd., Ste. 400, 512-3948150; barleyswine.com
BOILER NINE
With three options for eating and drinking, each with its own menu— the subterranean Boiler Room cocktail bar, the rooftop Deck Nine Observatory Bar, and the main act, the Boiler Nine Bar + Grill—the former Seaholm Power Plant has been transformed into one of the hottest night spots in town. 800 W. Cesar Chavez St., 512-220-9990; boilernine.com
CAFÉ NO SÉ
One of the most charming spots along SoCo, the South Congress Hotel’s continental café is ideal for lunch or brunch. Go light with the big-eye tuna poke bowl or go all in with the satisfying cheeseburger.
1603 S. Congress Ave., 512-942-2061; cafenoseaustin.com
DAI DUE
Chef-owner Jesse Griffiths showcases the best of Texas at breakfast/lunch (same menu) and dinner. Nightly options include an a la carte menu or the Supper Club Menu, which is a nod to the restaurant’s origins as a sought-after supper club. INSIDER TIP: Friday nights, the Supper Club Menu is built around a Gulf seafood dinner for two. 2406 Manor Rd., 512-524-0688; daidue.com
EBERLY
From historic roots grows something completely new to Austin. Named after Angelina Eberly, the woman who fired the cannon to help stave off Sam Houston, Eberly features several beautiful spaces for dining, lounging, and drinking. It’s also home to the historic Cedar Tavern Bar of Greenwich Village. INSIDER TIP: When drinking at the beautiful, 150-year-old bar, beware that you’re sitting in front of a secret two-way mirror. 615 S. Lamar Blvd., 512-9169000; eberlyaustin.com
EMMER & RYE
Chef Kevin Fink’s grained-based menu has upped the culinary ante on Rainey Street. Select a few items off the dim sum cart, and you’ll know why Bon Appétit named Emmer & Rye one of the 50 best new restaurants of 2016. 51 Rainey St., Ste. 110, 512-366-5530; emmerandrye.com
FIXE
Nostalgic Southern cuisine gets a modern interpretation at this downtown hotpot, from its made-to-order biscuits and classic fried chicken to its Anson Mills grits served three ways. In May, Fixe launched its Summer Brunch series featuring items like brioche French toast as well as selections from its Sunday Supper menu. 500 W. Fifth St., 512-888-9133; austinfixe.com
FONDA SAN MIGUEL
Not only is Fonda San Miguel one of the best interior Mexican restaurants in the US, but it’s an Austin institution as well. You can’t be an Austinite until you’ve experienced its legendary Sunday brunch buffet. 2330 W. North Loop Blvd., 512-4594121; fondasanmiguel.com
FOREIGN & DOMESTIC
Innovative chef Ned Elliott’s 47-seat mainstay is neighborhood dining at its very best. Expect elegant but hearty fare that celebrates the best of each season. 306 E. 53rd St., 512-459-1010; fndaustin.com
FRANKLIN BARBECUE
Aaron Franklin serves the best barbecue in the country, period. Bring your folding chair and prepare to meet new friends as you wait in that now-legendary line. INSIDER TIP: To help you stay awake in line, order coffee from the Legend Coffee Co. trailer in the parking lot. 900 E. 11th St.; 512-653-1187; franklinbarbecue.com
MATTIE’S
The historic Green Pastures estate and event venue, complete with those beloved peacocks, reopened this spring with the new Mattie’s restaurant, featuring seasonal cuisine and genuine hospitality. INSIDER
TIP: The restaurant’s name isn’t the only throwback feature. Mattie’s cocktail list, created by beverage director Jason Stevens, is inspired by Green Pastures’ long history of revelry. Think frosted juleps in pewter cups, bright and convivial punches, and the original milk punch
recipe dating back to 1965. 811 W. Live Oak St., 512-444-1888; mattiesaustin.com
JEFFREY’S / JOSEPHINE HOUSE
Boasting elegance and ingenuity, Jeffrey’s has attracted Austin’s movers and shakers for decades. Its charming sister, Josephine House, offers an eclectic menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. INSIDER TIP: Josephine House makes Mondays more tolerable with Steak Frites Night, featuring salad or soup, your steak choice, and dessert. 1204 W. Lynn St., 512-477-5584; jeffreysofaustin.com; josephineofaustin.com
JUNIPER
Uchi alum Nicholas Yanes upped the Italian game in Austin when he opened Juniper, which focuses on Northern Italian cuisine in an upscale setting. 2400 E. Cesar Chavez St., Ste. 304, 512-220-9421; juniperaustin.com.
