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Though Mexican, Tex-Mex, and barbecue are the default cuisines, everything from Brazilian to Pacific Rim fusion has made headway here, and there are strong vegetarian and natural-food followers.
To find the best barbecue, local consensus tends to be that you've got to head out of town to Lockhart, Luling, or Llano, in the Hill Country. Nevertheless, there are several fine options within the city limits, the bulk of them simple places.
In some venues the music and food share nearly equal billing, like Threadgill's, whose massive chicken-fried steak is as much of a draw as the well-known blues and rock acts on stage. Stubb's Bar-B-Q hosts a popular gospel brunch on Sundays.
Austin is a casual city, and the dress code is almost always "come as you are"; a few restaurants require a jacket for men. Tips are generally 20%. Smoking is prohibited inside restaurants and bars, though some allow smoking on their outdoor patios.
The ever-expanding Mueller development continues to welcome several eateries, and this top-notch neighborhood Italian restaurant, which means "the Golden Goose," is one of its most delicious additions. Whether it's date night or a quick happy hour with friends, dishes like Texas Wagyu tartare and from-scratch cavatelli al pomodoro will dazzle.
Houston restaurateur (and cofounder of the Carrabba’s restaurant chain) Damian Mandola brought his "neighborhood grocery store" and Italian ristorante to The Triangle apartment and retail complex, just north of the UT campus, and the cafeteria-style café has become a favorite for families and hungry college students looking to carbo-load on a budget. Hearty portions of southern Italian specialties, from pizza to daily-rotating raviolis, hit the spot at the right price. Fresh artisanal bread, various antipasti, and seasonal cheeses are available for grab-and-go diners in the deli-style market. Homemade gelato in flavors like pineapple and pumpkin is popular among the dessert options.
Whether you're grabbing a cocktail at the bar, sharing a few appetizers with friends on the treehouse-like outdoor patio, or settling in to one of the elegant-yet-cozy booths for a romantic dinner with your honey, this Bryker Woods locale in northwest Austin serves up a satisfying lineup of fresh, Italian-inspired fare. Top picks from the popular picolo piatti (small plates) menu include scallop crudo with butternut squash and thinly sliced zucchini involtini wrapped around a decadent mushroom filling.
Sammie's specializes in classic Italian cuisine in a lively setting once home to the historic Hut's Hamburgers that shuttered in 2019. The cozy digs (restored to preserve the original art deco design) get loud during peak hours, but this homage to the great "red sauce institutions" of New York City is still a wonderful option for a modernized "Taste of Old Italy" date night. Lunch service is only offered on Fridays.
Known for its authentic trattoria feel, complete with an aromatic waft of homemade Italian classics upon entering, this is a great dinner destination after a long day spent strolling up and down South Congress. Dive into a bowl of cacio e pepe or nibble a slice of classic margherita pizza studded with garden-fresh basil. The inviting atmosphere will make you want to splurge on an espresso martini or phenomenal homemade desserts, from tiramisu to lemon panna cotta.
This buzzing Italian bistro consistently attracts hordes of South Congress Avenue’s heavy foot traffic, with patrons crowding the narrow, warmly lit bar while waiting for a table in the small, tawny-hued dining room. Noshing on the gratis white-bean puree with basil-infused olive oil makes perusing the menu of delicate handmade pastas, thin wood-fired pizzas, and robust northern Italian–inspired entrées an even greater treat. Chef specials change daily, including soul-warming risottos of the day—perhaps one with braised veal and black truffle oil. Smoky, prosciutto-wrapped prawns never disappoint, nor does the savory veal scalloppine wrapped with sage, prosciutto, and wilted spinach.
