Where To Dine & Drink Around Austin

Photo Credit: The Four Seasons Austin

Austin has been having a major moment for many years, but right now is the Texan city’s time to shine. Not only have Austin City Limits and South x Southwest been heating things up on the music and film fronts, but in recent years, Formula One has called the city home to its United States Grand Prix. And now, at long last, the Michelin Guide has come-a-calling. Needless to say, this has garnered major buzz for The Bat City. Luckily, we’re here to provide a handy guide on what to do, where to stay, and last but certainly not least, where to drink and dine.

WHERE TO EAT

Photo Credit: Richard Casteel

Texas, as a whole, newly announced its Michelin selection for the first time in November, and those that made the cut are as follows:

Barley Swine. Chef/owner Bryce Gilmore makes deft use of local ingredients with a distinctly Southwestern palette of flavors that draws from Mexican and Southern traditions, while maintaining a contemporary, global sophistication. The tasting menu is carefully attuned to the seasons, and refinement is balanced with a sense of whimsy.

Craft Omakase. Chefs Charlie Wang and Nguyen Nguyen offer creative omakase that doesn’t shy away from embellishment, yet it’s done with restraint and allows the fish to shine. An abundance of product hails from Japan, and the fish is skillfully handled.

Hestia. Push past the glass door of this restaurant in the heart of downtown and you’ll immediately get the drift—quite literally, as wood smoke perfumes the air. This hot spot is all about live fire cooking, as evidenced by the 20-foot hearth in the open kitchen. Contemporary cooking is on display in both the à la carte and chef’s tasting menu, and Texas produce and proteins take center stage.

InterStellar BBQ. John Bates’s barbecue, done low and slow over post oak, is a crowd-pleaser, if lines out the door can attest. Highlights include a peach tea-glazed pork belly; beer-brined tipsy turkey; Frito pie; and smoked scalloped potatoes with a golden-brown crust and the poblano creamed corn.

la Barbecue. There’s a custom-built pit in the backyard and Dolly Parton on repeat. Unmissable.

Leroy and Lewis Barbecue. Leroy and Lewis started as a food truck in 2017,  and it’s brick and mortar location enjoys the same hype.

Olamaie. Expect southern cuisine that’s been given a contemporary polish, such as chicken pressé  — a novel take on chicken and dumplings — and make sure to try the cocktails, which include items like a Spaghetti Western martini with Texas olive-oil-washed gin, vodka, cherry tomato-infused dry vermouth, and basil eau de vie.

Photo Credit: Hai Hospitality

Though they didn’t make the Michelin guide, we have some hot spots up for consideration, including the glorious Uchi. Translated from the Japanese word meaning “house,” James Beard Foundation award winning chef Tyson Cole created the original Uchi location in a refurbished South Austin bungalow in 2003 with the simple vision of bringing the intimacy and collaboration of the sushi bar experience to every table in the restaurant. Chef Cole’s innovative take on sushi and signature dishes have been delighting guests from across the country and around the world ever since, with a variety of hot and cool tastings, sushi and sashimi, makimono, yakimono, tempura, and an ever-changing omakase (or chef’s choice menu) based on seasonal items.

Then, there’s Paperboy, one of the best brunch spots in the city, which serves up custom cocktails alongside innovative breakfast items such as a pumpkin & spice sticky bun, chocolate peanut butter pop tart, and chorizo, potato & cheese empanadas. The ricotta toast — served with roasted pineapple jam, lime, tomato, cashew, jalapeño, and rosemary salt — can’t be missed.

WHERE TO DRINK

Photo Credit: Levi Travieso

The bars in Austin are fabulous, and not just because New York’s iconic watering hole, The Dead Rabbit, has come to town. Located on Downtown Austin’s iconic Sixth Street, The Dead Rabbit is part of the ongoing rejuvenation of the neighborhood, highlighting new art, music, drinks, and dining. At the centerpiece of The Dead Rabbit Austin experience is “That’s Deadly,” the brand’s programming vehicle, led by Ireland-based Music Director Liam Craig. Additionally, it features an innovative cocktail menu, robust selection of Irish spirits, and solid offering of domestic and Irish-made beer. Curated by Beverage Director Aidan Bowie, Director of Irish Whiskey Mark McLaughlin, and local Bar Manager Brittany McMillan, Austin’s opening menu features cocktails like First & Formosa, made with Milagro blanco tequila, smoked watermelon, corn, Curacao, and lime, as well as its signature Irish coffee —  Teeling small batch Irish whiskey, coffee, Demerara, whipped cream, and nutmeg.

