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A dish from Aviary.
Aviary

Austin’s 15 Most Underrated Restaurants

Seek out these hidden gems

by Nadia Chaudhury and Erin Russell Updated
3 comments / new
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A dish from Aviary.
| Aviary
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 but 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 and sushi from Fukumoto, tacos from Taco Joint and Taquito Aviles, and many others.

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

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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

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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

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Choo Sando

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The Rosedale Japanese cafe keenly and expertly focuses on two items done beautifully well. There are the (yes) pretty and delicious Japanese sandwiches made with fluffy milk bread and fillings ranging from the tamago (with both egg salad and soft-boiled eggs), the katsu (panko-covered pork chop and slaw), to the sweet fruits with whipped creams. Then there’s the fantastic nigiri and sushi (go all out with the omakase box). Takeout orders can be placed online. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

5222 Burnet Rd Suite535, Austin, TX 78756

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

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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. Takeout orders can be placed over the phone. There are indoor dine-in services.

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

Also featured in:

Fukumoto

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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

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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:

Aviary Wine & Kitchen

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At this intimate South Lamar restaurant, classic wine-friendly foods (oysters, cheese, and a burger) join exciting seasonal fare like crudos/ceviches and stuffed cabbages. (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 to ducks. 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:

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:

Moreno Barbecue

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For great under-the-radar barbecue, head to the Garrison Park restaurant, which fires up everything from brisket to pork belly to smoked half chickens to Sunday barbacoa. The meats can be used in sandwiches and tacos too (yes, there are barbecue grilled cheeses). Takeout orders can be placed online. There are indoor and outdoor dining areas.

5608 Menchaca Rd, Austin, TX 78745
(512) 808-8271
(512) 808-8271

Also featured in:

The Little Darlin'

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Okay, it’s another bar, but it’s another 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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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

Choo Sando

5222 Burnet Rd Suite535, Austin, TX 78756

The Rosedale Japanese cafe keenly and expertly focuses on two items done beautifully well. There are the (yes) pretty and delicious Japanese sandwiches made with fluffy milk bread and fillings ranging from the tamago (with both egg salad and soft-boiled eggs), the katsu (panko-covered pork chop and slaw), to the sweet fruits with whipped creams. Then there’s the fantastic nigiri and sushi (go all out with the omakase box). Takeout orders can be placed online. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

5222 Burnet Rd Suite535, Austin, TX 78756

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. Takeout orders can be placed over the phone. There are indoor dine-in services.

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

Fukumoto

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

Aviary Wine & Kitchen

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

At this intimate South Lamar restaurant, classic wine-friendly foods (oysters, cheese, and a burger) join exciting seasonal fare like crudos/ceviches and stuffed cabbages. (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 to ducks. 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

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

Moreno Barbecue

5608 Menchaca Rd, Austin, TX 78745

For great under-the-radar barbecue, head to the Garrison Park restaurant, which fires up everything from brisket to pork belly to smoked half chickens to Sunday barbacoa. The meats can be used in sandwiches and tacos too (yes, there are barbecue grilled cheeses). Takeout orders can be placed online. There are indoor and outdoor dining areas.

5608 Menchaca Rd, Austin, TX 78745
(512) 808-8271
(512) 808-8271

The Little Darlin'

6507 Circle S Rd, Austin, TX 78745

Okay, it’s another bar, but it’s another 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

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