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Also known as the "Live Music Capital of the World," Austin, Texas houses a number of music festivals including Austin City Limits, South by Southwest, and FunFunFun Fest. But Austin seeks to engage all of your senses, and has many ways to indulge your palate as it does your ears. If you think it's all about the Tex-Mex, you're sorely mistaken. With everything from upscale American classics to quaint diners and local pizza dives, these are the best restaurants in Austin right now.
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Mandola's Italian Market
Neighborhood: Various Locations
Address: 4700 W Guadalupe St. ; 4301 W William Cannon Dr.
Website: mandolasmarket.com
Part market, part homestyle trattoria, this Italian restaurant from chef Damian Mandola is known for its generously portioned fare from thin-crust pizza, caprese sandwiches, and classic cheese ravioli, all served with garlic bread that is as satisfying as it is soft. The friendly counter staff does a great job of controling the sometimes chaotic atmosphere during rush hours or lunch cravings. Still, if long lines persist, one might find take out as a better option.
Eastside Cafe
Neighborhood: East Austin
Address: 2113 Manor Rd.
Website: eastsidecafeaustin.com
Situated in a quaint old house, Eastside Café is what many consider Hyde Park Bar and Grill's older, more sophisticated sibling. The menu is seasonal and features many homegrown ingredients, and it shows. The meals, ranging from American staples like classic burgers, sandwiches, and meatloaf to varied ethnic dishes like crepes, enchiladas, and pastas, are all supremely fresh and consistently delicious.
Jack Allen's Kitchen
Neighborhood: Oak Hill
Address: 77720 Texas 71
Website: jackallenskitchen.com
Brunch in Austin starts at Jack Allen's Kitchen. For any out-of-towner, a $16 investment isn't bad when you're met with a Texan tapestry of delicious foods, from migas, house cured ham, and green chile pork and effs, to fresh tomato basil pie. Top that with excellent mimosas made with freshly squeezed orange juice, and seriously spicy bloody maries, and your Sunday is undoubtedly off to a good start.
Galaxy Cafe
Neighborhood: Various Locations
Address: 4616 Triangle Ave. ; 1000 W Lynn St. ; 9911 Brodie Lane
Website: galaxycafeaustin.com
While it may be a bit pricey for its moderate portions, the cafeteria style with modern retro décor makes Galaxy Café well worth the dinero. For picky eaters, Galaxy's willingness to cater to many dietary needs, and its inclusion of many gluten free options, make its menu easy to navigate.
Kerbey Lane
Neighborhood: Various Locations
Address: 4301 W William Cannon ; 2606 Guadalupe St. ; 3704 Kerbey Lane ; 13435 Hwy 183 N Ste. 415
Website: kerbeylanecafe.com
While we suggest avoiding Kerbey during hectic lunch hours, its the perfect place for breakfast, a boozy Sunday brunch, or for your late night cravings. And since it's open 24 hours, you can use their Kerbey queso or their perfect pancakes to quelch your drunken stupor after a night on 6th St. Head down to their location near the University of Texas on Guadalupe St. for a glimpse of the boisterous college life and to do some post-nosh shopping down "the drag" (what locals call Guadalupe street).
Uchiko
Neighborhood: Allandale/ Brentwood
Address: 4200 North Lamar
Website: uchiaustin.com
An inventive spin on Asian cuisine, Uchiko serves wildly creative Japanese fare in beautiful presentations that don't lack in flavor or creativity. Spearheaded by Iron Chef's Tyson Cole, the child of Uchi (another great Japanese restaurant), Uchiko's stellar entrees always dazzle. The service is professional yet unpretentious, which is fitting to Uchiko's modern atmosphere. The true tell of Uchiko's quality: the tabs are steep, but that doesn't deter the crowds.
Home Slice Pizza
Neighborhood: South Congress
Address: 1415 S Congress St.
