12 Insanely Unique Restaurants in Austin You Have to Try

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Planning a trip to Austin? Having been to this dynamic city and traveled to over 65 countries, I can confidently say Austin is a paradise for foodies. From lively barbecue joints on South Congress to rooftop restaurants with views of the city’s skyline, Austin’s dining scene is as diverse as it is delicious.

With its Texas roots and creative flair, you’ll find everything from classic brisket and Tex-Mex favorites to inventive fusion dishes that blend Southern comfort with global flavors. Whether you’re craving a casual food truck feast or a stylish dinner on a rooftop patio, these twelve restaurants capture the best of Austin’s food scene. Let’s dig into the most fun and unique spots in this vibrant city!

• 👉 Pro Tip: I HIGHLY recommend doing this walking food tour in Austin. It brings you to Downtown Austin to try local dishes like BBQ brisket, Austin-style breakfast tacos, and more. This tour is an absolute must-do on an Austin itinerary in my opinion.

Unique Restaurants in Austin, Texas: 12 Incredible Austin Eateries

Are you ready to discover the most unique restaurants in Austin? As noted earlier, there’s a large range of places to eat in Austin to please all visitors. So fly into Austin and the first thing you’ll want to do is find out where to eat.

Are you looking for artisanal vegan tacos? Or would you prefer sushi with a Texan twist? Whatever your palate desires, Austin can accommodate your needs. Here’s your in-depth guide to the most unique restaurants in Austin.

1. The Oasis on Lake Travis

• 📍 Location: Lake Travis
• 💲 Price range: $20 – $40 per person (Food/Drinks, views are free!)
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Tex-Mex / American / Bar & Grill
• 🔥 Standout Features: “Sunset Capital of Texas,” multi-level patios, Lake Travis views.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Unbeatable sunset views, scenic group outings, and casual lakeside drinks.

Get ready for a sunset experience that will take your breath away at The Oasis on Lake Travis! This legendary Austin spot, perched high above the lake, proudly calls itself the “Sunset Capital of Texas,” and for good reason. Its massive, multi-level patios offer unparalleled panoramic views.

While the views are the main attraction, they offer a menu of Tex-Mex and American fare. People enjoy the beef fajitas and the crispy chicken flautas. Of course, grabbing a frosty margarita or a cold beer while you soak in the scenery is a must.

2. Odd Duck

• 📍 Location: South Lamar
• 💲 Price range: $40 – $70 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: New American / Farm-to-Table / Small Plates
• 🔥 Standout Features: Food truck origins, wood-fired grill, constantly changing menu, inventive cocktails.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Adventurous foodies, shareable date nights, and farm-to-table fans.

Born from a legendary food trailer, Odd Duck is the brick-and-mortar dream of one of Austin’s most creative chefs. The vibe is rustic-industrial and always buzzing with energy. You can smell the smoke from the massive wood-fired oven the second you walk in, promising that whatever you’re about to eat has been kissed by a live fire.

Keep an eye out for mainstays like the ridiculously tender dry-aged duck or the cast iron cheddar cornbread that arrives sizzling at your table. For a real taste of their genius, you can’t go wrong with whatever inventive stuffed quail dish they’ve created that day.

3. The Blue Starlite Mini Urban Drive-In

• 📍 Location: Multiple locations/pop-ups – check website
• 💲 Price range: $20 – $40+ per car/person (Varies by screening/package)
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Classic Movie Concessions / Food Truck Options
• 🔥 Standout Features: Boutique drive-in, retro/indie films, classic/gourmet movie snacks.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Unique date nights, nostalgic movie fans, and retro outdoor experience.

Roll back the clock for a movie night with a serious dose of cool at The Blue Starlite Mini Urban Drive-In! This isn’t your typical massive drive-in; it’s a boutique, intimate experience, often showing cult classics and retro favorites in unique urban settings.

A visit here is an invitation to snuggle up in your car and enjoy a film with some upgraded movie snacks like organic popcorn with real butter. They also feature local craft sodas and sometimes have gourmet hot dogs or other themed treats available.

