New Restaurants in Austin
Those making their annual pilgrimage to Austin for SXSW this week may be interested to know what’s new in the Austin food scene since last year. The focus of this post is on brick and mortar restaurants; A Mike’s Life covered new food trailers since last year. For more ideas on where to eat in and near Austin, spend some time checking out the Austin Food Blogger Alliance’s Austin City Guide.
Contigo patio by Michelle Cheng
This post isn’t meant to be a comprehensive guide to every new restaurant that has opened over the past year, but it is meant to include some of the most popular spots. We also surveyed members of the Austin Food Blogger Alliance for their recommendations, and the two that received the most votes are starred in the list below. Please note that some of these restaurants have opened since we closed our survey in late 2011.
Contigo Tempura Green Beans by Michelle Cheng
**Contigo: A comfortable, mostly outdoor East Austin bar and restaurant serving small plates, sandwiches, fries, charcuterie plates, and a nice cocktail menu.
Easy Tiger
Easy Tiger: Bake Shop & Beer Garden featuring artisan bread (including baguettes, croissants, pretzels), locally roasted coffee, housemade meats (sausages, corned beef, pastrami), a full bar and more than 30 draft beers.
Bakery at Easy Tiger
El Alma: Chef Alma Alcocer’s (formerly of Jeffrey’s) Mexican-inspired restaurant located on the corner of Barton Springs and Dawson.
Elizabeth Street Cafe
Elizabeth Street Cafe: French Vietnamese restaurant on South 1st and Elizabeth serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Crispy Vermicelli Cakes Brunch Dish
Gourmands: East Austin bar serving sandwiches and soups.
Hillside Farmacy: Can’t wait to try this deli, specialty grocery store, and bar by Sonya Cote of East Side Show Room.
Hopfields: cozy gastropub serving homestyle French food and an interesting beer selection at communal tables.
**Kome: home-style Japanese meals by the couple behind Sushi-A-Go-Go, in a cozy environment at an affordable price.
Kome Ika Ya Grilled Squid by Michelle Cheng
Lenoir: A French-inspired and locally sourced restaurant on S. 1st by Todd Duplechan (formerly of TRIO) and Jessica Maher, where every night is $30 prix-fixe and diners choose their own three courses.
Lucy’s Fried Chicken: James Holmes Southern-fried cooking is getting local love for their fried chicken, deep fried deviled eggs, and more down home-style favorites.
Crudo at Olive & June
Olive & June: An impressive wine and cocktail menu, selection of small, shareable plates, house-made pastas, and comfortable atmosphere make Shawn Cirkiel of Parkside’s newest restaurant a lovely choice for a night out.
Papi Tinos Patio
Papi Tinos: Located in an old house on E. 6th Street, Papi Tinos is a great space for happy hour or dinner while enjoying a margarita and interior Mexican meal on a warm Austin spring evening.
Stiles Switch BBQ and Brew: Located in one of the oldest shopping centers in Austin, Stiles Switch may look familiar — as the space was used for the pool hall scene in the film, Dazed and Confused. I’m hearing good things about their brisket.
Thank you to Michelle Cheng of Foodie is the New Forty for sharing some of her photos with me. What is your favorite restaurant that has opened in the past 12 months? Have you tried any of those listed above?
Tags: AFBA, Austin City Guide, Austin Food Blogger Alliance, contigo, easy tiger, El Alma, elizabeth street cafe, gourmands, hopfields, kome, lenoir, Lucy's, new restaurants, Olive & June, Papi Tinos, stiles switch
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