Austin Chronicle’s Tips
The Mediterranean Chef Cafe is one of Austin Chronicle’s Tips.

1. The Mediterranean Chef Cafe

7.2
5908 Aurora Dr, Austin, TX
Mediterranean Restaurant · Brentwood · 6 tips and reviews

Austin ChronicleAustin Chronicle: The pita wraps come stuffed with lamb and beef, or chicken, and are generously filled. Pies include spinach, and grass-fed meat wrapped in a crunchy pastry pillow. Don't miss the beet salad. Read more.

The League Kitchen & Tavern is one of Austin Chronicle’s Tips.

2. The League Kitchen & Tavern

8.3
1310 Ranch Road 620 S, Lakeway, TX
American Restaurant · 25 tips and reviews

Austin ChronicleAustin Chronicle: Refined comfort food in Lakeway. Perfect for those looking for gluten-free options. Read more.

Jacoby's Restaurant & Mercantile is one of Austin Chronicle’s Tips.

3. Jacoby's Restaurant & Mercantile

8.5
3235 E Cesar Chavez St (Tillery), Austin, TX
New American Restaurant · 36 tips and reviews

Austin ChronicleAustin Chronicle: The chicken-fried steak is tender and well-flavored, the breading is light and crisp, and the cream gravy is made from real pan drippings and not from a mix. Good country food for city folks. Read more.

Balkan Cafe & Grill is one of Austin Chronicle’s Tips.

4. Balkan Cafe & Grill

6.8
11800 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX
Eastern European Restaurant · 12 tips and reviews

Austin ChronicleAustin Chronicle: Exotic variations on familiar comfort food abound, and we recommend getting your hands on the Saturday-only rotisserie whole lamb if it's available. Read more.

5. Deckhand Oyster Bar

8.5
500 Parker Dr., Austin, TX
Seafood Restaurant · 66 tips and reviews

Austin ChronicleAustin Chronicle: This is some of the freshest and most delicious seafood in Central Texas. The portions are generous and the service is impeccable. Be sure to try the Tom Yum. Read more.

PLATE By Dzintra is one of Austin Chronicle’s Tips.

6. PLATE By Dzintra

12717 Shops Pkwy #100 (at Shops at the Galleria), Austin, TX
Café · 6 tips and reviews

Austin ChronicleAustin Chronicle: Chef Dzintra Dzenis creates a new menu every week using fresh ingredients. Ribs are one of the few regular menu items and are well worth ordering, but there are few weak dishes here. Read more.

7. Bee Cave Coffee Co

7.5
13420 Galleria Cir, Bee Cave, TX
Café · Hill Country Galleria · 9 tips and reviews

Austin ChronicleAustin Chronicle: Try the Cuvée cold brew coffee dispensed from a kegerator and top it off with a cheap and delicious migas taco to start your day off right, even in the wee hours.

Maxine's Cafe & Bakery is one of Austin Chronicle’s Tips.

8. Maxine's Cafe & Bakery

8.7
905 Main St (between Pine and Chestnut), Bastrop, TX
American Restaurant · 34 tips and reviews

Austin ChronicleAustin Chronicle: Maxine's is the place to go for breakfast in Bastrop. A wide variety of platters include buttermilk biscuits, griddle cakes and Belgian waffles with sides of grits, oatmeal, and home-fried potatoes. Read more.

Texican Cafe Manchaca is one of Austin Chronicle’s Tips.

9. Texican Cafe Manchaca

7.4
11940 Manchaca Rd, Austin, TX
Mexican Restaurant · 40 tips and reviews

Austin ChronicleAustin Chronicle: This family-friendly joint specializes in El Paso-style variations such as stacked Santa Fe enchiladas smothered in an authentic Chimayo-style red-chile sauce, topped with cheese and fried egg. Yum. Read more.

El Primo Taco Truck is one of Austin Chronicle’s Tips.

10. El Primo Taco Truck

9.1
2011 S 1st St, Austin, TX
Food Truck · 32 tips and reviews

Austin ChronicleAustin Chronicle: Tacos be damned! Get the al pastor torta: a bolillo roll sliced open, slathered with some mayo and refried beans, then topped with sweet and spicy al pastor pork and veggies. Messy and mucho sabroso.

Chinatown North is one of Austin Chronicle’s Tips.

