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An array of Chinese dishes.
Dishes from 1618 Asian Fusion.
Julia Keim

Austin’s 16 Most Underrated Restaurants

Seek out these hidden gems

by Nadia Chaudhury and Erin Russell Updated
3 comments / new
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Dishes from 1618 Asian Fusion.
| Julia Keim
by Nadia Chaudhury and Erin Russell Updated
3 comments / new

Everyone knows about the very best of Austin’s first-rate places to eat, from Franklin Barbecue to Uchi. Then there are those favorite neighborhood haunts and consistently reliable joints that rarely get the spotlight that deserve just as much attention.

Here is Eater’s updated guide to the city’s most underrated restaurants. This means New Jersey-style pizza from Little Deli, stellar yakitori/sushi from Fukumoto, tacos from Taco Joint and Taquito Aviles, and others. This update adds Paper Route Bakery and JNL Barbecue.

For other top-notch restaurants, check out Eater’s essential Austin restaurants, hot new ones, and classic spots.

Health experts consider dining out to be a high-risk activity for the unvaccinated; it may pose a risk for the vaccinated, especially in areas with substantial COVID transmission. The latest CDC guidance is here; find a COVID-19 vaccination site here.

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If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Tomodachi Sushi

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This far north sushi restaurant has been turning out crowd-pleasing sushi both traditional and fusion for over 15 years. The friendly service in the small restaurant is also a major plus. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

4101 W Parmer Ln Ste E, Austin, TX 78727
(512) 821-9472
(512) 821-9472

Also featured in:

Taquito Aviles

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The goat-based quesabirria de chivo taco at the North Austin taqueria truck is fantastic. Takeout orders can be placed in person and there are outdoor tables.

11218 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78753
(512) 574-2708
(512) 574-2708
A taco being dunked into a cup of broth.
The quesabirria de chivo taco at Taquitos Aviles
Nadia Chaudhury/Eater Austin

Also featured in:

Bartlett's

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The North Shoal Creek restaurant gives classic American food — burgers, sandwiches, grilled fish, amazing marinated steak, etc. — the attention it deserves in an upscale but casual setting that is great for dinner with family and friends. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

2408 W. Anderson Ln., Austin, TX 78757
(512) 451-7333
(512) 451-7333

Little Deli & Pizzeria

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The pizzeria with two locations lives up to its name in terms of physical size, but the Jersey-style pizza is a big deal, and the subs are not to be trifled with, either. Vegetarians should turn to roasted eggplant. Sit outside for a taste of the old-school Austin vibe in this cloistered neighborhood spot. Takeout orders can be placed over the phone or in person; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

7101 Woodrow Ave, Austin, TX 78757
(512) 467-7402
(512) 467-7402

Also featured in:

Workhorse Bar

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The beloved North Loop bar has cheap drinks and great bar food like thick burgers and fried pickles. With a convivial patio that has tree stumps for barstools, it’s a hidden gem that feels like old Austin. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

100 N Loop Blvd E Suite B, Austin, TX 78751
(512) 323-5700
(512) 323-5700

Also featured in:

Fixe Southern House

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The fancy-ish downtown Southern restaurant offers really great biscuits, plus the entire menu is full of hits like the lobster and crawfish pot pie and the fried chicken. There are indoor dine-in services.

500 W 5th St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 888-9133
(512) 888-9133

Also featured in:

Fukumoto Sushi & Yakitori Izakaya

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The East Sixth Street Japanese restaurant whips up masterful sushi and yakitori from former Musashino chef Kazu Fukumoto, along with playful specials, like crisp river crabs. There are indoor dine-in services.

514 Medina St, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 770-6880
(512) 770-6880

Garrison

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Hidden within the giant downtown hotel is an excellent fine dining destination. Garrison serves up skillfully prepared dishes from steaks to pastas to seafood with top-notch service, which all makes up for the fact that, well, yeah there’s a bit of a trek to the not-exactly-aesthetically-pleasing windowless dining room. There are indoor dine-in services.

101 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 524-4700
(512) 524-4700

Also featured in:

Paper Route Bakery

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Yes, it’s a bakery, but the plentiful cakes at the East Austin spot are wonderfully decadent, thoughtful, and delicious. It’ll be hard to have just one slice.

