The Resy Hit List: Where In Austin You’ll Want to Eat in August 2025

Maybe it’s the string lights, maybe it’s the French wine, or maybe it’s the smell of bats in the air, but Lenoir is still the date spot in Austin. Even during the summer, the outdoor seating is comfortable but still feels fancy; or sit inside for a more intimate experience surrounded by charming decor and a glimpse into the open kitchen. Come to impress your first date with the crab fingers in curry leaf leche de tigre or housemade bread with fermented pepper pimento cheese. Share the strip steak or crusted almaco jack fish and wow your longtime partner with your budget-conscious (but romantic) choice to make a Resy during happy hour for half-off bottles of wine. 

Birdie’s has established itself as a go-to spot — whether you’re crossing town or flying in, given the national attention that continues for owners Tracy Malechek and Arjav Ezekiel. The beverage team just snagged a James Beard award; consider sipping wine while waiting for a table. A rotating $78 per person prix fixe menu features local ingredients and complex techniques. Currently running: a French Riviera-inspired menu with cold potato soup with fried sourdough and peppers, Nicoise salad, pine nut pesto fusilli, and tilefish served in a tomato and saffron broth. While you no longer have to worry about individual items selling out, lines can be long, so be sure to arrive early.  

Find more info here.

Even before they were awarded a Michelin Star, Craft was a coveted reservation. Hidden in a strip mall off North Lamar, this sushi bar has just 12 seats. At $175 per person, it’s one of the pricier omakase experiences in town but it’s absolutely worth it for a parade of 22 courses, including both cold and hot dishes. The menu rotates, but recent options included oyster, black snapper, shrimp aguachile, and Japanese scallop. Everything is simple, elegant, and perfectly executed. Reservations are hard to get, so check Tock to see what’s available and when the next round of reservations will be released.  

Book now on Tock.

We were already frequenting Batch Craft Beer & Kolaches on Manor Road for exactly what their name promises, plus their shady patio. Now, we’re coming back to Batch for the Parish Barbecue food truck open on the weekends serving Cajun-style barbecue. The pitmaster comes from Interstellar and is already impressing crowds with his pork ribs, smoked ham, and brisket, of course. Sides include housemade rolls with the Batch dough served with Tabasco honey butter, vinegar-based slaw, and crawfish cornbread dressing. Come early to ensure you get to pick from all of the options before they sell out.  

Find more info here.

Between its long-standing reputation as the best Japanese food in Austin and an intimate dining room that never has an empty table, Uchi is the kind of Resy you need to plan ahead to snag, or turn on Notify. While Uchi now has locations in other cities, the original South Lamar location is an Austin institution. The expansive menu spans cold items like the hama chili yellowtail in ponzu and wagyu carpaccio; hot bites like the grilled escolar and mapo dofu; and a long list of rolls. Omakase and vegetarian tasting menu options are available if you want to go big, as well as a rotating list of specials. It’s a special occasion kind of spot meant for over-ordering and trying everything, so don’t miss it.  

More info here, or call 512-916-4808.

This tucked-away haven is always ready to impress no matter your mood or the occasion you’re celebrating. Whether for a light-ish lunch of wood-fired artichokes and veggie burgers, a buzzy brunch laden with avocado toast and crab cake Benedict, or a decadent dinner of pizza or espresso-rubbed rib eye, they’ve got you covered. As the weather warms up, the patio is ideal for a quiet meal with parents or a lunch that calls for cocktails. And don’t skimp on dessert: among the seasonal crisps and cheesecakes, Tiny Boxwoods also serves their famous Tiny’s Milk & Cookies offerings, a la mode.

Find this new coffee and wine shop tucked away in a bungalow on East Cesar Chavez. The expansive patio is great for working at in the mornings while snacking on Taqueria Fenix breakfast tacos and drinking a latte made with Figure 8 coffee beans. In the evening, look for wine by the glass and a solid selection of natural, local, and international wine bottles curated by the team at Small Victory. They are more focused on drinks than food here, but they do offer nuts and charcuterie, and frequently host pop-up food vendors. Stop by any time of day and you’re bound to see people settling in like it’s their house.

Find more info here.

This New York born, Michelin-starred hot spot also has a presence in Austin, on East Seventh Street, of course. With retro decor including a cheetah print pool table and cush pleather booths, the Flower Shop team is hoping you’ll grab a bite first inside and then head to their rooftop for drinks after. Try their Michelada cocktail with mezcal, Tequila, and the tiniest Corona or the vodka cold brew martini. Don’t miss their bar food classics like the super meaty burger made with special sauce, chicken wings doused in Frank’s, or the mozzarella sticks. If you want to go lighter or vegetarian, there’s also a cauliflower steak served with quinoa and a fried egg. Make a Resy for a dinner with friends or even a first date you want to impress with your billiard skills.

