University Draft House

Burgers are the curriculum here.

La Diosa Cellars

Mexican folk art and plentiful paintings of Frida Kahlo fill this cozy downtown hideaway for wine, elegant shareables, and conversation.

Turner’s

An interior that reminds us of upscale London clubs provides a posh backdrop for chef Robert del Grande’s well-prepared updates of classic American and European fare.

Soto

A sleek and contemporary Austin sushi import with a cult following on Montrose, right down the road from Uchi.

Arturo Boada Cuisine

A finely tuned bit of Italy that's a cozy world of gaiety and fine cuisine.

The Chop House

Chef Eric Hunter, who arrived during the pandemic, has transformed this steakhouse at the Midland Hotel into a surprising dining destination.

Taco Heads Stockyards

In a renovated, century-old building anchoring one corner of the Stockyards is a location of Taco Heads, a contemporary taqueria.

Mariachi’s Dine-In

Mariachi’s Dine-In is a go-to for classic Mexican fare (with an extensive vegan menu to boot).

Fort Brewery & Pizza

Fort Brewery recently relocated to a 25,000-square-foot facility northwest of downtown, and the pizza and burgers continue to be stiff competition for the exceptional brewed-on-site beers.

Timo’s

Timo’s, the longtime restaurant known for its Mexican seafood, recently opened a second location, just miles down the road.

The Italian Kitchen

For more than seventy years, this cozy classic in the Five Points area of Central El Paso has been the place for celebrations.

Black Pearl Oyster Bar

Black Pearl is a tiny downtown bar serving seafood that subscribes to the mantra “Do a few things, but do them really well.”

Dirk’s

Straightforward comfort food from Cameron West.

Waters

Jon Bonnell's ode to all things seafood.

Oporto Fooding House & Wine

There's no shortage of style and plenty of substance at this popular Midtown tapas spot.

Jardín

Jason Dady is serving elegant Mediterranean food in the beautiful Sullivan Carriage House at the San Antonio Botanical Gardens.

Café Modern

An inspired restaurant equal to the world-class museum that houses it.

Zoli’s NY Pizza

Formerly a small joint in Bishop Arts, Zoli’s moved north in 2018, blossoming into a full-service restaurant with an inviting, informal dining room.

RH Rooftop

It’s all about the vibe at RH Rooftop, the sleek restaurant perched atop the new, expensively stylish store formerly known as Restoration Hardware.

Joe Leo Fine Tex-Mex

Joe Leo prides itself on classic Tex-Mex dishes, especially its fajitas, served with fresh, house-made tortillas.

Jaxon

The huge, convivial beer garden is what draws people to this downtown space.

Haywire Uptown

Haywire has a sleek Uptown location on McKinney, serving ranch-to-table beef and other locally sourced ingredients with a Texas spin.

Sammie’s BBQ

Bushi Bushi

This dim sum spot from New York restaurateur Patrick Ru bucks tradition by making dishes to order, then ferrying them to your table by way of a robot.

Campfire

The restaurant Campfire at the elegant Stella Hotel is aptly named, both for its Texan cuisine and a sprawling patio that encourages relaxed visits with friends.

Baby Clay’s BBQ

The Well

The Well is a health-focused downtown restaurant from the minds behind TenTen and Devil May Care.

Bluebonnet BBQ

Plank Seafood Provisions

This sustainable seafood spot from a restaurant group out of Nebraska offers more than just sustenance while shopping in the Domain.

Fareground

Noodles, rotisserie chicken, tacos—you'll find that and more at this downtown Austin food hall.

2 Guys 1 Pit BBQ and Catering

Pioneer Smokehouse

Agape BBQ

Sazzon Baja-Mex Culinary

The headline is freshness, from the green salsa brimming with cilantro to the excellent shrimp ceviche.

Dakota’s

This downtown subterranean steakhouse has been resurrected with a new menu.

Pinkerton’s Barbecue (San Antonio)

Authentic Texas barbecue in a homey setting worth a drive.

24 Plates

In the trendy new Magnolia May quarter of the Near South South, a vintage corner space with high ceilings, minimalist decor, and a global menu emanates buzzy energy. From a rotating selection of 24 options, the sharable plates are the best, starting with the wood-smoked-salmon crostini teased with basil, honey,

Lockhart Smokehouse (Plano)

Harper’s

This glitzy restaurant fills 7,600 square feet in the Epic development in Deep Ellum, and the globally influenced menu covers just as much ground.

The Nicolett

Chef Finn Walker infuses his menu with Parisian, Napa, and Santa Fe sophistication in a modern space inside a restored downtown building.

Cattleack Barbeque

Cattleack Barbeque’s no roadside joint, and the ‘cue is classy.

225° BBQ

Up in Smoke BBQ

Avila’s BBQ

Choche’s BBQ

Hecho En Texas BBQ

Top of the Hill

What began as a community grocer serving burgers on the side has morphed into a destination burger joint.

Domingo

True to its name, Domingo evokes a leisurely Sunday mood with its all-day Mexican/Texican menu and airy riverside dining room.

White Rhino

This spot on the Near Southside takes a java joint visit to new heights.

Ruby’s

For items like doblados de birria and the puffy Pizzadilla, Ruby Dalia Abarca has a large and loyal following.