Your go-to guide for navigating Austin’s dining scene; the reopening of Celis Brewery; Second Bar + Kitchen expands; and more.
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Apis Restaurant & Apiary
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 Highway 71, Spicewood, 512.436.8918, apisrestaurant.com $$$$
Barley Swine
Under the helm of native Austin chef Bryce Gilmore (Food & Wine best new chef, class of 2011), this warm and attentive restaurant gets it right every time with its 10-course tasting menu showcasing the best of local farms. Take it up a notch with the pairing menu, which features a craft beer selection along with delightfully surprising wine choices. 6555 Burnet Road, Ste. 400, 512.394.8150, barleyswine.com $$$
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 $$$
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Chef Shawn Cirkiel pays homage to authentic Spanish cuisine, from classics like a tortilla with caramelized onion to tempting seafood plates such as prawns and branzino crudo, all served in a modern setting. 4807 Airport Blvd., 512.474.2029, bullfight-austin.com $$
Café No Sé
One of the most charming spots along SoCo, the South Congress Hotel’s continental cafe is ideal for lunch or brunch. Go light with the bigeye tuna poke bowl or go all in with the satisfying cheeseburger. 1603 S. Congress Ave., 512.942.2061, cafenoseaustin.com $$
Clark’s Oyster Bar
Considered the little sibling to McGuire Moorman’s other seafood spot, Perla’s, this intimate eatery features a wellappointed raw bar and other menu items meant to transport you instantly to the coast. 1200 W. Sixth St., 512.297.2525, clarksoysterbar.com $$$
Counter 3. Five. VII
Settle in for an intimate chef-diner experience at this upscale downtown restaurant. Enjoy its signature seven-course prix fixe menu at the 25-seat chef’s counter, or choose from the recently added small- and large-plate options or a smaller coursing menu in the newly renovated lounge with additional seating. 315 Congress Ave., 512.291.3327, counter3fivevii.com $$$-$$$$
Dai Due
Chef-owner Jesse Griffiths showcases the best of Texas at breakfast and lunch (same menu), and dinner. Nightly options include an a la carte menu and supper club menu, which nods to the restaurant’s origins as a sought-after supper club. Friday nights, the supper club menu is built around a Gulf seafood dinner for two. 2406 Manor Road, 512.524.0688, daidue.com $$$
Eberly
Named after Angelina Eberly, who fired the cannon to help stave off Sam Houston, Eberly features several
beautiful spaces for dining, lounging and drinking. It is home to the historic 50-foot mahogany bar once in Cedar Tavern of Greenwich Village. Beware: When imbibing at the beautiful, 150-yearold bar, you’re sitting in front of a secret two-way mirror! 615 S. Lamar Blvd., 512.916.9000, eberlyaustin.com $$$
Emmer & Rye
Chef Kevin Fink’s grainbased menu has upped the culinary ante on Rainey Street. Select a few items off the dim sum cart and you’ll know why Bon Appétit named Emmer & Rye one of the 50 best new restaurants of 2016. 51 Rainey St., Ste. 110, 512.366.5530, emmerandrye.com $$
Fabi + Rosi
Chef Wolfgang Murber, a native of Germany, stays true to his European sensibility at this delightful restaurant set in a 1903 Craftsman bungalow with a romantic patio. Choose from classics with a modern twist, sourced locally, including from the restaurant’s own garden and chicken coop. 509 Hearn St., 512.236.0642, fabiandrosi.com $$
Fixe
Nostalgic Southern cuisine gets a modern interpretation at this downtown hot spot, from its made-to-order biscuits and classic fried chicken to its Anson Mills grits served different ways. 500 W. Fifth St., 512.888.9133, austinfixe.com $$$
Fonda San Miguel
Not only is Fonda San Miguel one of the best interior Mexican restaurants in the United States, but it’s an Austin institution as well. You cannot be an official Austinite until you’ve experienced its legendary Sunday brunch buffet. 2330 W. North Loop Blvd., 512.459.4121, fondasanmiguel.com $$$
