clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

The 3 Most Anticipated Restaurants Opening in Austin, Winter 2020

From ramen to Greek

A bowl of ramen from Sazan Ramen
A bowl of ramen from Sazan Ramen
Sazan Ramen [Official]
Nadia Chaudhury is the editor of Eater Austin covering food and pop culture, as well as a photographer, writer, and frequent panel moderator and podcast guest.

Now that 2019 is over, it’s time to take a look at the latest slate of Austin restaurants opening this winter. This season brings about brand new ramen contender Sazan Ramen, Greek fine dining restaurant Simi Estiatoria, and, yes, a brewery from the Better Half team full of burgers and beers, among many others.

Know of an impending restaurant opening that is missing below? Send it through the tipline. This guide will be updated throughout the season as details change and places open.

Sazan Ramen

The Velvet Ramen from Sazan Ramen
The Velvet Ramen from Sazan Ramen
Sazan Ramen [Official]

Location: 6929 Airport Boulevard, Suite 146, Highland
Key Players: Chef Shun Shiroma, People behind Terakawa Ramen, Ramen Azuma, Donburiya, Naruto Ramen, and Nishida Sho-ten
Opening Date: March 2020

Rather than using the ubiquitous tonkotsu (pork-based broth) within the ramen at the forthcoming Japanese restaurant, Sazan is focusing on tori paitan, a creamy chicken broth, instead. Along with noodle soup and additional rice to soak up the broth, the table-service restaurant will serve up other Japanese dishes and cocktails. The group behind Sazan knows ramen very well: they run several East Coast-based ramen restaurants, and heralding the kitchen is Shun Shiroma, who worked at Michelin-starred ramen restaurant Tsuta Tokyo in Japan.

Simi Estiatorio

A rendering of the seafood kitchen at Simi Estiatoria
A rendering of the seafood kitchen at Simi Estiatoria
Rendering: Nolan Studio

Location: 601 Congress Avenue, Downtown
Key Players: George Theodosiou
Opening Date: Late Winter 2020

Greek is coming to downtown Austin with the arrival of the new fine dining restaurant from owner George Theodosiou. While there is no attached chef as of yet, the restaurant will fly in fresh seafood straight from the Mediterranean region every day. Expect items like grilled octopus, seafood orzo, and assorted whole fish, paired along American and Greek wines.

Hold Out Brewing

Location: 1208 West 4th Street, West Austin
Key Players: co-owners Matthew Bolick, Matt Wright, Grady Wright, general manager Mark Stowe, executive chef Rich Reimbolt, head brewer Brent Sapstead
Opening Date: Early 2020

Is this the season that the long-awaited brewery from the team behind Better Half and Brew & Brew finally opens? The beer experts have already been brewing collaborative beers with local breweries such as Real Ale Brewing and St. Elmo Brewing. Food-wise, there’s excellent burger options.


Also tracking (in alphabetical order):

Hold Out Brewing

1208 West 4th Street, , TX 78703 (512) 305-3540 Visit Website

Sazan Ramen

6929 Airport Boulevard, , TX 78752 (512) 432-5474 Visit Website

Simi Estiatorio

601 Congress Avenue, , TX 78701 (512) 886-0999 Visit Website