Austin’s Best New Dishes of 2017

2017’s newcomers to the Austin restaurant scene seemed aware that, in this day and age, at least one dish must appeal to diners and Instagrammers alike. Thus, this year’s crop spawned many beautiful, flavorful, craveable new dishes. With that, here are the city’s hottest new dishes out of Austin this year, from migas kolaches from a punk rock diner to very sweet dessert tacos to tom kha dumplings.

Migas Kolache from Holy Roller

Has anything been more Austin than a kolache filled with queso? Chef Callie Speer of Holy Roller embraces mess and whimsy with the migas kolache, amped up with creamy queso, crispy potatoes and jalapeños.

509 Rio Grande Street, Downtown

Nadia Chaudhury/EATX

Dessert Tacos from TacoSweets

Thanks to Eater’s insanely popular video, dessert tacos became a must-try in Austin. TacoSweets fills waffle cone taco shells with one of several types of ice cream, then piles on toppings like Fruity Pebbles, graham cracker crumbles, and a variety of sprinkles.

5000 Burnet Road, Allandale

Doug M./Yelp

Chili Cheese Takoyaki from Kemuri Tatsu-ya

The dish that won over Eater critic Bill Addison, this plate of octopus fritters topped with Texas chili, cheese, and smoked jalapeño (it somewhat resembles a Frito Pie) is the perfect embodiment of this funky Texas-Japanese izakaya.

2713 East 2nd Street, Holly

Alfajor from Cafe Nena’i

For the uninitiated, these sweet South American cookies consist of smooth dulce de leche sandwiched between crumbly cookies and rolled in coconut flakes. It’s best enjoyed with a strong cafecito from the family-run cafe.

1700 Montopolis Drive, Montopolis

Hillary D./Yelp

Pommes Rosti from Bonhomie

Waitstaff may try to sell these as fancy hash browns, but as critic Brandon Watson pointed out for the Chronicle, the crispy Swiss potato creations require a deft hand in the kitchen. Topped with delicacies from pear butter and yogurt to foie gras gravy and eggs, it’s a treat not to be missed. Then there’s the off-menu pomme rosti burger too.

5350 Burnet Road, Allandale

Brisket Chocolate Chip Cookie from LeRoy & Lewis

Sweet with just a hint of salty, these rich cookies showcase the creativity at the “new-school” barbecue trailer. The sweet is even better as part of a cookie sandwich with vanilla ice cream.

121 Pickle Road, Dawson

Laura Hajar

Yuca Dumplings from Pitchfork Pretty

Many were initially confused by what Pitchfork Pretty meant by “Hill Country cuisine,” but the resulting fare with Texas roots and international influences was a pleasant surprise. To point, these plump dumplings are filled with mild queso oaxaca and brightened with escabeche and oregano.

2708 East Cesar Chavez Street, Holly

Courtney Pierce/EATX

Kolaches from Batch

Where Holy Roller’s kolache is a weekend indulgence, the offerings from unassuming Batch are an everyday craving. Grab a beer from the massive fridge and sample them all, from seasonal fruit to barbecue-infused with Micklethwait Craft Meats.

3220 Manor Road, Central Austin

Still Austin Whiskey Co./Facebook

Roti Tacos from Puli-Ra

Lauded chef Deepa Shridhar serves Indian-Texas fusion from her truck at Still Austin Whiskey Co., which means succulent brisket on thick, grilled roti, and happiness in your mouth.

Still Austin Whiskey Co., 440 East Saint Elmo Road, St. Elmo

Rosen’s Bagel Company/Facebook

Bagels from Rosen’s Bagel Co.

Those who have spent time in New York City are rejoicing over these traditional bagels with generous schmears and house-cured lox at Wright Bros. Brew & Brew (and soon enough at barbecue trailer LeRoy & Lewis).

Wright Bros. Brew & Brew, 500 San Marcos Street, East Side

Tom Kha Dumplings from Soursop

Though not currently on the menu at the fusion trailer outside St. Elmo Brewing, let this be an official plea to bring back tom kha soup dumplings. The popular dish often sold out.

St. Elmo Brewing Company, 440 East Saint Elmo Road, St. Elmo

Delray Cafe/Facebook

Coney Dog from Delray Cafe

Via 313’s Brandon Hunt noted he wanted easygoing bar Nickel City to serve the food he missed from home, which includes simple and perfect coney dogs. The perfect drunk food.

Nickel City, 1133 East 11th Street, Central East Austin

Chilaquiles from Veracruz All Natural

In the land of migas and breakfast tacos, chilaquiles can be a difficult dish to find, but it’s done right at Veracruz All Natural. A base of thick, crispy chips is topped with spicy red or green sauce, cecina steak, fried eggs, and queso fresco, and come with black beans and sweet fried plantains.

9003 Waterford Centre Boulevard, North Burnet

Jessica E./Yelp

Doughnuts from Bougie’s Donuts

It’s hard to beat a good old-fashioned donut. Bougie’s uses simple ingredients creatively to make flavors ranging from plain glazed cake to chocolate bacon.

5400 Brodie Lane, Sunset Valley

• All Year in Eater [EATX]