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What are the best restaurants in Austin, those essential spots that should not be missed? Eater Austin’s Eater 38 aims to show you where to eat across the Texas city, with restaurant recommendations fit for any situation. The list spans numerous cuisines and budgets, collectively satisfying every need from food trucks to fine dining spots. These are the 38 restaurants and food trucks that truly define Austin.

Every quarter, Eater Austin updates the map to add pertinent restaurants, whether it’s because they have become newly eligible (our standard is a spot must have been open for at least six months) or revamped their menus or services. The aim is always to keep the list inclusive and reflective of the Texas city. The fall 2024 update adds Vietnamese restaurant Sunflower, Mexican restaurant Fonda San Miguel, and Mexican seafood restaurant Este.

For a running list of past featured restaurants, head to the Eater Austin 38 archive. For other Austin picks, check out the heatmap, a collection of the city’s hot new dining options.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Yes, there are many excellent barbecue spots in Austin, so to stand out, restaurants have to nail the staples while also offering something special. Enter this northwest Austin smoked meats joint from the team behind beloved but gone Noble Sandwich Co. The attentive way the team works with the meats clear: There are citrusy, juicy turkey breasts, sweet-savory peach tea-glazed pork belly, and the ideal brisket. It’s a counter service-style spot and yes, expect lines on weekends. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

Crowned best restaurant of 2023 by Eater Austin, up in Scofield Farms, is all about Japanese Mexican ramen. The steaming bowls from chef Christopher Krinsky are fun, creative, and great: there’s the carnitas tonkotsu, mole tsukemen, and more. Then there are the yaki-tacos, where the skewered meats come in tacos. The restaurant is tucked away within the Hana World Market food court. Takeout orders can be placed in person; there are indoor dine-in services.

Chef Joseph Gomez highlights the culinary wonders of the Rio Grande Valley through his North Austin truck, and don’t call the menu Tex-Mex. Rather, he explores the true depths of Mexican food along the border of south Texas. This means handmade tacos full of vegetables paired with salsa macha or beef with queso fresco, tostadas topped with chorizo and potatoes, and more. And as always, all tacos are made con todo — “with everything” — meaning cilantro, onions, and salsas. There’s a good reason the truck won Eater Austin’s best food truck of 2022 and was one of Eater’s Best New Restaurants nationally that same year. Takeout orders can be placed in person; host site Celis Brewery has indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

Austin is a better place since the longtime Vietnamese restaurant reopened a couple of years ago by original owner Ngoc Dang’s daughter Anh Dang, now in the Milwood neighborhood. The casual restaurant’s menu includes all of its home-style hits: banh xeo (savory crepes), bo luc lac (shaken beef), and the ca chien dac biet (sea bass with a ginger-soy glaze), along with classics like pho and vermicelli. Takeout and delivery orders can be placed online; there are indoor dine-in services.

This casual Middle Eastern restaurant in North Austin focuses on delectable halal grilled meats. There are all sorts of kebabs, from lamb-and-beef adana to chicken, as well as shawarma bowls and wraps. The lahmajun (meat flatbread) is really nice, as are the falafels and dolmas. There’s a second location up in Round Rock. Takeout and delivery orders can be placed online; there are indoor dine-in services.

Dining at the casual Korean restaurant in North Shoal Creek is a perfectly homey experience. The menu is a traditional one, with loads of stews (budae jjigae and the seaweed-y miyukguk), kimbap, and kimchi jeon. Then there’s the fun grill-it-yourself barbecue setup with all sorts of meats, such as galbi and duck breasts. The physical space is beautiful and cozy as well, with a pond outside and many group-friendly tables. And it’s a place for the community: co-owner Mrs. Kim opens up the restaurant to free meals monthly to those who need them. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