1010 E Cesar Chavez St D, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 514-1101
(512) 514-1101

Also featured in:

Taco Joint

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Among Austin’s amazing taco providers, the East Riverside taco restaurant is a hidden gem. The breakfast tacos are super-stuffed in a not-annoying way, the lunch tacos flavorful, and the array of salsas perfect. Takeout orders can be placed over the phone or in person; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

134 E Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 599-5144
(512) 599-5144

Also featured in:

Bento Picnic

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Out-of-town visitors exhausted from Tex-Mex and barbecue? Direct them to the fresh fare at Bento Picnic and they’ll thank you. There are bento boxes, snacks, and a great wine selection from built-in natural wine shop Saba San’s, plus a large patio to hang out. Takeout and delivery orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

2600 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 987-8767
(512) 987-8767
A bento box with chips and another with veggie sticks and other stuff on a blue tile circular table with white plates with chopsticks on them.
Bento boxes from Bento Picnic.
Bento Picnic

Also featured in:

Aviary Wine & Kitchen

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At this intimate South Lamar restaurant, classic wine-friendly foods like oysters, cheese, and a burger join exciting seasonal fare like crudos and cabbage wedges. (Chef Andre Molina is quietly one of the best in the city.) Then, the wine selections from Alex Bell are as much fun to hear about as they are to drink. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

Food~Wine, 2110 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 916-4445
(512) 916-4445
A restaurant dining room with a teal-blue wall and wine bottles on shelves and a bar and a dining table.
Aviary Wine & Kitchen.
Robert J. Lerma/Eater Austin

Also featured in:

1618

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The wide-ranging menu of the pan-Asian Riverside restaurant offers well-made dishes for every craving, from dim sum to pho to curries. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

1618 E Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78741
(512) 462-9999
(512) 462-9999

Also featured in:

JNL Barbecue

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For great under-the-radar barbecue, head to the truck parked at Buzz Mill in the East Riverside neighborhood, which happens to be helmed by Franklin Barbecue alum Ben Lambert. There are outdoor dining areas.

1505 Town Creek Dr, Austin, TX 78741
(512) 839-9469
(512) 839-9469

Also featured in:

Vinaigrette

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Fancy salads? Yes, fancy salads. The New Mexico import offers well-crafted salads chock-full of bright vegetables, sweet fruits, and substantial proteins. It doesn’t hurt that the space is also stunning, from the airy building to the tree-filled patio. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

2201 College Ave, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 852-8791
(512) 852-8791

Also featured in:

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The Little Darlin'

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Okay, yes, it’s a bar, but it’s a bar with really great food. The burger is hefty, the baby lettuce salad makes for a perfect lunch, and the mac and cheese is stellar. The sprawling patio is just an added bonus. Takeout orders can be placed in person; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

6507 Circle S Rd, Austin, TX 78745
(512) 814-0999
(512) 814-0999

Also featured in:

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Tomodachi Sushi

4101 W Parmer Ln Ste E, Austin, TX 78727

This far north sushi restaurant has been turning out crowd-pleasing sushi both traditional and fusion for over 15 years. The friendly service in the small restaurant is also a major plus. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

4101 W Parmer Ln Ste E, Austin, TX 78727
(512) 821-9472
(512) 821-9472

Taquito Aviles

11218 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78753

The goat-based quesabirria de chivo taco at the North Austin taqueria truck is fantastic. Takeout orders can be placed in person and there are outdoor tables.

11218 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78753
(512) 574-2708
(512) 574-2708
A taco being dunked into a cup of broth.
The quesabirria de chivo taco at Taquitos Aviles
Nadia Chaudhury/Eater Austin

Bartlett's

2408 W. Anderson Ln., Austin, TX 78757

The North Shoal Creek restaurant gives classic American food — burgers, sandwiches, grilled fish, amazing marinated steak, etc. — the attention it deserves in an upscale but casual setting that is great for dinner with family and friends. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

2408 W. Anderson Ln., Austin, TX 78757
(512) 451-7333
(512) 451-7333

Little Deli & Pizzeria

7101 Woodrow Ave, Austin, TX 78757

The pizzeria with two locations lives up to its name in terms of physical size, but the Jersey-style pizza is a big deal, and the subs are not to be trifled with, either. Vegetarians should turn to roasted eggplant. Sit outside for a taste of the old-school Austin vibe in this cloistered neighborhood spot. Takeout orders can be placed over the phone or in person; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

7101 Woodrow Ave, Austin, TX 78757
(512) 467-7402
(512) 467-7402

Workhorse Bar

100 N Loop Blvd E Suite B, Austin, TX 78751

The beloved North Loop bar has cheap drinks and great bar food like thick burgers and fried pickles. With a convivial patio that has tree stumps for barstools, it’s a hidden gem that feels like old Austin. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

100 N Loop Blvd E Suite B, Austin, TX 78751
(512) 323-5700
(512) 323-5700

Fixe Southern House

500 W 5th St, Austin, TX 78701

The fancy-ish downtown Southern restaurant offers really great biscuits, plus the entire menu is full of hits like the lobster and crawfish pot pie and the fried chicken. There are indoor dine-in services.

