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Rice rolls with a brown sauce.
The noodle rice rolls at Steamies.
Nadia Chaudhury/Eater Austin

The Most Underrated Austin Restaurants

Seek out these hidden gems serving the best food in the city

by Nadia Chaudhury and Erin Russell Updated
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The noodle rice rolls at Steamies.
| Nadia Chaudhury/Eater Austin
by Nadia Chaudhury and Erin Russell Updated

Everyone knows about the very best of Austin’s first-rate places to eat, from Franklin Barbecue to Uchi. Then there are those favorite neighborhood haunts and consistently reliable joints that rarely get the spotlight but deserve just as much attention.

Here is Eater’s updated guide to the city’s most underrated restaurants. This means New Jersey-style pizza from Little Deli, stellar yakitori and sushi from Fukumoto, tacos from Taco Joint and Taquito Aviles, and many others.

For other top-notch restaurants, check out Eater’s essential Austin restaurants, hot new ones, and classic spots.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

Taquito Aviles

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The goat-based quesabirria de chivo taco at the North Austin taqueria truck is fantastic. Takeout orders can be placed in person; there are outdoor dine-in areas.

11218 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78753
(512) 574-2708
(512) 574-2708
A taco being dunked into a cup of broth.
The quesabirria de chivo taco at Taquitos Aviles
Nadia Chaudhury/Eater Austin

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Bartlett's

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The North Shoal Creek restaurant gives classic American food — burgers, sandwiches, grilled fish, amazing marinated steak, etc. — the attention it deserves in an upscale-yet-casual setting that is great for meals with family and friends. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

2408 W. Anderson Ln., Austin, TX 78757
(512) 451-7333
(512) 451-7333

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Little Deli & Pizzeria

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The pizzeria with two locations lives up to its name in terms of physical size, but the Jersey-style pizza is a big deal, and the subs are not to be trifled with, either. Vegetarians should opt for the roasted eggplant. Sit outside for a taste of the old-school Austin vibe in this cloistered neighborhood spot. Takeout orders can be placed over the phone or in person; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

7101 Woodrow Ave, Austin, TX 78757
(512) 467-7402
(512) 467-7402

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Steamies

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Some of the city’s best dumplings are found at this little Crestview shop. It’s all dumplings all the time, with soup dumplings, seasonally filled potstickers such as chicken-shiitake mushrooms, vegan ones, and pork-cabbage. Then there are its really great not-dumpling dishes like the rice noodle rolls and scallion pancakes. And even better: you can buy the same quality dumplings in frozen form so you can have them at home. Takeout orders can be placed online or in person; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

6929 Airport Boulevard, Suite 148, Austin, Texas 78752

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Asahi Imports

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The Japanese market with two locations — this in Brentwood and the other down on South Lamar — is secretly an amazing Japanese restaurant. Find great onigiri and really filling bento boxes with various mains like katsus and fried items. Takeout orders can be placed in person or online.

6105 Burnet Road, Austin, Texas 78757
(512) 453-1850
(512) 453-1850

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Choo Sando

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The Rosedale Japanese cafe keenly and expertly focuses on two items done beautifully well. There are the (yes) pretty and delicious Japanese sandwiches made with fluffy milk bread and fillings ranging from the tamago (with both egg salad and soft-boiled eggs), the katsu (panko-covered pork chop and slaw), to the sweet fruits with whipped creams. Then there’s the fantastic nigiri and sushi (go all out with the omakase box). Takeout orders can be placed online or in person; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

5222 Burnet Rd Suite535, Austin, TX 78756

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Workhorse Bar

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The beloved North Loop bar has affordable drinks and great bar food like thick burgers and fried pickles. With a convivial patio that has tree stumps for barstools, it’s a hidden gem that feels like old Austin. Takeout and delivery orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

100 N Loop Blvd E Suite B, Austin, TX 78751
(512) 323-5700
(512) 323-5700

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Veracruz Fonda and Bar

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Yes, everyone knows Veracruz for its taco trucks and restaurants, but did you know that some of the best Mexican food can be found at its spin-off Mueller restaurant. Sisters Reyna and Maritza Vazquez draw from their Veracruz, Mexico roots to create deeply flavorful dishes like the camarones enchipotlados and mole enchiladas. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

1905 Aldrich Street, TX 78723
(737) 318-4896
(737) 318-4896

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Fixe Southern House

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The fancy-ish downtown Southern restaurant offers really great biscuits, plus the entire menu is full of hits like the lobster-crawfish pot pie and the fried chicken. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor dine-in services.