JUSTINE’S BRASSERIE
With an elevated French bistro menu and the best vinyl collection in town, the scene at this East Austin restaurant just gets better well into the night. 4710 E. Fifth St., 512-3852900; justines1937.com
KEMURI TATSU-YA
Japanese cuisine collides with Texas fare in the most entertaining and inventive ways at one of the city’s newest acclaimed restaurants. Recently named one of GQ’s best new restaurants in the country and topping local critics’ lists, the wildly satisfying Kemuri is a cultural mashup of the best kind, from the sticky rice tamales to a dish that’s essentially octopus nachos—don’t miss the BBQ Boat. 2713 E. Second St.; kemuri-tatsuya.com
LA CONDESA
Contemporary Mexican is paired with an expansive tequila and mezcal selection at this always-crowded Second Street District mainstay. 400A W. Second St., 512-499-0300; lacondesa.com
LAUNDERETTE
Chef Rene Ortiz and pastry chef Laura Sawicki have created one of the best small-plate restaurants in town. Although it’s lively at night, the East Austin restaurant is an ideal place for lunch meetings. 2115 Holly St., 512-382-1599; launderette austin.com
L’OCA D’ORO
This Mueller gemis packed almost every night, attracting neighbors and people from further out with its celebratory Italian menu. INSIDER TIP: For diners with little ones, L’Oca d’Oro offers one of the most inventive kid menus around. 1900 Simond Ave., 737-212-1876; locadoroaustin.com
ODD DUCK
Brother chef-owners Bryce and Dylan Gilmore delight diners with unusual dishes (beef tongue Reuben) at this hot spot for both lunch and dinner. Service is attentive and extremely knowledgeable. 1201 S. Lamar Blvd., 512-433-6521; oddduckaustin.com
OLAMAIE
From the charming old home to the refined but hearty menu steeped in tradition, Olamaie is Southern dining at its finest. INSIDER TIP: Don’t
forget to ask for the off-menu biscuits. You won’t be sorry. 1610 San Antonio St., 512-474-2796; olamaieaustin.com
PAUL MARTIN’S AUSTIN GRILL
Restaurant concept king Paul
Fleming (P.F. Chang’s, Fleming’s) and partner Brian Bennett have brought their Paul Martin’s American Grill to Domain Northside, but with a local twist in the name. With an emphasis on New American cuisine, the menu features classic dishes for lunch and dinner. 3120 Palm Way, No. 130, 512-953-8800; paulmartins americangrill.com
PERLA’S
Top-notch oysters are served on an expansive patio along South Congress with shareable menu selections, including lobster baked shells and cheese. 1400 S. Congress Ave., 512-291-7300; perlasaustin.com
RED ASH
Owner and executive chef John Carver draws ravenous crowds almost every night of the week with a blend of Northern and Southern Italian fare. Opened just last year, this upscale downtown restaurant is already a local favorite with handmade pastas and locally sourced meats prepared in the custom-built wood-burning grill, oven, and plancha. 303 Colorado St. No. 200, 512-379-2906; redashitalia.com
SECOND BAR + KITCHEN
Inventive bites and a smart cocktail program have drawn a stylish crowd downtown for years, and now the same thing is happening at Domain Northside, where Chef David Bull has opened a second location at the Archer Hotel. 3121 Palm Way; 200 Congress Ave., 512-827-2750; secondbarkitchen.com
SWIFT’S ATTIC
Whimsical small plates plus creative cocktails are the name of the game at this bustling, second-floor gastropub in the heart of downtown. 315 Congress Ave., 512-482-8842; swiftsattic.com
UCHI
Chef Tyson Cole combines his extensive Eastern knowledge with exotic, high-quality ingredients at this landmark restaurant that set the standard for innovative dining in Austin and attracts everyone from celebrities to families. 801 S. Lamar Blvd., 512-916-4808; uchiaustin.com
UCHIKO
Designed to mimic a Japanese farmhouse, Uchi’s sister restaurant is popular for its vegetarian tasting menu and fried-milk dessert. Expect to see one of the more stylish crowds in town. 4200 N. Lamar Blvd., 512-916-4808; uchikoaustin.com
WU CHOW
From the creative minds behind Swift’s Attic, Wu Chow brings authentic farm-to-table Chinese food to downtown Austin. Another favorite with visiting celebs, this spot has a sophisticated yet laid-back vibe. 500 W. Fifth St., Ste. 168, 512-4762469; wuchowaustin.com