The Best New Austin Restaurants of 2024, According to Dining Experts

As is the tradition when the end of 2024 is coming up, Eater asked a trusted group of friends, industry types, and local bloggers for their takes on the past culinary year in Austin. All answers will be revealed before the year ends — cut, pasted, (mostly) unedited, and in no particular order. Question number one:

What were your regular go-to destinations in 2024? What newcomer on the scene excited you this year?

Erin Russell, former associate editor of Eater Austin, Eater contributing writer, and freelance writer

Now that I have a toddler, my go-to is Brentwood Social House (love a place with scones!), and we love visiting Kurty’s Cookies at the farmers market. Pretty much any time I have a child-free evening, I go to Birdie’s, although the Le Cowboy pop-up might change that. If pop-ups count, I’m a regular at The Interrupted Baker and Pie in the Sky. For exciting newcomers, I love Dumpling World, the expanded P Thai’s Khao Man Gai & Noodles, Rockman Coffee + Bakeshop will cause me to gain several joyous pounds, and someday, I hope to get to Nicosi in San Antonio.

Darcie Duttweiler, freelance writer and Eater contributing writer

I ate really well this year, and I tried a ton of new places that have quickly become part of my normal rotation. Murray’s Tavern’s prime rib and martinis can’t be beat. Uchiba’s dumplings and izakaya dishes are a lovely addition to the Uchi/Uchiko empire. P Thai’s Khao Man Gai & Noodles is dangerously close to my house, and I’m obsessed with the khao man gai combo (and all the sauces). I’m super happy Leroy & Lewis has its gorgeous brick-and-mortar hotspot. Bambino has one of the best peanut butter pies ever — full stop. Poeta’s pasta and Italian snacky bites are excellent. OKO is top-to-bottom delicious Filipino fare. And Lao’d Bar is worth the long trek way out east for a literal explosion of flavors.

In terms of my usual tried-and-true spots, Hopfields is totally underrated for fancy-feeling food in a casual spot that won’t break the bank. Quality Seafood stepped up its wine game recently, and I adore ordering a dozen East Coast oysters and a bottle of white here. I eat twofer dogs at the Silver Medal probably once a month (hi, Orange Cat!). For a festive date night, I tend to gravitate to Justine’s for escargots and steak tartare. And, when I’m truly lazy, I can’t resist ordering in Austin Rotisserie’s chicken, potatoes, baguettes, and macrons to enjoy in my sweatpants at home – bonus: my cat really loves that chicken too!

Nicolai McCrary, Austin staff writer at The Infatuation

I found myself at Murray’s Tavern more often than I ever thought I would — it’s just casual enough to justify a random weeknight visit while still feeling like I’m actually going out. Gina’s became a new favorite for the rare weekend happy hour, last-minute date nights, and my favorite mussels in town. Both spots made it onto our Best New Restaurants of 2024 list over at The Infatuation.

Ali Khan, content creator of @alikhaneats

• La Santa Barbacha
• Lao’d Bar - newcomer
• P Thai’s Khao Man Gai
• De Nada Cantina
• Poeta

Jane Ko, blogger of A Taste of Koko

Mian & Bao, An Nyeong K Tofu and BBQ, Soupleaf Hot Pot, KG BBQ, Dainty Dillo, Bureau de Poste, Bambino, and Dovetail Pizza. I didn’t know that I would be as excited for Los Angeles-run Mian & Bao but after eating the noodles and buns, I’ve been back three times in three weeks.

Taylor Tobin, restaurant critic at Austin Chronicle and Eater contributing writer

I’m always a regular at Radio Coffee & Beer on Menchaca Road; it’s right down the street and I love that I can go in the morning for Veracruz’s migas taco and a great latte, hang out in the afternoon with a draft beer, and then order some amazing laab moo from Dee Dee in the evening. I also really fell in love with Golden Hour in 2024 — the wagyu beef tartare and burrata with piquillo pepper jam are such perfect partners for a funky pour of natural wine.

In terms of newcomers, I loved the hot chicken at Dang Hot 89. I’m a heat fiend who also wants real flavor in her spicy food, and Dang Hot nails the combo every time.

H. Drew Blackburn, former interim associate editor of Eater Austin and columnist of The Barbed Wire

King Bee. Nickel City. They’re my staple neighborhood bars. I’ve added Community Garden to the mix. Really good music. Even better vibes. Small, but interesting wine list and food pop-ups galore. We need more places like this in the city.

Madeline Hollern, editor-in-chief of Austin Monthly

I really enjoyed Bambino! The food is great, and the ambience is cool without being stuffy. I was impressed with Casa Bianca and Poeta. Also, LeRoy & Lewis exceeded all expectations— and the expectations were high.

Cat Cardenas, freelance writer and photographer, contributing Eater Austin photographer, and writer-at-large of The Barbed Wire

Maie Day has become my go-to place to take friends and family when they’re in town, and my regular date night/birthday dinner spot. Loro, Green Mesquite BBQ, and Asador at Las Perlas have all been regular staples, and I’ll also add Hi Wings, which some friends introduced me to earlier this year, and now I can’t live without their honey garlic parmesan wings.

Not technically a newcomer, but Leroy & Lewis finally opened their brick and mortar location this year, which was especially exciting for me since it’s in South Austin. Their burgers are great, and as an onion ring aficionado, theirs are top notch.

Nadia Chaudhury, outgoing editor of Eater Austin and forthcoming editor at Eater Northeast

Okay, per my title description, this will be my final Year in Eater survey as I’m leaving Eater Austin and I’m moving home to New York to join the newly formed Eater Northeast team in 2025. It’s been an honor and a privilege to cover Austin’s dynamic food and drink scene over 10+ years (!!!).

My previous Year in Eater answers typically still apply for this specific question of go-tos: Veracruz All Natural, Better Half, Small Victory, Drink.Well, Bufalina, Birdie’s, Nixta, Meanwhile Brewing, Kelly’s Irish Pub, Choo Sando, Holiday, Con Todo, Odd Duck, Steamies, etc., etc.

The best new restaurants and dining spots in Austin are the Eater Austin Eater Award-winners of 2024 — Lao’d Bar is so amazingly flavorful and delicious; P Thai’s is so soothing and comforting; Custard Prison is a sweet breath of fresh air in the form of hella great doughnuts; Daydreamer for its high-low vibes and one of the best dirty gin martinis I’ve had in a while, and Mercado Sin Nombre is a stunning example of how simple high-quality ingredients from Mexico can be used to fantastic edible ends.

And general other newcomers include Bar Gimmicks for great Chicago-forever food and drinks; pop-up Small’s Pizza for making me remember why potato pizza is fucking good; An Nyeong K Tofu & BBQ has the best tofu soup in town; Daisy Lounge offers high-class cocktails in hella far south Austin; LeRoy & Lewis’s full-on restaurant is a great canvas for smoked meats art by the team; Yellow Ranger for some of best bar-adjacent food that happens to be American Chinese ever; Wee’s Cozy Kitchen’s downtown location makes it that much easier for me to get that amazing nasi lemak; and Tare for beautifully melding Texas-Mexico-Japanese flavors in the form of lovely nigiri.