2. Icenhauer's
8.1
83 Rainey St (btwn Davis & Driskill St), Austin, TX
Bar · Downtown Austin · 101 tips and reviews
M F: Try the "Hardin's Mule" while here: Bulleit Bourbon infused w/ginger root, lime, lemon zest, lemon ginger syrup, ginger beer
Miranda Debi: Great atmosphere and tasty specialty drinks. Love the sangria in a mason jar idea.
The Most Interesting Man in the World: After an hour of trading stories, the owner graciously invited me to be the best man in his wedding.
Jordan Langdon: Some of the best Italian in town. Try the Gnocchi alla Bava or the Carbonara.
CentralTexas RoadRelics: Wow, totally awesome restaurant, super excellent food, must try! Recommend it.
Eater: One of the city's best Italian restaurants. New owner Daniela Marcone brings out the flavors of her native Naples using farmers' market ingredients. [Eater 38 Member]
4. Clark's Oyster Bar
9.2
1200 W 6th St (Blanco), Austin, TX
Seafood Restaurant · Old West Austin · 71 tips and reviews
Monica Desai: Incredible lobster roll, shells and crab, baked oyster and more ++ amazing vibes. Tough res, though!
Jenny Sorensen: Some of the absolute best seafood in Austin! Great cocktails too! Found it on this sweet new app: http://supper.mx/places/clarks-oyster-bar-austin/
Austin Chronicle: A luxurious menu is matched by an adventurous wine list and an intimate, bistro feel. Don’t skip the house-baked bread: It’s stunningly good, especially when dipped in the Mussels & Clams wine broth. Read more.
Marissa Wise: Escape 6th street scum! The drinks are great! It's nice to be able to order a drink that isn't super sweet, and tastes fresh. Friendly but professional bartenders too.
Tom Inglesias: A hidden speakeasy set inside Austin’s oldest standing fire station - a popular spot for locals and tourists who know where to look. Check more here: http://supper.mx/places/firehouse-lounge-austin/
Social News Network: Go there on Monday's, Half off whiskey from 5-8pm! Awesome!
6. The Backspace
8.4
507 San Jacinto Blvd (btwn 5th & 6th St.), Austin, TX
Pizzeria · Downtown Austin · 67 tips and reviews
Jackie Shepherd: The Bianca pizza is fabulous! Save room for the salted caramel panna cottage.
Austin Chronicle: This cozy spot shares space with a 2,700-pound Neapolitan brick oven firing rustic, insanely good pizza. For antipasti, we flip for the roasted Brussels sprouts with pancetta and Pecorino Romano. Read more.
CraveThis: backspace will be open for lunch during SXSW!
Holly Harris: Swanky little coffee shop with good prices & lovely coffee art. Want to go back for menu food & happy hour. Parking isn't so awesome.
Jennifer Parker: This is one of the best places in town to enjoy a cup of coffee while working in their cool laid back atmosphere! They even make pretty designs in your foam on your lattee ;-)
Brian Kant: Usually crowded, but that's because it's so pleasant. Great coffee and atmosphere. If you can find a seat, or want a little privacy, duck over to the Grove.
9. Chez Zee
7.9
5406 Balcones Dr (at 2222), Austin, TX
French Restaurant · 71 tips and reviews
Amanda Allen: Aztec shrimp bisque with their bread is amazing!!
Christina: Wi-Fi password: eatdessertfirst
Irma Rodriguez: On Sunday, make reservations for brunch for 10 am or later, no alcohol is served before that hour, and you might want to try the bloody Mary's or mimosas
10. Uchiko
9.3
4200 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX
Japanese Restaurant · Rosedale · 181 tips and reviews
Amy Marks: The jasmine cream dessert was amazing!!!! A must order!!!!
Austin Chronicle: A trip to Uchiko is a treat for the senses, with creative flavor pairings in dishes like rosemary-smoked duck with candied citrus or pork-belly-and-egg sushi. Decor is almost too beautiful to look at. Read more.
Kyle Bunch: The P-38 roll is epic, the Hot Rock is fantastic when you're looking for a non-fish option, and the Fried Milk (pictured) is the best dessert in Austin, and quite possibly all of America.
Rosie d: The blackout is really good, it sounds like a lot of chocolate but its really like a great and fluffy chocolate cake! Yummy!!
Traci: My new favorite place in Austin. The food is delicious and the portions are huge. Yum!!
CentralTexas RoadRelics: The service totally sucks, the place was only 30% full and it took sooooo long to get our food! The food was totally not as expected, will not come back!!
Reserve123.com: Great ambiance, cocktails, oysters, and seafood entrees. Order a lot and share.
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.
13. Péché
8.8
208 W 4th St (Colorado St.), Austin, TX
Cocktail Bar · Downtown Austin · 191 tips and reviews
Kathryn Yu: Excellent moules in lemon broth with Tito's Vodka. Try also the charcuterie board. They also do a good riff on the Last Word using rye, called the Final Say.
The Wall Street Journal: Reader tip: For some of the best cocktails in town, go to Peche on 4th Street. They make their own bitters as a sign of their devotion. Read more.
Lalia Williams: Looks unassuming from the outside, but on the inside it's the perfect little spot to enjoy a drink. The adult milkshakes are fun and delicious. Read more.
15. Uchi
9.1
801 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX
Japanese Restaurant · Zilker · 226 tips and reviews
Michael Galpert: Get the signature tasting omakase but if you don't GET the hamachi nabe
MTV: Want sushi? T. Mills would tell you to go to UchiI!”
Austin Chronicle: When executive chef and owner Tyson Cole first opened shop in 2003, Uchi instantly became both a sushi and a fine-dining game changer. Quality and craft still out of this world. Reservations a must.