Austin

Sink your fork into a bowl of plump gnocchi bathed in garlicky tomato-arrabiata sauce, or nibble on a slice of classic Margherita pizza studded with garden-fresh basil. — Fodor's

Austin isn't really known for its Italian food, but when Austinites want Italian, this is their preferred destination. — Frommer's

Stroll down South Congress Avenue after dinner at this warm and reliable Italian restaurant. — Travel + Leisure

"Long waits" are par for the course at this midpriced SoCo Italian, "hands down one of the best in Austin" thanks to its "superb" cooking, "wonderful wines" and a warm setting. — Zagat

This cozy Italian restaurant gets high marks for its fresh, authentic, seasonal menus. — Lonely Planet

Faithful sushi lovers migrate to this crimson-colored, cozy house for quality sushi and imaginative Japanese fusion fare. — Gayot

A red-wallpapered, organic-glam interior is like a backdrop from a Design Star set. Splurge on an omakase-style banquet feast. — BlackBook

Uchi, which occupies a softly-lit bungalow on South Lamar about five minutes from downtown, celebrates the art of unconventional thinking when it comes to sushi. — Travel + Leisure

High-end creative sushi doesn’t get any better than James Beard Foundation-winning chef Tyson Cole and this South Lamar restaurant has had them lining up for years for its foie gras... — Condé Nast Traveler

You've heard the term "extreme sports"? Uchi is "extreme sushi". — Fodor's

Pork ribs & peppery brisket. It's good. — Not For Tourists

Line up at 10 a.m. with the other ’cue worshippers at Austin’s Franklin Barbecue, run by trailblazing pit master Aaron Franklin. — Travel + Leisure

Aaron and Stacy Franklin have been serving food out of this trailer since winter 2010, and word of their old-style barbecue has spread like wildfire. — Frommer's

Don't wait till you're hungry to find out whether it's worth the insane amount of hype. — Lonely Planet

Proprietor Aaron Franklin is to barbecue as homebrewers are to beer. He has created his own niche with craft brisket on par with the dispensaries in legendary Lockhart. — BlackBook

This hip eatery next door to City Hall attracts throngs of downtown worker bees, politicos and the food cognoscenti looking for real Austin food. — Gayot

Exercise your taste buds at this self-described “fancy barbeque” restaurant that puts a modern twist on the old Texas staple. — Rough Guide

On an up-and-coming block near City Hall, Lamberts draws businessmen, Web types, trenchermen, and foodies for its "fancy barbecue," aka stylish twists on Texas classics. — Fodor's

"Fancy barbecue" is the forte of this "classy" 'cue stop set in "gentlemanly" digs in the "historic" Schneider Brothers Building in the Second Street District. — Zagat

"Fancy barbecue" is not an oxymoron. So shows this brother of the sister who owns the eminently popular Jo's Hot Coffee. — BlackBook

From start to finish, it'€™s an experience of indulgence at this Hill Country cottage by Lake Travis. — Gayot

“Exotic food” is the draw at this “innovative” “wild game”–focused veteran restaurant located in an old farmhouse in Lakeway. — Zagat

The quintessential Austin experience... Chef-owner Jeff Blank wows foodies and good ol' boys alike with his inventive use of wild game. — Concierge

Exemplary service and captivating paintings await inside the limestone farmhouse. The Southwestern fare is otherworldly. — BlackBook

Owner/chef Jeff Blank and executive chef Robert Rhoades are kings of imaginative, gutsy cuisine, serving serve up exotic, unique, seasonal dishes. — Fodor's

One of the "hottest" places in town, this "amazing" "locavore" American in South Lamar from chef Bryce Gilmore provides "truly memorable" small plates made for sharing. — Zagat

Cozy gastropub is consistently crowded, thanks to chef Bryce Gillmore's loyal crowd of foodies, who have followed from Odd Duck restaurant. — BlackBook

The strictly seasonal, locally-sourced daily specials blend the artistic style of Japanese sushi with the familiarity of Southern comfort food. — Fodor's

Barley Swine's entire menu is comprised of small plates, meant for sharing. But calling these "tapas" is like calling Van Gogh a doodler. — Gayot

In addition to chef Bryce Gilmore's 13-course tasting menu, à la carte dining is now offered to guests; indulge in unpredictable delicacies like pig skin noodles with shrimp dumplings. — Travel + Leisure

Visiting celebrities, politicos and epicureans are spellbound by the innovative contemporary Texas cuisine that defines Jeffrey'€™s. — Gayot

Serving delicious oysters, steak & chocolate cake for over 30 years. — Not For Tourists

