Austin has a plethora of new one-of-a-kind establishments serving up cuisine that’s just as impressive as the music. The overall feel when dining out in Austin is casual. Upscale dining gives way to the bustling, energetic atmosphere that’s preferred (and expected) by the residents and visitors of Austin. Austin’s restaurants cater to just about every diner, from food carts to family-style eateries, foodies can get their fix.
Here are our top five picks for new restaurants to check out next time you find yourself in Austin:
Photo provided by honeymoonspiritlounge.com
When Adrienne Wiggins and Reed Calhoun’s wedding and honeymoon got postponed because of the pandemic, they decided to pour their heart into creating this one-of-a-kind dining experience. Located at 624 West 34th Street, Honey Moon has indoor dining, patio, and bar seating. The French antique-inspired interior, carefully designed with artful jewel tones, dramatically dressed lighting and thoughtfully curated antique novelties, is what gives the restaurant and cocktail lounge its unique vibe. Their menu overflows with elevated comfort food, decadent sweets, select wines, and refreshing drinks like lavender lemonade.
Photo provided by swiftpizzaco.com
Swift Pizza Co was inspired by Adam Jacoby and Kris Swift’s young twin boys. They centered the details, bright colors, and a playlist around the nostalgia of middle school. Swifty’s fair at 3223 East Seventh Street consists of family-friendly items, including build-your-own pizzas, salads, pasta, chicken noodle soup, and fried mozzarella sticks. Did someone say comfort food? There are also desserts reminiscent of after-school snacks like ice cream, Hostess cupcakes, and soft gooey cookies. However, you can also indulge in adult options like beer, wine, and cocktails.
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Lutie’s Garden Restaurant (named after estate matriarch Nannie Lewette “Lutie” Perry), located at 4100 Red River St., shy’s away from a stuffy provincial atmosphere despite the food cooked the way of fine dining and elegant environment. Asian-inspired Delta Blue rice dish, Yonder Way pork with pickled cabbage and creamer peas, charcoal-grilled chicken with leeks and hominy, and a Grand Aioli platter created from an array of local meats are just a few menu choices that greet hungry diner’s.
Photo provided by abarestaurants.com
4. Aba
Aba, located at 1011 S Congress Avenue, is a fun and lively Austin Mediterranean restaurant that originated in Chicago’s historic Fulton Market District. Aba, meaning father in Hebrew, combines Chef CJ Jacobson’s light cooking style with Mediterranean influences, including Israel, Lebanon, Turkey, and Greece. The bar program, minted by Liz Pearce, features enticing rare Mediterranean-inspired wines and cocktails. An array of hummus, shawarma-spiced skirt steak, kebabs featuring grilled cauliflower and chicken kefta, meats including tamarind-braised short ribs, and eggplant-wrapped slow-braised leg of lamb are just a few options gracing Aba’s menu.
Photo provided by properhotel.com/austin/restaurants-bars/la-piscina/
5. La Piscina Ceviches & Fajitas
Located on the 5th floor of the Austin Proper Hotel, La Piscina is a poolside restaurant and bar serving Tex-Mex cuisine for dinner, lunch, and brunch. The vibrant, energetic space overlooks downtown Austin as diners enjoy family-style platters, ceviches, sizzling fajitas, fresh grilled seafood, and house-made tortillas from an open comal. In addition, the bar provides a selection of frozen margaritas, small-batch tequila, mezcal, native Mexican spirits, and an assortment of outdoor-dining-friendly snacks. Baja Style Oysters, Octopus Aguachile Negra, and Yellowfin Tuna Crudo is just a sampling of La Piscina’s menu options