Odd Duck, Tiki Tatsu-Ya, Suerte, and More: Austin Dining’s Best in 2021

If you haven’t made your way over to Tiki Tatsu-Ya by now, then you’ve probably tired of us constantly mentioning it as you sit at your computer refreshing that browser, hoping for a seat to open up. And if you have been, then you probably understand why we keep mentioning it. As one of the most exciting openings of 2021, this immersive bar on South Lamar has done to tiki what Aaron Franklin did to barbecue. (And we can’t get enough of either.) Bring a group if you want to try some of the large-format drinks — one of them comes in a fog-laden pirate ship, complete with Tiki Tatsu-Ya branded chocolate coins — or opt for a sampling of their unique takes on classic tiki staples, like the mai tai made with miso-almond orgeat.

You can’t really mention Austin’s dining scene without Odd Duck coming up in the conversation at some point. With a farm-to-table approach and a food truck-turned-restaurant backstory, Austin has watched Odd Duck grow as the city’s food scene grew alongside it. Playful dishes highlighting local, seasonal ingredients and inventive riffs on classic cocktails ensure that there’s never a dull bite (or sip) to be had here, with excellent service rounding out the experience every step of the way. Whether you’re enjoying brunch on their patio, watching passersby on South Lamar, or sitting at the large bar inside, you can rest easy knowing you’re getting one of the best dining experiences Austin has to offer.

Birdie’s is a neighborhood wine bar and restaurant in East Austin with a focus on intervention wines and seasonal American cuisine with some heavy French and Italian influence. You could slap a photo of it next to the definition of “neighborhood cafe” and it would feel perfectly in place. But despite the commonplace facade, their execution keeps things exciting. The menu — seasonal and constantly changing — is small, but thoughtful. Expect to find things like linguine puttanesca with olives and anchovy right alongside roasted sweet potatoes with mascarpone, celery, and guanciale. The wine list changes regularly, too — in part to evolve with the menu, but also to highlight different producers, both old and new. Stop in for a bite, stay for a glass (or two) of wine and enjoy the large, spacious patio in an otherwise quiet part of town.

No reservations.

In its almost four years of being open, Suerte has rarely missed a beat. From excellent cocktails and an enviable collection of mezcal, to the suadero tacos that have developed a near-cult following, it’s easy to see why Suerte draws a crowd day after day. While the East Side is no stranger to good Mexican food, Suerte manages to stand out from the rest by balancing a hip and trendy atmosphere with bold, authentic flavors and quality ingredients. There are a lot of things to love at Suerte, but none, perhaps, more than their tortillas. Made fresh in-house from nixtamalized corn, they hit just about every note you could want in a corn tortilla.

Austin is no stranger to good barbecue, which is why when a new spot like Distant Relatives comes around and gets people excited and talking, it’s worth taking note. The meats here include central Texas staples like brisket and pork ribs, but with flavors highlighting and exploring the African diaspora across America. The meats — perfectly cooked and tender — are accompanied by things like smoked mustard butter and chile vinegar dip. The sides depart from the traditional coleslaw and potato salad, instead opting for lima beans with smoked pork butter and chives, or burnt ends and black-eyed peas. The menu changes regularly to highlight seasonal flavors, but you can always expect to find a few surprises on the menu. Visit often and come hungry, because there’s a lot that you’ll want to try here.

No reservations.

Downtown Austin is home to a lot of excellent cocktail bars — many with their own “speakeasy” elements — but very few check all of the boxes in the way that Small Victory manages to do. It’s small and intimate — definitely not an ideal outing for a large group — with a well-curated selection of wines and sherries. The charcuterie board options change regularly (and never disappoint), and the cocktails are among the best in town. They specialize in the classics — though they’re no strangers to something a little more adventurous — so if you haven’t found your perfect martini yet, let them walk you through it and see if you end up changing your mind. And if all of that wasn’t enough, it’s located on top of a parking garage through a barely-marked door: easy to miss, and hard to forget.

As one of the best spots in Austin for breakfast, lunch, and everything in between (we’re pretty sure that’s just brunch), Paperboy consistently draws a crowd. And for good reason: their takes on breakfast/brunch staples — like the classic bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich — are among the best in town, and the space is beautiful. It’s largely outdoors, with one of the few rooftop dining areas on the East Side. Tables tend to fill up quickly during peak brunch hours, so grab a Resy in advance to secure your spot. Not in the mood to brave a line and crowds? They have a street-facing window where you can order all of your favorites for a quick meal to go.

Down in South Austin, Meanwhile Brewing has become the latest all-day hot spot. The space is huge, featuring a stage for live music, a large patio, an on-site brewery, dedicated coffee program, and four or five food trucks. Of special note: they’re home to Distant Relatives (mentioned above), as well as Dough Boys, another Austin favorite for Neapolitan pizza. The beers feature a wide range of styles, from German pilsners and Hazy IPAs to gin barrel-aged strong ales. And they’re changing constantly, which just keeps every visit exciting. Try a few beers (or coffees) and slowly make your way through the food truck lineup. You’re going to need a few visits for this one, but you’ll love the space so much that you probably won’t mind.

No reservations.

Dining at Lutie’s feels a little like you’re sitting in a postcard featuring an old European garden on an estate somewhere — which, outside of the Europe part, isn’t too far off from reality. Located on the Commodore Perry Estate — a luxury hotel/retreat somehow tucked away across from the Hancock Center — this garden restaurant is lush with plants and beaming with sunlight through its heavily-windowed walls. The menu here highlights local ingredients, with a heavy emphasis on seasonal produce. The cocktails are just as exciting, playing a bit of tribute to Southern fare, with drinks like the Sherry Cobbler, complete with amontillado and manzanilla sherries, blueberry jam, muddled oranges, and honey/cinnamon syrup. It’s enough to make you forget you’re not actually enjoying dessert.

Call 512-675-2517 for reservations.

Occupying the space of the former Hut’s Hamburgers in Downtown Austin, Sammie’s is a new-ish Italian-American restaurant that feels like it was plucked right out of New York City or Chicago. It’s sleek, stylish, and compact, with a menu that covers all the classics — from chicken Parm to cheese ravioli with Bolognese. They even have a martini section on the menu, so you can really feel like you’re getting the full experience with a range of styles to choose among. At the end of the day, they’re a red sauce joint that bills itself as “a little taste of Old Italy in Austin, TX,” and that’s exactly what you’re going to get.

Call 512-474-2054 for reservations.