As a self-proclaimed foodie, what would my blog be without a roundup of some of my favorite Austin restaurants?! This is by no means an exhaustive list (after all Austin is known for it’s food scene), but it’s a pretty good start.

So enjoy some of my favorite go-to places in Austin, Texas! Whether you’re visiting or just moved here, these Austin restaurants are a great intro into what the Austin food scene has to offer.

South Congress Cafe (SoCo Cafe)

SoCo Cafe is my favorite place in Austin, and I wish I went more often! My go-to brunch spot, it’s always the first place I recommend when someone is looking for a place to try.

South Congress Cafe has both indoor and outdoor dining, but I can’t speak on the indoor dining since I’ve only eaten on the patio. The place is always packed, with a wait time anywhere between 45 minutes to an hour. Because of this I always sit on the patio since it’s first come first serve. The patio is so cute though and there are lots of trees for plenty of shade.

Everything I’ve tried so far is delicious and it’s always so hard to choose what to get! BUT if I had to give a recommendation on what to try, I definitely suggest you try their sweet potato beignets and a frozen peach bellini.

Ramen Tatsu-Ya

Oh my gosh, this place is heaven on earth. Ramen Tatsu-Ya was one of the first places I tried when we moved here, and it has held a special place in my heart ever since.

They have three locations in Austin and one Houston, but I’ve only been to their North Austin location. It’s in a super small storefront in a little shopping center, so it’s definitely cozy inside (like touching elbows with strangers cozy.) Oh, and the wait is always pretty long with a nice line wrapped down the sidewalk. This was pre-COVID though, so these things have obviously changed as a result.

My go to order is their MI-SO-HOT with extra noodles, add chashu, no ajitama. It’s delicious and I am not ashamed to say I can finish it one sitting. I also really enjoy their gyoza and katsu sliders, but don’t usually order them since the ramen itself is so filling.

Baby Acapulco (Baby A’s)

An Austin staple, Baby A’s has some really good food, and damn good margaritas. Like, you drink one of their Famous Purple Ritas and you’ll probably need to call an Uber good. They’re so strong that Baby A’s actually limits you to 2 (and for a good reason – I can’t get upset).

What goes into their Famous Purple Rita is a secret, but I’ve heard rumors that they’re made with Everclear. If that’s the case, then that explains a lot. But don’t think they’re only known for that! Their food is also really good, with one of personal favorites being their Famous Baby A’s Soup and Flautas de Pollo. I love their pink churros too, but haven’t been able to get them since the pandemic began unfortunately.

New Fortune Chinese Seafood Restaurant (New Fortune)

One of my really good friends, Jen, introduced me to New Fortune‘s Dim Sum and in doing so created a monster. I’ve only ever been for Dim Sum, so I can’t speak on their normal menu but I’m sure it’s just as great.

What I love about their Dim Sum is that you sit at a table and servers bring carts to you with different items. You choose what you want and how many, and then they write it down on a clipboard (be careful, it adds up quickly). The best part is that you can see what they have to offer before choosing it.

My favorite Dim Sum items are their peking duck bao and their spicy sichuan wontons. I have filled up eating just those – they’re that good.

New Fortune is a really great place for groups, and they make it easy to split the bill. Their Dim Sum is only on the weekends and only during certain hours, so call ahead to make sure they’re open and doing it.

Juan In A Million

Another Austin staple, Juan In A Million has been open since 1980! They’re a very close runner up to being my favorite go-to brunch spot, and of course another place I always recommend to those visiting from out of town.

This place is deceivingly big, with a lot of extended patio seating, but don’t let that fool you – you can still encounter a wait when you go. It’s so worth it though, especially if you get their famous Don Juan taco, a HUGE breakfast taco with bacon, potatoes, eggs and cheese that can easily be shared between two people.

As for me, my personal favorite is their Con Queso Breakfast, but honestly you can’t go wrong with whatever you choose. While they are more known for their breakfast, they do have plenty of lunch and dinner meals.

Well that’s it (for now)! My top 5 favorite Austin restaurants. I hope you get to try at least one of these places, if not all of them. Which restaurant do you have your eye on for your next visit to Austin?