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Austin's Culinary Scene: The Best Restaurants (That Aren't BBQ)

While Austin is famous for its world-class barbecue, the city's culinary landscape is far from one-note. From high-end tasting menus to iconic Tex-Mex institutions, Austin is a food lover's paradise. Here is a guide to 10 of the best and most essential non-BBQ restaurants in the city.

Fine Dining & Special Occasions

  1. Pasta | Bar: For a truly special occasion, Pasta | Bar offers an intimate and exclusive experience. This tasting-menu-only restaurant serves a creative, multi-course meal centered around innovative pasta dishes, all served from a 10-seat counter. It's a tough reservation to get, but worth the effort for a memorable culinary adventure.
  2. Hestia: Named for the Greek goddess of the hearth, Hestia is a modern restaurant centered around a massive, 20-foot wood-fired hearth. The menu features sophisticated, seasonal dishes with a smoky, live-fire element. The atmosphere is sleek and upscale, making it a perfect spot for an impressive dinner.
  3. Arlo Grey: Located in the stylish LINE Hotel, Arlo Grey is the brainchild of "Top Chef" winner Kristen Kish. The menu is a beautiful blend of French and Italian techniques with Texas ingredients, resulting in dishes that are both comforting and elegant. The lakeside setting and chic decor add to the special-occasion feel.

Upscale Casual & Trendy

  1. Aba: One of the most beautiful restaurants in Austin, Aba's stunning, tree-filled patio is a destination in itself. The menu features Mediterranean and Israeli-inspired cuisine, with a focus on shareable small plates, kebabs, and hummus. It's a vibrant, see-and-be-seen spot that's perfect for a group dinner or a romantic evening.
  2. Odd Duck: If one restaurant could encapsulate the modern Austin food scene, it might be Odd Duck. With a focus on creative, locally-sourced small plates, Odd Duck has been a pioneer of the farm-to-table movement in Austin. The menu is constantly changing, the cocktails are inventive, and the atmosphere is always buzzing.
  3. Loro: What do you get when you combine the talents of the chefs behind Franklin Barbecue and the acclaimed sushi restaurant Uchi? You get Loro, an Asian smokehouse. It's not a traditional BBQ joint; instead, it blends Texas smoking techniques with Japanese, Thai, and Vietnamese flavors. The result is a delicious and unique menu in a casual, counter-service beer garden setting.

Cuisine-Specific Standouts

  1. Suerte: Suerte is a modern Mexican restaurant that takes its masa (corn dough) program very seriously. They nixtamalize and grind their own corn in-house, which forms the basis for their incredible tortillas, tacos, and other dishes. The menu is creative and vibrant, and the cocktails are top-notch.
  2. Uchi: Uchi is a sushi institution that helped put Austin on the national culinary map. Chef Tyson Cole's innovative approach to sushi and Japanese cuisine has earned the restaurant countless accolades. It's a high-end experience known for its pristine fish, creative flavor combinations, and impeccable service.
  3. Dai Due: Dai Due is a butcher shop and restaurant with a hyper-local focus. The menu is a celebration of Texas ingredients, with a particular emphasis on wild game, heritage-breed pork, and local produce. It's a unique and rustic dining experience that is deeply connected to the land.

A Classic Institution

  1. Matt's El Rancho: Since 1952, Matt's El Rancho has been serving classic Tex-Mex to generations of Austinites. This sprawling, old-school restaurant is an institution, famous for its strong margaritas, Bob Armstrong Dip, and lively, family-friendly atmosphere. It's not trendy or innovative; it's timeless, consistent, and a beloved part of Austin's cultural fabric.