Austin

Barley Swine's entire menu is comprised of small plates, meant for sharing. But calling these "tapas" is like calling Van Gogh a doodler. — Gayot

Proprietor Aaron Franklin is to barbecue as homebrewers are to beer. He has created his own niche with craft brisket on par with the dispensaries in legendary Lockhart. — BlackBook

The haciendalike Fonda San Miguel has been an Austin eating institution for over 30 years and is well worth the detour off South Congress. — Concierge

If experiencing “old-school” Austin while copping a seriously superb meal is your goal, then Jeffrey’s is your destination. — Time Out

Where Austin goes to eat the next big thing. — Bon Appétit

Housed in a charming bungalow, his sleek restaurant serving exquisite Japanese cuisine is now an Austin mainstay. — Tasting Table

Homemade pasta, excellent vino, best dessert on SoCo. — Not For Tourists

Lenoir is a very small pre-fixed menu establishment. They have four courses: Field, Land, Sea, & Dream and each course has three options. — Afar Magazine

Contigo—the mostly-outdoor East Austin restaurant—is modeled after Contigo, the ranch in South Texas. — Travel + Leisure

Located in Austin’s up-and-coming East Side, Justine’s is a fantastic French bistro that attracts a stylish hipster crew, eager for expertly crafted steak frites and garlicky escargot. — Travel + Leisure

Elizabeth Street Cafe is the stuff dreams are made of: flavorful Vietnamese food and eye candy in the form of gorgeous design choices everywhere you look. — Time Out

You want locally sourced? The sourdough starter at this East Austin restaurant was made using wild grapes foraged from a nearby alley and a recipe from the Chez Panisse cookbook. — Afar Magazine

This Tarrytown locale serves up a satisfying lineup of simple, fresh, Italian-inspired fare. — Fodor's

One of the holy grails on the Austin barbecue scene, this female-owned smokery serves serious meat in a hip setting. — Condé Nast Traveler

La Condesa'€™s well-thought-out mix of Mexican street food and jet-setting sophistication appears to have what it takes. — Gayot

Ranch 616 is Texas diner-gone-designer with shiny black booths, a leather bar and funky Southwestern art. — Gayot

"All the classic Indian dishes and some new creations" turn up at these separately owned eateries in Downtown Austin and Addison set in digs that feel "modern" and somewhat "fancy". — Zagat

Enter Komé and you will find a reasonably-priced restaurant and sushi bar with an extremely friendly staff who will all shout something in Japanese at you as soon as you walk in. — The Infatuation

— Bon Appétit

The walls are coated in chalkboard paint, and small fry can make art while the adults dine and enjoy a drink from the diverse selection of beer and wine. — Austin Chronicle