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Best Neighborhood Gem Restaurants in Central Austin

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63 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Hopfields restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(297)
Price: Expensive
• French • Midtown
Booked 13 times today
Hopfields specializes in French-fusion locally focused cuisine, 40 tap craft beer wall, a thoughtfully curated wine list and full bar. Boasting a warm inviting atmosphere with cozy nooks to venture into. Often praised for it's elevated but approachable style. The scratch-made menu offers food ranging from upscale specials, a finger-food bar menu, traditional-fusion French comforts and our Pascal Burger that has won Best Burger in Austin 6 years in a row.Hopfields has tableside service reservable for dinner in our dining room and patio, as well as a walk-in bar service, so you can customize the experience you want and always find a seat. Our lunch is a bar-service style that features traditional French sandwiches, salads and snacks. Brunch has a special menu reservable for tableside service or casual bar-style service; all in a 'not your average too-busy-to-book restaurant' setting. A few brunch classics, but many twists that make the menu scrumptious for everyone.
A photo of Josephine House restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(1318)
Price: Expensive
• American • Central Austin
Booked 97 times today
The sister restaurant to Austin fine dining institution Jeffrey’s, offering breakfast, lunch, brunch, happy hour, dinner & Monday night steak frites. The Clarksville cottage features a small marble bar for coffee or cocktails, intimate tables in the dining room, shady nooks on our patio and a grassy front lawn for lounging. Serving an eclectic daily menu featuring the best locally sourced products. Learn more about McGuire Moorman Hospitality and their family of restaurants at www.mcguiremoorman.com.
A photo of Clark's Oyster Bar - Austin restaurant
4.9
Exceptional(1808)
Price: Very Expensive
• Seafood • Downtown
Booked 47 times today
Clark's Oyster Bar in Austin is a local gem, serving fresh, local seafood in an intimate setting. Reviews rave about the amazing oysters, lobster rolls, and cocktails. The restaurant is described as having great energy and understated elegance. One reviewer even said it's one of the highest quality restaurant experiences in Austin. Despite its small size, Clark's offers a fantastic dining experience, making it a neighborhood favorite.
A photo of Perla's Seafood and Oyster Bar restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(3730)
Price: Expensive
• Seafood • Downtown
Booked 107 times today
Perla's offers fresh fish and oysters flown in daily from both coasts with an emphasis on sourcing from the gulf and locations around the world. The bar makes delicious coastal cocktails and the wine list is stocked with fun sparkling, rosé & white wines.Perla's has Austin’s prettiest oak-shaded patio and a comfortable airy dining room featuring a huge saltwater fishtank, poured concrete oyster bar and open kitchen. Learn more about McGuire Moorman Lambert Hospitality and their family of restaurants at www.mmlhospitality.com.
A photo of The Salty Sow restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(3997)
Price: Moderate
• Gastro Pub • East Austin
Booked 59 times today
Love SWINE+Wine+BEER? From the creators of Eddie V's, Roaring Fork & Hopdoddy, Larry Foles & Guy Villavosa brings you Salty Sow. The culinary force of Chef Harold Marmulstein & Chef Nick Sheley are together at Austin's premier head to tail restaurant. Salty Sow serves modern farmhouse cuisine, combining new cooking techniques with old-world methods like braising, poaching, and stewing. Our signature cocktail ingredients come fresh out of the garden, featuring local and organic spirits. Founded by long-time food lovers, we take special care to prepare everything we serve from scratch and by hand daily.
A photo of Nômade restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(462)
Price: Expensive
• Contemporary Mexican • Austin
Booked 47 times today
Located in the heart of the South 1st district, Nomade is a Yucatecan kitchen celebrating fresh coastal seafood, artisanal spices from Merida, and wood-fired cooking. From the team behind the South Congress favorite, Lucky Robot, Chef Jay and restaurateur Adam Weisberg share their experiences in the region and hope to transport you to the lush jungles of the Yucatán.Heirloom masa, sustainably caught seafood, and artisanal spices are used to create traditional and contemporary Yucatecan dishes. Our bar features a collection of additive free agave spirits and an Latin inspired wine list. Additionally, we are a 100% gluten-free restaurant, seed oil free, and offer an extensive plant-based menu. #4 best new restaurant in the South by YELPTop 15 restaurants in Austin by Fodors Travel2024 Open Table Diners' Choice Award Winner.
A photo of La Condesa restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(2250)
Price: Moderate
• Mexican • Downtown
Booked 45 times today
La Condesa is a local favorite in Austin's 2nd Street District, known for its inventive, farm-to-table Mexican cuisine. It's praised for its excellent service, beautiful decor, and unique dishes. As one reviewer put it, it's a 'real gem in the 2nd area and a new favorite stop!', with others calling it 'one of the absolute best in all of Austin'.
A photo of Emmer & Rye restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(3462)
Price: Very Expensive
• American • Downtown
Booked 55 times today
Emmer & Rye is a restaurant designed around the farmer’s haul, featuring a menu that changes daily with a focus on seasonal and local cuisine. Heirloom grains are milled fresh for house made pastas, breads, and desserts, whole animal butchery is done on site, and an extensive in house fermentation program captures flavors at their peak and preserves them for the off season.We accept reservations 60 days in advance. For event inquiries, please visit our website.2024 Michelin Green Star2024 Michelin Bib Gourmand
A photo of Corner restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(999)
Price: Moderate
• Contemporary Southern • Downtown
Booked 42 times today
Welcome to Corner Restaurant! Ideally located in downtown Austin, you’ll find modern Texas fare and local twists on classic recipes, all in a stunning location on the corner of 2nd and Congress. Whether you’re looking for local Austin flavors inspired by the 5 Corners of Texas, delicious cocktails, or the perfect boozy brunch, Corner’s patio bar & restaurant has it all.
A photo of Caroline restaurant
4.3
Awesome(1155)
Price: Moderate
• American • Downtown
Booked 42 times today
Our all-day spot is perfect for homemade breakfast, lunch, dinner and to-go options. Located in the buzzing Austin's central district, Caroline Restaurant is a great place to jump start your day or enjoy a late afternoon glass of wine, curated cocktail, and full dinner menu. With a focus on regional cuisines our neighborhood restaurant has recreated classic dishes to make them healthful but delicious.