Owner Steven Dilley and his pizzeria teams continue to impress diners at this Brentwood restaurant and the East Austin location. The Neapolitan pies are simple but skillfully executed; under chef Eli Rodriguez, you can’t go wrong with the exemplary margherita and specials such as the potato/Parmesan or duck prosciutto/apple mostarda pies, alongside stracciatella and Caesar salads. And the pasta game has never been as good as it is now. Wine nerds will dig the intriguing and affordable bottles selected by wine managers Dominique Bobbi and Brianna Leahy at Due, Monica Moreno and Benjamin Cass at East Cesar, along with wine director Rania Zayyat. Takeout orders can be placed online (Brentwood, East Austin); there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

This high-end restaurant in Allandale is a classic for a reason: co-founders Tom Gilliland and late chef Miguel Ravago are credited for really focusing on finer-dining interior Mexican food in Austin since the 1970s. There are the classic regional Mexican dishes like the array of chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, and wagyu steak tacos, all to be enjoyed in the beautiful dining rooms decked out with Mexican artwork. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

Co-owners and chefs Sarah Heard and Nathan Lemley are still knocking it out of the park at this North Loop restaurant with their fresh energy and ideas. The New American menu is familiar, but has been spruced up since the restaurant’s original owner sold it to the couple in 2017, with soothing dishes like goat mafaldine and Parisian gnocchi. Adventurous eaters should seek out the offal dishes, such as chicken liver mousse. The neighborhood restaurant works as well for spontaneous meals as it does for special occasions. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

Co-owners Také and Kayo Asazu transformed their popular sushi trailer Sushi A-Go-Go into a full-blown laid-back North Loop restaurant, offering their takes on homestyle Japanese fare. Along with impeccable sushi and affordable rolls, the lunch menu features bentos for those seeking a little bit of everything, as well as loaded donburi bowls (the hokkai-don is a richly indulgent one, with salmon sashimi, ikura, and scallops; add the uni if it’s available). There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

Given that it is Austin, there are a lot of barbecue restaurants in town, with some of them on this map. This MLK smoked meat truck from pitmaster Kareem El-Ghayesh stands out because of the incredible Egyptian-Texan menu. Smoke works well for both cuisines, which makes it even better when combined into dishes like pork ribs glazed with pomegranate seeds and za’atar, kebabs, and turmeric rice studded with brisket and tahini. Takeout orders can be placed online or in-person; host site Oddwood Brewing has indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

The Cherrywood New Texan restaurant — which is so regionally minded that even beer and wine are exclusively from the state — is equally satisfying for lingering brunch or a blowout feast at dinner. The restaurant version of this former farmers market stand/supper club from owner/chef Jesse Griffiths is everything Austin could have hoped for. He even won a James Beard Media Award for his tome about wild hogs. The Texas-forever menu under executive chef Janie Ramirez has heavier dishes like dry-aged wagyu rib-eyes, quails stuffed with boudin noir, grilled chicken hearts, and coffee-cured antelope leg filets, as well as lighter fare like mixed greens salads and grilled cabbage. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

Owner and chef Hoover Alexander has been bringing a good ol’ mix of Southern soul fare to Cherrywood for over 25 years with his homey restaurant. The menu highlights staple dishes done extremely well, from the chicken-fried steak and the fried chicken to any of the sweet pies. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are Favor deliveries available; and there are indoor dine-in services.

Through this fine-dining tasting menu restaurant in the Blackland neighborhood, co-owner and chef Je Wallerstein shows the delicate power of high-end vegan dishes. The seven-course tasting menu is full of plates that pull from her Japanese, Italian, and Nordic training. This means seasonal items like the springy focaccia with vegan butter and bean dip or potatoes paired with smoked ricotta and mushrooms. And, yes everything is — again — sans animal products. Book reservations online; there are indoor dine-in services.

