“Where should I eat in South Austin?” is one of my most-asked questions. With so many people moving south of the river — and so many new restaurants opening to meet them — the food scene down here keeps getting better. This is my updated guide to the best restaurants in South Austin, sorted by cuisine, from decades-old Tex-Mex institutions to the newest openings on South Lamar and South Congress.
SEE ALSO: 59 Best Restaurants In Austin (Updated 2026)
Table of Contents
Tex-Mex & Mexican Restaurants
Magnolia Cafe
A South Congress institution and my go-to for a cozy, come-as-you-are breakfast or a mid-afternoon queso fix. Get the Mag Mud queso — it’s one of the best in South Austin — and the gingerbread pancakes.
1920 S Congress Ave, magnoliacafeaustin.com
Matt’s El Rancho
A true Austin classic, family-run since 1952 and still packed every night. Come for the Bob Armstrong dip, the sizzling fajitas, and a Mexican martini on the big patio. It’s the quintessential old-school Tex-Mex experience.
2613 S Lamar Blvd, mattselrancho.com
De Nada Cantina
The beloved East Austin cantina expanded south, taking over the longtime El Mercado space. Come for bright, fresh Tex-Mex, frozen margaritas, and a fun, colorful patio.
1702 S Lamar Blvd
Habanero Cafe
A family-owned spot that’s been serving breakfast and lunch for over two decades. From the platos de casa, choose flauta, tostada, gordita (my favorite), taco, burrito, carnitas, or barbacoa (another fav). They have menudo, too. Cash only.
501 W Oltorf St, habanerocafe.com
Gabriela’s
A Bouldin Creek favorite for classic, generous Tex-Mex plates and strong margaritas — great for a laid-back dinner on the patio.
9600 S I-35 Frontage Rd Ste. B-500, gabrielasdowntown.com
Fresa’s Chicken
One of my favorite spots in South Austin — the chimichurri skirt steak and citrus achiote chicken are so good, and the frozen prickly pear margarita is a must. The moody evening patio makes it a great date-night pick.
1703 S 1st St, fresaschicken.com
Polvos
A South 1st staple for interior Mexican and killer breakfast — the migas and the salsa bar keep the line out the door on weekends.
2004 S 1st St, polvosaustin.com
Asian Restaurants
Ramen Tatsu-Ya
The most beloved ramen in town, and the South Lamar original is where it all started. Get the Tonkotsu Original and an order of brussels sprouts. There’s almost always a wait — put your name down and grab a drink next door.
1234 S Lamar Blvd, ramen-tatsuya.com
Uchi
Tyson Cole’s James Beard Award-winning Japanese flagship, in a converted South Lamar house. Some of the best sushi in the country — go for omakase, or come for the daily Sake Social happy hour, one of the best deals in Austin.
801 S Lamar Blvd, uchiaustin.com
Kiin
A newer bold, spicy Thai street food spot on South Lamar that I love. The showstopper is the Kua Curry beef rib — a 1.5-lb bone-in beast, slow-cooked till it falls off the bone and drenched in rich red curry with grilled pineapple. Don’t skip the creamy curry crab or the coconut-milk pork ribs kati.
2414 S Lamar Blvd
Loro
The Asian smokehouse mashup from Uchi’s Tyson Cole and Franklin Barbecue’s Aaron Franklin. Order at the counter and grab a spot on the big patio — the smoked brisket, the oak-grilled chicken, and a boozy Yuzu slushie are the move.
2115 S Lamar Blvd, loroeats.com
DEE DEE
A farm-to-table northeastern Thai food truck parked at Radio Coffee & Beer. Authentic, punchy, and one of the best truck meals in South Austin — get the som tum and the khao soi.
4204 Menchaca Rd, deedeeatx.com
888 Vietnamese Restaurant
A no-frills Oltorf favorite for big bowls of pho, vermicelli, and Thai-Vietnamese-Chinese comfort food. Great value and reliably good.
2400 E Oltorf St #1A
Elizabeth Street Café
The pastel-perfect Vietnamese-French café on South 1st. I love eating on the patio with a bowl of pho or the makrut lime fried chicken bún, plus a French pastry for the road.
1501 S 1st St, elizabethstreetcafe.com
Jjim – Korean Braised BBQ
Comforting Korean braised meats and stews in the South Lamar Aldrich complex. The ribeye bulgogi and the braised short rib jjim are tender and deeply flavorful.
1100 S Lamar Blvd Ste 2140, jjimbbq.com
New American & Seafood
Keepers
A cozy coastal seafood spot in far South Austin focused on sustainable, locally sourced fish. Chef Amir’s menu runs from clam linguine and lobster rolls to a daily tostada and fresh oysters.
