The Resy Hit List: Where In Austin You’ll Want to Eat in Oct. 2025
Updated:
There’s no question we hear more often: Where should I go eat? And while we at Resy know it’s an honor to be the friend who everyone asks for restaurant advice, we also know it’s a complicated task. That’s where the Resy Hit List comes in.
Consider it your essential resource for dining in Austin: a monthly-updated guide to the restaurants that you won’t want to miss — tonight or any night.
Four Things In Austin Not to Miss This Month
- Zilker Zoo: Flocks of people will gather in Zilker Park the first two weekends of October for the Austin City Limits Music Festival. While we’ve been known to wait in long lines for a Mighty Cone at the festival, it’s best to fuel up before you get there. Make a Resy at Fresa’s – South First or Lin Asian Bar in Clarksville before you join the herd.
- Jokers Welcome: Tell your grandmother (or don’t) but the ancient game of mahjong is having a resurgence. If you’ve caught the mahj bug, head over to Tiny Boxwoods on Oct. 6 for a Mahjong Monday. There will be a full breakfast spread, espresso bar, mimosas, and tiles clacking all around. B.Y.O.C. (Bring your own mahjong card.) And of course, there’s plenty more to do in town this month; Resy Events has all the details.
- Start Your Engines: If you’re headed to Formula One at Circuit of the Americas Oct. 17 to 19, we strongly recommend shuttling out there rather than braving the traffic (unless you have a helicopter and in that case, can we get a ride?). Shuttles leave from Waterloo Park downtown, so make a Resy for Uptown Sports Club for a pre-race meal or at Kinfolk for a post-race cocktail.
- The Great Gig on SoCo: Floydians can unite at Equipment Room to listen to “Dark Side of the Moon” on Oct. 26 for their Omakase Vinyl night. There will be a guided discussion after the album plays + cocktails and snacks, so you’ll have a chance to debate if it’s the greatest rock album of all time, and share your “Wizard of Oz” theories.
New to the Hit List (Oct. 2025)
East End Ballroom, Gati, Teddy’s Restaurant and Bar, Uchiko.
1. Nixta Taqueria Chestnut
Photo courtesy of Nixta Taqueria
It’s hard to stand out in a taco town like Austin, but James Beard award-winning chef Edgar Rico and his wife Sara Mardanbigi found a way. Their tacos are a blend of traditional Mexican ingredients and flavors with a more modern American twist like the duck carnitas taco or the beet tartare taco. It’s casual, so you can walk-up, wait in a (hopefully) short line, and eat at their picnic tables out back. And if you want the ultimate experience, you can book their taco omakase to get multiple off-menu tacos and dessert.
Photo courtesy of Nixta Taqueria
2. LENOIR Bouldin Creek
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.
3. Birdie’s East Side
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.
4. Craft Omakase North Lamar
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.
5. Small Victory Downtown
While downtown Austin might be a great place for a meandering bar crawl, this is one you might miss if you’re not in the know. Behind a discreet door attached to a parking garage, you’ll find a dimly lit den churning out expertly made drinks. The menu champions classic cocktails, with offerings like the Air Mail with rum, lime, honey, and sparkling wine, and crisp martinis chilled to perfection with pristine hand-cut ice. Make a Resy in advance to ensure you can get a prime spot — the large format punch bowls are great for groups and snacks like charcuterie boards, nuts, and olives will keep the party going.
6. Parish Barbecue Mueller
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.
7. Uchiko Austin Rosedale
With all the hype around Uchi and Uchiba, it’s important to remember that Uchiko is worthy of just as much praise. It’s no secret, though — so unless you’re lucky enough to snag a bar seat, you’ll want a Resy any night of the week. The menu is expansive, so take your time in coordinating with your dining partners to cover all the bases: vegetables (little gem salad with puffed white rice), appetizers (hama chili with ponzu sauce and hot rock with wagyu beef), rolls (shag with tempura, salmon, avocado), and pieces of nigiri to finish. While the cocktails are lovely here, the wine and sake list is also worth perusing. Worth the hype? Absolutely.
8. Teddy's Restaurant & Bar Austin
Teddy’s Restaurant and Bar in Bryker Woods, by the original Kerbey Lane, has that easy neighborhood charm that makes you want to linger. With its bright wallpaper, checkered floors, and breezy covered patio, it’s the perfect spot for catching up with friends — classy enough to put on real pants, but relaxed enough for any night of the week. Highlights include the lump crab BLT and wedge salad for lunch, while weekend brunch delivers favorites like the mushroom frittata and huckleberry pancakes. Like its brother restaurant Bill’s Oyster, Teddy’s pours strong cocktails (don’t miss the Cowboy Carajillo with bourbon and cold brew) and serves hearty plates, from braised short rib to a French dip sandwich with au jus.
9. Strangelove Coffee and Wine Holly
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.
10. Bill's Oyster Downtown
When the weather calls for patio-sitting, Champagne-sipping, and oyster-slurping, Bill’s Oyster is your spot. While they are known for their raw bar, we also recommend the short rib burger and the mozzarella sticks with caviar. Happy hour starts early (3:00-5:30 p.m.), but it’s also always buzzing during brunch or dinner. Also on offer: a variety of icy-cold martinis and cocktails like salty dogs and Pimm’s cups that pair well with oysters.
11. The Flower Shop Central East Austin
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.
12. LeRoy and Lewis South Austin
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.
13. House Wine Bouldin
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.
14. Dai Due East Austin-Cherrywood
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.
15. East End Ballroom East End
Located on the East Side near Justine’s, East End turned a cavernous building into a music venue, bar, brunch spot, and all-day cafe (in that order). For parties of six or more, make a Resy for brunch to try French toast topped with pistachio mascarpone or the eggs Benedict with prosciutto, mushrooms, or smoked salmon. Later in the day, order from the all-day menu to get steak frites with sauce Diane if you’re hungry, or beet hummus with naan and crudite for a snack with your petite martini flight. Keep an eye on their Resy events for special dinner collaborations as well as music programming curated by Jacob Sciba of Arlyn Studios.
16. Gati Holly
What started as a vegan ice cream shop from chef Jam Sanitchat of Thai Fresh expanded into a breakfast and lunch walk-in spot on the East Side. Gati’s menu is a mix of cultures including Thai, Mexican, and more. Try chef Jam’s favorite Thai breakfast, moo ping, with breakfast sausage, perfectly sticky rice, and spicy sauce, or the laksa Singaporean noodle curry dish with shrimp. The bakery makes vegan biscuits, served warm with seasonal jam, and the coffee bar will brew your beverage of choice. The coconut-milk based ice cream is still a can’t-miss, so try any of the flavors like Thai coffee, mango lime, or lavender caramel and take a pint to go.
Find more info here.
17. Superdaily North Loop
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.
18. Olamaie Downtown
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.
19. Knuckle Sandwich at Far Out Lounge South Austin
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.
20. Citizens All Day Austin
This Australian all-day cafe that started in NYC is now open on Burnet Road. While all meals are served, we especially love the breakfast spread, which is served until 4 p.m. The Green Goddess shakshuka is filling and flavorful, or try the classic breakfast for something lighter. Meanwhile, sweeter options include banana bread French toast and fluffy pancakes. At dinner, try the chicken bowls or chicken schnitzel, or any of the pastas should suit heartier appetites. Get a Resy for happy hour (3-6 p.m.) for discounts on cocktails, wine, and appetizers.