Website: homeslicepizza.com
Don't let the lines deter you from trying this local pizza gem. While their commonly appropriated "New York" styled pizza might be grounds for an eye roll, Home Slice is a divey favorite smack in the middle of SoCo that comes with a beautiful view of downtown and the Capital. The pizza joint can cater to any pizza-lover with selections varying from eggplant, margherita, and white clam pizza, so there is really no reason why you shouldn't be eating a slice right now.
Parkside
Neighborhood: East Austin
Address: 301 E 6th St.
Website: parkside-austin.com
Situated right in the madness of 6th street, Parkside, with its gorgeous exposed brick, is easy to spot amidst a sea of run-down college bars. Serving up culinary creations from Shawn Cirkiel and Jeffrey Rhodes, Parkside gives new meaning to the idea of indulgence. From steaming doughnut hole confections, to pistachio shortbread crumble, and an excellent Parmesan and breadcrumb macaroni and cheese, it's easy to sate your appetite with any (or preferably all) of the plates on this stellar five-star menu.
Fonda San Miguel
Neighborhood: Central Austin
Address: 2330 North Loop Blvd.
Website: fondasanmiguel.com
Austin isn't very well known for its Tex-Mex food; you can go to El Paso or San Antonio for that. But if you want to enjoy the most authentic Mexican food in Austin, head down to Fonda San Miguel. Serving its unique take on Mexican cuisine for nearly three decades, this "Grande Dame" hacienda is adorned with gorgeous murals of Mexican art. Known for their killer mole, Acapulco-style poblano, and smooth margaritas, Fonda San Miguel proves that the appropriated Tex-Mex can give you a little taste of Mexico one taco el pastor at a time.
Hut's
Neighborhood: Downtown
Address: 807 W 6th St.
Website: hutsfrankandangies.com
Located in the heart of Austin, Huts has asserted its title as an Austin Burger legend. Don't expect it to be as innovative as the foodie-favorite Hop Doddy's or as legendary as Top Notch's hamburgers (featured in Dazed and Confused), but Huts delivers on the simplicity front. It also earns bonus points for its half-priced burger special on Wednesdays, a godsend to burger lovers on a tight budget.
The Salt Lick
Neighborhood: Southwest Austin
Address: 18300 Fm 1826, Driftwood
Website: saltlickbbq.com
Even though the drive to Salt Lick is quite long, the journey to the place is an Austin ritual. Grab some beers and a carload of people, and be prepared to feast and have a the time of your life. If you're visiting from out of town, the Salt Lick provides the perfect Texan smorgasbord: brisket, sausage, pork, ribs, beans, potato salad, coleslaw, onions, pickles, jalapenos, and, of course, amazing barbeque sauce. Eat until you can't eat anymore, but make sure to save room for the blackberry cobbler.
Driskill Grill
Neighborhood: Downtown
Address: 604 Brazos St.
Website: driskillgrill.com
An Austin staple since 1929, the Driskill Grill is one of the most romantic spots in this "weird" city. Giving new meaning to Victorian decor, the grill is outfitted with elaborate antique upholstery and a sprawling staircase from the classic 1860's Driskill Hotel. The grill is known for incorporating creative takes on traditional Texan ingredients, most notably chorizo and Spanish Monchego stuffed dates and Cornbread-stuffed Texas Quail. The menu is pricy, so it might not be an every date type of spot, but for your first year anniversary, it's golden.
Hyde Park Bar and Grill
Neighborhood: Central/South Austin
Address: 4206 Duval St.
Website: hpbng.com
We usually wouldn't recommend going to a restaurant just for their fries, but at Hyde Park Bar and Grill, their fries are just that good. A twist on comfort food, Hyde Park Bar and Grill was awarded "Best Comfort Cuisine 2013" by the Austin Chronicle. And with an pleothora of non-meat options, including a great veggie burger and a number of delicious pasta dishes, that comfort extends to vegetarians, too.