clock menu more-arrow no yes
More Maps

16 Sizzling Tex-Mex Restaurants in Austin

16 Great Bets for Fried Chicken in Austin

17 Terrific Lunch Options in Downtown Austin

Where to Eat in Austin Right Now, February '14

by Meghan McCarron
View as Map
by Meghan McCarron

Tipsters, readers, friends and family of Eater Austin always want to know: Where should I eat right now? What are the buzziest new restaurants? What haven't I heard of? What's everyone talking about?

To answer those questions, behold the 32th edition of the Eater Austin Heatmap. January was a huge month for openings, so check out all of Austin's exciting new dining options before the SXSW hoards descend: Shawn Cirkiel's chavez and the triumphant return of Titaya's, as well as affordable New American at The Hightower, elevated pub fare at Porter Ale House, and classic fried chicken at Gus's.



02/06/14: Added: Porter Ale House, The Hightower, chavez, Titaya's, Gus's Fried Chicken / Dropped: No Va, Curly's Carolina, TX, Lucy's Fried Chicken, Winebelly, Tapasitas

01/02/14: Added: Odd Duck, East Side King South Lamar, Little Barrel & Brown, Xian Sushi and Noodle / Dropped: Qui, Greenhouse Craft Food, Goodall's Kitchen and Bar, Bufalina, Arro

12/5/13: Added: In-N-Out Burger, Due Forni, Curly's Carolina, TX, Tapasitas/ Dropped: Barlata, School House Pub, The ABGB, Haymaker, Wright Bros. Brew & Brew

11/7/13: Added: Greenhouse Craft Food, Kebabalicious, Royer's Pie Haven, Schmidt Family Barbecue / Dropped: The Dojo

10/3/13: Added: Haymaker, Goodall's; Wright Bros. Brew & Brew; Lucy's on Burnet / Dropped: Eden East; Mettle; Searsucker

9/5/13: Added: NO VA, School House Pub, The ABGB, Winebelly / Dropped: Jeffrey's, John Mueller Meat Co., Salt & Time, Daruma Ramen

8/1/13: Added: Bufalina, Arro, The Dojo / Dropped: Buzz Mill, Freedmen's, Epicerie

7/11/13: Added: Qui, Barlata / Dropped: Pieous, Winflo Osteria

Read More
Note: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.
If you book a reservation through an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

1. Titaya's Thai Cuisine

Copy Link
5501 N Lamar Blvd, Ste C101
Austin, TX 78751
(512) 458-1792
(512) 458-1792
Visit Website

[Photo: Mike Lyons/Twitter]

2. In-N-Out Burger

Copy Link
4508 N I-35
Austin, TX
(800) 786-1000
(800) 786-1000
Visit Website

Love or hate this California import, its official opening has burned up the city. Get a double-double animal style and order the fries extra crispy.

Also Featured in:

3. Xian Sushi & Noodle

Copy Link
1801 E 51st St C370
Austin, TX 78723
(512) 469-7878
(512) 469-7878
Visit Website

Food options continue to grow in and around the Mueller development. This casual spot specializes in hand-pulled noodles, and they also offer sushi rolls because, hey, why not.

Also Featured in:

4. Royers Pie Haven

Copy Link
2900 Guadalupe Street
Austin, TX 78705
Visit Website

The Austin outpost of Royers Round Top Cafe is serving up their famous pie goodness with enthusiasm. They also feature options like pie muffins and pie shakes.

5. The Hightower

Copy Link
1209 E 7th St
Austin, TX 78702
Visit Website

This new restaurant from the former chef and GM of the shuttered El Arbol aims to bring affordable New American to the east side. Their roasted chickpeas and pork jowl are already garnering buzz.

Also Featured in:

6. Kebabalicious

Copy Link
450 7th Street
Austin, TX 78728
(512) 468-1065
(512) 468-1065

The crazy-popular kebab trailer worked on their brick and mortar location for over a year and a half. They finally opened their doors with kebabs, falafel, and live music for all.

Also Featured in:

7. Due Forni

Copy Link
106 E Sixth St
Austin, TX 78701
Visit Website

This Vegas-based restaurant focuses on pizzas executed in both the Neapolitan and Roman styles. They also have a serious wine list and import many of their meats and cheeses from Italy.

Also Featured in:

8. Chavez

Copy Link
111 E Cesar Chavez St
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 478-9611
(512) 478-9611
Visit Website

Shawn Cirkiel's newest restaurant features a Southwestern-inspired menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the Radisson. Architect Michael Hsu transformed the former TGI Friday's space into a lake-view stunner.

9. Little Barrel And Brown

Copy Link
1716 South Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78704

[Photo: John R./Yelp]

Also Featured in:

10. Odd Duck

Copy Link
1201 S Lamar Blvd
Austin, TX 78704
Visit Website

Fall's biggest opening dropped in the season's last hours, but it's finally here. Bryce Gilmore's brick and mortar reimagining of his famous trailer features a huge open kitchen and lots of homey touches like mismatched plates and country kitsch on the walls. Check out the chicken fried egg, kholrabi soup, and the whole roast chicken.

