Austin

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

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

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

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

Housed in a charming bungalow, his sleek restaurant serving exquisite Japanese cuisine is now an Austin mainstay. — Tasting Table

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

If experiencing “old-school” Austin while copping a seriously superb meal is your goal, then Jeffrey’s is your destination. — Time Out

Homemade pasta, excellent vino, best dessert on SoCo. — Not For Tourists

Where Austin goes to eat the next big thing. — Bon Appétit

Contigo—the mostly-outdoor East Austin restaurant—is modeled after Contigo, the ranch in South Texas. — Travel + Leisure

Lenoir is a very small pre-fixed menu establishment. They have four courses: Field, Land, Sea, & Dream and each course has three options. — Afar Magazine

Elizabeth Street Cafe is the stuff dreams are made of: flavorful Vietnamese food and eye candy in the form of gorgeous design choices everywhere you look. — Time Out

This Tarrytown locale serves up a satisfying lineup of simple, fresh, Italian-inspired fare. — Fodor's

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

Enter Komé and you will find a reasonably-priced restaurant and sushi bar with an extremely friendly staff who will all shout something in Japanese at you as soon as you walk in. — The Infatuation

Seafood, service and panache are pretty as a pearl at this homage to yacht clubs on the Northeast Coast. — Fodor's

"Where the locals go" for breakfast, this "dependable" Travis Heights cocina doles out "solid interior Mexican" cooking in a colorful, art-filled setting. — Zagat

Recently recognized with a James Beard Award, this upscale, modern Southern restaurant impresses outsiders with a bevy of farm-fresh cuisine. — Travel + Leisure

Oysters, martinis, and outdoor seating for the grown-ups. — Bon Appétit

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