Top 25 Restaurants in Austin 2016
Posted on November 16, 2016 by
Xploritall announces the 1st annual list of the 25 Best Restaurants in Austin. We sorted through several key diner and critic ranking lists to determine the overall winners. This "poll of polls" balances the opinions of dining critics with ratings of actual diners. The winners represent a diverse offering of cuisines and ranging from casual to fine dining, even some popular food trucks.
Though Xploritall places less emphasis on opinions and rankings than other travel sites, the Top 25 list is a great tool for planning a trip. There are lots of other great places to eat in and around Austin, so consider this list a starting point. And don't forget to sign up to add these places to your Xploritall travel planner.
The Top 25 list for 2016:
1
900 E 11th
BBQ
$$
Austin is known for its barbecue, and no place is more famous than Franklin Barbecue. Expect long lines until they sell out for the day. #2 on Zagat, #3 on Yelp, #5 on TripAdvisor, and included in the Eater 38 essential list for Austin.
2
7720 Highway 71 West
American (New), American (Traditional), Southern, Tex-Mex
$$
At Jack Allen’s Kitchen, you will find refined Southern-inspired flavors, crossed with the spice of southwestern cuisine that come together to create plates that will invigorate any palate and comfort the soul. #1 on Zomato (formerly UrbanSpoon), #10 on TripAdvisor, and included in the Eater 38 list.
3
6555 Burnet Rd Suite 400
New American,
$$$
Originally a food truck venture by Chef Bryce Gilmore, it has spawned into two restaurants (both in our Top 25), Odd Duck and Barley Swine. Barley Swine offers seasonal tasting and a la carte menus.
4
801 South Lamar
Japanese, Sushi
$$$
#1 on Zagat, #7 on TripAdvisor, included in the Eater 38 list for Austin. Seasonal ingredients with global influences, flown in daily from Japanese markets.
5
4200 North Lamar
Gluten-Free, Japanese, Sushi
$$$
Like a remixed version of sister restaurant Uchi (#4 in our Top 25), Uchiko takes ideas from Uchi and serves up composed dishes and sushi. #3 on Zagat.
6
7101-A Woodrow Ave
Delicatessen,Pizza,Sandwiches
$
As someone originally from the East Coast, somehow I took the neighborhood pizza and sandwich shops for granted until I moved away. I can see why they are cherished now that I have to search for that Northeastern style, which Little Deli & Pizzeria obviously captures well – they were #2 on Zomato (formerly UrbanSpoon) and #4 on Zagat.
7
303 Red River St
American (Traditional), Southern
$$
Traditional American and Southern style comfort food. Moonshine was in the top 16 on several diner rating lists.
8
1201 S Lamar Blvd
American (New)
$$
Sister restaurant of #3 Barley Swine, Odd Duck began as a food truck by Chef Bryce Gilmore, and features “intensely local, seasonal fare.”
9
1917 Manor Rd
American (New), Gastropub
$$
New American gastropub in the former general store operated by legendary jazz pianist, Robert Shaw. #5 on Yelp.
10
Photo: @bunnylovebaker / Instagram
1415 S Congress St
Pizza, Sandwiches
$
Home Slice does NY style pizza, by the slice or pie. Dine-in at 1415 S. Congress, or order to go a few doors down. #8 on Zomato (formerly UrbanSpoon), and #13 on TripAdvisor.
11
301 East 5th Street
American (Traditional), Seafood, Steakhouse
$$$
Eddie V's is a small chain, with 14 restaurants (nearly half in Texas). Their specialty is seafood, flown in daily from around the world, and USDA prime steak aged for 28 days. #2 on TripAdvisor, and #11 on Zagat.
12
1601 Waterston Ave
American (Traditional)
$$
The sister restaurant to Austin fine dining institution Jeffrey’s, offering breakfast, lunch, brunch, happy hour, dinner & Monday night steak frites.
13
51 Rainey, Suite 110
American (New), Tapas/Small Plates
$$$
Local and seasonal restaurant that serves up entrees or small platers, with dim sum carts circulating with more options.
14
1906 E Cesar Chavez St
BBQ
$$
A popular food truck serving, you guessed it, barbecue. And with long lines until they sell out. #3 on TripAdvisor, and on the Eater 38 essential list.
15
2115 Holly St
American (New)
$$
Located in East Austin's Holly neighborhood, Launderette's menu features vibrant and global flavors from Chefs Rene Ortiz & Laura Sawicki.
16
306 E53rd St
American (New)
$$
Chef Ned Elliott’s 47-seat restaurant has become a neighborhood favorite for expertly prepared food at reasonable prices.