This casual Chestnut neighborhood wine bar, which won Eater Austin’s best neighborhood wine bar of 2021, can be found on the east side offering a pleasant and quality dining experience. There’s the ever-rotating menu of simple dishes done right by co-owner and chef Tracy Malechek-Ezekiel and executive sous chef Heejae Galluccio. There’s usually handmade pasta, a rich steak and vegetable dish, and a variety of wine-friendly seasonal appetizers like fried green tomatoes. Don’t skip the creamy soft serve for dessert or the after-dinner drinks. There are no reservations, as it’s a walk-up joint. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

The funky little taqueria, from co-owners Edgar Rico (the James Beard Awards’ emerging chef of 2022) and Sara Mardanbigi, became a taco darling for good reason. Rico works magic into every single one of the East Austin spot’s new-school tacos and tostadas. While the meatier items are terrific, the vegetarian options really showcase his inventive skills: The beet tartare is a pure work of art. For something more special, check out its omakase service. The natural wine list is worth exploring. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

Chef Ling Qi Wu is now a bona fide restaurateur with multiple restaurants around the city. It is through the somewhat casual Clarksville restaurant — her first — that diners can get a taste of what she does best: simple yet high-quality Chinese and pan-Asian dishes, such as her iconic soup dumplings, Sichuan cucumbers, and salt-and-pepper lobster tails. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor dine-in services.

This all-day cafe was named Eater Austin’s restaurant of 2018, and still, co-owners Matt and Grady Wright, Matthew Bolick, and the team continue to deliver fantastic service and convivial vibes. The West Fifth space feels appropriately Austin with its large patio, great coffee, and a first-rate lineup of beer and wine. The menu is full of laid-back dishes with lovely touches like breakfast sandwiches layered with hash brown patties or the iconic cauliflower tots. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

It’s worth ducking into downtown Austin food hall Fareground to indulge in wonderfully rich casual French fare from this stand. The restaurant focuses on well-made rotisserie chicken accompanied by just-tender-enough potatoes made with drippings from said-roasted poultry. But also the baguette sandwiches — made with house-made bread are top-notch. There’s also a truck on South Lamar. Takeout orders can be placed online or in person; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

At the essential Austin food truck, sisters Reyna and Maritza Vazquez make the best tacos in the city, served on handmade corn and flour tortillas with fresh salsas. It’s not a complete order without the migas taco and an agua fresca. Takeout and delivery orders are placed online or in person for all of its locations, plus the Veracruz Fonda restaurant in Mueller; most locations include indoor areas and all have outdoor dine-in areas.

The historic Mexican bakery, founded in 1962 by Joe and Paula Avila and now run by their granddaughter Regina Estrada who oversees the two generations that run the family restaurant, is a pillar of the East Austin community in two ways. First, there’s the exceptional daytime menu, from the wonderfully tender and juicy barbacoa breakfast and the migas to the lunch tacos. Then there is its community service: Estrada is an advocate for East Austin, making sure people are informed about what’s going on in local politics and even directly registering voters. Takeout orders can be placed over the phone or in person; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

The East Austin Japanese spot has become one of the city’s best omakases around, so much so that it won Eater Austin’s best omakase of 2022 award. Executive chef Saine Wong offers an awesome intimate meal in a space within the indoor mini-golf course Holey Moley, featuring well-crafted nigiri and other bites in a setting that feels like a fun little party. Reservations can be made online, and plan ahead: It books up quickly. There are indoor dine-in services.

The city has an embarrassment of world-class smoky meats, and this East Austin spot gives Franklin Barbecue a run for its money. After all, the barbecue joint is from the late LeAnn Mueller, who hailed from the legendary Texas barbecue family dating back to 1949; La Barbecue is now solely run by Mueller’s wife, Ali Clem. Go for the brisket, sausages, and any of the inventive sandwiches. Be sure to order the superb shells and cheese made with smoked vegetables and a little spicy kick. The deli menu also includes tinned fish, cheeses, and caviar. Takeout orders are placed online (order in advance to bypass the line); there is in-person ordering; and there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

This East Austin restaurant has all the makings of a prime neighborhood dining stop: French food with an east-side twist in a convivial atmosphere. There are steak frites, escargot, duck confit, and ratatouille, along with a hefty burger topped with Gruyere cheese. Plus, the reasonably priced wine list means this tucked-away gem is set up perfectly for a long, lingering meal. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

