The Top Restaurants by Cuisine in Austin

AMERICAN: This adorable gold and peach-colored cafe, with black and white checkered floors, will take you back in time. Though June’s is from the same team behind Lambert's, Perla’s, and Clark’s, this place is the most low key of the bunch. The menu is American with European accents, and it’s pretty much all good all day. For breakfast, go for the sourdough pancakes or bialy with pastrami smoked salmon, and lucky for us all, the fried chicken sandwich, bone marrow bolognese, and snapper carpaccio are available any time of day.

ITALIAN: This loft-type space—with rough frescos on exposed concrete walls, metal piping, and steel beams—is a creative juxtaposition to the very classic Italian food they’re serving up here (that’s arguably the best around). They have the traditional small plates, a selection of crudos, meat and cheese boards, but also a host of housemade pastas, and a wood-fire grill to cook their meat and fish dishes. It’s all really solid, but the wood-roasted vine tomatoes with burrata starter and the osso buco Milanese are extra special.

SEAFOOD: The team behind Perla’s and June’s All Day is shucking and serving up some mighty tasty (but pricey) oysters, in a fresh, beachy-looking, casual space. They have local seafood, of course, but they also fly in fresh fish from other bodies of water to add to their extensive menu. Clark’s has a selection of caviar and other roe (if that strikes your fancy), and their lobster roll and clams are great picks. They also offer several options under the “fresh catch of the day” section, but the redfish reigns supreme.

JAPANESE: Everything is special about this James Beard Award-winning Japanese restaurant housed in what looks like a little home. The contrast of a cottage exterior with a chic interior of red walls and honey lighting sets the stage for the impressive meal ahead. They have exceptional sushi that they fly in fresh from Japan each day, accompanied by masterful service. This is definitely a place fit for a special occasion. Everything is outstandingly good, so a great option is to go for their very unique “Sake Social” menu—offered on weeknights from 5-6:30—where you can get things from the regular dinner menu for nearly half the price.

SOUTHERN: If you didn’t know any better, you could easily mistake Olamaie’s for someone’s adorable private residence. Inside this white house—with a wraparound porch, window shutters, and beautiful shrubbery—they’re making some of the best upscale Southern food around. Their hush puppies, “hoppin’ John” (beans and eggs), and chicken (served with succotash and a wonderful sauce) are all divine, but the one thing you can’t pass up isn’t even on the menu. Their biscuits are a religious experience and you should order as many as you can eat.

MEXICAN: The extensive use of light birchwood throughout ATX’s space—mixed with curved wooden ceilings—makes it feel airy and reminiscent of a scene from Noah’s Ark. The menu features a lot of shareable dishes like queso fundido, crudos (which you can watch them assemble at their crudo bar), and other Mexican snacks. Even though they’re serving elevated tacos, it’s not at the cost of authenticity. The masa for their tortillas is made using traditional Oaxacan heirloom corn, and if you like crab, you’ll find plenty of it in their jumbo lump crab tostada. Another favorite is their chili roasted chicken, with bacon braised cabbage and a white mole sauce, which is outrageously flavorful.

MEDITERRANEAN: For Mediterranean food right on the water, Tillery delivers big on nature and flavor. They keep their design and menu somewhat simple to let the best of both really shine. By incorporating lots of wood, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a large patio overlooking the Colorado River, the restaurant blends seamlessly into its surroundings. Their menu is made up of mostly veggies, deliciously grilled meats, and pasta, with a few rotating weekly specials. Their hummus (with a great garlic flavor) and Brussels sprouts (that people rave about) are a nice way to start things off, followed by the bourbon-glazed chicken skewers, which are a deeply tasty homage to Texas.