4. Cidercade Austin

• 📍 Location: East Riverside
• 💲 Price range: $10 – $20 per person (Admission for unlimited play, drinks separate)
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Bar / Arcade / BYOF (Bring Your Own Food) or Food Trucks
• 🔥 Standout Features: Massive retro/modern arcade, unlimited play admission, house-made ciders/seltzers.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Arcade game fanatics, cider/seltzer lovers, and fun, casual group outings.

Level up your fun at Cidercade Austin! This massive arcade and cidery on East Riverside offers unlimited play on hundreds of retro and modern arcade games and pinball machines for a flat admission fee. They also craft their own delicious hard ciders and seltzers on-site.

While they don’t serve food directly, Cidercade is BYOF (Bring Your Own Food) friendly, and often has food trucks parked outside. Popular choices from nearby trucks include pizza or tacos. For drinks, try their signature “Crackberry” cider or a seasonal special.

5. Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden

• 📍 Location: Rainey Street
• 💲 Price range: $15 – $30 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Sausages / Beer Garden / American & German
• 🔥 Standout Features: Artisanal sausage selection, huge beer garden, lively/dog-friendly.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Sausage connoisseurs, beer garden fans, and lively group outings.

Prepare for a sausage fest of epic proportions at Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden on Rainey Street! This place is a carnivore’s paradise, boasting an incredible menu of house-made and artisanal sausages, from classic bratwurst to exotic wild game.

You absolutely have to try a few different sausages, perhaps the smoked cheddarwurst, an adventurous jackalope sausage, or the classic Banger’s and Mash. Their Sunday brunch, featuring a “Manmosa,” is also legendary.

6. Kemuri Tatsu-ya

• 📍 Location: East Austin
• 💲 Price range: $40 – $70 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Japanese-Texan Izakaya / Smoked Meats / Ramen
• 🔥 Standout Features: Texas-meets-Japan izakaya, smoked meats/fish, creative cocktails/sake.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Adventurous foodies, Japanese fusion lovers, and trendy East Austin.

Get ready for a mind-blowing fusion of Texas smoke and Japanese izakaya cool at Kemuri Tatsu-ya! This East Austin gem, from the acclaimed Tatsu-ya team, offers a truly unique dining experience, blending traditional Japanese pub fare with bold Texas barbecue flavors.

A meal here is an invitation to explore their inventive menu. The smoked fish collars are phenomenal. Their Hot Pocketz (brisket stuffed in fried tofu skin) and the smoked brisket ramen are also must-try dishes that perfectly blend the two culinary worlds.

7. Juan in a Million

• 📍 Location: East Cesar Chavez
• 💲 Price range: $5 – $15 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Tex-Mex / Breakfast Tacos / Diner
• 🔥 Standout Features: Legendary breakfast institution, “Don Juan” taco challenge, massive/cheap breakfast tacos.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Breakfast taco fanatics, budget-friendly hearty breakfasts, and iconic Austin.

Prepare to conquer your hunger at Juan in a Million, an absolute Austin breakfast legend on East Cesar Chavez! This no-frills, family-run spot has been serving up incredible, massive, and super-affordable breakfast tacos for decades. It’s famous for its “Don Juan” taco.

You absolutely have to try the legendary “Don Juan” (a heaping pile of potato, egg, bacon, and cheese). Their other breakfast tacos like the chorizo and egg or the simple bean and cheese are also amazing. It’s a true taste of old Austin.

8. Lala’s Little Nugget

• 📍 Location: Crestview
• 💲 Price range: $5 – $15 per drink (Primarily a bar)
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Dive Bar / Christmas Themed
• 🔥 Standout Features: Year-round Christmas dive, kitschy holiday decor, classic dive drinks.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Quirky bar experiences, Christmas lovers (anytime!), and unpretentious local.

Keep the Christmas spirit alive all year round at Lala’s Little Nugget! This legendary Austin dive bar is famously decked out in Christmas decorations 365 days a year, creating a wonderfully quirky and festive atmosphere no matter the season. Think twinkling lights and Santa.

While it’s all about the classic dive bar drinks, like a cold Lone Star beer or a simple whiskey and coke, the unique ambiance is the main draw. They might have some bar snacks like chips. It’s an Austin original that’s full of character.