Beloved by residents of the 78704 and beyond, this cafe in Bouldin Creek from owner Leslie Martin offers a varied menu of vegetarian fare paired with locally roasted coffee, and a taste of very-old-school Austin in the forms of aesthetics and food. The vegetable sandwiches are legitimately delicious, as is the tofu scramble. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

The Mexican finer-dining restaurant in the South Lamar neighborhood delivers the best taste of interior Mexico in Austin, thanks to co-owner Iliana de la Vega, the James Beard Award-winning chef in the first-ever Texas category, and her daughter chef Ana Torrealba. The menu focuses on fare from Oaxaca — where de la Vega is from — like rich moles (the duck is a must-order) and hearty cochinita pibil. Takeout orders can be placed over the phone; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

Some of the city’s best bagels and sandwiches are made at this little casual Sunset Valley deli run by the farmers market stand of the same name. The menus draw from Korean and Jewish food traditions — given the background of co-owner Ben Hollande. During the early daytime, it serves sourdough bagels, with cream cheeses, smoked lox, tuna salads, and more. Then the later-in-the-day lunch offerings include amazing sandwiches made with its springy focaccia bread — the spicy turkey sandwich with Sichuan oil and the kimchi tuna melt are must-orders. Round out the meal with one of its fantastic rugelachs. Takeout orders can be placed in person; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

The McKinney food truck has grown into an essential Austin barbecue spot — there’s a reason Eater named it one of the best restaurants in the country and in the city in 2021. James Beard Awards semifinalist pitmaster Damien Brockway and his team showcase the foodways of the African American diaspora through a deceivingly casual menu. There are succulent chicken legs paired with a chile-vinegar dip, pillowy pulled pork with tangy tamarind-molasses barbecue sauce, and superb sides like burnt ends mixed with black-eyed peas. Takeout orders can be placed in person; host site Meanwhile Brewing has indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

Yes, there are many excellent barbecue spots in Austin, so to stand out, restaurants have to nail the staples while also offering something special. Enter this northwest Austin smoked meats joint from the team behind beloved but gone Noble Sandwich Co. The attentive way the team works with the meats clear: There are citrusy, juicy turkey breasts, sweet-savory peach tea-glazed pork belly, and the ideal brisket. It’s a counter service-style spot and yes, expect lines on weekends. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

Crowned best restaurant of 2023 by Eater Austin, up in Scofield Farms, is all about Japanese Mexican ramen. The steaming bowls from chef Christopher Krinsky are fun, creative, and great: there’s the carnitas tonkotsu, mole tsukemen, and more. Then there are the yaki-tacos, where the skewered meats come in tacos. The restaurant is tucked away within the Hana World Market food court. Takeout orders can be placed in person; there are indoor dine-in services.

Chef Joseph Gomez highlights the culinary wonders of the Rio Grande Valley through his North Austin truck, and don’t call the menu Tex-Mex. Rather, he explores the true depths of Mexican food along the border of south Texas. This means handmade tacos full of vegetables paired with salsa macha or beef with queso fresco, tostadas topped with chorizo and potatoes, and more. And as always, all tacos are made con todo — “with everything” — meaning cilantro, onions, and salsas. There’s a good reason the truck won Eater Austin’s best food truck of 2022 and was one of Eater’s Best New Restaurants nationally that same year. Takeout orders can be placed in person; host site Celis Brewery has indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

Austin is a better place since the longtime Vietnamese restaurant reopened a couple of years ago by original owner Ngoc Dang’s daughter Anh Dang, now in the Milwood neighborhood. The casual restaurant’s menu includes all of its home-style hits: banh xeo (savory crepes), bo luc lac (shaken beef), and the ca chien dac biet (sea bass with a ginger-soy glaze), along with classics like pho and vermicelli. Takeout and delivery orders can be placed online; there are indoor dine-in services.

This casual Middle Eastern restaurant in North Austin focuses on delectable halal grilled meats. There are all sorts of kebabs, from lamb-and-beef adana to chicken, as well as shawarma bowls and wraps. The lahmajun (meat flatbread) is really nice, as are the falafels and dolmas. There’s a second location up in Round Rock. Takeout and delivery orders can be placed online; there are indoor dine-in services.

