
The Resy Hit List: Where In Austin You’ll Want to Eat Right Now
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
- Black History Month: Support your favorite Black-owned restaurants in honor of Black History Month. Make a Resy at Kalimotxo, grab food at the Distant Relatives barbecue food truck at Meanwhile Brewery, get dinner at the beloved Austin institution that is Hoover’s, and learn about other Black-owned restaurants in Austin.
- People Get Ready: As a part of their ongoing series of Omakase Vinyl nights at Equipment Room, they’ll be spinning Bob Marley’s “Exodus” on February 9. Whether you know every track on the album or only “Three Little Birds,” it’s going to be a fun night with strong cocktails and solid music.
- In the Name of Love: If your significant other didn’t already remind you 1- times, Valentine’s Day falls on a Friday this year, so get your Resy ASAP. Romantic spots like LENOIR or Fonda San Miguel make for the perfect date night. Or cook dinner at home and make a Resy at Small Victory for a nightcap.
- Buzzer Beaters: At the end of the month, the San Antonio Spurs will be in town playing two games at the Moody Center. While we love stadium food, a pre-game meal is a better call. A few Resy spots nearby include Pelons Tex Mex, Dai Due, and Gina’s on Congress. Go Spurs Go!
New to the Hit List (Feb. 2025)
All Day Pizza, Bartlett’s, Micklethwait Barbecue, Sushi by Scratch.
1. OKO Central East Austin

Filipino food in Austin is not easy to find, so we’re doubly excited about the high-end take on traditional dishes at OKO. Born in the Philippines and raised in the Bronx, chef Harold Villarosa creates dishes like oxtail kare-kare stew made with nine-hour braised oxtail in peanut butter sauce and lechon (crispy pork belly). While the menu is very pork-heavy, other options include pinakbet (acorn squash, sweet potato, eggplant and more vegetables over carrot puree) and kinilaw (hamachi in coconut vin, topped with salmon roe). Drinks are made with bright ingredients like mango puree and lemongrass, plus three different gin and tonic choices. Bring friends; you’ll want to share dishes to ensure you try as many as possible.

2. El Naranjo Austin
Let this be your call to veer away from Austin Tex-Mex for a moment and find the earnest interior-Mexican food Austin has to offer. There is no better place for that than this staple on South Lamar. Chef Iliana de la Vega focuses on traditional Mexican recipes and highlighting different regions of Mexico. They are most well-known for their moles. The mole negro comes over duck breast and is made with over 30 ingredients including nuts, seeds, and chocolate and comes with hand-made corn tortillas and rice. Other items to try include the ceviche of the month, queso Oaxaca fundido, and tacos dorados which you can only get at Sunday brunch.
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. Their menu is slim but thoughtful and changes regularly. The roasted sweet potato with crispy shallots and beef tartare are favorites, and don’t miss the pastas, or the ever-changing large plates of fish and meat. (Snapper with lemon potatoes was a recent satisfying option.) Since quantities are limited and you order at the counter, come early to be sure you don’t have to wait long, or miss out on any star items. But if you hit a long line, enjoy a glass of wine while you wait, and debate what you’re going to order. It’s the Birdie’s way.
Find more info here.
4. Lutie’s Hancock
When you step onto the historic Commodore Perry Estate in Hyde Park, you’ll be greeted by stunning architecture, sprawling gardens, and ancient Live Oak trees. It’s a special occasion kind of hotel, so it makes sense that the restaurant on property rises to that same occasion. Make a Resy at Lutie’s for a birthday dinner, work dinner, or an excuse to wear that new outfit you’ve been saving. Start with the buttery, soft Estate bread or petit aioli with grilled vegetables. For dinner, we love the Jasmoon rice, trout, and smoked trout roe or confit duck with guajillo and fig. And save room for the kouign aman ice cream.
5. Odd Duck South Lamar

Odd Duck started as a beloved food trailer and quickly grew into a more grown up restaurant now serving an ever-changing menu in a brick and mortar location on South Lamar. While it’s been around for 10 years now, you definitely still need a Resy because it’s among the best spots in Austin. The menu is locally sourced and currently features beer-battered squash with green goddess dressing, cast iron cornbread, and wagyu strip steak with roasted turnips and fritters. Finish off your meal with their chocolate & masa icebox cake with caramel corn and a nitro espresso martini.

6. All Day Pizza Hyde Park
The old Hyde Park post office just got another new addition with All Day Pizza’s first restaurant. They have small outposts at Flo’s Wine Bar in Tarrytown and on East Sixth Street, but this new space has plenty of indoor seating that is family friendly and ideal for a hang out spot. Their pizza by the slice is great for folks who need a bite of every option like the pepperoni with pepperoncinis, Cacio e Pepe white pie, and sweet sausage pie with ricotta and calabrian honey. They also offer non-pizza items like the crispy chicken cutlet, Italian sandwich and fresh salads. Save room for soft serve at the end too because they don’t skimp on the toppings.
Find more info here.
7. 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.
8. APT 115 East Austin
This hit list spot is worthy of being added to your Notify list — with only 22 seats inside, Resys are hard to come by. Most people are going to try the expansive wine list, which features 400 wines from around the world. We recommend the tasting to sample each wine they are serving by the glass. These change often, so keep coming back to see the newest bottles they’re highlighting. Right now, the food at the restaurant is in partnership with chef Grae Nonas of Le Cowboy. The Italian menu features garganelli Bolognese if you’re feeling hungrier or Le Lunchable with meats, cheese, and Ritz crackers if you want to nosh while you drink wine.
9. The Long Goodbye Cherrywood
Sharing a space with Fleet Coffee and La Santa Barbacha, the Long Goodbye is a casual cocktail bar in a busy and growing part of Cherrywood. Outside, they’re serving they’re most popular drinks like the frozen margarita, agua fresca with mezcal, and Oaxacan Martini. The outdoor space is versatile, allowing you to grab a taco to-go from their neighbor and find space to sit with a big or small group happy hour. If A/C is more of your thing, there are limited tables and a small bar inside that offers a bigger cocktail menu and wine list.
Find more info here.
10. The Flower Shop Central East Austin

This New York-original hot spot is now open in Austin on East Seventh Street. With a retro interior including a cheetah print pool table and cush pleather booths, the Flower Shop team is hoping you’ll want to stick around a while for both drinks and food. Try their michelada cocktail served 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 at least 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.

