Where to Eat in November: Second Bar + Kitchen, Tellus, and More

No matter how you feel about Austin’s status as a major tourist destination, we can all get behind the fact that our city has some pretty great hotel restaurants. Second Bar + Kitchen at the East Austin Hotel is no exception, thanks to their lively cocktail list and super-shareable all-day menu. Even better? As of this month, they have a pizza oven — an excellent reason to wrangle the group chat and book that Resy.

Next time you want to treat yourself, sidle on down to South Congress and visit The Salty Donut. Their menu features yeast donuts and cake donuts, as well as gluten-free and vegan options, so there’s something for everyone. The brown butter and salt donut is a highlight (it tastes like pancake with maple syrup and butter) and pairs perfectly with a cappuccino. Want something more seasonally specific? Go for the pumpkin spice French toast donut, which is exactly as fun as it sounds.

No reservations. Find more info here.

If your to-do list includes visiting a historic house, eating fried green tomatoes, and seeing a peacock, well…that’s quite interesting. And also, you can do all of those things at Mattie’s. Located in a restored Victorian home on the Green Pastures grounds, this Southern spot will transport you — to another time and a new level of satiation.

Located atop The Loren Hotel, Nido is a brand-new restaurant serving New American cuisine in a swanky (yet cozy) environment. The menu is led by Executive Chef Brad McDonald, whose impressive resume includes fine-dining spots like Per Se and Noma, so you can expect the food to be memorable — whether you go for the sourdough fusilli with wild mushrooms or keep things classic with a dry-aged burger. While the space is new, you’ll likely pick up some familiar flavors, since the restaurant sources many of its ingredients locally.

Call 512-580-1182 for reservations.

Whether you’re meeting friends for happy hour or taking yourself on a solo date, Gusto is a reliable spot to grab a glass of wine and a comforting bowl of pasta. They also offer some of the best weekly specials in town, like 50% off pizzas on Tuesdays and a daily happy hour Monday through Friday.

At the end of August, the team behind The Beer Plant and Tellus Joe introduced Tellus PM, a plant-based dinner menu with Oaxacan influences. Regardless of your diet, it’s worth a trip to try the coffee-rubbed cauliflower steak with cilantro oil fingerlings and carrot mole, as well as the “fish” tacos made from battered hearts of palm.

Oreos and peanut butter. Birks and socks. We love an unexpected mash-up — and Kemuri Tatsu-ya proves that Texan flavors + Japanese izakaya is one of the best duos out there. Go for the “Hot Pocketz” filled with brisket and smoked Gouda, stay for the cozy environment and the creative cocktail menu that will make you say, “Fine, I’ll have one more!” Of course, you shouldn’t drink on an empty stomach, so make sure to order plenty of munchies and skewers for the table.

From the Scratch|Restaurant family, Pasta|Bar is a truly unique dining experience that’s unlike anything else we’ve tried in Austin. When you step through the doors, you’re handed a cocktail and immediately feel like you’re part of an exclusive club. Dinner is served at an intimate chef’s table, where you can learn from the staff as you enjoy a tasting menu that incorporates pasta (and flavors from all around Texas) in beautifully unexpected ways. The menu is different every day, and the meal is not cheap, but you can go into it confident that you’ll have a memorable experience — and several courses you’ll still be dreaming about months later.

Find more info here.

Thai Fresh has been a local favorite for years — and for good reason. They have some of the best pad Thai in Austin, not to mention a delicious array of curries, stir-frys, and starters with options for every diet. Stop by for dinner, or order online for a satisfying takeout meal tastes just as good at home. Once you’re hooked, you can even book a private or group cooking class to add some Thai dishes to your culinary repertoire.

No reservations. Find more info here.

Ask Austinites where to get the best fried chicken, and nine out of 10 times, you’ll get the same answer: Spicy Boys. Crispy, juicy, salty, and, yes, spicy, their fried chicken is everything fried chicken should be. If you’re not in the mood for a sandwich, you can also enjoy your chicken in nugget form. You can’t really go wrong either way.

No reservations. Find more info here.