Then, there’s the Roosevelt Room, an award-winning cocktail bar located in the heart of downtown Austin’s historic Warehouse District. This sexy spot features a seated cocktail experience in its downstairs dining room, comprised of 10 innovative house creations, six signature classic creations, 53 meticulously-crafted classic cocktails, and a curated selection of spirits, beer, and wine. The Cigar Box is a major crowd pleaser: Del Maguey Vida Mezcal, smoked black tea syrup, RR lavender bitters, and tobacco essence, served on an ashtray with a flamed cinnamon stick.

Although there’s so many bars and too little time, our final pick (for the moment) would be the speakeasy Midnight Cowboy. Located on the famous 6th Street and formally a brothel masquerading as a massage parlor known as “Midnight Cowboy Modeling Oriental Massage.” What we love: rather than hide the building’s dark history, they have chosen to embrace it. Midnight Cowboy offers prohibition-style decor, a secret entrance, old-school cocktails, and a haunted history. Try The Dandy: blanco tequila, Cappelletti, absinthe – pernod, raspberry, lemon, and prosecco.

WHERE TO STAY

Photo Credit: The Four Seasons Austin

One of the most luxurious and glamorous properties in ATX is, obviously, the Four Seasons Hotel Austin. It’s centrally located in downtown Austin, and, as befitting of the brand as a whole, a five-star experience across the board. (And has a fun FS Austin-branded Moet & Chandon vending machine to highlight its fun yet and approachable luxury aesthetic.)

Recently, the hotel completed a slew of guest room enhancements, resulting in eight new suites. After seeing the demand for the accommodation type, the Hotel has doubled its offering of its Lake-View Suite, which offers pristine views of Lady Bird Lake, two full bathrooms — including a spa-inspired soaking tub — and expansive living areas with seating for up to six. Custom artwork and furnishings, including a rift-cut white oak and leather writing desk and a Carrera marble-topped coffee table, mingle tastefully with soothing tones of blue and gray, evoking the feel of a private residence. While enjoying the expansive comfort of the suite, guests may also notice small local touches, such as coffee table books written by Austin natives and curated lists of events that highlight the city’s vibrant food and music scenes. As always, guests can slip into pure relaxation with the choice of a signature, plush or firm mattress topper; plush bathrobes and slippers; Natura Bissé bath amenities and more.

To further enhance the Suite and Specialty Suite guest experience, the hotel has created a series of special offerings – crafted to capture the essence of the city – that will come knocking directly at guests’ doors. These experiences range from whiskey tastings and songwriting sessions to sound bath meditation and restorative yoga.

Photo Credit: The Four Seasons Austin

There’s also a stellar spa Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Austin, which offerings that include expertly crafted therapies using locally sourced, Austin-inspired ingredients. The Austin Signature Facial, for example, enhances collagen production through penetrating activation techniques. Experience holistic rejuvenation that tackles skin imbalances at their source. This results-driven facial provides immediate benefits with two specialized masks designed to rebuild skin structure. The extended version includes an oxygen boost via a pressurized device delivering short-chain hyaluronic acid into the skin and red-light LED therapy to stimulate cell rejuvenation at the deepest levels.

Photo Credit: The Four Seasons Austin

Its signature restaurant, Ciclo, offers a throwback to the old-school tableside service of the 1950s and 60s, albeit with a modern twist, with its Flambéed Tomahawk experience. This begins with your choice of a 33 oz. Niman Ranch prime tomahawk or a 45 oz. Texas wagyu tomahawk. Placed on a Himalayan pink salt block, which enhances the natural flavors of the meat, the tomahawk receives a liberal dash of premium tequila before being set aflame and carved to order.

Make sure to stop by the Live Oak Bar. Whether you’re sitting inside or out, the menu can’t be missed. Our pick is Did You See The Bats? which is made with Tito’s vodka, house-made rosemary-hibiscus syrup, lemon, grapefruit, and ginger beer and comes emblazoned with a pretty pink bat.

WHEN TO GO

Photo Credit: Michael Potts/Shutterstock.com

There is always something happening in Austin throughout the year. Here, check out the dates for 2025!

SXSW: March 7-15

Austin City Limits: The dates for Austin City Limits Music Festival 2025 are yet to be confirmed – October 3-5 and 10-12 are speculative dates.

F1 Austin: Oct 16 – 19

Austin Food & Wine: Dates are not set, but this took place from Nov 1- 3 in 2024

Photo Credit: The Four Seasons Austin