Opting for special occasion hot pot may sound a little odd, but DipDipDip Tatsu-ya is definitely an experience. At beautiful, intimate tables, diners can choose high-quality cuts of meat like A5 wagyu ribeye from Japan and browse the daily cart offerings for noodles and more. Or, pick an omakase to sit back and enjoy. Don’t miss the Keep Austin Dipping sauce — a take on queso. There are omakase options ranging from $95 to $125, allowing you to sample a little bit of everything.

Of chef Bryce Gilmore’s three restaurants, it is the Brentwood restaurant that offers up more experimental seasonal dishes through its multi-course chef’s tasting menu for $105. Expect items like the duck paired with glazed sweet potatoes and bok choy or the caramelized fennel ice cream. There are indoor and outdoor dining areas.

Planning ahead is essential at this tiny restaurant at the Commodore Perry Estate. Verdant Lutie’s, from lauded Austin chef couple Bradley Nicholson and Susana Querejazu, has dishes like chickpea and green corn salad, whole roasted black sea bass, and kouign amann ice cream. There are indoor and outdoor dining areas.

The modern Southern restaurant in downtown Austin is back, under executive chef Michael Fojtasek and new chef de cuisine Amanda Turner. The menu focuses on expertly executed Southern faves, some smoked cabbage with an Alabama barbecue sauce, red rice with Gulf shrimp and Tabasco sauce, and grilled pork chops. Don’t miss out on executive pastry chef Jules Stoddart’s dreamy desserts. There are indoor and outdoor dining areas.

The downtown restaurant serves up Mexican fare with playful modern takes while paying homage to the country’s roots, all found in a sleek, stylish, and very unique space in downtown Austin. Masa is the main start of the menu from tortillas to tamals. Plus there are decadently rich bone marrows served with tortillas, tostadas topped with charred beets, or a rich array of seafood, as well as intricate desserts. There are indoor and outdoor dining areas.

Though the ambiance at Garrison may not be to everyone’s taste, the kitchen is doing everything right. The menu rotates frequently, and ranges from super fancy tater tots with black truffle and aerated gruyere to caviar with johnnycakes to a 32-ounce dry-aged tomahawk steak. Expect five-star fine dining service as well.

Uchi’s modern take on Japanese cuisine has rightly earned its national acclaim. While you can’t go wrong with the exquisite a la carte menu, choose the adventurous omakase menu to truly experience the chefs' expertise with fresh cuts of fish chock-full of flavorful adornments to one-of-a-kind desserts. Takeout orders are available. There are indoor and outdoor dining areas.

This intimate Holly omakase is a great way to go all-out on dinner. Many pieces come with small, creative touches like fresh-grated wasabi, fresno chili, or sea salt from Bali. The drink and sake pairings are also excellent. Look out for its pasta spin-off sometime in March.

There's a lot to love about this imaginative South Austin restaurant, from the romantic vintage chic look to the beautifully balanced dishes. While the restaurant recently changed formats switching from its typical prix fixe menu to a la carte dishes and its take on a tasting menu for $64 a person. Everything is centered on umami-rich "hot weather food" (think acidic, citrusy, brothy, and spicy), all to be paired along with the impressive wine list. There are indoor and outdoor dining areas.

James Beard Award semifinalist chef Iliana de la Vega serves dishes from Oaxaca, with dishes like duck breast served in mole negro, tlayuda oaxaquena, and ensalada a la jamaica. Most all dishes in the restaurant are gluten-free. Takeout orders are available. There are indoor and outdoor dining areas.