11. East Side King

Copy Link
2310 S Lamar Blvd
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 383-8382
(512) 383-8382
Visit Website

This long-anticipated branch of East Side King opened its doors on December 26. The mini-chain's first independent outlet is serving up their take on tacos as well as ESK "classics."

Also Featured in:

12. Schmidt Family Barbecue

Copy Link
3812 Market Street
Bee Cave, TX 78738

The family behind iconic Lockhart barbecue restaurants Smitty's and Kreuz Market have brought the brisket goodness to Bee Cave.

13. Porter Ale House

Copy Link
715 South 1st Ste A
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 291-6299
(512) 291-6299
Visit Website

A neighborhood pub for a burgeoning section of South First, Porter's menu includes a burger, pierogis, and spaghetti and meatballs. They also feature thirty beers on tap.

Also Featured in:

14. Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken

Copy Link
117 San Jacinto Blvd
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 474-4877
(512) 474-4877
Visit Website

This cultishly loved Tennessee import's first Texas location is serving up fried chicken, sides, and pies downtown.

Also Featured in:

More in Maps

Loading comments...

© 2022 Vox Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
Link copied to the clipboard.

1. Titaya's Thai Cuisine

5501 N Lamar Blvd, Ste C101, Austin, TX 78751

[Photo: Mike Lyons/Twitter]

5501 N Lamar Blvd, Ste C101
Austin, TX 78751
(512) 458-1792
Visit Website

2. In-N-Out Burger

4508 N I-35, Austin, TX

Love or hate this California import, its official opening has burned up the city. Get a double-double animal style and order the fries extra crispy.

4508 N I-35
Austin, TX
(800) 786-1000
Visit Website

3. Xian Sushi & Noodle

1801 E 51st St C370, Austin, TX 78723

Food options continue to grow in and around the Mueller development. This casual spot specializes in hand-pulled noodles, and they also offer sushi rolls because, hey, why not.

1801 E 51st St C370
Austin, TX 78723
(512) 469-7878
Visit Website

4. Royers Pie Haven

2900 Guadalupe Street, Austin, TX 78705

The Austin outpost of Royers Round Top Cafe is serving up their famous pie goodness with enthusiasm. They also feature options like pie muffins and pie shakes.

2900 Guadalupe Street
Austin, TX 78705
Visit Website

5. The Hightower

1209 E 7th St, Austin, TX 78702

This new restaurant from the former chef and GM of the shuttered El Arbol aims to bring affordable New American to the east side. Their roasted chickpeas and pork jowl are already garnering buzz.

1209 E 7th St
Austin, TX 78702
Visit Website

6. Kebabalicious

450 7th Street, Austin, TX 78728

The crazy-popular kebab trailer worked on their brick and mortar location for over a year and a half. They finally opened their doors with kebabs, falafel, and live music for all.

450 7th Street
Austin, TX 78728
(512) 468-1065

7. Due Forni

106 E Sixth St, Austin, TX 78701

This Vegas-based restaurant focuses on pizzas executed in both the Neapolitan and Roman styles. They also have a serious wine list and import many of their meats and cheeses from Italy.

106 E Sixth St
Austin, TX 78701
Visit Website

8. Chavez

111 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78701

Shawn Cirkiel's newest restaurant features a Southwestern-inspired menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the Radisson. Architect Michael Hsu transformed the former TGI Friday's space into a lake-view stunner.

111 E Cesar Chavez St
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 478-9611
Visit Website

9. Little Barrel And Brown

1716 South Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78704

[Photo: John R./Yelp]

1716 South Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78704

10. Odd Duck

1201 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704

Fall's biggest opening dropped in the season's last hours, but it's finally here. Bryce Gilmore's brick and mortar reimagining of his famous trailer features a huge open kitchen and lots of homey touches like mismatched plates and country kitsch on the walls. Check out the chicken fried egg, kholrabi soup, and the whole roast chicken.

1201 S Lamar Blvd
Austin, TX 78704
Visit Website

11. East Side King

2310 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704

This long-anticipated branch of East Side King opened its doors on December 26. The mini-chain's first independent outlet is serving up their take on tacos as well as ESK "classics."

2310 S Lamar Blvd
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 383-8382
Visit Website

12. Schmidt Family Barbecue

3812 Market Street, Bee Cave, TX 78738

The family behind iconic Lockhart barbecue restaurants Smitty's and Kreuz Market have brought the brisket goodness to Bee Cave.

3812 Market Street
Bee Cave, TX 78738

13. Porter Ale House

715 South 1st Ste A, Austin, TX 78704

A neighborhood pub for a burgeoning section of South First, Porter's menu includes a burger, pierogis, and spaghetti and meatballs. They also feature thirty beers on tap.

715 South 1st Ste A
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 291-6299
Visit Website

14. Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken

117 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78701

This cultishly loved Tennessee import's first Texas location is serving up fried chicken, sides, and pies downtown.

117 San Jacinto Blvd
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 474-4877
Visit Website

Related Maps