17
4807 Airport Blvd
Spanish, Tapas/Small Plates
$$$
Chef Shawn Cirkiel's new-ish (opened in 2015) Spanish celebrating tapas restaurant grabbed #1 on the Foodable WebTV list.
18
1720 Barton Springs Rd
Sandwiches, Southern
$
The shiny red Scooby Doo food van serves up 4 staple sandwiches (they say they are best known for their Monte Cristo), and an ever-changing specials menu. #1 on Yelp.
19
1400 S Congress Ave
American (Traditional), Burgers
$$
Texas-based burger bar chain with locations now in Arizona, California, and Colorado. All natural burgers ground in-house. Highest rating was #8 on Zagat.
20
400 Colorado Street
Seafood, Steakhouse
$$$
Small chain with 11 locations in Texas, Florida, and California, specializing in seafood, steak, and crabs. The Downtown Austin location is #1 on TripAdvisor.
21
1906 E Cesar Chavez
Street Food, Thai
$$
DEE DEE, which means "Good Good," is an Austin based food truck started by husband and wife, Justin & Lakana serving authentic Northern Thai street-food from the heart of Thailand's countryside. #2 on Yelp.
22
12233 620 N Suite 105
Sandwiches
$
It's all about the sandwich at Noble, but not the standard fare. Unique sandwich options include Thai Chicken, Smoked Duck Pastrami, Creole Catfish, and Noble Pig Sandwich. Also has a breakfast menu with (you guessed it) sandwiches and biscuits.
23
1503 S 1st St
Bakery
$
Almost all items on the menu somehow involve donuts, even donut burgers. There are two indoor "public house" locations, and two airstream trailer fixed locations. The 1503 S 1st Street location was ranked #3 on Zomato (formerly UrbanSpoon).
24
12005 Hwy 290 W
Delicatessen, Italian, Pizza
$$
Neapolitan pizza shop and delicatessen that was #4 on TripAdvisor when we compiled our list.
25
200 Congress Avenue
American (New)
$$
Executive Chef Casey Wilcox's New American restaurant in the Second Street District uses local, seasonal artisan ingredients for small plate meals, salads, pizzas, and entrees. Featured in the Easter 38 essential restaurants list.
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Though Xploritall places less emphasis on opinions and rankings than other travel sites, the Top 25 list is a great tool for planning a trip. There are lots of other great places to eat in and around Austin, so consider this list a starting point. And don't forget to sign up to add these places to your Xploritall travel planner.
The Top 25 list for 2016:
1
Franklin Barbecue
900 E 11th
BBQ
$$
Austin is known for its barbecue, and no place is more famous than Franklin Barbecue. Expect long lines until they sell out for the day. #2 on Zagat, #3 on Yelp, #5 on TripAdvisor, and included in the Eater 38 essential list for Austin.
2
Jack Allen's Kitchen
7720 Highway 71 West
American (New), American (Traditional), Southern, Tex-Mex
$$
At Jack Allen’s Kitchen, you will find refined Southern-inspired flavors, crossed with the spice of southwestern cuisine that come together to create plates that will invigorate any palate and comfort the soul. #1 on Zomato (formerly UrbanSpoon), #10 on TripAdvisor, and included in the Eater 38 list.
3
Barley Swine
6555 Burnet Rd Suite 400
New American,
$$$
Originally a food truck venture by Chef Bryce Gilmore, it has spawned into two restaurants (both in our Top 25), Odd Duck and Barley Swine. Barley Swine offers seasonal tasting and a la carte menus.
4
Uchi
801 South Lamar
Japanese, Sushi
$$$
#1 on Zagat, #7 on TripAdvisor, included in the Eater 38 list for Austin. Seasonal ingredients with global influences, flown in daily from Japanese markets.
5
Uchiko
4200 North Lamar
Gluten-Free, Japanese, Sushi
$$$
Like a remixed version of sister restaurant Uchi (#4 in our Top 25), Uchiko takes ideas from Uchi and serves up composed dishes and sushi. #3 on Zagat.
6
Little Deli & Pizzeria
7101-A Woodrow Ave
Delicatessen,Pizza,Sandwiches
$
As someone originally from the East Coast, somehow I took the neighborhood pizza and sandwich shops for granted until I moved away. I can see why they are cherished now that I have to search for that Northeastern style, which Little Deli & Pizzeria obviously captures well – they were #2 on Zomato (formerly UrbanSpoon) and #4 on Zagat.
7
Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill
303 Red River St
American (Traditional), Southern
$$
Traditional American and Southern style comfort food. Moonshine was in the top 16 on several diner rating lists.
