For truly wonderful Korean food in Austin, look no further than this fun North Lamar restaurant from owner John Lee and his mother, chef Sang Mi Kang. The menu shows off the staples, from crispy marinated Korean fried chicken to beef bulgogi rice plates to kimchi pancakes. But don’t miss the hot pots especially the lovely and loaded spicy rice cake hot pot — and, yes, go ahead and add that slice of cheese. Pickup orders can be placed online, and the restaurant is open for indoor and patio dine-in services (email reservations are required for groups of seven or more people).

The Chinese food truck-turned North Austin restaurant from Julie Hong boasts wonderful, thick, chewy noodles. The noodle soups are salves during colder days or just when you need a hot pick-me-up (the stewed options — especially the lamb — are particularly great). For the perfect meal, round off the order with some of the best soup dumplings in town. Pickup orders can be placed online, the restaurant is open for indoor dine-in service.

Owner Steven Dilley and the pizzeria team are still impressing diners at Bufalina’s Brentwood counterpart. The skillfully executed Neapolitan pies are simple and lovely, like the classic margherita and specials such as the potato/parmesan, alongside well-constructed burrata and Caesar salads. Wine nerds will dig the special and affordable bottles as well, curated by wine director Rania Zayyat. Pickup orders are placed online, and the restaurant is open for indoor and patio dine-in services.

It’s a tried-and-true Austin story: the Southern-Asian food truck became so popular that owner Eric Silverstein was able to open a slightly more upscale restaurant version in Allandale. That’s where he and the team dish out an expanded menu full of comfort food items that pull from his background. There are the kimchi arancini balls; the comforting Hainan chicken; plus an array of tacos, salads, and bowls of noodles and rice. Pickup and delivery orders are placed online, and the restaurant is open for indoor and patio dine-in services.

The oh-so-longtime North Loop marketplace, under owner Carol Huntsberger, makes use of its fresh seafood supply for its counter-service restaurant. The menu boasts fresh oysters, shrimp cocktails, grilled or blackened fish, and po’ boys stuffed with fried seafood. The blackboard highlight catches of the day for one-off specials. Pickup orders are placed online or over the phone, and the restaurant is open for indoor dine-in service.

El Paso native Mo Pittle honors his Jewish and Texas border city upbringing with his food truck-turned-restaurant in the North Loop neighborhood. The unkosher diner menu centers on burgers and burritos, filled with beef, cheese, hatch green chiles, as well as latkes. There are chili dogs, and queso too, among other sides. Pickup orders can be placed online. The restaurant is open with indoor and patio dine-in services.

Some of the city’s best sandwiches can be found at the casual Old West Austin deli from co-owners Derrick Smith and Conor Mack. Yes, the pastrami is amazing, so you can’t go wrong with the classic sandwich, which pairs the meat with mustard on rye bread. To-go orders can be placed online, and the indoor dining room is open.

Under co-owner and chef Fiore Tedesco, the Mueller Italian restaurant serves up a thoughtful menu full of house-made pasta and well-prepared vegetables. Likewise, both he and co-owner and general manager Adam Orman have been championing the rights and well-being of restaurant workers for some time, especially during the pandemic. The restaurant is open for indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

Owner and chef Hoover Alexander has been bringing a good ol’ mix of Southern soul fare to Cherrywood for over 20 years with his homey restaurant. The menu highlights classic dishes done extremely well, from the chicken fried steak to the fried chicken to any of the sweet pies. Pickup orders can be placed online, there are third-party deliveries (DoorDash, Favor), and the restaurant is open for dine-in service.

The fun Cherrywood Italian food truck whips up some of the freshest pasta in Austin from owners Nic and Matt Patrizi. There are classic pasta dishes, like cacio e pepe, pomodoro, and the Great Leopold (made with basil and arugula pesto served with pumpkin seeds and crushed red chilis). Not ordering a side of meatballs would be a mistake. Pickup orders can be placed online, and the truck and host spot the Butterfly Bar are open for indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

Fancy Southern restaurant Olamaie is truly a sensational dining experience. There are inventive plates from James Beard Award semi-finalist Amanda Turner, like the butter-drenched blackened dayboat fish with blue crab sauce and Carolina Gold rice or smoked cabbage. The pastry program from Jules Stoddart boasts some of the best biscuits in the country and desserts like Kentucky butter cake. Then, there’s the fantastic cocktail and wine menu. The restaurant itself is elegant and offers excellent service. The restaurant is open for indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

Eater Austin’s restaurant of the year in 2018 brings all-day vibes to West Fifth Street from co-owners Matt and Grady Wright and Matthew Bolick. It’s all found in a space that feels appropriately Austin (large patio, great coffee, and excellent beer lineups). Chef Rich Reimbolt’s menu is full of laidback dishes with nice touches like breakfast sandwiches layered hash brown patties or the iconic cauliflower tater tots. Executive pastry chef Lindsay O’Rourke’s desserts are wonderful too, ranging from burnt cheesecake slices paired with sweetly tart preserves to savory danishes. Pickup orders are placed online, and the restaurant is open for indoor and patio dine-in services.

Pitmaster Aaron Franklin’s smoky meats have risen from humble trailer origins to become one of the country’s most talked-about barbecue destinations. Yes, you will wait in line. Yes, it will be worth it. Weekend waits can be very long, so consider opting for a weekday brisket fix instead. If perfect brisket happens to run out, try the ribs, turkey, and sausages. Advance preorders can be placed online; the indoor and outdoor dining room has reopened.