Dining at the casual Korean restaurant in North Shoal Creek is a perfectly homey experience. The menu is a traditional one, with loads of stews (budae jjigae and the seaweed-y miyukguk), kimbap, and kimchi jeon. Then there’s the fun grill-it-yourself barbecue setup with all sorts of meats, such as galbi and duck breasts. The physical space is beautiful and cozy as well, with a pond outside and many group-friendly tables. And it’s a place for the community: co-owner Mrs. Kim opens up the restaurant to free meals monthly to those who need them. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

Owner Steven Dilley and his pizzeria teams continue to impress diners at this Brentwood restaurant and the East Austin location. The Neapolitan pies are simple but skillfully executed; under chef Eli Rodriguez, you can’t go wrong with the exemplary margherita and specials such as the potato/Parmesan or duck prosciutto/apple mostarda pies, alongside stracciatella and Caesar salads. And the pasta game has never been as good as it is now. Wine nerds will dig the intriguing and affordable bottles selected by wine managers Dominique Bobbi and Brianna Leahy at Due, Monica Moreno and Benjamin Cass at East Cesar, along with wine director Rania Zayyat. Takeout orders can be placed online (Brentwood, East Austin); there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

Co-owners and chefs Sarah Heard and Nathan Lemley are still knocking it out of the park at this North Loop restaurant with their fresh energy and ideas. The New American menu is familiar, but has been spruced up since the restaurant’s original owner sold it to the couple in 2017, with soothing dishes like goat mafaldine and Parisian gnocchi. Adventurous eaters should seek out the offal dishes, such as chicken liver mousse. The neighborhood restaurant works as well for spontaneous meals as it does for special occasions. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

The casual neighborhood sit-down restaurant in Hyde Park serves up classic Italian dishes for dinner and brunch. There are always stellar pastas and risottos (the rigatoni amatriciana is a good bet), alongside stand-out desserts and sides. The restaurant also also offers plentiful gluten-free pizza and pasta. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

Given that it is Austin, there are a lot of barbecue restaurants in town, with some of them on this map. This MLK smoked meat truck from pitmaster Kareem El-Ghayesh stands out because of the incredible Egyptian-Texan menu. Smoke works well for both cuisines, which makes it even better when combined into dishes like pork ribs glazed with pomegranate seeds and za’atar, kebabs, and turmeric rice studded with brisket and tahini. Takeout orders can be placed online or in-person; host site Oddwood Brewing has indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

The Cherrywood New Texan restaurant — which is so regionally minded that even beer and wine are exclusively from the state — is equally satisfying for lingering brunch or a blowout feast at dinner. The restaurant version of this former farmers market stand/supper club from owner/chef Jesse Griffiths is everything Austin could have hoped for. He even won a James Beard Media Award for his tome about wild hogs. The Texas-forever menu under executive chef Janie Ramirez has heavier dishes like dry-aged wagyu rib-eyes, quails stuffed with boudin noir, grilled chicken hearts, and coffee-cured antelope leg filets, as well as lighter fare like mixed greens salads and grilled cabbage. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

Owner and chef Hoover Alexander has been bringing a good ol’ mix of Southern soul fare to Cherrywood for over 25 years with his homey restaurant. The menu highlights staple dishes done extremely well, from the chicken-fried steak and the fried chicken to any of the sweet pies. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are Favor deliveries available; and there are indoor dine-in services.