Located in the quiet Clarksville neighborhood, this upscale New American restaurant is a longtime favorite of visiting celebrities and dignitaries. — Travel + Leisure

Jeffrey's established itself as Austin's premiere fine dining venue in the Seventies, offering one of the city's first chef-driven, blackboard menus in a charming and historic setting. — Austin Chronicle

The food is hard to categorize, with elements of Latin, Southwestern, and Continental cuisine. Some have called it "New Texan," but we simply call it tasty. — Concierge

This spacious south Austin landmark hums with the frantic energy of a loyal lunch crowd seeking a Tex-Mex fix. — Gayot

The epicenter of South Congress. Tourists take taxis straight here from the airport. The queso flameado and tacos al pastor have something to do with it. — BlackBook

This is one of the main hangouts on South Congress. It occupies an old feed store that dates from the time when South Austin was a low-rent area at the margins of the city. — Frommer's

Tacos al pastor are a specialty (about $9) at this busy, sprawling restaurant located across the bridge, south of downtown. — Rough Guide

Oh, Güero's, how we love you. Why must you make us wait? Well, clearly it's because of the three million other hungry people crammed into your bar area. — Lonely Planet

"Colorful and full of beautiful pottery", this Highland Park hacienda has long been "a treat for the eyes as well as the taste buds", with "impeccable" interior Mexican fare. — Zagat

This was one of the first restaurants to introduce fine dining a la Mexicana to Texas. — Frommer's

In this striking hacienda, lush with towering foliage and Latin American art, you'll experience authentic interior Mexican cuisine. — Gayot

A perennial brunch favorite in Austin since 1975, Fonda San Miguel has an atmosphere of colorful, old-school elegance and a generously laden buffet. — Travel + Leisure

The haciendalike Fonda San Miguel has been an Austin eating institution for over 30 years and is well worth the detour off South Congress. — Concierge

Hefty, but healthy, is the hippie sandwich layered with sauteed eggplant and chicken breast smothered in melted cheese, then loaded with all the greens you could ask for. — Gayot

This ironic salute to Americana evokes David Lynch's vision of small town "Twin Peaks," including the corny touches. — Frommer's

Families. Dates. Big, loud, obnoxious groups. All doing their Lone Star and green-chile cheeseburger thing while roots musicians serenade them. — BlackBook

'Do you want inside or out?' Really, what kind of question is that? We came for the shady patio, like everyone else. — Lonely Planet

Named for the expansive pecan trees lining this trendy section of Barton Springs Road, Shady Grove's patio area provides coverage from the hot Texas sun. — Travel + Leisure

Not content to rest on his Uchi laurels, Chef Tyson Cole opened this North Lamar restaurant that describes itself as 'Japanese farmhouse dining.'. — Lonely Planet

Uchiko continues to wow diners. The vibrant energy and casual vibe alone are magnetic. — Fodor's

It's an assemblage of flavors...that's evocative, a little mysterious and a lot of fun. — Travel + Leisure

Sister restaurant to Uchi, Uchiko offers a more rustic take on Japanese cuisine, while still serving several Uchi classics, like the bacon steakie, a version of seared pork belly. — Condé Nast Traveler

The sweet and tart tomatillo perks up the buttery scallop as the crunch of house-made chips counters the soft meat. — Gayot

A "lovely" modern space with "good buzz", this South Lamar spot boasts an "innovative" French-Italian menu that may "change your mind about sweetbreads, lamb tongue and other oddities". — Zagat

Continental with Italian and French influences. Well-priced bar menu. — Not For Tourists

I could write pages of praise for chef Petty’s meltingly tender Wagyu Tri-Tip with roasted marrow mixed with butter. — Austin Chronicle

Owner-chef James Holmes, who did stints in France and at Picholine and Craft in NYC, has crafted a fine blend of sophisticated French and Italian cuisines with down-home Texas products. — Gayot

Olivia is far and away the brightest newcomer to Austin's fine dining scene. — Frommer's

At this unassuming restaurant in Cherrywood, local chef-owner Hoover Alexander serves Deep South—style comfort food with Tex-Mex, Cajun, and Jamaican influences. — Travel + Leisure

This is down-home comfort food at its best. — Frommer's

Staples like chicken fried steak and southern fried pork chops can be seen on nearly every server tray coming out of the kitchen. — Gayot

You need to fast for days before eating here. Heavy Southern home cookin. — Not For Tourists

"Comfort food at comfortable prices" sums up this Cherrywood Southern mainstay near the University of Texas campus. — Zagat

