10 of the Best Restaurants in Austin, Texas

Well, we’ve got some good news for you. There is no shortage of colorful dining spots and flavorful creations in the capital of the great state of Texas. Whether you’re in the mood for pizza, southern cuisine, creative Japanese fusion or some good old-fashioned barbecue, Austin has got you covered.

Here are ten of the top restaurants in the area. 

1. Franklin Barbecue

900 E. 11th Street
Austin, TX 78702

As far as Texas barbecue goes, award-winning chef Aaron Franklin is a meat wizard. People from all over the country flock to this iconic, smoky meat house for a taste of the famous, melt-in-your-mouth brisket. 

2. Bufalina

1519 E. Cesar Chavez Street
Austin, TX 78702

If you’re looking for that traditional Neapolitan-style pie, Bufalina comes highly recommended. The combination of wood-fired crust, fresh toppings, and mozzarella will be your new slice of heaven.

3. Kemuri Tatsu-Ya

2713 E. 2nd Street
Austin, TX 78702

Kemuri Tatsu-Ya serves creative and tasty Japanese dishes with a Texas barbecue influence. The menu features plenty of ramen options along with a dynamic and flavorful “smoked” section for adventurous eaters. 

4. Emmer & Rye

51 Rainey Street, #110
Austin, TX 78701

If you want to try new American cuisine served in an inventive way, stop by Emmer & Rye. This restaurant opened in late 2015 and serves tapas and small plates in a dim sum style. 

5. Uchi

801 South Lamar Blvd
Austin, TX 78704

Got a hankering for the best sushi in town? Head over to Uchi (or its sister restaurant, Uchiko) for fresh sushi infused with classic Texas flavors. 

6. Olamaie

1610 San Antonio Street
Austin, TX 78701

If you are looking for some classic southern comfort food served with a fine dining flare, this is the place to be. Celebrated chef Michael Fojtasek and his team take the classics to new heights at Olamaie. Plus, we hear the biscuits are some of the best in Austin. 

7. The Peached Tortilla

5520 Burnet Road, Suite 100
Austin, TX 78756

This food-truck-turned-restaurant offers simple southern comfort food with an Asian twist. The colorful and flavorful menu features special southern favorites, along with plenty of tacos, salads, curries, and rice bowls. 

8. Contigo

2027 Anchor Lane
Austin, TX 78723

Check out Contigo if you need a place that’s great for the whole family! Well-known for their classic burgers and bar snacks, this restaurant also offers a kids happy hour where you can enjoy a $2 drink menu and kids meals at half price.

9. Dai Due

2406 Manor Road
Austin, TX 78722

Need a meat feast? Head over to Dai Due for a hearty dinner that is tastefully regionally-sourced and incredibly delicious. The menu also features empanadas and other lighter fare if you’re not in the mood for Texas meats.

10. The Salty Sow

1917 Manor Road
Austin, TX 78722

An American Gastropub with locations in Austin and Phoenix, The Salty Sow is a great place for a night out with friends. The culinary team at this Austin favorite serve “swine, wine, and beer” along with hand-crafted cocktails.

Hungry for More?

We bet this list of ten restaurants made you hungry, but did it also spark inspiration? If you’re an aspiring restaurateur yourself, these establishments can be great role models for your business to emulate. They all bring something unique to the Austin food scene, and you can too. 

Starting a restaurant business is no simple task. You’ll need plenty of support to get started and build to success. That’s where we come in! 

A reliable, easy-to-use point of sale system is essential for the profitability and overall success of these Austin restaurants. Total Touch® is a powerful, easy-to-use point of sale solution that goes beyond classic systems. It is designed to meet the distinct management and operational needs of restaurant owners, including payment acceptance, back office management, inventory control, scheduling, and more. This is the preferred POS solution for any Austin restaurant, from quick-service pizza joints to premier fine dining spots. 

Total Touch is offered by Electronic Merchant Systems , a leading payment processing and merchant services provider. That means any restaurant that chooses Total Touch also has the option to utilize EMS’ payment processing. With one company supplying both system and service, you’ll never have to wonder where to turn for support for your new restaurant. 

Are you already working with a payment processor you trust?

That’s no problem. The Total Touch system is compatible with most merchant service providers, which puts you in total control of your payment processing. If you don’t want to switch processors, you don’t have to.

The Big Picture

All this talk of point of sale solutions and payment processing may be a bit premature right now, but we’re just so excited about the opportunities in front of you.   

Many important decisions lie ahead. Let’s take a step back for a moment and think about the big picture of your new restaurant. What will you serve? Who are you hoping to attract? What will set you apart from the competition? Click the links below for additional resources to help you get started on this journey. 

Your Complete Guide to Restaurant Business Success

How to Avoid Overspending on Your New Restaurant

Total Touch Answers 8 Questions All Restaurant Owners Should Ask

When you’re ready to talk about getting paid, be sure to contact us!

Sources: Culture Trip , Food Network , Thrillist , Austin360eats , Eater Austin