MUST-EAT AUSTIN PLAY VIDEO Comedor MICHELIN-rated cuisine, smoky Texas barbecue and tasty tacos — Austin’s restaurant scene satisfies every foodie’s craving. Comforting and creative, Foreign & Domestic is a local favorite for farm-to-table fare, with seasonal menus inspired by what’s fresh at local farms. Don’t skip the airy popovers. Meat emporium Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden goes big with over 200 draft beers, savory sausages and a whole hog roast every Saturday. The rotating prix fixe menus at Birdie’s explore innovative techniques and fresh ingredients alongside their well-curated wine list. Counter service and a neighborhood welcome keep things casual. Family-run Joe’s Bakery & Coffee Shop dishes up all-day breakfast like hearty pork carne guisada and eggs with heavenly homemade tortillas. Pick up sweet pan dulce to-go. French Justine’s Brasserie is a date night favorite, with confit de canard and moules frites served on a romantic patio under a draped tent. Canje explores Caribbean flavors, from sweet West Indian curry to Guyanese wild boar pepperpot. With a tropical cocktail in hand, you’ll feel like you’re at a beach resort. One of Austin’s most-awarded restaurants, Uchi is a worthwhile splurge. Inside a tiny bungalow, you’ll find delicate sushi sourced from Japan’s fish markets. Stop Birdie's into hip Ramen Tatsu-ya for savory bowls of rich pork bone broth, slurpable noodles and ajitama eggs. Customize your dish with a spice bomb and crisp nori. Welcoming Stiles Switch BBQ & Brew dishes up divine brisket, melt-in-your-mouth beef ribs and meaty sandwiches piled high. Their large dining room means waits are relatively short. The Detroit-style pizzas at Via 313 are thick and chewy, with focaccia-style dough that stands up to layers of cheese and thick sauce. Comedor ’s concrete-and-glass dining room is effortlessly cool. Their modern Mexican small plates are full of surprises, like a quesadilla with earthy huitlacoche and bone marrow tacos. Casual Komé Sushi Kitchen specializes in Japanese comfort food like authentic octopus dumplings and okonomiyaki, a seafood pancake with tonkatsu sauce and bonito flakes. TOP TO BOTTOM: JULIE COPE; MACKENZIE SMITH KELLEY El Naranjo ’s interior Mexican menu focuses on tradition. Try the complex mole negro with duck breast — the Oaxacan-style mole is made with over 30 ingredients. Bring your appetite to neighborhood diner Magnolia Cafe , with breakfast platters served all day, such as beef omelets, buttermilk pancakes and seasoned home fries smothered with toppings. You’ll find all the Tex-Mex favorites at Matt’s El Rancho , like enchiladas topped with chile con carne and outstanding fajitas. Their shady patio with a bubbling 16 visitaustin.org
Austin Insider Guide 2026: Page 16