Foreign & Domestic
Innovative chef Ned Elliott’s 47-seat mainstay is neighborhood dining at its very best. Expect a variety of elegant yet hearty fare that celebrates the best of each season. 306 E. 53rd St., 512.459.1010, fndaustin.com $$$
Franklin Barbecue
Aaron Franklin serves the best barbecue in the country, period. Wake up early; bring your folding chair; and prepare to meet new friends as you wait in that now-legendary line for lunch. To help you stay awake, order a caffeinated beverage from the Legend Coffee Co. trailer in the parking lot. 900 E. 11th St., 512.653.1187, franklinbarbecue.com $$
Italic
Chef Andrew Curren of ELM Restaurant Group offers approachable, rustic Italian at this modern space downtown. Perfect for lunch or dinner, Italic also offers a walk-up coffee and pastry counter for those on the go. 123 W. Sixth St., 512.660.5390, italicaustin.com $$$
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. Josephine House makes Mondays more tolerable with its steak frites night, featuring salad or soup, your steak choice and dessert. 1204 W. Lynn St., 512.477.5584, jeffreysofaustin.com; josephineofaustin.com $$$$; $$$
June’s All Day
The European cafe concept comes to South Congress in the form of McGuire Moorman’s charming restaurant and wine bar headed by June Rodil, one of the few female master sommeliers in Texas. 1722 S. Congress Ave., 512.416.1722, junesallday.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 late evening hours. 4710 E. Fifth St., 512.385.2900, justines1937.com $$$
Kemuri Tatsu-ya
Japanese culture collides with Texas fare in the most entertaining and inventive ways at one of the city’s newest acclaimed restaurants. Recently named one of GQ’s best new restaurants in the country and topping local critics’ lists, the wildly satisfying Kemuri Tatsu-ya is a cultural mashup of the best kind, from the sticky rice tamales to a dish that is essentially octopus nachos—be sure not to miss the barbecue boat. 2713 E. Second St., 512.893.5561, kemuri-tatsuya.com $$
La Condesa
Contemporary Mexican is paired with an expansive tequila and mezcal selection at this alwayscrowded Second Street District mainstay. 400 W. Second St., 512.499.0300, lacondesa.com $$
Launderette
Chef Rene Ortiz and pastry chef Laura Sawicki have created one of the best small-plate restaurants in town. Although it is lively at night, the East Austin restaurant is an ideal place for lunch meetings. 2115 Holly St., 512.382.1599, launderetteaustin.com $$
Lenoir
Husbandand-wife team Todd Duplechan and Jessica Maher have created one of the most romantic ambiances in town. The menu, built around the concept of “hot-weather food,” is inspired by cuisine with similar climates to Austin’s, so expect lighter fare with acid, citrus and spice, all made with Texasfresh ingredients. Don’t miss the eclectic wine garden, either. 11807 S. First St., 512.215.9778 lenoirrestaurant.com $$$
L’Oca d’Oro
This Mueller gem is packed almost every night, attracting neighbors and people from farther out with its celebratory Italian menu. For diners with little ones, L’Oca d’Oro offers one of the most inventive kid menus around. 1900 Simond Ave., 737.212.1876, locadoroaustin.com $$
Lonesome Dove
Chef Tim Love’s second outpost of his famous Fort Worth restaurant features his celebrated wild game and wood-fired dishes along with Austin-inspired offerings. 419 Colorado St., 512.271.2474, lonesomedoveaustin.com $$$$
Manuel’s
The Mexican menu at this Austin staple is expertly executed. Although business diners and tourists alike love the downtown location, the beautiful patio at its Great Hills branch is hard to resist. 310 Congress Ave., 512.472.7555; 10201 Jollyville Road, 512.345.1042, manuelsaustin.com $$
Mattie’s
The historic Green Pastures estate and event venue, complete with beloved peacocks, reopened this spring with the new Mattie’s restaurant, featuring seasonal cuisine and genuine hospitality. 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 $$$
Odd Duck
