15 of the Best Downtown Austin Restaurants in 2022

Austin has some of the best restaurants in the country, so it’s hard to narrow down the favorites, even if we’re zeroing in on only Downtown Austin. 

While the JW Team is focused on helping people find great homes for sale in Austin we love to write about things that interest people who may want to learn more about our great city.

So which Downtown Austin restaurants should you try next? This article is going to give the folks who are visiting Austin (and locals alike) the opportunity to try some of the best food in Austin.

Better Half Coffee & Cocktails
https://www.betterhalfbar.com/
A hot spot for coffee, delicious food, and even cocktails! Better Half is a popular café on West 5th in the Clarksville neighborhood. Whether you’re working remote, grabbing a quick coffee, or meeting friends for happy hour, this place is for you.

Fixe Southern House
https://fixesouthernhouse.com/
This upscale Southern spot in downtown Austin is a must. Since 2014, Chef James Robert has been creating some of the best fried chicken, biscuits, and grits in the city. Check this place out for brunch or dinner!

Olamaie
https://olamaieaustin.com/
Chefs Michael Fojtasek and Grae Nonas had numerous pop up dinners in Austin before opening up this modern take on a Southern restaurant. With both chefs having previous experience in LA and NYC top rated restaurants, this is a collaboration you can’t miss.

Red Ash
http://www.redashgrill.com/
Red Ash is easily one of Austin’s top rated restaurants and has been pleasing Austinites for over five years. You can’t mess up ordering at this craft Italian spot, but some of their most popular dishes include a Frutti Di Mare and Red Snapper Crudo. You also can’t miss out on their side of garlic bread!

Emmer & Rye
https://emmerandrye.com/
2016 Food and Wine New Chef and 2020 James Beard award winning Kevin Fink opened this farm to table restaurant in 2015 . This spot focuses on seasonal and local cuisine, featuring a daily changing menu.

Sammie’s
https://sammiesitalian.com/
This spot has only been open for a little over a year, and locals can’t get enough. Austinites claim Sammie’s as the best traditional Italian cuisine in the city. After the famous burger joint, Huts, closed down in 2019, the McGuire Moorman Hospitality group turned back the clock to the 60’s to open up the now popular spot. Make sure to order the Mafaldine with Funghi and Tartufo, Cheese Ravioli with Bolognese, or Chicken Parmigiana.

Wu Chow
https://wuchowaustin.com/
This top rated Asian spot has been serving happy customers since 2015. Opened up by Ling Wu, Wu Chow features famous soup dumplings and other traditional Chinese dishes. Make sure to check out their dim sum on Sundays!

Clark’s
https://clarksaustin.com/
Known as easily one of the best seafood restaurants in Austin is Clark’s Oyster Bar. You can’t go wrong with the obvious choice of oysters, but their other dishes including a lobster roll and crispy snapper are fantastic. Clark’s also holds an Austin secret with one of the best burgers in town.

Garrison
https://www.garrisongrill.com/
Garrison is known for having one of the best dining experiences in Austin. The top rated restaurant, led by Chef Jakub Czyszczon, has been producing some of the best dishes in the city while operating an open kitchen for customers to observe. You have to check out this AAA Four-Diamond rated restaurant.

Lin Asian Bar
https://www.linasianbar.com/
Owned by Wu Chow’s very own, Ling Wu, is Lin Asian Bar. The instant popular spot hit Austin by storm in 2019 best known for their weekend dim sum. If you can get a table make sure to get the Shanghai Soup Dumplings, they are a must.

Hestia

https://hestiaaustin.com/
The year before Emmer and Rye’s Kevin Fink was awarded his James Beard, he opened Hestia. In 2019 the quickly popular open kitchen restaurant was opened for Austinites who couldn’t get enough of Fink. Make sure to get their oysters, berkshire pork chop, or wagyu NY strip.

TenTen
https://www.tentenaustin.com/
Opened in 2020, TenTen quickly became one of the best Japanese restaurants in downtown Austin. Led by Chef Jon Oh, the kitchen produces delicious nigiri, sashimi, and maki among other bites and dishes. If you’re a sushi lover TenTen is an absolute must.

Cheaper Eats:

Veracruz All Natural
https://veracruzallnatural.com/
Austin is known for their breakfast tacos, and this place is home to one of the best. Sisters Reyna and Maritza Vazquez have been crafting what many locals will call the best tacos in the city since 2008. There are three locations, but if you’re downtown make sure to check out the one on East Cesar Chaves.

Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken
https://gusfriedchicken.com/austin-texas-location/
Since 1984, Austinites have been calling Gus’s the best fried chicken in town. The owner, Terry Bonner has been serving up his family’s recipe that was started back in 1953. The fried chicken is obviously spectacular, but the sides are also incredible, especially the fried okra.

Walton’s
https://www.waltonsfancyandstaple.com/
Walton’s was opened in 2009 by someone you may not expect, Sandra Bullock. To keep her mind off of Hollywood the actress opened two restaurants or “projects” in Austin. This one features some of the best sandwiches in downtown.