Top 5 Restaurants You Must Try in Austin
Austin, Texas is one of the fastest growing cities in America thanks to everything it has to offer. For foodies, the city is home to a tremendous number of excellent restaurants featuring all kinds of fare. If you want simple burgers or a steak, there is probably an excellent steakhouse within minutes of your home or office. If you want Italian, Chinese, Thai, or Caribbean, that’s not a problem either. There are even a fair number of high-end dining establishments focusing on innovative gastronomy.
Below is a list of the top five restaurants in Austin according to the 63rd edition of the Eater Austin Heat Map. This updated publication is published every month in order to keep Austin foodies in the loop. All of the restaurants below made the top five list for September 2016 edition. But rest assured there are lots of others to choose from.
#5 – Picnik
It can be hard to find a really good restaurant if you are committed to a paleo diet. In Austin, there is always Picnik, a restaurant on Burnet Road that is apparently an offshoot of a well-received food truck that has been delighting customers for a while now. Stop into Picnik for breakfast, lunch or dinner, and enjoy fine paleo creations made with fresh ingredients. From the famous Little Larry coffee to the DIY breakfast tacos that made their food truck so famous, Picnik is a must-visit in Austin.
#4 – Ola Poke
Good Hawaiian is almost as hard to find in the continental U.S. as paleo. In Austin, you need only visit Ola Poke on North Lamar Blvd. This fast casual restaurant features traditional Hawaiian cuisine in customizable bowls built by customers. In addition to plenty of fresh fish and Hawaiian fruits and vegetables, you can also get other Asian foods including hard-to-find Korean. Customers seem to love the hibachi steak and Korean barbecue bowls.
#3 – Jinya Ramen Bar
Yes, everyone knows that Ramen noodles are the butt of many a joke among comedians and college students. But the Jinya Ramen Bar on Esperanza Xing is no laughing matter. Jinya Ramen Bar is actually a chain that got its start right in Austin. It is all about Asian bowls featuring the world’s favorite noodles. Combine your noodles with fresh broth and a variety of vegetable choices and spices. You’ll never look at Asian noodles the same way again.
#2 – General Tso’boy
Austin foodies must have a thing about Asian food because the number two restaurant on our top five list is another Asian offering: General Tso’boy. At this very popular establishment on Rock Rose, you’ll enjoy a full selection of favorites such as General Tso’s Chicken, black pepper beef, and a honey walnut shrimp. The menu is dominated primarily by sandwiches and bowls that can be customized to your liking; they also offer salads, fries, and even soft-serve ice cream.
#1 – Second Bar + Kitchen
Inside the Archer Hotel, you’ll find the Second Bar + Kitchen. The restaurant features everything you would expect from a hotel-based experience, including excellent sit-down service. Hotel guests can utilize the restaurant for room service. The Second Bar + Kitchen is a decidedly New American restaurant that specializes in a farm-to-table experience. Guests receive small plates specifically to encourage sharing with others, and the restaurant is open daily for brunch, lunch and dinner.
There is no doubt that the foodie scene in Austin is alive and well. Whether you live there or you are just visiting, be sure to try whatever restaurants sound good to you.
Sources:
1. Eater Austin – http://austin.eater.com/maps/best-new-austin-restaurants-heatmap
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