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The beet tartare tostada from Nixta Taqueria
The beet tartare tostada from Nixta Taqueria
Robert Jacob Lerma/EATX

Austin’s Biggest Restaurant Openings of 2019

From Bar Peached to Nixta Taqueria to Hestia

by Erin Russell
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The beet tartare tostada from Nixta Taqueria
| Robert Jacob Lerma/EATX
by Erin Russell

The Austin restaurant market is still showing no signs of slowing down, with another year of almost 200 restaurants opening around the city. Eater sorted through all of these openings to create a list of the 12 biggest restaurant openings of 2019.

The list is mostly expansions from established local favorites, like Dipdipdip Tatsu-ya, a new hotpot restaurant from the Tatsu-ya team (Kemuri Tatsu-ya, Ramen Tatsu-ya), and McGuire Moorman (Jeffrey’s, Elizabeth Street Cafe) taking over of local cafe and bakery Swedish Hill. Others were new projects from lauded local chefs, like Lenoir chefs Todd Duplechan and Jessica Maher venturing into Goan territory with Vixen’s Wedding or Philip Speer (former pastry chef at Uchiko and chef of now-shuttered Bonhomie) teaming up with Gabe Erales for modern Mexican restaurant Comedor. The only true newcomers on the scene were east side Korean restaurant Oseyo and quality taco spot Nixta Taqueria.

Along those lines, find out what friends of Eater thought were the top restaurant standbys, with the return of the annual Year in Eater surveys.

The openings are listed in chronological order. Share your favorite restaurant openings of the year within the comments or through the tipline.

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Bar Peached

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Starting 2019 strong, Eric Silverstein opened the second restaurant in his Peached Tortilla family in January. Bar Peached serves a familiar Southern-Asian mash-up, with dishes like mapo bolognese, tacos, and chili crab toast. The space (formerly Italian spot Winflo) was totally revamped with playful, colorful touches, with lines equally long to get a seat and that perfect bathroom selfie.

1315 W 6th St, Austin, TX 78703
(512) 992-0666
(512) 992-0666
Bar Peached’s neon sign
Bar Peached’s neon sign
Inked Fingers

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Interstellar BBQ

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Noble Sandwich Co. (which has since shuttered) converted its north location into a barbecue spot, and critics have gone wild for the tender barbecue and creative sides.

12233 Ranch Rd 620 N Ste. 105, Austin, TX 78750
(512) 382-6248
(512) 382-6248
Beef ribs at Interstellar BBQ
Beef ribs at Interstellar BBQ
Interstellar BBQ/Facebook

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Comedor

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Built on the site of Philip Speer’s former trailer My Name is Joe, Comedor is a steel-and-glass wonder from Seattle-based architecture and design firm Olson Kundig. The kitchen sees Gabe Erales, an alum of Dai Due and Noma, working with pastry chef Speer and cocktail master William Ball (who owns cocktail bar Garage next door), spinning up modern Mexican dishes like indulgent bone marrow tacos and a chocolate tamal.

501 Colorado St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 499-0977
(512) 499-0977
Seafood tostadas at Comedor
Seafood tostadas at Comedor
Nadia Chaudhury/EATX

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Mum Foods Delicatessen

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Mum Foods, of the famed pastrami, was previously only found at farmer’s markets, until the closure of East Side Cafe opened up a year-long lease in Cherrywood starting in April. The homestyle shop expanded its menu to serve up smoky barbecue, filling sandwiches, salads, pies, and cookies. Its future is uncertain after the year is up.

2113 Manor Rd, Austin, TX 78722
(512) 520-5786
(512) 520-5786
Front of the new Mum Foods Deli
Front of the new Mum Foods Deli
Courtney Pierce/EATX

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Uroko

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Longtime friends and Kome co-owners Kayo Asazu and Takehiro Asazu and former Uchi chef Masazumi Saio opened this multi-purpose Japanese restaurant in Springdale General. By day, Uroko serves temaki (hand rolls), fast-casual style. Three nights a week, it transforms into an intimate sushi spot with only six seats for a quick 45-minute omakase, and on Thursday evenings, Uroko is home to sushi-making classes.

1023 Springdale Rd Bldg 1 Suite C, Austin, TX 78721
(512) 520-4004
(512) 520-4004
Takehiro Asazu behind the sushi counter at Uroko
Takehiro Asazu behind the sushi counter at Uroko
Courtney Pierce/EATX

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Oseyo

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Intended to reflect owner Lynn Miller’s Korean-American upbringing, airy east side restaurant Oseyo is an example of Austin’s expanding palate. Though it has received mixed reviews from critics, the restaurant is still buzzed about for comforting Korean fare, and is a favorite of some dining experts.

1628 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 368-5700
(512) 368-5700
A view of the kitchen at Oseyo
A view of the kitchen at Oseyo
Courtney Pierce/EATX

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Vaquero Taquero

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Former food truck Vaquero Taquero expanded into a brick and mortar in June, bringing a small menu of quality tacos to Hyde Park. It makes ample use of a trompo and grill for classics like al pastor, carne asada, and hearty quesadillas.