LeRoy and Lewis has long been a favorite food truck at Cosmic Coffee. It received accolades from Texas Monthly and The New York Times for serving more than the typical Texas barbecue items. Now they expanded their menu and space in a brick-and-mortar spot in South Austin. They offer sliced or chopped beef and a variety of sausages, as well as (gasp!) smoked vegetables. Options also include three burgers all with different kinds of meat, and a smoked Italian beef sandwich with giardiniera. And while you may have had Big Red with your barbecue, they have a frozen Big Red Sangria. A full bar offers beer, wine, and many cocktail options to sip on while you wait in line to order.

Find more info here.

Discovering House Wine is like discovering Narnia — but it’s full of thoughtfully selected wines instead of mythical creatures. The original location off Barton Springs was a beloved spot for easy drinking and small bites, and its new location on South First has the same homey charm its name promises. The food is meant for sharing, like the Mediterranean plate with hummus, babaganoush, and dolmas and baked brie with honey, raisins, and pecans. The wine list is more affordable than you’d expect for a wine bar and they offer flights in case you want to try some staff favorites. It’s the perfect spot for your book club or a happy hour turned into dinner. 

Book now on Tock.

The team at Dai Due focuses on sourcing the freshest vegetables and organic meats for their creative menu. Even their wine and beer list is local, with options from Marfa to Hye. You can feel the level of care they put into each dish, with details like caramelized fennel-mandarin whipped lard that comes with grilled sourdough and red wine-pickled blueberries accompanied by stuffed quail. The menu rotates based on what’s in season, but you can usually find the antelope and aged wagyu burger, perhaps the most underrated burger in Austin.

If scientists and artists got together and opened a bar, it would be Papercut. Since they opened less than a year ago, they’ve featured a new artist’s work inside with cocktails inspired by the artist. Using house-made tinctures, fresh ingredients, blowtorches, and alcohol, of course, these are creative cocktails you won’t find anywhere else in town. Now they are introducing Japanese food to the experience with Konbini pop-ups during August and ideally a full integration into the space in the fall. There will be nigiri, donburi, and other bites that will pair perfectly with your cocktails.  

Book now on Tock.

A second location of an East Side favorite is now open in Tarrytown: a “choose your own adventure” kind of spot, featuring New Zealand-style ice cream from real fruit and other ingredients of your choosing. Banana Pudding is a solid choice, topped with Nilla Wafers; so is dairy-free vanilla mixed with strawberry and toasted coconut on top. Plus they serve beer, wine, and coffee. Of note, the Tarrytown location offers more seating on their patio and will likely attract many excited kids and cute dogs.

Find more info here.

To get high quality, handmade pasta without the hassle of white tablecloths or international travel seems like the dream. Enter this food truck in North Loop serving Italian pasta dishes, some with Asian flavors. Priced higher than fast food but definitely below restaurant dining, you can get Bolognese linguine or spinach rigatoni for yourself or to share. Our favorite is the yaki-miso mushroom spaghetti with miso and cream. It’s a casual spot, so come with a few friends to enjoy at their picnic table or grab and enjoy their variety of pastas from the comfort of your home.  

Find more info here.  

Olamaie is a charming spot tucked away near downtown that serves high-end southern food. Sure, you never thought you’d pay that much for biscuits, but these are buttery, flaky biscuits that will immediately make you forget who’s paying the bill. Entrees like the grilled pork chop or golden fried catfish served with blue crab rice feel homey yet deluxe. The wine list features bottles you won’t find elsewhere in Austin and cocktails like the Spaghetti Western martini and Delta Dawn made with Tequila, hibiscus grenadine, and fresh juices pack a punch. Make a reservation for a client dinner, anniversary, or any occasion where you actually want to be able to hear the other person.  

Book now on Tock.  

In addition to St. Elmo, the coveted Knuckle Sandwiches can now be acquired at an outpost at the Far Out Lounge in South Austin. The slightly expanded menu still includes their namesake sandwich made with mortadella, salami, and capicola from Olympia Provisions in Portland, Oregon. It’s topped with Mamma Lil’s Sweet Peppers (also from Portland), za’tar, aioli, and Parm crisps for crunch and served on bread baked at Pullman Market in San Antonio. The other three sandwiches are also carefully crafted, so come back to try the Not Boring Turkey, Lamb Sammie, and the vegetarian Mushroom “Reuben.” You can also get the Knuckle Sandwich in salad form.

Find more info here.