1. Geraldine's
8.4
605 Davis St, Austin, TX
American Restaurant · Downtown Austin · 14 tips and reviews
Emily Scruggs: Grouper, quail, shrimp, hush puppies and buttermilk pie. Go family style.
Dre Sanchez: Wonderful place, great selection of drinks at the bar. Everything on the menu is delicious, specially the grouper and the Texas strip steak... Also, make sure to ask for Katie (the best)!
Greg Gordon: Sit at the bar
Mary Woodard: Our waiter, Jason, knew every item on the menu and could describe it down to the last ingredient. My filet was cooked perfectly and the creme brûlée was to die for! (4 of 4 petals via Fondu) Read more.
Peter Shankman: Possibly some of the best steak I've ever had in my life.
Victoria Schaefer: One of my all-time faves. Love eating in the bar and listening to live jazz early before the crowds hit. Try the ahi appetizers. Wine list is superb.
Simon M: Great food - portions on both sides of menu are sufficient. Fisherman's stew and quail cassoulet are delicious.
Cesar Torres: I don't give a shit if we're in a recession or whatever, fucking eat here because it is so worth it. You can thank me later.
Samantha Young: Old school speakeasy with amazing cocktails! Found it on my new Supper app: http://supper.mx/places/east-side-show-room-austin/
Kevin Skobac: The wood grilled oysters, crispy Texas snapper, and lobster role were all fantastic. A worthwhile break from barbecue and tex-mex.
Austin Chronicle: Perla's has transformed a land-locked SoCo corner into a beachy cafe. It's hard to beat this place on a sunny afternoon for fresh oysters, grilled octopus, and a Caesar cocktail on the shady patio. Read more.
Austin 360: This seafood destination has an array of cocktails to match the cuisine. Bright flavors with a typically tropical flair incorporate house-made ingredients, and the cocktails never fail to refresh.
10. TRIO
98 San Jacinto Blvd (at the Four Seasons Hotel), Austin, TX
Wine Bar · Downtown Austin · 55 tips and reviews
Tom Boone: Ask Susie for help with wine picks and order some tuna tartare and beef sliders. -their mustard is like wasabi - awesome
Food Network: Try the Batini Black cocktail. It's a mix of Texas’ Tito Vodka, blue curacao, blackberries, grapefruit juice and champagne.
Tom Boone: Happy Hour 5-7, half price wine and free valet parking.
Corey Ward: The Petronius Super Tuscan and the Calma Rioja are both fantastic reds. Tons of character in the Petronius and a nice bit of spice to the Calma.
Eater: Authentic Argentinian food on hip East Sixth with festive ambiance, fantastic empanadas, and the over-the-top Quatros Leches cake. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
Conrad Hametner: The wifi password is lomitobeef.
12. MAX's Wine Dive Austin
7.8
207 San Jacinto Blvd Ste 200 (btwn 2nd & 3rd St.), Austin, TX
Wine Bar · Downtown Austin · 140 tips and reviews
Kurt Weisenberger: Ask about the brunch specials. Chicken fried pork chop with jalapeño gravy and grits and a fried egg is excellent.
Thrillist: This champagne & fried chicken joint's Summer menu matches highbrow tastes with gluttonous, comfort-style prep. Recommended: The Roasted Lockhart Quail with Peach Butter and house Bacon Marmalade. Read more.
Cooking Channel: Competitively priced wines, mouth-wateringly good fried foods & a motto that reads: "Fried Chicken & Champagne After Midnight-Why the Hell Not?" Get Pan Borracho, Fried Chicken and Alligator Beignets.
13. The Driskill
8.8
604 Brazos Street, Austin, TX
Hotel · Downtown Austin · 169 tips and reviews
Tammy Gordon: The Driskell Bar makes me swoon (when it's not SXSW mobbed). Great live music. Revolver light fixtures. Killer bartenders. (And don't miss the cupcakes sneakily for sale at the bar)
CNN: Opened in 1886, this is the oldest operating hotel in Austin. Legend has it the original owner, cattle baron Jesse Driskill, lost the hotel to his brother in law in a poker game in 1888.
The Most Interesting Man in the World: They say this lovely Texas landmark is haunted. Me? I don’t believe in ghosts, and I had a lengthy debate about this very topic with a rather opaque visitor one autumn night in room 319.