Brothers and chef-owners Bryce and Dylan Gilmore delight diners with unusual dishes
and Dylan Gilmore delight diners with unusual dishes like the beef tongue Reuben at this hot spot for both lunch and dinner. Service is attentive and extremely knowledgeable, and the cocktail offerings are a revelation. 1201 S. Lamar Blvd., 512.433.6521, oddduckaustin.com $$$ Olamaie From the charming old home to the refined but hearty menu steeped in tradition, Olamaie is Southern dining at its finest. Don’t forget to ask for the offmenu biscuits. 1610 San Antonio St., 512.474.2796, olamaieaustin.com $$$$ Otoko This exclusive omakase experience is tucked inside the South Congress Hotel. Coconceptor Paul Qui and head chef Yoshi Akai thoughtfully curate each bite of sushi and kaiseki to the season’s best ingredients and your particular tastes. The 12-seat chef ’s counter is as intimate as dining gets. 1603 South Congress Ave., 512.920.6405, otokoaustin.com $$$$ Paul Martin’s Austin Grill Restaurant concept king Paul Fleming (P.F. Chang’s and Fleming’s) and partner Brian Bennett have brought their Paul Martin’s American Grill to Domain Northside, but with a local twist in the name. With an emphasis on New American cuisine, the menu features classic dishes for lunch and dinner. 3120 Palm Way, Ste. 130, 512.953.8800, paulmartins americangrill.com $$$ Perla’s Its top-notch oysters are served on an expansive patio along South Congress with shareable menu selections and entrees built on a fresh selection of seafood. Brunch is among the best in town. 1400 S. Congress Ave., 512.291.7300, perlasaustin.com $$$$ Red Ash Owner and executive chef John Carver draws ravenous crowds almost every night of the week with a blend of Northern and Southern Italian fare. Opened just last year, this upscale downtown restaurant is already a local favorite with handmade pastas and locally sourced meats prepared in the restaurant’s custom-built wood-burning grill, oven and plancha. 303 Colorado St., Ste. 200, 512.379.2906, redashitalia.com $$$ 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 $$ Swift’s Attic Whimsical small plates plus creative cocktails are the name of the game at this bustling second-floor gastropub in the heart of downtown. 315 Congress Ave., 512.482.8842, swiftsattic.com $$ The Townsend This beautifully appointed downtown establishment offers a rare combination in Austin: It’s an impressive cocktail bar that also offers delectable food. Try the hot curry chicken for an upscale version of the fried favorite. 718 Congress Ave., 512.887.8778, thetownsendaustin.com $ Uchi Chef Tyson Cole combines his extensive Eastern knowledge with exotic, high-quality ingredients at this landmark restaurant, which sets the standard for innovative dining in Austin and attracts everyone from celebrities to families. 801 S. Lamar Blvd., 512.916.4808, uchiaustin.com $$$ Uchiko Designed to mimic a Japanese farmhouse, Uchi’s sister restaurant is popular for its vegetarian tasting menu and fried-milk dessert. Expect to see one of the more stylish crowds in town. 4200 N. Lamar Blvd., 512.916.4808, uchikoaustin.com $$$ Vino Vino This neighborhood gem is much more than a wine bar. The sophisticated spot in Hyde Park offers everything from bites and thoughtful cheese plates to accompany your wine to bistro classics like steak and pork tenderloin for a hearty meal. 4119 Guadalupe St., 512.465.9282, vinovinoaustin.com $$ Wink Tucked away in historic Clarksville, Wink embraces locally sourced ingredients in its New American menu. Decidedly upscale, it is ideal for a special occasion, so splurge on its multicourse chef’s tasting menu and toast to the night with the added wine pairing. 1014 N. Lamar Blvd., Ste. E, 512.482.8868, winkrestaurant.com $$$ Wu Chow From the creative minds behind Swift’s Attic, Wu Chow brings authentic farmto-table Chinese food to downtown. Another favorite for visiting celebs, this spot has a sophisticated yet laid-back vibe. 500 W. Fifth St., Ste. 168, 512.476.2469, wuchowaustin.com $$