4 Must-Try Restaurants in Austin Right Now

A community chophouse in the South Congress Hotel, Maie Day opened in May and is the newest project from three-time James Beard nominee, chef Michael Fojtasek. The reimagined space, previously the bar and grill Central Standard, now bursts with color and character, with a big marble-top bar, ample outdoor space, and tables that can accommodate large groups. The steakhouse-style menu includes appetizers such as smoked fish dip and peel ‘n eat shrimp; mains feature a daily grilled whole fish, grass-fed rib-eye, a butcher’s steak, and prime rib. The bar serves cocktails, beer, and wine in a bustling atmosphere.

A newcomer to the busy South Congress strip, this colorful cantina that opened in August, is the vibrant sibling to Austin’s Italian go-to, Vespaio. The menu features elegant, regional Mexican dishes, inspired by the many trips to Oaxaca that chef/owners Ryan Samson and Daniel Brooks took to blueprint the concept. Expect an ample selection of mezcales and agave spirits to sip or enjoy in creative cocktails. Appetizers include roasted bone marrow with avocado salsa, seafood cocktails, and Oaxacan antojitos such as tlayudas (oval-shaped, crisp corn tortillas topped with a variety of foods) and memelas (griddled corn cakes, usually layered with refried beans and crumbled queso fresco). Don’t miss the house-made moles, served as a sampler or with chicken, duck, pork, or vegetables.

In the former space of the much-lamented Café Josie, this Clarksville newcomer serves simple, seasonal food with an evolving roster of dishes. The menu offers globally inspired cuisine prepared with locally sourced ingredients for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. Grab a three-course prix fixe lunch for $50 and feast on entrees such as pork schnitzel with string bean remoulade and spicy mustard. The bar delivers variations on classic cocktails, with a short but sweet wine list and happy hour from 3 pm to 5 pm Monday through Friday.

A classic American steakhouse with an Italian accent, Dean’s opened in August and is one of the newest additions to downtown Austin. The swanky space serves up expertly sourced prime cuts of beef including Texas and Japanese A5 wagyu, paired with modern sides including the billionaire’s potato—a twice-baked classic topped with shaved truffles. The menu also includes house-made pastas, market-fresh seafood, and a raw bar with caviar service. The Veranda at Dean’s, an adjacent open-air space with patio seating, serves an excellent weekday happy hour from 5 pm to 6:30 pm, including $7 select glasses of wine, $8 signature cocktails, and $9 shareable small plates such as oysters Rockefeller, steak tartare, and more.