9. The Vegan Nom

• 📍 Location: Multiple food truck/trailer locations
• 💲 Price range: $10 – $15 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Vegan Tex-Mex / Tacos
• 🔥 Standout Features: 100% vegan Tex-Mex, creative plant-based tacos, popular food truck.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Vegans/vegetarians craving Tex-Mex, adventurous taco lovers, and plant-based eats.

Get ready for some seriously delicious, 100% vegan Tex-Mex that will blow your mind at The Vegan Nom! This beloved Austin food truck is crafting incredible plant-based versions of all your favorite Tex-Mex classics, especially tacos. Their inventive fillings are out of this world.

You absolutely have to try their signature vegan “fish” tacos or the “Three Amigos” (a sampler of different tacos). Their vegan queso is legendary, and the Korean BBQ Tacos are another crowd favorite. It’s proof that vegan food can be incredibly satisfying.

10. Gourdough’s Public House

• 📍 Location: South Lamar & food trucks/trailer
• 💲 Price range: $10 – $20 (Donuts); $15-$30 (Public House)
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Donuts / American Comfort Food / Eclectic Pub Fare
• 🔥 Standout Features: Outrageous/creative donuts, fun/funky vibe, cult following.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Donut extremists, indulgent sweet/savory cravings, and unique Austin food.

Prepare for donut nirvana at Gourdough’s! Whether you hit up their “Big. Fat. Donuts.” food trucks or their Public House, this Austin institution takes donuts to wildly creative heights. The aroma of frying dough and sweet glazes is irresistible.

You have to try the Mother Clucker (a donut topped with fried chicken and honey butter). The Flying Pig (maple-glazed donut with bacon) or the Funky Monkey (with grilled bananas and cream cheese icing) are also amazing. It’s pure, unadulterated fun.

11. Easy Tiger

• 📍 Location: Multiple locations
• 💲 Price range: $15 – $30 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Bakery / Beer Garden / German-Inspired
• 🔥 Standout Features: Artisan bakery, expansive beer garden, German sausages/sandwiches.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Beer garden fans, fresh bread/pretzel lovers, and casual Austin eats.

Relax and refuel at Easy Tiger, a fantastic Austin bake shop and beer garden! This spot is renowned for its incredible artisan breads, giant soft pretzels, and a fantastic selection of craft beers, all served in a lively beer garden atmosphere.

A wise choice involves grabbing one of their amazing house-made sausages on a fresh bun, like the bratwurst. A giant pretzel with beer cheese is a must, and their Turkey Sandwich on fresh bread is also delicious. It’s perfect for unwinding.

12. Salty Sow

• 📍 Location: Manor Road
• 💲 Price range: $30 – $60 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: American Gastropub / Swine-Focused / Farm-to-Table
• 🔥 Standout Features: “Swine + wine + beer,” creative pork dishes, stylish/rustic.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Pork lovers, upscale casual dining, and inventive gastropub.

Get ready to pig out in style at Salty Sow, an American gastropub on Manor Road that truly celebrates all things swine! This spot offers a stylish yet rustic atmosphere and a menu packed with creative, contemporary dishes that highlight high-quality ingredients.

You’ll certainly want to try their incredible candied pork belly. The crispy duck fat fries served with a 110-minute egg and the flavorful slow-cooked pork shoulder with collard greens are also standout choices. Their craft cocktails are expertly made.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Most Unique Restaurants in Austin, TX

Are you searching for more information about where to eat in Austin, Texas? Here are some common questions (and answers) I get asked a lot about Austin’s most unique restaurants.

What food is Austin Texas famous for?

Austin is renowned for its barbecue, especially brisket, which is slow-cooked to perfection. The city also boasts a vibrant Tex-Mex scene, with dishes like tacos, enchiladas, and queso being local favorites. Additionally, food trucks serve a variety of innovative dishes, making Austin a diverse culinary destination.

Is Austin a foodie city?

Without a doubt! Austin has firmly established itself as a culinary hotspot in the U.S. The city’s food scene reflects its rich cultural diversity, blending traditional Texan flavors with global influences. From renowned barbecue joints and Tex-Mex staples to innovative vegan eateries and global cuisines, Austin offers a gastronomic experience that caters to all tastes. The rise of food festivals, farmer’s markets, and a thriving community of local chefs and restaurateurs further cements Austin’s status as a foodie paradise.