11. Chinatown North

7.7
3407 Greystone Dr (Mopac), Austin, TX
Chinese Restaurant · 34 tips and reviews

Austin ChronicleAustin Chronicle: Makes a serious bid at best dim sum in town. The ambiance ain't bad, either – all dark wood and lacquer, with red linen table settings and loads of Chinese decorative accents. Read more.

Haymaker is one of Austin Chronicle’s Tips.

12. Haymaker

8.3
2310 Manor Rd (Cherrywood Rd), Austin, TX
Gastropub · Upper Boggy Creek · 80 tips and reviews

Austin ChronicleAustin Chronicle: Great selection of global and local beers and a good hangout spot, Haymaker is geared toward sandwich-loving beer drinkers. The food is hit or miss, though its two varieties of poutine are very tasty. Read more.

Eden East is one of Austin Chronicle’s Tips.

13. Eden East

8.3
755 Springdale Rd (Gonzales St.), Austin, TX
American Restaurant · 7 tips and reviews

Austin ChronicleAustin Chronicle: Eden East's dining room is a grouping of communal wooden tables under the stars at Springdale Farm. The combination of literally farm-fresh foods with inspired chefs in a peaceful setting is magical. Read more.

14. El borego de oro

2375 FM 20 (FM 812), Red Rock, TX
Uncategorized · 1 tip

Austin ChronicleAustin Chronicle: Rock-solid Mexican fare at great prices, in the middle of nowhere. Fajitas are a big draw, but splurge and get the camarones mojo de ajo, a couple of beef fajita tacos, and a side of queso compuesto. Read more.

La Mancha Tex Mex Tavern is one of Austin Chronicle’s Tips.

15. La Mancha Tex Mex Tavern

7.5
2203 Hancock Dr, Austin, TX
Mexican Restaurant · Allandale · 26 tips and reviews

Austin ChronicleAustin Chronicle: A Tex-Mex/Interior Mexican/Spanish fusion restaurant with a whimsical and inviting interior. We give high marks to the chile relleno with shrimp and crab and the flavorful, layered La Mancha Bowl. Read more.

Via 313 Pizza is one of Austin Chronicle’s Tips.

16. Via 313 Pizza

8.8
96 Rainey St (Driskill St), Austin, TX
Pizzeria · Downtown Austin · 33 tips and reviews

Austin ChronicleAustin Chronicle: We swoon for Via 313’s nationally praised Detroit-style pizza. Try the bestselling Detroiter, with two kinds of pepperoni, or the Carnivore, which adds bacon slices, deli ham, and Italian sausage. Read more.

PhoNatic Vietnamese Cuisine is one of Austin Chronicle’s Tips.

17. PhoNatic Vietnamese Cuisine

7.1
2525 W Anderson Ln Bldg 3 Ste 208, Austin, TX
Vietnamese Restaurant · Allandale · 42 tips and reviews

Austin ChronicleAustin Chronicle: Fresh, flavorful, beautifully presented Vietnamese dishes with a fast-casual approach. We're addicted to the Banh Mi Sliders and BBQ pork rolls. Get your noodle fix with the Mi Hoanh Thanh Thap Cam. Read more.

Lick Honest Ice Creams is one of Austin Chronicle’s Tips.

18. Lick Honest Ice Creams

8.8
1100 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX
Ice Cream Parlor · Zilker · 173 tips and reviews

Austin ChronicleAustin Chronicle: Lick not only sources milk, cream, and eggs locally but also the fruits, vegetables, and herbs used to create their distinctive flavors, including Caramel Salt Lick and Roasted Beets & Fresh Mint.

Gourdough's is one of Austin Chronicle’s Tips.

19. Gourdough's

8.5
1503 S 1st St (at Monroe), Austin, TX
Donut Shop · Bouldin Creek · 219 tips and reviews

Austin ChronicleAustin Chronicle: If you have a taste for wacky sweets, you must be one of the legions of fans of these off-the-wall doughnuts, featuring fillings and toppings from crushed candy bars to fried chicken strips and bacon. Read more.

Jack Allen's Kitchen is one of Austin Chronicle’s Tips.

20. Jack Allen's Kitchen

9.2
7720 W Highway 71, Austin, TX
American Restaurant · Oak Hill · 154 tips and reviews

Austin ChronicleAustin Chronicle: Brave the constant crowds and be rewarded with skillfully made, belly-busting, Southwestern-styled comfort food like Chicken-Fried Beef Ribs. Nab a mason jar of amazing pimento cheese on the way out.