This Cherrywood restaurant from the team behind Suerte is the ultimate destination for quality coastal Mexican food in Austin — that’s why the team, led by Fermín Núñez, won an Eater Award in 2023. Everything is so flavorful, such as the messy camarones “el ricas” (buttery spicy grilled shelled shrimp), the creamy salsa-drenched pan-seared halibut, and the fresh raw bar offerings. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

The fancy downtown Southern restaurant is a sensational dining experience. There are inventive plates from Top Chef contestant chef de cuisine Amanda Turner and executive chef Michael Fojtasek. This means dishes such as smoked cabbage or the blackened dayboat fish with blue crab sauce and Carolina Gold rice. Then there’s the amazing cocktail and wine menu. The restaurant itself is elegant and offers high-class service. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

Through this fine-dining tasting menu restaurant in the Blackland neighborhood, co-owner and chef Je Wallerstein shows the delicate power of high-end vegan dishes. The seven-course tasting menu is full of plates that pull from her Japanese, Italian, and Nordic training. This means seasonal items like the springy focaccia with vegan butter and bean dip or potatoes paired with smoked ricotta and mushrooms. And, yes everything is — again — sans animal products. Book reservations online; there are indoor dine-in services.

This casual Chestnut neighborhood wine bar, which won Eater Austin’s best neighborhood wine bar of 2021, can be found on the east side offering a pleasant and quality dining experience. There’s the ever-rotating menu of simple dishes done right by co-owner and chef Tracy Malechek-Ezekiel and executive sous chef Heejae Galluccio. There’s usually handmade pasta, a rich steak and vegetable dish, and a variety of wine-friendly seasonal appetizers like fried green tomatoes. Don’t skip the creamy soft serve for dessert or the after-dinner drinks. There are no reservations, as it’s a walk-up joint. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

The funky little taqueria, from co-owners Edgar Rico (the James Beard Awards’ emerging chef of 2022) and Sara Mardanbigi, became a taco darling for good reason. Rico works magic into every single one of the East Austin spot’s new-school tacos and tostadas. While the meatier items are terrific, the vegetarian options really showcase his inventive skills: The beet tartare is a pure work of art. For something more special, check out its omakase service. The natural wine list is worth exploring. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

Chef Ling Qi Wu is now a bona fide restaurateur with multiple restaurants around the city. It is through the somewhat casual Clarksville restaurant — her first — that diners can get a taste of what she does best: simple yet high-quality Chinese and pan-Asian dishes, such as her iconic soup dumplings, Sichuan cucumbers, and salt-and-pepper lobster tails. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor dine-in services.

This all-day cafe was named Eater Austin’s restaurant of 2018, and still, co-owners Matt and Grady Wright, Matthew Bolick, and the team continue to deliver fantastic service and convivial vibes. The West Fifth space feels appropriately Austin with its large patio, great coffee, and a first-rate lineup of beer and wine. The menu is full of laid-back dishes with lovely touches like breakfast sandwiches layered with hash brown patties or the iconic cauliflower tots. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

For casual and amazing Caribbean fare, look no further than this East Austin food truck. It’s where owner and chef Janelle Romeo serves up great Trinidadian dishes like doubles, curried goat, rotis, and jerk chicken. Takeout orders can be placed in person; there are Uber Eats pickups and deliveries; and there are outdoor dine-in areas.

It’s worth ducking into downtown Austin food hall Fareground to indulge in wonderfully rich casual French fare from this stand. The restaurant focuses on well-made rotisserie chicken accompanied by just-tender-enough potatoes made with drippings from said-roasted poultry. But also the baguette sandwiches — made with house-made bread are top-notch. There’s also a truck on South Lamar. Takeout orders can be placed online or in person; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

At the essential Austin food truck, sisters Reyna and Maritza Vazquez make the best tacos in the city, served on handmade corn and flour tortillas with fresh salsas. It’s not a complete order without the migas taco and an agua fresca. Takeout and delivery orders are placed online or in person for all of its locations, plus the Veracruz Fonda restaurant in Mueller; most locations include indoor areas and all have outdoor dine-in areas.