Where do celebrities eat in Austin TX?

Celebrities visiting Austin, Texas, have a variety of dining options that they love, ranging from upscale restaurants to casual food trucks. Here are some spots where you might spot a star:

• Verbena Food + Drink: Located on West 6th Street, this spot has been visited by Zachary Levi. The restaurant is known for its flatbreads and Burrata Panzanella.
• Franklin BBQ: A favorite among many, including President Barack Obama and Gordon Ramsay. Kanye West even tried to cut the line but was turned away!
• Emmer & Rye: Located on Rainey Street, this restaurant has been visited by Gordon Ramsay and Rachael Ray. It offers delicious mackerel dish.
• Home Slice: A pizza place that Rachael Ray and Frances McDormand frequent. Andrew Zimmern of “Bizarre Foods” also recommends it.
• Guero’s Taco Bar: Pierce Brosnan, Ryan Gosling, and Quentin Tarantino have been spotted here. It’s a South Congress restaurant that’s been a celeb regular for years.
• Alamo Drafthouse: Kirsten Dunst loves the fried pickles and ranch dressing at this cinema that serves food.
• Boteco ATX Food Truck: Camila Alves, Matthew McConaughey’s wife, loves the Brazilian street food here.
• Jo’s Coffee: Frequented by Taylor Kitsch, Luke Wilson, and Rachael Ray, this coffee shop is a local favorite.
• Mr. Natural: A vegetarian spot that Ethan Hawke and Richard Linklater love.
• Torchy’s Tacos: Known for its delicious tacos, it has been visited by actors like Greg Grunberg and Scott Speedman.

So, if you’re in Austin and looking to dine like a star, these are the places to check out!

Where can I find the best places to eat in Austin?

From upscale dining venues to quirky cafes and food trucks, Austin has it all. Exploring neighborhoods like East Austin, South Congress, and Rainey Street will lead you to some of the city’s culinary gems.

Are there any unique places in Austin to eat that are also affordable?

Yes, Austin offers a range of dining options that won’t break the bank. Food trucks and local eateries often serve delicious meals at wallet-friendly prices, making it easy to enjoy Austin’s best restaurants on a budget. Some standout spots include:

1. Veracruz All Natural: Known for their mouth-watering tacos.
2. East Side King: A fusion of Asian cuisine with Austin’s laid-back vibe.
3. Micklethwait Craft Meats: A food truck serving top-notch barbecue without the hefty price tag.
4. Biscuits and Groovy: A breakfast spot with delicious biscuits and creative toppings.
5. Chi’Lantro: Where Korean BBQ meets Mexican flavors in a delightful fusion. Exploring Austin, you’ll find that great food doesn’t always come with a high price tag.

What’s the dining scene like at Austin’s best restaurants?

The dining scene in Austin is eclectic and vibrant. Restaurants often blend traditional elements with modern twists, offering patrons a unique dining experience. From themed restaurants to places with scenic views, Austin’s dining scene is diverse and dynamic.

What is the highest rated restaurant in Austin?

The highest-rated restaurant in Austin, Texas, according to Yelp, is “Gather & Forge” with a rating of 4.9 based on 111 reviews. This restaurant is known for its unique offerings as it specializes in personal chef services, supper clubs, and cooking classes. It is located in the Allandale area and is open until 11:45 PM. Moreover, the restaurant is locally owned and operated, and it has been established since 2015.

Are reservations necessary at the best restaurants in Austin?

While some popular and unique restaurants in Austin for dinner might require reservations, especially during weekends, many eateries welcome walk-ins. However, to avoid waiting, it’s always a good idea to book in advance.

Concluding Austin’s Most Unique Restaurants

Austin’s food scene is a delightful blend of tradition, innovation, and everything in between. From the smoky aroma of barbecue joints to the vibrant flavors of international cuisines, the city offers a wide variety of restaurants that cater to every palate.

As we’ve explored, there’s no shortage of unique places to eat in Austin, each bringing its own charm and flavor to the table. Whether you’re a seasoned foodie or someone looking to explore new tastes, Austin promises a gastronomic adventure that’s both satisfying and memorable.

The next time you find yourself in this Texan gem, remember to bring your appetite and a sense of adventure. Happy dining!