8
Odd Duck
1201 S Lamar Blvd
American (New)
$$
Sister restaurant of #3 Barley Swine, Odd Duck began as a food truck by Chef Bryce Gilmore, and features “intensely local, seasonal fare.”
9
Salty Sow
1917 Manor Rd
American (New), Gastropub
$$
New American gastropub in the former general store operated by legendary jazz pianist, Robert Shaw. #5 on Yelp.
10
Home Slice Pizza
Photo: @bunnylovebaker / Instagram
1415 S Congress St
Pizza, Sandwiches
$
Home Slice does NY style pizza, by the slice or pie. Dine-in at 1415 S. Congress, or order to go a few doors down. #8 on Zomato (formerly UrbanSpoon), and #13 on TripAdvisor.
11
Eddie V's Prime Seafood
301 East 5th Street
American (Traditional), Seafood, Steakhouse
$$$
Eddie V's is a small chain, with 14 restaurants (nearly half in Texas). Their specialty is seafood, flown in daily from around the world, and USDA prime steak aged for 28 days. #2 on TripAdvisor, and #11 on Zagat.
12
Josephine House
1601 Waterston Ave
American (Traditional)
$$
The sister restaurant to Austin fine dining institution Jeffrey’s, offering breakfast, lunch, brunch, happy hour, dinner & Monday night steak frites.
13
Emmer & Rye
51 Rainey, Suite 110
American (New), Tapas/Small Plates
$$$
Local and seasonal restaurant that serves up entrees or small platers, with dim sum carts circulating with more options.
14
La Barbecue
1906 E Cesar Chavez St
BBQ
$$
A popular food truck serving, you guessed it, barbecue. And with long lines until they sell out. #3 on TripAdvisor, and on the Eater 38 essential list.
15
Launderette
2115 Holly St
American (New)
$$
Located in East Austin's Holly neighborhood, Launderette's menu features vibrant and global flavors from Chefs Rene Ortiz & Laura Sawicki.
16
Foreign & Domestic
306 E53rd St
American (New)
$$
Chef Ned Elliott’s 47-seat restaurant has become a neighborhood favorite for expertly prepared food at reasonable prices.
17
BullFight
4807 Airport Blvd
Spanish, Tapas/Small Plates
$$$
Chef Shawn Cirkiel's new-ish (opened in 2015) Spanish celebrating tapas restaurant grabbed #1 on the Foodable WebTV list.
18
Hey!... You Gonna Eat or What?
1720 Barton Springs Rd
Sandwiches, Southern
$
The shiny red Scooby Doo food van serves up 4 staple sandwiches (they say they are best known for their Monte Cristo), and an ever-changing specials menu. #1 on Yelp.
19
Hopdoddy - South Congress
1400 S Congress Ave
American (Traditional), Burgers
$$
Texas-based burger bar chain with locations now in Arizona, California, and Colorado. All natural burgers ground in-house. Highest rating was #8 on Zagat.
20
Truluck's Seafood - Austin Downtown
400 Colorado Street
Seafood, Steakhouse
$$$
Small chain with 11 locations in Texas, Florida, and California, specializing in seafood, steak, and crabs. The Downtown Austin location is #1 on TripAdvisor.
21
DEE DEE
1906 E Cesar Chavez
Street Food, Thai
$$
DEE DEE, which means "Good Good," is an Austin based food truck started by husband and wife, Justin & Lakana serving authentic Northern Thai street-food from the heart of Thailand's countryside. #2 on Yelp.
22
Noble Sandwich Co.
12233 620 N Suite 105
Sandwiches
$
It's all about the sandwich at Noble, but not the standard fare. Unique sandwich options include Thai Chicken, Smoked Duck Pastrami, Creole Catfish, and Noble Pig Sandwich. Also has a breakfast menu with (you guessed it) sandwiches and biscuits.
23
Gourdough's
1503 S 1st St
Bakery
$
Almost all items on the menu somehow involve donuts, even donut burgers. There are two indoor "public house" locations, and two airstream trailer fixed locations. The 1503 S 1st Street location was ranked #3 on Zomato (formerly UrbanSpoon).
24
Pieous
12005 Hwy 290 W
Delicatessen, Italian, Pizza
$$
Neapolitan pizza shop and delicatessen that was #4 on TripAdvisor when we compiled our list.
25
Second Bar + Kitchen
200 Congress Avenue
American (New)
$$
Executive Chef Casey Wilcox's New American restaurant in the Second Street District uses local, seasonal artisan ingredients for small plate meals, salads, pizzas, and entrees. Featured in the Easter 38 essential restaurants list.
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