5701 W Slaughter Ln, keepersaustin.com
Lenoir
A tiny, romantic South 1st gem from Todd Duplechan and Jessica Maher, built around a seasonal, ever-changing menu of hot-weather cuisine. One of the most special-occasion-worthy dining rooms in the city, with a lovely wine garden.
1807 S 1st St, lenoirrestaurant.com
Boni’s Bar
The newest project from the Lenoir team (Todd and Jessica), right next door on South 1st. A charming little natural-wine-and-cocktail bar with an excellent snacky menu — the perfect before or after stop to a Lenoir dinner.
1807 S 1st St
June’s All Day
The all-day South Congress wine bar and café everyone loves. Come for buttermilk pancakes at brunch, the fried chicken sandwich at lunch, and one of the best wine lists (and happy hours) in town.
1722 S Congress Ave, junesallday.com
Odd Duck
A South Lamar institution that grew from a farm-to-trailer stand into one of Austin’s best New American restaurants. The menu changes constantly with the seasons — trust the specials and the shareable small plates.
1201 S Lamar Blvd, oddduckaustin.com
TLC
Build-your-own Texas-style seafood boils in the South Lamar Aldrich complex, plus chicken-fried steak and chicken & waffles. Great for a big group on the patio.
1100 S Lamar Blvd Ste. #1150, tlcaustin.com
Perla’s
South Congress’s iconic seafood-and-oyster patio, wrapped in string lights under the oaks. Order rosé and a tower of fresh oysters, then the Gulf snapper or the po’boy. One of the prettiest patios in Austin.
1400 S Congress Ave, perlasaustin.com
Carpenters Hall
Set inside the mid-century-cool Carpenter Hotel just across the river, this is a stylish, seasonal spot for a sunny patio brunch or an easy dinner. The turkey club on milk bread is a cult favorite.
400 Josephine St, carpenterhotel.com
Burgers, Pizza & Casual
JABS Burgers
Austin’s viral smashburger sensation — and a two-time Burger Bash winner — finally landed its first brick-and-mortar. Expect crispy-edged smash patties and a line worth it. Get the double.
Home Slice Pizza
The South Congress New York-style pizza institution. Grab a foldable cheese slice from the “By the Slice” window next door, or sit down for a full pie and a glass of wine.
1415 S Congress Ave, homeslicepizza.com
Bouldin Creek Café
The funky, beloved vegetarian and vegan spot on South 1st — order the “Wanna-B.L.T.A.” or the veggie chorizo migas tacos, sip a house michelada, and take in the mosaic-covered patio. Peak Austin.
1900 S 1st St, bouldincreekcafe.com
Snooze, an A.M. Eatery
The Colorado breakfast-and-brunch favorite opened its fifth Austin location at Arbor Trails in Southwest Austin. Come for the pineapple upside-down pancakes and a build-your-own Bloody Mary.
Arbor Trails, 4301 W William Cannon Dr
Southern, BBQ & Soul Food
The ABGB
The Austin Beer Garden Brewing Co. is a South Austin classic — award-winning house beer, some of the best pizza in town, and live music on the weekends. Get a pint and the pepperoni.
1305 W Oltorf St, theabgb.com
Mattie’s
A gorgeous historic estate with peacocks roaming the grounds and elevated Southern cooking. One of the most beautiful settings in Austin for a special brunch or date night — get the buttermilk fried chicken.
811 W Live Oak St, mattiesaustin.com
Gourdough’s Public House
Big, indulgent, over-the-top donut burgers and fried comfort food on South Lamar. Come hungry, share a few, and don’t take it too seriously — that’s the point.
2700 S Lamar Blvd, gourdoughs.com
Mediterranean, Indian & More
Evangeline Cafe
A homey hole-in-the-wall for Cajun and Creole cooking off Brodie Lane — gumbo, po’boys, and boudin balls, plus live zydeco. It doesn’t look like much, but the food is the real deal.
8106 Brodie Ln, evangelinecafe.com
Mumtaz Market
From the team behind the dearly missed G’raj Mahal, this South 1st spot serves rich curries, fresh naan, and biryani. The lamb burger is a sleeper hit.
1816 S 1st St, mumtazmarketatx.com
Nala’s
Authentic South Indian off Highway 290 — dosas, curries, and generous portions. Don’t miss the mutton (lamb) biryani.
4894 US-290, nalasusa.com
Coffee & Cocktails
Fortune Teller
One of the most charming new spots in South Austin — a coffee-and-cocktail bar in a restored 1920s cottage on South Congress, with gothic, mystical decor, a string-lit patio, live music, tarot readings, and a rotating food truck. Matcha lattes and remote work by day, espresso martinis and moody vibes by night.
5604 S Congress Ave, fortunetelleratx.com