104 E 31st St, Austin, TX 78705
Tacos from Vaquero Taquero
Tacos from Vaquero Taquero
Vaquero Taquero/Facebook

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dipdipdip Tatsu-Ya

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Eater Austin’s restaurant of the year, Dipdipdip Tatsu-ya introduced many Austinites to the interactive cooking experience of shabu shabu (hot pot). With high-end cuts of meat (including wagyu beef that comes with a certificate of authenticity) and typical Tatsu-ya whimsy (a take on a queso dip), Dipdipdip keeps fine dining fun.

7301 Burnet Rd Ste 101, Austin, TX 78757
(512) 893-5561
(512) 893-5561
The cart at DipDipDip Tatsu-ya
The cart at DipDipDip Tatsu-ya
Courtney Pierce/EATX

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Vixen's Wedding

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Lenoir chefs Todd Duplechan and Jessica Maher opted for Goan fare for their second restaurant, in the Arrive East Austin Hotel. A mix of Portuguese and Indian influences, the menu has dishes like vindaloo ribs, samosas, and beet dosa in a bright and colorful setting.

1813 A E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702
(737) 242-7555
(737) 242-7555
The dining room at Vixen’s Wedding
The dining room at Vixen’s Wedding
Courtney Pierce/EATX

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Swedish Hill

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The latest restaurant to receive a McGuire Moorman makeover, Swedish Hill (formerly Sweetish Hill) was reimagined in the style of New York’s famous bagel spot Russ & Daughters. With Emmer & Rye alum Page Pressley at the helm, the fancy cafe offers an all-day menu, a to-go deli case, coffee, beer, wine, and high-end grocery items.

1120 W 6th St, Austin, TX 78703
(512) 472-1347
(512) 472-1347
A rustic apple pie with a slice being taken out and a whipped cream-covered pie.
Pies from Swedish Hill
Swedish Hill [Official]

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Nixta Taqueria

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Though Nixta’s tacos reflect the attention to detail of Chef Edgar Rico’s impressive pedigree (Mexico City’s Pujol, and Trois Mec and Sqrl in Los Angeles), this fun-loving taco shop feels like walking into your abuela’s kitchen. The counter-service shop focuses on vegetarian dishes like a killer sweet potato taco and a beet tostada Statesman critic Matthew Odam called his favorite vegan bite this year.

2512 E 12th St, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 551-3855
(512) 551-3855
Nixta’s tostadas
Nixta’s tostadas
Nixta Taqueria [Official]

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Hestia

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The team behind Emmer & Rye (including James Beard award finalist Kevin Fink) opened this live fire-focused restaurant downtown in the last days of 2019. Situated next to their also-new Spanish tapas restaurant Kalimotxo, the menu has lots of grilled meat and surprising dishes like grilled potatoes shaved into tagliatelle-style ribbons.

607 W 3rd St Suite 105, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 333-0737
(512) 333-0737
Hestia’s dry-aged bavette
Hestia’s dry-aged bavette
Hestia [Official]

Also featured in:

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Bar Peached

1315 W 6th St, Austin, TX 78703

Starting 2019 strong, Eric Silverstein opened the second restaurant in his Peached Tortilla family in January. Bar Peached serves a familiar Southern-Asian mash-up, with dishes like mapo bolognese, tacos, and chili crab toast. The space (formerly Italian spot Winflo) was totally revamped with playful, colorful touches, with lines equally long to get a seat and that perfect bathroom selfie.

1315 W 6th St, Austin, TX 78703
(512) 992-0666
(512) 992-0666
Bar Peached’s neon sign
Bar Peached’s neon sign
Inked Fingers

Interstellar BBQ

12233 Ranch Rd 620 N Ste. 105, Austin, TX 78750

Noble Sandwich Co. (which has since shuttered) converted its north location into a barbecue spot, and critics have gone wild for the tender barbecue and creative sides.

12233 Ranch Rd 620 N Ste. 105, Austin, TX 78750
(512) 382-6248
(512) 382-6248
Beef ribs at Interstellar BBQ
Beef ribs at Interstellar BBQ
Interstellar BBQ/Facebook

Comedor

501 Colorado St, Austin, TX 78701

Built on the site of Philip Speer’s former trailer My Name is Joe, Comedor is a steel-and-glass wonder from Seattle-based architecture and design firm Olson Kundig. The kitchen sees Gabe Erales, an alum of Dai Due and Noma, working with pastry chef Speer and cocktail master William Ball (who owns cocktail bar Garage next door), spinning up modern Mexican dishes like indulgent bone marrow tacos and a chocolate tamal.

501 Colorado St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 499-0977
(512) 499-0977
Seafood tostadas at Comedor
Seafood tostadas at Comedor
Nadia Chaudhury/EATX

Mum Foods Delicatessen

2113 Manor Rd, Austin, TX 78722

Mum Foods, of the famed pastrami, was previously only found at farmer’s markets, until the closure of East Side Cafe opened up a year-long lease in Cherrywood starting in April. The homestyle shop expanded its menu to serve up smoky barbecue, filling sandwiches, salads, pies, and cookies. Its future is uncertain after the year is up.