11. Kalimotxo East Side
The tapas bar from the Emmer and Rye Hospitality Group made the move from west to east and is now open at the Arrive Hotel. Similar to its original location, it’s an ideal Resy to get for happy hour. They offer pinxtos (individual bites) and larger plates for sharing. Try the tomato and chorizo tosta with manchego or the Iberico ham and chips. If you’re hungrier, go big with the salt-roasted prawns or whole roasted fish. There is a major Spanish wine list to pick from and classic Spanish cocktails like their namesake kalimotxo, a mix of Coca-Cola and red wine.
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. Sushi by Scratch Downtown
After a long wait, Sushi By Scratch finally opened downtown with a 22-course omakase experience. The evening starts in a small, dark room with an aperitif and anticipation. You’ll make your way to the sushi bar with your other seating-mates for the big show. With a sharp knife and a blowtorch on hand, the sushi chef artfully crafts bite after bite of dry-aged fish including hamachi, tuna, and sea bream. You can also get bites of tender wagyu, bone marrow, and even sweet corn pudding — the menu is constantly changing. A mere 10 seats are available at this downtown sushi bar, so make your February reservation ASAP for a special occasion.
Phone 512-666-3386 for more info.
14. Nixta Taqueria Chestnut
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.
15. Rockman Coffee + Bakeshop Holly
Amanda Rockman led the pastry program at the South Congress Hotel and restaurants for many years before stepping out to create her own bakery. Try rip and dip bagels — plain with New York cheesecake schmear or everything with French onion schmear. Croissants can be savory like the ham, cheese, and mustard or super sweet like the churro. For drinks, we’re partial to the nitro oat latte and matcha latte. They sell out of baked goods early, so come early if you want the gluten, sugar, and butter part of what they promised on the sign.
Find more info here.
16. Micklethwait Barbecue Springdale
For more than ten years, the Micklethwait Meats team has been winning over hearts and stomachs from their tiny trailer. Their new brick and mortar location is an impressive modern build out of an old church down the street from Springdale General. Inside you’ll find cozy lighting, friendly counter service, and, of course, smells of smoked meats. The fan favorites from the food trailer are offered like meat by the pound including pork ribs, Tex-Czech sausage, and, of course, brisket and sides like mac and cheese, tangy coleslaw, and even a citrus beet salad. We also loved some of their other plates like the Chicken Al Carbon with fresh tortillas and homemade jalapeno salsa and Frito pie. Dine in, enjoy their expansive patio, and be sure to order enough to bring home leftovers.
Find more info here.
17. P Thai’s Khao Man Gai & Noodles North Loop
The beloved food truck that was P Thai’s is now a beloved brick-and-mortar spot on Airport Boulevard. They’re famous for their traditional rendition of khao man gai. The chicken for the dish gets poached and hung to dry (yes, they are on display), which creates the most tender bird you’ve ever tried. We like ordering the combo which comes with half of the chicken fried and served over chicken fat rice and spicy fermented bean and ginger dipping sauces on the side. Other dishes to try are the fried pork belly or the sukiyaki — a spicy bowl full of bean thread noodles, shrimp, and pork.
Find more info here.
18. Bartlett’s Crestview
Originally opened as part of the Hillstone Group, Bartlett’s serves upscale American food that is a dependable staple in town. One that feels nice enough for your birthday Resy and casual enough for a Tuesday last minute Resy. Start with a martini and grilled artichokes and then try the steak of your choice or Asian noodle salad if you want something lighter. We love ordering the prime rib for a special occasion and ordering the hot fudge sundae when we want to turn an average night into a special occasion.
19. Knuckle Sandwich South Austin
In an area that used to be warehouses and tire shops, St. Elmo now offers a variety of unexpected food options. This food truck at Ant’s Beer Cave serves a short list of specialty sandwiches made by chefs who worked previously at Emmer & Rye and Joel Robuchon. They are on the pricier side at $17, but well worth it. The signature is a 9-inch Italian sandwich made with mortadella, salami, capicola from Olympia Provisions in Portland, Ore. 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 with thoughtfully picked ingredients, so come back to try the Not Boring Turkey, Lamb Sammie, and Mushroom “Reuben” which is vegetarian.
Find more info here.
20. Eldorado Cafe North Central

When seeking out the best Tex-Mex in Austin, you’re going to get strong and often opposing opinions and a range of options from a taco truck to fine dining. Eldorado is perfectly in the middle. Their Mexican breakfast is casual, but you feel like you’re in the right place for Tex-Mex. Huevos rancheros, Short rib machacado and even just the Daily Texan with eggs, bacon, hash and a biscuit — it’s all fresh and filling. We also like the crispy tacos for lunch or the enchiladas verde for dinner. Take a tub of your favorite of their salsas to-go too — they are that good. We’re not alone with the opinion of how great this spot is, so get a Resy so you can sit down right away.