When Texans argue about the relative merits of barbecue joints, the Salt Lick usually winds up at or near the top of the heap. — Fodor's

World-Famous BYOB BBQ. 20 mins from downtown. — Not For Tourists

If, in your mind, Texas + food = barbecue, the Salt Lick is the place for you. — Concierge

This “landmark” bastion of beef in Driftwood (with spin-offs in Round Rock and at the airport) provides a “quintessential Texas BBQ experience.”. — Zagat

This smoky barbecue depot is about a 30-minute ride of town. On the way there you can admire classic Hill Country terrain. — BlackBook

This midpriced American along Cherrywood's Restaurant Row offers a snout-to-tail menu that changes daily and includes rich farmhouse fare like braises and stews. — Zagat

This snout-to-tail restaurant advertising 'swine + wine' offers a thoroughly modern take on down-home cooking, including plenty of choices in the non-pork category. — Lonely Planet

Harold Marmulstein’s Manor Road gastro pub strikes the perfect balance between fancy and casual. — On the Grid

Salty Sow has surfaced at the peak of the '€œhumble farmhouse with impeccably exquisite cuisine'€ dining trend. — Gayot

On the whole, I'd recommend Salty Sow for a special evening out with friends. — Austin Chronicle

With La Condesa in Austin's trendy Warehouse District, chef Rene Ortiz brings traditional flavors of the interior of Mexico to Texas. — Travel + Leisure

"Fabulous, bold" takes on Mexican street food and "wonderful margaritas" await at this Second Street District destination set in "stunning", "sophisticated" digs with a patio. — Zagat

La Condesa'€™s well-thought-out mix of Mexican street food and jet-setting sophistication appears to have what it takes. — Gayot

Always a top contender in our former annual Restaurant Poll and a winner of one of our inaugural 2013 First Plates Awards. — Austin Chronicle

True to form Mexican dishes, a taste of Oaxaca. — Not For Tourists

Located in Austin’s up-and-coming East Side, Justine’s is a fantastic French bistro that attracts a stylish hipster crew, eager for expertly crafted steak frites and garlicky escargot. — Travel + Leisure

Much of the concise menu is occupied by well-executed French classics. — Gayot

This Victorian brasserie could very well be a figment of the imagination. It's located in the furthest recesses of the eastside. Beyond bohemianism. — BlackBook

With a lovely garden setting festooned with fairy lights, Justine's is a top spot for wowing a date. — Lonely Planet

Set in a "seriously industrial" neighborhood in East Austin, this "hip" little bungalow serves an "all-out French" brasserie menu highlighting steak frites and duck confit. — Zagat

This downtown landmark offers a slice of Paris with its classic French food and casual bistro ambience, bereft of pretense. — Gayot

"Like a little vacation to Paris", this "cozy" Downtown bistro provides "wonderful", "truly French" fare à la carte or in a "good-value" three-course prix fixe. — Zagat

Low-key and casual, Chez Nous is as unpretentious as they come, and has made many a French food lover trés heureux. — Lonely Planet

This small bistro is a great choice for a quiet lunch or dinner. — Frommer's

Austin's first French bistro, owned by Paris natives, manages to maintain its quiet and cozy atmosphere despite its location mere feet from raucous 6th Street. — Fodor's

The stylish side of Tex-Mex can be found at this hoppin' little cafe, which seamlessly combines a vintage space with modern architecture. — Lonely Planet

South Congress Cafe'€™s surprisingly affordable menu combines Southwestern flair with more European traditions. — Gayot

Upscale cafeteria style Continental fare; Pretty good cocktails, too. — Not For Tourists

A "local favorite" tucked "amid the hipster hangouts in trendy SoCo", this "convivial" eatery serves Southwestern dishes that range from "good to very good". — Zagat

A small, modern establishment in the heart of SoCo that caters mostly to South Austin's leisure crowd, the cafe opens for brunch and dinner. — Frommer's

Three words: smoked salmon ravioli. But don’t let that stop you from tasting the rest of their outstanding menu. Nearly everything is made from scratch and sourced from the neighboring... — On the Grid

"They grow their own veggies" in the garden out back and source from local farms to compose the "amazing", "affordable" American menu at this "charming, cozy" Cherrywood "gem". — Zagat

Take in a leisurely meal at this cozy 1928 bungalow with little rooms painted in peaceful hues of slate blue and vanilla. — Gayot

Ever-changing menu, occasionally made with stuff grown out back. — Not For Tourists

This veteran of Eastside’s “restaurant row” feeds off its own organic garden. The comfy, converted-bungalow dining room suggests the type of place Mom would swoon over. — BlackBook