Tinned seafood: such a simple treat and yet so very great. Nothing beats excellent fish or shellfish served from an opened tin can — often marinated in delicious oils, salty brine, drenched in tomato sauce, or spiced with pickled peppers — paired with simple crackers and/or thick slices of baguettes. Squeeze some lemon, add a glass of wine, and you’re set.

With that in mind, here are the best Austin restaurants offering tinned seafood, from East Austin wine bar LoLo, barbecue joint La Barbecue, to Italian cafe Uncle Nicky’s. The tins themselves run the gamut of sardines to oysters to mackerel to tuna to octopus to cockerels, sourced from Portugal and Spain (where they’re referred to as conservas), France, coastal America, and elsewhere.

As with all businesses right now, be sure to call ahead to make sure each restaurant is still open or if there are updates on current offerings and service models, as things are changing constantly. Be sure to wear a mask, tip well, and, if you’re ordering delivery, try to order directly from the restaurant themselves.

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.