500 W 5th St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 888-9133
(512) 888-9133

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Fukumoto

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The East Sixth Street Japanese restaurant whips up masterful sushi and yakitori from former Musashino chef Kazu Fukumoto, along with playful specials, like crispy river crabs. There are indoor dine-in services.

514 Medina St, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 770-6880
(512) 770-6880

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Garrison

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Hidden within the giant downtown hotel is an excellent fine dining destination. Garrison serves up skillfully prepared dishes from steaks to pastas to seafood with top-notch service, which all makes up for the fact that, well, yeah there’s a bit of a trek to the not-exactly-aesthetically-pleasing windowless dining room. There are indoor dine-in services.

101 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 524-4700
(512) 524-4700

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Taco Joint

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Among Austin’s amazing taco providers, the East Riverside taco restaurant is a hidden gem. The breakfast tacos are super-stuffed in a not-annoying way, the lunch tacos flavorful, and the array of salsas perfect. Takeout orders can be placed over the phone or in person; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

134 E Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 599-5144
(512) 599-5144

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Underdog

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Sneaky fun modern Korean American food paired with amazing wines is the whole point of this Bouldin Creek restaurant. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

1600 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 367-2441
(512) 367-2441

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1618

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The wide-ranging menu of the pan-Asian Riverside restaurant offers well-made dishes for every craving, from dim sum to pho to curries to ducks. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

1618 E Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78741
(512) 462-9999
(512) 462-9999

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Habanero Cafe

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The little daytime Dawson restaurant serves up fantastic Mexican cuisine in a friendly casual space. Find enchiladas, fajitas, quesadillas, and meats galore. There are indoor dine-in areas.

501 W Oltorf St (Durwood), Austin, TX 78704
(512) 416-0443
(512) 416-0443

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Moreno Barbecue

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For great under-the-radar barbecue, head to the Garrison Park restaurant, which fires up everything from brisket to pork belly to smoked half chickens to Sunday barbacoa. The meats can be used in sandwiches and tacos too (yes, there are barbecue grilled cheeses). Takeout orders can be placed online. There are indoor and outdoor dining areas.

5608 Menchaca Rd, Austin, TX 78745
(512) 808-8271
(512) 808-8271

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The Little Darlin'

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Okay, it’s another bar, but it’s another bar with really great food. The burger is hefty, the baby lettuce salad makes for a perfect lunch, and the mac and cheese is stellar. The sprawling patio is just an added bonus. Takeout orders can be placed in person; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

6507 Circle S Rd, Austin, TX 78745
(512) 814-0999
(512) 814-0999

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Taquito Aviles

11218 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78753

The goat-based quesabirria de chivo taco at the North Austin taqueria truck is fantastic. Takeout orders can be placed in person; there are outdoor dine-in areas.

11218 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78753
(512) 574-2708
(512) 574-2708
A taco being dunked into a cup of broth.
The quesabirria de chivo taco at Taquitos Aviles
Nadia Chaudhury/Eater Austin

Bartlett's

2408 W. Anderson Ln., Austin, TX 78757

The North Shoal Creek restaurant gives classic American food — burgers, sandwiches, grilled fish, amazing marinated steak, etc. — the attention it deserves in an upscale-yet-casual setting that is great for meals with family and friends. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

2408 W. Anderson Ln., Austin, TX 78757
(512) 451-7333
(512) 451-7333

Little Deli & Pizzeria

7101 Woodrow Ave, Austin, TX 78757

The pizzeria with two locations lives up to its name in terms of physical size, but the Jersey-style pizza is a big deal, and the subs are not to be trifled with, either. Vegetarians should opt for the roasted eggplant. Sit outside for a taste of the old-school Austin vibe in this cloistered neighborhood spot. Takeout orders can be placed over the phone or in person; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

7101 Woodrow Ave, Austin, TX 78757
(512) 467-7402
(512) 467-7402

Steamies

6929 Airport Boulevard, Suite 148, Austin, Texas 78752

Some of the city’s best dumplings are found at this little Crestview shop. It’s all dumplings all the time, with soup dumplings, seasonally filled potstickers such as chicken-shiitake mushrooms, vegan ones, and pork-cabbage. Then there are its really great not-dumpling dishes like the rice noodle rolls and scallion pancakes. And even better: you can buy the same quality dumplings in frozen form so you can have them at home. Takeout orders can be placed online or in person; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

6929 Airport Boulevard, Suite 148, Austin, Texas 78752

Asahi Imports

6105 Burnet Road, Austin, Texas 78757

The Japanese market with two locations — this in Brentwood and the other down on South Lamar — is secretly an amazing Japanese restaurant. Find great onigiri and really filling bento boxes with various mains like katsus and fried items. Takeout orders can be placed in person or online.