Tâm Deli and Cafe is one of Austin Chronicle’s Tips.

21. Tâm Deli and Cafe

8.5
8222 N Lamar Blvd Ste D33, Austin, TX
Vietnamese Restaurant · North Austin · 55 tips and reviews

Austin ChronicleAustin Chronicle: It's possible there are menu items beyond bánh mì at Tâm Deli, but it's damn near impossible to get past its ideal marriage of grilled pork, crispy-cool carrots and jalapeños, and tender baguette.

22. Estancia Churrascaria Brazilian Steakhouse

8.3
10000 Research Blvd Ste B, Austin, TX
Churrascaria · 44 tips and reviews

Austin ChronicleAustin Chronicle: Friendly gauchos slice off hunks of lamb chops, filet mignon, and picanha (bottom sirloin) until you beg for mercy; there's also a big salad bar for the vegetarians who lost the coin toss on dinner. Read more.

Top Notch is one of Austin Chronicle’s Tips.

23. Top Notch

8.4
7525 Burnet Rd (Between Richcreek Rd and Northcross Dr), Austin, TX
Burger Joint · Crestview · 66 tips and reviews

Austin ChronicleAustin Chronicle: New ownership has updated the menu with fried okra and green beans, but otherwise Top Notch is a local fast food restaurant still frozen in time – and that's why we love it. Get the Longhorn special.

Austin Motel is one of Austin Chronicle’s Tips.

24. Austin Motel

8.4
1220 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX
Motel · Bouldin Creek · 22 tips and reviews

Austin ChronicleAustin Chronicle: The phallic sign in the sky on South Congress is your beacon to one of the city's best places to kick your shoes off. If you don't have a reason to stay at this local lodging landmark, make up one.

Foreign & Domestic is one of Austin Chronicle’s Tips.

25. Foreign & Domestic

8.5
306 E 53rd St, Austin, TX
American Restaurant · North Loop · 76 tips and reviews

Austin ChronicleAustin Chronicle: Reasonably priced and informal but still very fine dining, indeed. Rising star Ned Elliott’s seasonal menu is spare but stunning, with each well-conceived plate coming together in delicious harmony. Read more.

Texas Chili Parlor is one of Austin Chronicle’s Tips.

26. Texas Chili Parlor

8.4
1409 Lavaca St (btw West 14th & 15th St.), Austin, TX
American Restaurant · Downtown Austin · 105 tips and reviews

Austin ChronicleAustin Chronicle: Since 1976, the kitchen's been serving good burgers, Tex-Mex, and, of course, chili of all varieties (XXX, veggie, Frito, etc.). Tarantino devotees will note TCP as a 'Death Proof' filming location.

Mrs. Johnson's Bakery is one of Austin Chronicle’s Tips.

27. Mrs. Johnson's Bakery

7.4
4909 Airport Blvd, Austin, TX
Donut Shop · Hyde Park · 34 tips and reviews

Austin ChronicleAustin Chronicle: Since 1948, Mrs. J's means doughnuts to generations of Austinites with late-night munchies. Hot doughnuts start rolling at 8:40pm, continuing till the place closes at noon.

La Condesa is one of Austin Chronicle’s Tips.

28. La Condesa

8.4
400 W 2nd St (Guadalupe St.), Austin, TX
Mexican Restaurant · Downtown Austin · 264 tips and reviews

Austin ChronicleAustin Chronicle: Perennial fave La Condesa reflects the culinary trends of Mexico City's hip neighborhood Colonia Condesa. Feeling adventurous? Try the chapulines – a Oaxacan specialty of tiny fried grasshoppers. Read more.

Stateside Theatre is one of Austin Chronicle’s Tips.

29. Stateside Theatre

8.2
719 Congress Ave, Austin, TX
Movie Theater · Downtown Austin · 14 tips and reviews

Austin ChronicleAustin Chronicle: The little sister to the Paramount Theatre does everything its sibling does, only with comfier seats. Seems like they've worked the kinks out of the sound issues, too.

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema is one of Austin Chronicle’s Tips.

30. Alamo Drafthouse Cinema

9.3
5701 W Slaughter Ln Bldg F, Austin, TX
Movie Theater · Circle C Ranch · 119 tips and reviews

Austin ChronicleAustin Chronicle: The Alamo expands to tony Circle C with all its charm intact, with inventive programming and a tongue-in-cheek menu that confirms whey we love the Alamo: Because they love movies as much as we do. Read more.