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Where to Eat in Austin Right Now, June '14

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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 36th edition of the Eater Austin Heatmap. The past month has been relatively quiet on the opening front, but there are a few enticing new additions: a new location of Chinatown with a focus on regional Chinese cooking, South Austin Italian and Pizza at Aroma Italian Kitchen, and another new independent restaurant in Round Rock, Fire in The Hole.


06/05/14: Added: Aroma Italian Kitchen, Fire in The Hole, Chinatown / Dropped: The Hightower, Porter Ale House,

05/01/14: Pleasant Storage Room, Twisted Root Burger Co., Kin & Comfort / Dropped: Due Forni, Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken, Titaya's

04/03/14: Added: Noble Sandwich Co., A-OK Chinese, The Silo on 7th, Kyoten, G'raj Mahal, El Sapo / Dropped: In-N-Out Burger, Little Barrel and Brown, East Side King South Lamar

03/06/14: Added: laV, Licha's Cantina, Blackbird and Henry / Dropped: Kebabalicious, Schmidt Family Barbecue, Royers Pie Haven, Xian Sushi and Noodle

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

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

Chinatown

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This newest location of this Austin institution features a revamped menu and a greater focus on regional Chinese dishes in addition to the classics.

Aroma Italian Kitchen & Bar

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The South Lamar boom continues with this new restaurant, featuring Neapolitan pizza. Chef Jason Garcia worked in a number of great San Antonio kitchens, and owner Dave Whitney was the longtime GM of Threadgill's.

Fire In the Hole

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Speaking of pizza and restaurant booms, this latest Round Rock restaurant brings an adventurous menu to downtown.

The Pleasant Storage Room

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Pleasant Storage Room marries overproof rum punch and rum-focused cocktails with Caribbean street food snacks and larger plates. Their goal is to make this summer "The Summer of Rum."

Twisted Root Burger Co.

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The first outpost of this Dallas-based chain opened its doors near campus. Come for the big burgers, stay for the fried pickles, green beans, and more.

Kin & Comfort

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The newest addition to the Hana World Food Court has lots of fun with Southern-Asian fusion. The menu boasts everything from taro hush puppies to panang mac & cheese.

Noble Sandwich Company

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After a long wait, central Austin finally has a Noble Sandwiches to call its own. Six new sandwiches and an expanded breakfast menu has made this the new daytime hotness. The original Northwest Austin shop has garnered national praise for chefs John Bates and Brandon Martinez.

Blackbird and Henry

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Chef Mark Schmidt first made waves at Marble Fall's Cafe 909, and his new venture mixes classics from that restaurant and British pub influences.

El Sapo

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El Chile switcheroos the old Flat Top Burger Shop with El Sapo, a cantina focused on casual dining and local beers. They still have lots of burger options, now with a Tex Mex twist.

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.

G'Raj Mahal Cafe

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Popular Indian trailer G'raj Mahal has gone brick and mortar on Rainey Street. They feature two patios and newly introduced wine and beer service.

The Silo On 7th

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This long-in-the-works East Austin project opened over SXSW. They're serving inventive burgers and offer a sunset happy hour to show off their rooftop views.

A-OK Chinese

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Former Drafthouse executive chef John Bullington and industry veteran Jerry Reid unleashed American Chinese food on South Lamar.

This hotly anticipated new restaurant is very, very serious about wine and serves a menu of Provencal-inspired classics. The female power trio running front and back of the house have earned lots of buzz since opening.

This sushi trailer occupies its own lot, which they transformed into a "zen garden" complete with lots of picnic tables. Chefs Otto Phan and Leo Rodriguez have worked in high-end kitchens like Nobu and Uchi, as well as Ramen Tatsu-Ya. They're serving sustainably sourced fish, too.

Licha's Cantina

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Cazuelas and mezcal are on the menu crafted by longtime industry veteran Daniel Brooks. The Mexico City native has kept much of the charm of the old Papi Tino's space.

Odd Duck

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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. The small plates are excellent, but the large format dishes are where the restaurant really shines.

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Chinatown

This newest location of this Austin institution features a revamped menu and a greater focus on regional Chinese dishes in addition to the classics.

Aroma Italian Kitchen & Bar

The South Lamar boom continues with this new restaurant, featuring Neapolitan pizza. Chef Jason Garcia worked in a number of great San Antonio kitchens, and owner Dave Whitney was the longtime GM of Threadgill's.

Fire In the Hole

Speaking of pizza and restaurant booms, this latest Round Rock restaurant brings an adventurous menu to downtown.

The Pleasant Storage Room

Pleasant Storage Room marries overproof rum punch and rum-focused cocktails with Caribbean street food snacks and larger plates. Their goal is to make this summer "The Summer of Rum."

Twisted Root Burger Co.

The first outpost of this Dallas-based chain opened its doors near campus. Come for the big burgers, stay for the fried pickles, green beans, and more.

Kin & Comfort

The newest addition to the Hana World Food Court has lots of fun with Southern-Asian fusion. The menu boasts everything from taro hush puppies to panang mac & cheese.

Noble Sandwich Company

After a long wait, central Austin finally has a Noble Sandwiches to call its own. Six new sandwiches and an expanded breakfast menu has made this the new daytime hotness. The original Northwest Austin shop has garnered national praise for chefs John Bates and Brandon Martinez.

Blackbird and Henry

Chef Mark Schmidt first made waves at Marble Fall's Cafe 909, and his new venture mixes classics from that restaurant and British pub influences.

El Sapo

El Chile switcheroos the old Flat Top Burger Shop with El Sapo, a cantina focused on casual dining and local beers. They still have lots of burger options, now with a Tex Mex twist.

Chavez

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.

G'Raj Mahal Cafe

Popular Indian trailer G'raj Mahal has gone brick and mortar on Rainey Street. They feature two patios and newly introduced wine and beer service.

The Silo On 7th

This long-in-the-works East Austin project opened over SXSW. They're serving inventive burgers and offer a sunset happy hour to show off their rooftop views.

A-OK Chinese

Former Drafthouse executive chef John Bullington and industry veteran Jerry Reid unleashed American Chinese food on South Lamar.

La V

This hotly anticipated new restaurant is very, very serious about wine and serves a menu of Provencal-inspired classics. The female power trio running front and back of the house have earned lots of buzz since opening.

Kyoten

This sushi trailer occupies its own lot, which they transformed into a "zen garden" complete with lots of picnic tables. Chefs Otto Phan and Leo Rodriguez have worked in high-end kitchens like Nobu and Uchi, as well as Ramen Tatsu-Ya. They're serving sustainably sourced fish, too.

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Licha's Cantina

Cazuelas and mezcal are on the menu crafted by longtime industry veteran Daniel Brooks. The Mexico City native has kept much of the charm of the old Papi Tino's space.

Odd Duck

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. The small plates are excellent, but the large format dishes are where the restaurant really shines.

Related Maps