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See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • MichaelVIP
    Dallas - Fort Worth •12 reviews
    4.0
    Dined today
    I like this place and staff was great too, but my steak and frites came out both cold, barely warm. It was still tasty though but not what I expected for the cost. I really didn’t have time to send it back just pushed through cold meat and frites lol
    More info
    HopfieldsPrice: Expensive• French• Midtown
    4.8
  • TroyVIP
    Austin •17 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 2 days ago
    Wonderful experience for the day after Christmas. Great service, great food, incredible atmosphere. Can’t wait to go back.
    More info
    Perla's Seafood and Oyster BarPrice: Expensive• Seafood• Downtown
    4.8
  • GregoryVIP
    Austin •19 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 3 days ago
    Superb food, and great service. I took a group here on Christmas Eve, and we loved everything. Our server, Alec, was helpful and properly attentive. We shared the deviled eggs, which everyone agreed were the best they've had. Many enjoyed the Wagyu Cheeseburger, while others had the Crisply Chicken Thighs and Slow-Cooked Beef Shoulder. It was all superb, and the Bearnaise sauce with the fries was brilliant. Highly recommended!
    More info
    The Salty SowPrice: Moderate• Gastro Pub• East Austin
    4.8
  • CarnellVIP
    Houston •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 4 days ago
    It was my 3rd visit and I love this place. The food and service was GREAT!
    More info
    Josephine HousePrice: Expensive• American• Central Austin
    4.8
  • YoungVIP
    Austin •89 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 5 days ago
    Price took such good care to be sure we had everything we wanted. The food was great! Such a special place for us! The fruits de mer was very good and so were the dressed oysters and of course the mussels and clams sauce was out of this world!!! The snapper and grits was also superb!! Cocktails not quite as snazzy as they used to be. Not super cold as a good shaken or stirred drink should be. No frost! Loved the little lime twirl on my cosmo though! But we still had a fabulous time!! ! Thank you!!!!
    More info
    Clark's Oyster Bar - AustinPrice: Very Expensive• Seafood• Downtown
    4.9

Discover best neighborhood gem restaurants in Central Austin

Discover the charm of Central Austin's dining scene with our curated selection of neighborhood gems, each offering a unique and intimate dining experience. Central Austin boasts a vibrant culinary landscape that blends local flavors with innovative cooking styles, making it a prime destination for food lovers seeking hidden treasures in their neighborhood. These establishments are celebrated for their warm ambiance, exceptional service, and commitment to delivering an unforgettable dining experience. Whether you're in the mood for the comforting embrace of Southern comfort food, the bold tastes of Tex-Mex cuisine, or something uniquely local, you'll find establishments that are deeply embedded in the fabric of Central Austin. They are praised for their delightful menus, which often feature seasonal specials and locally sourced ingredients. Each restaurant stands out for its beautifully designed spaces that provide both cozy indoor settings and inviting outdoor dining options. Ideal for both casual diners and culinary aficionados, these neighborhood gems in Central Austin are perfect spots to enjoy a meal that feels like home yet surprises with its culinary creativity. Join the community of locals and visitors alike who celebrate these spots not just for their food, but for the stories and experiences they offer.

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