Discover Trending Restaurants in Austin

by The OpenTable Team

Updated 15 December 2023

Austin has an incredible dining scene. Locals get to eat a range of cuisine from late-night bites downtown to gourmet prix fixe at trendy spots around the edges of Brentwood and Rosedale. But where are the smartest, savviest diners eating out? Welcome to our Tastemaker List. We’ve pulled data from thousands of restaurants to find the top spots among OpenTable's most expert, seasoned diners. Enjoy one of the widest varieties of food in the world, from the South Lamar sushi delights of Uchi to South Austin’s Dai Due with its farm-to-table ethos, where they even source the cooking oils locally. This list is the perfect guide to navigating the multitude of trendy restaurants in Austin.

Nightcap

4.5

4.5 (712)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Downtown

About the restaurant

Sometimes, it’s the basics that keep people coming back again and again: good service, good atmosphere, and good food. Nightcap has all of these, plus a mission to create a cozy and intimate space for all diners, whether a couple on a date night or a group of friends celebrating a special occasion. Share some small, savory plates such as roasted shishito peppers or their famous kimchi fries. A bustling and cheerful venue with staff who make it their mission to look after hungry and happy diners.

Top review

CelesteVIP

Dined on 10 Dec 2024

The food was delicious and the service was great!

Emmer & Rye

4.7

4.7 (3458)

$50 and over

American

Downtown

About the restaurant

In 2018, one critic hailed Emmer & Rye as the best restaurant in Austin right now, saying their dishes are "a study in flavor and textures." The name refers to two grains not so widely used these days, as the restaurant loves to explore using "relic," or heirloom, grains for their bread, pasta, and even dessert. The menu changes daily based on whatever fresh ingredients are available, and one of the most exciting ways to dine here is to sample the circulating dim sum carts. These carts hold around 10 different dishes each night, and servers are happy to recommend dishes and suitable wine pairings.

Top review

mike

Dined 7 days ago

First time here and will definitely be back when we come to town. Trey was great and made some good recommendations. Food and ambience were on point.

Arlo Grey by Kristen Kish

4.5

4.5 (1716)

$31 to $50

American

Downtown

About the restaurant

The desirably placed Arlo Grey boasts stunning views over Town Lake and a chance to catch a sight of the famous Congress Bridge bats in flight. Once diners get over the amazing scenery, the menu wows them even more. Listed from the lightest to the heaviest dishes, Top Chef winner Kristen Kish’s dishes explore French and Italian influences, utilizing the bounty of Texan ingredients in new and exciting ways. Enjoy a satisfying brunch or a fine dinner in a sleek and contemporary setting. For a quirky extra, look out for Kristen’s story painted across a corner wall.

Top review

Eric

Dined 5 days ago

What an amazing meal we had! Kevin expertly explained the menu to us and that helped steer us towards our order. The Texas beets dish was amazing, best beet dish we’ve ever had. The rabbit dumplings were excellent. And of course, the wagyu ribeye was worth every cent. We didn’t do dessert, but my double espresso was very good as well.

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