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4 Must-Try Restaurants in Austin Right Now

A photo of Red logo
by Claudia Alarcón
Updated August 30, 2022

Austin’s dining scene is unstoppable, growing by leaps and bounds, defined by the spirit of constant renewal. Bat City’s latest batch of restaurants mirrors its fast-growing population, including a hotel chophouse by a James Beard Award nominee and a swanky, Italian-accented steakhouse. A couple of Mexican spots that offer lesser-seen regional fare, inspired by the chefs’ travels to Oaxaca and beyond, plus a casual Hill Country smokehouse from a successful Houston transplant round out the selection. Prepare to be impressed by these four promising newcomers, reflecting the best of Austin right now.

A photo of Maie Day restaurant
4.4
4.4 (293)
$31 to $50
Steakhouse
Bouldin Creek
About the restaurant

A community chophouse in the South Congress Hotel, Maie Day opened in May and is the newest project from three-time James Beard nominee, chef Michael Fojtasek. The reimagined space, previously the bar and grill Central Standard, now bursts with color and character, with a big marble-top bar, ample outdoor space, and tables that can accommodate large groups. The steakhouse-style menu includes appetizers such as smoked fish dip and peel ‘n eat shrimp; mains feature a daily grilled whole fish, grass-fed rib-eye, a butcher’s steak, and prime rib. The bar serves cocktails, beer, and wine in a bustling atmosphere.


Top review
Jc23micah21
Dined 3 days ago
Never had a good meal here…. Always had a great one!!! ☺️☺️
A photo of Chapulín Cantina restaurant
4.7
4.7 (195)
$31 to $50
Mexican
Downtown
About the restaurant

A newcomer to the busy South Congress strip, this colorful cantina that opened in August, is the vibrant sibling to Austin’s Italian go-to, Vespaio. The menu features elegant, regional Mexican dishes, inspired by the many trips to Oaxaca that chef/owners Ryan Samson and Daniel Brooks took to blueprint the concept. Expect an ample selection of mezcales and agave spirits to sip or enjoy in creative cocktails. Appetizers include roasted bone marrow with avocado salsa, seafood cocktails, and Oaxacan antojitos such as tlayudas (oval-shaped, crisp corn tortillas topped with a variety of foods) and memelas (griddled corn cakes, usually layered with refried beans and crumbled queso fresco). Don’t miss the house-made moles, served as a sampler or with chicken, duck, pork, or vegetables.


Top review
OpenTable Diner
Dined 1 day ago
My wife and I love Chapulín—one our favorite restaurants in Austin. From the mezcal cocktails to the incredible Oaxacan cuisine, all served up by attentive and knowledgeable wait staff. Their ceviche is a real stand out – – in my opinion, the best in Austin. Also, the Wagyu beef tacos are both large and incredibly good.
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A photo of Pecan Square Cafe restaurant
4.8
4.8 (358)
$31 to $50
Contemporary American
Downtown
About the restaurant

In the former space of the much-lamented Café Josie, this Clarksville newcomer serves simple, seasonal food with an evolving roster of dishes. The menu offers globally inspired cuisine prepared with locally sourced ingredients for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. Grab a three-course prix fixe lunch for $50 and feast on entrees such as pork schnitzel with string bean remoulade and spicy mustard. The bar delivers variations on classic cocktails, with a short but sweet wine list and happy hour from 3 pm to 5 pm Monday through Friday.


Top review
Eparisiennr
Dined 6 days ago
The food is simple and perfect! We loved the lettuce salad and the hand made tagliatelle. We are definitely going back!
A photo of Dean's Italian Steakhouse restaurant
4.8
4.8 (892)
$50 and over
Steakhouse
Downtown
About the restaurant

A classic American steakhouse with an Italian accent, Dean’s opened in August and is one of the newest additions to downtown Austin. The swanky space serves up expertly sourced prime cuts of beef including Texas and Japanese A5 wagyu, paired with modern sides including the billionaire’s potato—a twice-baked classic topped with shaved truffles. The menu also includes house-made pastas, market-fresh seafood, and a raw bar with caviar service. The Veranda at Dean’s, an adjacent open-air space with patio seating, serves an excellent weekday happy hour from 5 pm to 6:30 pm, including $7 select glasses of wine, $8 signature cocktails, and $9 shareable small plates such as oysters Rockefeller, steak tartare, and more.


Top review
OpenTable Diner
Dined on Jan 2, 2023
Best steak I ever had
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