This romantic little west side European restaurant consistently tops readers' recommendations for hidden gems. It's a collaborative effort between German-born chef Wolfgang Murber and his Austinite wife, Cassie.

Freedmen's is a more upscale take on the usual beers-and-brisket scene dominating Austin barbecue. Pitmaster Evan LeRoy is turning out quality meats along with smoked sides and even desserts at this West Campus joint, housed in a historic 19th century building.

More barbecue? Yes please: Stiles Switch pitmaster Lance Kirkpatrick doesn't yet have the immediate name recognition of a Franklin or a Mueller, but for those of us who don't have a couple hours to spend in line this summer, Stiles Switch is the destination of choice for barbecue, local beer and blessed indoor seating.

El Meson stands out in a city veritably teeming with Mexican options. Grab a breakfast taco from the Burleson Road location, or sit and stay awhile on South Lamar ... and don't skimp on eating all the salsa.

Texas French Bread is so much more than French bread: it's a fantastic sandwich stop at lunch, but dinner is where they shine. The restaurant has recently added a killer new patio, too.

North Loop neighborhood bar Drink.Well focuses on American-made beer, wine and spirits, and their small but mighty menu compliments their crafty drinks perfectly.

Bartlett's gives classic American food—burgers, sandwiches, grilled fish and the like—the attention it deserves in an upscale but casual setting that's great for dinner with the family.

Little Deli lives up to its name in terms of physical size, but their New York-style pizza's a big deal, and the subs are not to be trifled with, either. (Vegetarians: turn your attention to the roasted eggplant.) Sit outside for a taste of the old-school Austin vibe in this tucked-away neighborhood spot.

This South Congress diner is the ideal respite from an afternoon of shopping at the strip's vintage stores, and a brunch hotspot if you're hungry for some people-watching.

This far north sushi restaurant has been turning out crowd-pleasing sushi both traditional and fusion for almost a decade. The friendly service in the small restaurant is a major plus.

From the outside it looks like a wine and cheese bar, but Henri's serves lunch, dinner, and brunch, plus a menu of afternoon snacks. The warm, inviting space is perfect for a casual meal with a great glass (or bottle) of wine. The space is temporarily shuttered because of a fire. [Photo: Henri's/Facebook

Austin is awash in small plates, but few of them are actually traditional tapas. Barlata offers Spanish-style tapas and several paelas in a buzzy atmosphere.

This charming Cajun restaurant in South Austin is a hub of "truly legit" Cajun food according to one reader. They also offer lots of great live music. [Photo: Paul D./Yelp

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