Uchiko in Austin is Tyson Cole's elevated farmhouse sushi room on North Lamar, the second of the Hai Hospitality kitchens and a Top Chef alumni line.
Signature dishes: Wagyu sukiyaki, Hokkaido scallop, Yokai berry
Must order: The Yokai berry course; it has been on the menu since opening for a reason.
Tip: Happy hour from 5 to 6pm at the bar runs a $5 sushi list; it is the cheapest way into the kitchen.
Address: 4200 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78756
Hestia in Austin is Kevin Fink's Michelin-starred live-fire room downtown, built around a 20-foot custom hearth that anchors the open kitchen.
Signature: Whole-roasted duck, Wood-grilled scallop, Smoked beet tartare
Order: The whole-roasted duck for two, ordered at booking; the rest of the menu flexes around it.
Tip: The chef's counter on the hearth side is two booking-clicks deeper than the dining room and worth chasing.
Olamaie in Austin is Michael Fojtasek's Michelin-starred Southern dining room in a converted house near downtown, named for three generations of women in his family.
Signature: Buttermilk biscuits, Skillet cornbread, Boiled peanuts
Order: The off-menu biscuits with whipped honey butter, requested as soon as you sit down.
Tip: The four-course prix fixe is built with chef de cuisine Amanda Turner; vegetarian path is available on request.
Comedor in Austin is Philip Speer's modern Mexican room on the corner of Colorado and 5th, with an Olson Kundig design and a focus on sourcing through Texas farmers.
Signature: Bone-marrow tacos, Smoked-trout tostada, Mole negro
Order: The bone-marrow tacos with smoked butter and hoja santa-pecan gremolata.
Tip: The guillotine garage doors open in good weather; ask for the indoor-outdoor counter when you book.
Suerte in Austin is Fermin Nunez's masa-driven East 6th room, a Michelin Bib Gourmand kitchen serving heirloom-corn tortillas and suadero tacos.
Signature: Suadero tacos, Confit potato, Octopus al pastor
Order: The suadero tacos on heirloom blue-corn tortillas; the masa is ground in-house each morning.
Tip: Beverage director Celia Pellegrini won the Michelin Texas Sommelier Award 2025; let her route the pairings.
Este in Austin is Fermin Nunez's seafood-driven Manor Road bungalow, charcoal-cooked coastal Mexican food and ceviches in the old Eastside Cafe space.
Signature: Tuna tostada, Aguachile, Whole grilled fish
Order: The tuna tostada with avocado and serrano salsa; it has been on the menu since opening.
Tip: Lunch runs Friday to Sunday 12 to 4pm; the daytime ceviche service is significantly easier to walk in than dinner.
Birdie's in Austin is Tracy Malechek-Ezekiel's counter-service bistro at East 12th and Harvey, a James Beard beverage winner and 2025 Time100 Next pick.
Signature: Pasta of the day, Crudo, Daily vegetable
Order: Whichever pasta is on the daily-changing menu; Tracy ran pasta at Marea before opening.
Tip: The reservation system is limited but walk-ins are always welcome; aim for the 5pm seating on weeknights.