It’s all about Argentina at the fun and low-key east side restaurant from owner and chef Paola Guerrero-Smith. Meat is the centerpiece — grilled steaks, short ribs, and chicken — along with other South American specialties, such as empanadas and the beefy lomito sandwich. Make liberal use of the chimichurri sauce. Pickup orders are placed online, and the restaurant is open for indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

Essential food truck Veracruz All Natural, helmed by sisters Reyna and Maritza Vazquez, serves up the best tacos in the city, served on handmade corn and flour tortillas with fresh salsas. It’s not a real order without the migas taco and an agua fresca. Pickup and delivery orders are placed online or in person for all six of its locations. All locations feature outdoor seating, and the Line Hotel and Round Rock locations also offer indoor dining areas.

The spirit of the long-gone Austin institution Tamale House lives on with the colorful east side restaurant, which is run by the fourth generation of the Vasquez family led by Diane Valera. The migas are plentiful and tamales are abundant (the chicken one is a good bet). The patio is lush, and yes, there are cocktails and beer. Pickup orders can be placed online and the restaurant is open for indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

From the grain-obsessed mind of James Beard Award finalist, executive chef, and co-owner Kevin Fink comes the finer-dining New American restaurant in downtown Austin, right on the edge of Rainey Street’s bar-packed district. The menu focuses on all things local with high-end dressings, from roasted beets to wagyu steak. Of special note are the pastas (cacio e pepe) and knockout desserts from executive pastry chef and co-owner Tavel Bristol-Joseph, such as the sweet potato cake. The restaurant is open for indoor and patio services.

Through the relaxed Zilker restaurant, chef and partner Bryce Gilmore and the rest of the team embrace Texas vibes through the New American menu. There are magnificent dishes (fried quail) and on-point desserts (corn panna cotta). The restaurant is open for indoor and patio dine-in services.

The city boasts an embarrassment of world-class smoky meats, and this East Austin spot (which recently relocated into a really funky fun building) gives Franklin a run for its money. After all, the barbecue joint is from LeAnn Mueller, who is from the legendary Texas barbecue family. Go for the brisket and sausages and any of the fun sandwiches. Be sure to order the superb shells and cheese with smoked vegetables and a little spicy kick. Be sure to check out the deli menu with tinned fish, cheeses, and caviar. Pickup orders are placed online; there is in-person ordering; the restaurant offers indoor and patio seating areas.

The East Austin restaurant has all the makings of a neighborhood classic: classic French food with an east-side twist in such a convivial atmosphere. There are steak frites, escargot, duck confit, and ratatouille, along with a hefty burger topped with gruyere cheese. Plus, the reasonably priced wine list means this tucked-away gem is right for a long, lingering meal. There’s indoor and outdoor seating (the huge patio includes bungalows), and takeout orders can be placed online or in person.

For a really special evening night, opt for the high-end omakase at the South Congress Hotel’s hidden Japanese restaurant. It’s where chef Yoshi Okai puts on a delicious magic show in the 12-seat restaurant, slicing and dicing and presenting 20 or so courses full of Tokyo-style sushi and Kyoto-style kaiseki right in front of everyone’s eyes. Reservations are required for the $275 indoor seatings.

Beloved by denizens of the 78704 and beyond, the Bouldin Creek cafe from owner Leslie Martin offers a diverse menu of vegetarian fare, locally roasted coffee, and a taste of old-school Austin. The vegetable sandwiches are legitimately delicious, as is the tofu scramble. Curbside pickup and DoorDash delivery orders are placed online; the restaurant is open for indoor and outdoor dining.

Chef Lakana Trubiana cooks up a small but mighty Thai menu from the South Lamar neighborhood truck. The flavorful Isaan-style dishes (rooted in the northern region of Thailand) range from the comforting om gai to the very spicy laab moo. When in season, the mango sticky rice is worth it. Pickup orders have to be placed online (read: no in-person orders), and host site Radio Coffee is open for patio dine-in service.

Austin’s best bet for Sichuan food is found in the no-frills South Austin restaurant off West Gate, from owner Cindy Zhao. Bypass the Chinese-American selection for good, fiery dishes like the mapo tofu, spicy jumping fish, and exemplary spicy stir-fried chicken. Takeout orders can be placed online or over the phone. The restaurant is opened for indoor dine-in service.

The ideal beef birria can be found at the Parker Lane truck, run by Gerardo Guerrero. The move is to order the stewed beef tacos (topped with onions and cilantro) and the consomé, and then dip said taco into the beefy broth for the ideal bite. If you’re ready for something more, opt for the quesotaco, where the tortilla is griddled with Monterey Jack cheese for an oozier experience. Pickup orders can be placed online or in person, and there are two outdoor tables for on-site service.

The McKinney food truck parked at Meanwhile Brewing has grown into an essential Austin barbecue spot — there’s a reason it was named as one of the best restaurants in the country and in the city in 2021. Pitmaster Damien Brockway and his team explore and showcase the foodways of the African-American diaspora through the great casual menu. There are succulent chicken legs paired with a chili-vinegar dip, pillowy pulled pork with tangy tamarind-molasses barbecue sauce, and superb sides like buttery lima beans and burnt ends mixed with black-eyed peas. Takeout orders can be placed in person. There’s plenty of outdoor seating, with indoor space available.

Choice Cajun fare can be found at this far southwest restaurant from owner and chef Curtis Clarke with festive breezy vibes. It’s a bonafide feast with chicken fried gator, hearty seafood gumbo, and plenty of catfish and crawfish dishes. The indoor dining room is open.

For outstanding South Asian food, head down to the far south Austin Indian restaurant from co-owners Pandiyan Kaliyamoorthy and Loganathan Appavu, found near William Cannon Drive and I-35. Dive right into the plethora of spicy curries (the lamb korma is nice), and naan. Pickup orders can be placed over the phone or in person, and the restaurant is open for dine-in service.