6105 Burnet Road, Austin, Texas 78757
(512) 453-1850
(512) 453-1850

Choo Sando

5222 Burnet Rd Suite535, Austin, TX 78756

The Rosedale Japanese cafe keenly and expertly focuses on two items done beautifully well. There are the (yes) pretty and delicious Japanese sandwiches made with fluffy milk bread and fillings ranging from the tamago (with both egg salad and soft-boiled eggs), the katsu (panko-covered pork chop and slaw), to the sweet fruits with whipped creams. Then there’s the fantastic nigiri and sushi (go all out with the omakase box). Takeout orders can be placed online or in person; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

5222 Burnet Rd Suite535, Austin, TX 78756

Workhorse Bar

100 N Loop Blvd E Suite B, Austin, TX 78751

The beloved North Loop bar has affordable drinks and great bar food like thick burgers and fried pickles. With a convivial patio that has tree stumps for barstools, it’s a hidden gem that feels like old Austin. Takeout and delivery orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

100 N Loop Blvd E Suite B, Austin, TX 78751
(512) 323-5700
(512) 323-5700

Veracruz Fonda and Bar

1905 Aldrich Street, TX 78723

Yes, everyone knows Veracruz for its taco trucks and restaurants, but did you know that some of the best Mexican food can be found at its spin-off Mueller restaurant. Sisters Reyna and Maritza Vazquez draw from their Veracruz, Mexico roots to create deeply flavorful dishes like the camarones enchipotlados and mole enchiladas. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

1905 Aldrich Street, TX 78723
(737) 318-4896
(737) 318-4896

Fixe Southern House

500 W 5th St, Austin, TX 78701

The fancy-ish downtown Southern restaurant offers really great biscuits, plus the entire menu is full of hits like the lobster-crawfish pot pie and the fried chicken. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor dine-in services.

500 W 5th St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 888-9133
(512) 888-9133

Fukumoto

514 Medina St, Austin, TX 78702

The East Sixth Street Japanese restaurant whips up masterful sushi and yakitori from former Musashino chef Kazu Fukumoto, along with playful specials, like crispy river crabs. There are indoor dine-in services.

514 Medina St, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 770-6880
(512) 770-6880

Garrison

101 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701

Hidden within the giant downtown hotel is an excellent fine dining destination. Garrison serves up skillfully prepared dishes from steaks to pastas to seafood with top-notch service, which all makes up for the fact that, well, yeah there’s a bit of a trek to the not-exactly-aesthetically-pleasing windowless dining room. There are indoor dine-in services.

101 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 524-4700
(512) 524-4700

Taco Joint

134 E Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78704

Among Austin’s amazing taco providers, the East Riverside taco restaurant is a hidden gem. The breakfast tacos are super-stuffed in a not-annoying way, the lunch tacos flavorful, and the array of salsas perfect. Takeout orders can be placed over the phone or in person; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

134 E Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 599-5144
(512) 599-5144

Underdog

1600 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78704

Sneaky fun modern Korean American food paired with amazing wines is the whole point of this Bouldin Creek restaurant. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

1600 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 367-2441
(512) 367-2441

1618

1618 E Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78741

The wide-ranging menu of the pan-Asian Riverside restaurant offers well-made dishes for every craving, from dim sum to pho to curries to ducks. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

1618 E Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78741
(512) 462-9999
(512) 462-9999

Habanero Cafe

501 W Oltorf St (Durwood), Austin, TX 78704

The little daytime Dawson restaurant serves up fantastic Mexican cuisine in a friendly casual space. Find enchiladas, fajitas, quesadillas, and meats galore. There are indoor dine-in areas.

501 W Oltorf St (Durwood), Austin, TX 78704
(512) 416-0443
(512) 416-0443

Related Maps

Moreno Barbecue

5608 Menchaca Rd, Austin, TX 78745

For great under-the-radar barbecue, head to the Garrison Park restaurant, which fires up everything from brisket to pork belly to smoked half chickens to Sunday barbacoa. The meats can be used in sandwiches and tacos too (yes, there are barbecue grilled cheeses). Takeout orders can be placed online. There are indoor and outdoor dining areas.

5608 Menchaca Rd, Austin, TX 78745
(512) 808-8271
(512) 808-8271

The Little Darlin'

6507 Circle S Rd, Austin, TX 78745

Okay, it’s another bar, but it’s another bar with really great food. The burger is hefty, the baby lettuce salad makes for a perfect lunch, and the mac and cheese is stellar. The sprawling patio is just an added bonus. Takeout orders can be placed in person; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

6507 Circle S Rd, Austin, TX 78745
(512) 814-0999
(512) 814-0999

Related Maps