500 W 5th St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 888-9133
(512) 888-9133

Fukumoto Sushi & Yakitori Izakaya

514 Medina St, Austin, TX 78702

The East Sixth Street Japanese restaurant whips up masterful sushi and yakitori from former Musashino chef Kazu Fukumoto, along with playful specials, like crisp river crabs. There are indoor dine-in services.

514 Medina St, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 770-6880
(512) 770-6880

Garrison

101 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701

Hidden within the giant downtown hotel is an excellent fine dining destination. Garrison serves up skillfully prepared dishes from steaks to pastas to seafood with top-notch service, which all makes up for the fact that, well, yeah there’s a bit of a trek to the not-exactly-aesthetically-pleasing windowless dining room. There are indoor dine-in services.

101 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 524-4700
(512) 524-4700

Paper Route Bakery

1010 E Cesar Chavez St D, Austin, TX 78702

Yes, it’s a bakery, but the plentiful cakes at the East Austin spot are wonderfully decadent, thoughtful, and delicious. It’ll be hard to have just one slice.

1010 E Cesar Chavez St D, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 514-1101
(512) 514-1101

Taco Joint

134 E Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78704

Among Austin’s amazing taco providers, the East Riverside taco restaurant is a hidden gem. The breakfast tacos are super-stuffed in a not-annoying way, the lunch tacos flavorful, and the array of salsas perfect. Takeout orders can be placed over the phone or in person; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

134 E Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 599-5144
(512) 599-5144

Bento Picnic

2600 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702

Out-of-town visitors exhausted from Tex-Mex and barbecue? Direct them to the fresh fare at Bento Picnic and they’ll thank you. There are bento boxes, snacks, and a great wine selection from built-in natural wine shop Saba San’s, plus a large patio to hang out. Takeout and delivery orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

2600 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 987-8767
(512) 987-8767
A bento box with chips and another with veggie sticks and other stuff on a blue tile circular table with white plates with chopsticks on them.
Bento boxes from Bento Picnic.
Bento Picnic

Aviary Wine & Kitchen

Food~Wine, 2110 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704

At this intimate South Lamar restaurant, classic wine-friendly foods like oysters, cheese, and a burger join exciting seasonal fare like crudos and cabbage wedges. (Chef Andre Molina is quietly one of the best in the city.) Then, the wine selections from Alex Bell are as much fun to hear about as they are to drink. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

Food~Wine, 2110 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 916-4445
(512) 916-4445
A restaurant dining room with a teal-blue wall and wine bottles on shelves and a bar and a dining table.
Aviary Wine & Kitchen.
Robert J. Lerma/Eater Austin

1618

1618 E Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78741

The wide-ranging menu of the pan-Asian Riverside restaurant offers well-made dishes for every craving, from dim sum to pho to curries. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

1618 E Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78741
(512) 462-9999
(512) 462-9999

JNL Barbecue

1505 Town Creek Dr, Austin, TX 78741

For great under-the-radar barbecue, head to the truck parked at Buzz Mill in the East Riverside neighborhood, which happens to be helmed by Franklin Barbecue alum Ben Lambert. There are outdoor dining areas.

1505 Town Creek Dr, Austin, TX 78741
(512) 839-9469
(512) 839-9469

Vinaigrette

2201 College Ave, Austin, TX 78704

Fancy salads? Yes, fancy salads. The New Mexico import offers well-crafted salads chock-full of bright vegetables, sweet fruits, and substantial proteins. It doesn’t hurt that the space is also stunning, from the airy building to the tree-filled patio. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

2201 College Ave, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 852-8791
(512) 852-8791

Related Maps

The Little Darlin'

6507 Circle S Rd, Austin, TX 78745

Okay, yes, it’s a bar, but it’s a bar with really great food. The burger is hefty, the baby lettuce salad makes for a perfect lunch, and the mac and cheese is stellar. The sprawling patio is just an added bonus. Takeout orders can be placed in person; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

6507 Circle S Rd, Austin, TX 78745
(512) 814-0999
(512) 814-0999

Related Maps