2113 Manor Rd, Austin, TX 78722
(512) 520-5786
(512) 520-5786
Front of the new Mum Foods Deli
Front of the new Mum Foods Deli
Courtney Pierce/EATX

Uroko

1023 Springdale Rd Bldg 1 Suite C, Austin, TX 78721

Longtime friends and Kome co-owners Kayo Asazu and Takehiro Asazu and former Uchi chef Masazumi Saio opened this multi-purpose Japanese restaurant in Springdale General. By day, Uroko serves temaki (hand rolls), fast-casual style. Three nights a week, it transforms into an intimate sushi spot with only six seats for a quick 45-minute omakase, and on Thursday evenings, Uroko is home to sushi-making classes.

1023 Springdale Rd Bldg 1 Suite C, Austin, TX 78721
(512) 520-4004
(512) 520-4004
Takehiro Asazu behind the sushi counter at Uroko
Takehiro Asazu behind the sushi counter at Uroko
Courtney Pierce/EATX

Oseyo

1628 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702

Intended to reflect owner Lynn Miller’s Korean-American upbringing, airy east side restaurant Oseyo is an example of Austin’s expanding palate. Though it has received mixed reviews from critics, the restaurant is still buzzed about for comforting Korean fare, and is a favorite of some dining experts.

1628 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 368-5700
(512) 368-5700
A view of the kitchen at Oseyo
A view of the kitchen at Oseyo
Courtney Pierce/EATX

Vaquero Taquero

104 E 31st St, Austin, TX 78705

Former food truck Vaquero Taquero expanded into a brick and mortar in June, bringing a small menu of quality tacos to Hyde Park. It makes ample use of a trompo and grill for classics like al pastor, carne asada, and hearty quesadillas.

104 E 31st St, Austin, TX 78705
Tacos from Vaquero Taquero
Tacos from Vaquero Taquero
Vaquero Taquero/Facebook

dipdipdip Tatsu-Ya

7301 Burnet Rd Ste 101, Austin, TX 78757

Eater Austin’s restaurant of the year, Dipdipdip Tatsu-ya introduced many Austinites to the interactive cooking experience of shabu shabu (hot pot). With high-end cuts of meat (including wagyu beef that comes with a certificate of authenticity) and typical Tatsu-ya whimsy (a take on a queso dip), Dipdipdip keeps fine dining fun.

7301 Burnet Rd Ste 101, Austin, TX 78757
(512) 893-5561
(512) 893-5561
The cart at DipDipDip Tatsu-ya
The cart at DipDipDip Tatsu-ya
Courtney Pierce/EATX

Vixen's Wedding

1813 A E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702

Lenoir chefs Todd Duplechan and Jessica Maher opted for Goan fare for their second restaurant, in the Arrive East Austin Hotel. A mix of Portuguese and Indian influences, the menu has dishes like vindaloo ribs, samosas, and beet dosa in a bright and colorful setting.

1813 A E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702
(737) 242-7555
(737) 242-7555
The dining room at Vixen’s Wedding
The dining room at Vixen’s Wedding
Courtney Pierce/EATX

Swedish Hill

1120 W 6th St, Austin, TX 78703

The latest restaurant to receive a McGuire Moorman makeover, Swedish Hill (formerly Sweetish Hill) was reimagined in the style of New York’s famous bagel spot Russ & Daughters. With Emmer & Rye alum Page Pressley at the helm, the fancy cafe offers an all-day menu, a to-go deli case, coffee, beer, wine, and high-end grocery items.

1120 W 6th St, Austin, TX 78703
(512) 472-1347
(512) 472-1347
A rustic apple pie with a slice being taken out and a whipped cream-covered pie.
Pies from Swedish Hill
Swedish Hill [Official]

Nixta Taqueria

2512 E 12th St, Austin, TX 78702

Though Nixta’s tacos reflect the attention to detail of Chef Edgar Rico’s impressive pedigree (Mexico City’s Pujol, and Trois Mec and Sqrl in Los Angeles), this fun-loving taco shop feels like walking into your abuela’s kitchen. The counter-service shop focuses on vegetarian dishes like a killer sweet potato taco and a beet tostada Statesman critic Matthew Odam called his favorite vegan bite this year.

2512 E 12th St, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 551-3855
(512) 551-3855
Nixta’s tostadas
Nixta’s tostadas
Nixta Taqueria [Official]

Hestia

607 W 3rd St Suite 105, Austin, TX 78701

The team behind Emmer & Rye (including James Beard award finalist Kevin Fink) opened this live fire-focused restaurant downtown in the last days of 2019. Situated next to their also-new Spanish tapas restaurant Kalimotxo, the menu has lots of grilled meat and surprising dishes like grilled potatoes shaved into tagliatelle-style ribbons.

607 W 3rd St Suite 105, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 333-0737
(512) 333-0737
Hestia’s dry-aged bavette
Hestia’s dry-aged bavette
Hestia [Official]

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