The East Austin Caribbean restaurant, was named Eater Austin’s best new restaurant in 2022, pays tribute to executive chef Tavel Bristol-Joseph’s Guyanese roots with dishes like buttery roti, wild boar pepper pot, and jerk chicken. Since it’s a Bristol-Joseph project, don’t overlook the desserts, especially the tres leches cake. The restaurant has an upscale tropical vibe, with fruity but balanced cocktails, a large bar, and a small outdoor patio. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

The historic Mexican bakery, founded in 1962 by Joe and Paula Avila and now run by their granddaughter Regina Estrada who oversees the two generations that run the family restaurant, is a pillar of the East Austin community in two ways. First, there’s the exceptional daytime menu, from the wonderfully tender and juicy barbacoa breakfast and the migas to the lunch tacos. Then there is its community service: Estrada is an advocate for East Austin, making sure people are informed about what’s going on in local politics and even directly registering voters. Takeout orders can be placed over the phone or in person; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

The East Austin Japanese spot has become one of the city’s best omakases around, so much so that it won Eater Austin’s best omakase of 2022 award. Executive chef Saine Wong offers an awesome intimate meal in a space within the indoor mini-golf course Holey Moley, featuring well-crafted nigiri and other bites in a setting that feels like a fun little party. Reservations can be made online, and plan ahead: It books up quickly. There are indoor dine-in services.

The city has an embarrassment of world-class smoky meats, and this East Austin spot gives Franklin Barbecue a run for its money. After all, the barbecue joint is from the late LeAnn Mueller, who hailed from the legendary Texas barbecue family dating back to 1949; La Barbecue is now solely run by Mueller’s wife, Ali Clem. Go for the brisket, sausages, and any of the inventive sandwiches. Be sure to order the superb shells and cheese made with smoked vegetables and a little spicy kick. The deli menu also includes tinned fish, cheeses, and caviar. Takeout orders are placed online (order in advance to bypass the line); there is in-person ordering; and there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

This East Austin restaurant has all the makings of a prime neighborhood dining stop: French food with an east-side twist in a convivial atmosphere. There are steak frites, escargot, duck confit, and ratatouille, along with a hefty burger topped with Gruyere cheese. Plus, the reasonably priced wine list means this tucked-away gem is set up perfectly for a long, lingering meal. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

Beloved by residents of the 78704 and beyond, this cafe in Bouldin Creek from owner Leslie Martin offers a varied menu of vegetarian fare paired with locally roasted coffee, and a taste of very-old-school Austin in the forms of aesthetics and food. The vegetable sandwiches are legitimately delicious, as is the tofu scramble. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

The Mexican finer-dining restaurant in the South Lamar neighborhood delivers the best taste of interior Mexico in Austin, thanks to co-owner Iliana de la Vega, the James Beard Award-winning chef in the first-ever Texas category, and her daughter chef Ana Torrealba. The menu focuses on fare from Oaxaca — where de la Vega is from — like rich moles (the duck is a must-order) and hearty cochinita pibil. Takeout orders can be placed over the phone; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

Some of the city’s best bagels and sandwiches are made at this little casual Sunset Valley deli run by the farmers market stand of the same name. The menus draw from Korean and Jewish food traditions — given the background of co-owner Ben Hollande. During the early daytime, it serves sourdough bagels, with cream cheeses, smoked lox, tuna salads, and more. Then the later-in-the-day lunch offerings include amazing sandwiches made with its springy focaccia bread — the spicy turkey sandwich with Sichuan oil and the kimchi tuna melt are must-orders. Round out the meal with one of its fantastic rugelachs. Takeout orders can be placed in person; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

Chef Lakana Trubiana cooks up a small but mighty Thai menu from this South Lamar neighborhood truck. The flavorful Isan-style dishes (rooted in the northern region of Thailand) range from comforting om gai to a very spicy laab moo. In the summer, the mango sticky rice is worth it. Takeout orders can to be placed online; host site Radio has indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

The McKinney food truck has grown into an essential Austin barbecue spot — there’s a reason Eater named it one of the best restaurants in the country and in the city in 2021. James Beard Awards semifinalist pitmaster Damien Brockway and his team showcase the foodways of the African American diaspora through a deceivingly casual menu. There are succulent chicken legs paired with a chile-vinegar dip, pillowy pulled pork with tangy tamarind-molasses barbecue sauce, and superb sides like burnt ends mixed with black-eyed peas. Takeout orders can be placed in person; host site Meanwhile Brewing has indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.