Diners' Choice: Best Ambiance restaurants in Austin

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best ambiance in Austin? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Sushi Bar ATX

5.0

5 (24)

$50 and over

Sushi

East Austin

About the restaurant

Step into the extraordinary world of Sushi | Bar ATX, an intimate Omakase speakeasy that invites you to embark on a whimsical culinary journey presented through 17 exquisite courses.

Behind an unmarked door in East Austin, you'll discover a hidden gem featuring two intimate dining rooms, each boasting only 10 coveted seats. Positioned directly in front of our chefs' cutting boards, experience a free-spirited interpretation of the traditional sushi counter, where beloved standards receive unexpected and delightful riffs. Throughout your dining experience, our talented chefs will guide you through a captivating culinary journey, showcasing interpretive new takes on traditional nigiri sourced from both land and sea.

Reserve your seat today and unlock the extraordinary world of Sushi | Bar ATX, Austin's premier Omakase experience.

Top review

Nick

Dined on Dec 3, 2024

Best omakase in Austin hands down. The experience is intimate and full of flavor

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Experience

Chef's Counter Omakase

Cuvée Wine & Piano Bar

4.9

4.9 (32)

$31 to $50

Wine Bar

Fredericksburg

About the restaurant

Charming Wine and Piano Bar right on the heart of Main Street, Fredericksburg! We offer educational wine flights from across the globe. Also enjoy by the glass and bottle options. Don't forget our LIVE piano bar every Friday and Saturday from 6-9pm!

Top review

Linda

Dined 7 days ago

Pretty crowded so the waitstaff was a bit slow. Apps we ordered, olive plate was nothing special. Very cute venue, nice vibe.

Goldie's

4.9

4.9 (129)

$31 to $50

Cocktail Bar

Downtown

About the restaurant

Goldie’s is an intimate cocktail bar on the ground floor of the Austin Proper Hotel & Residences, helmed by Austin locals McGuire Moorman Hospitality. Goldie’s serves as an elegant and vibrant setting for a posh celebration, sophisticated drinks, or a romantic evening out — open to Proper’s hotel guests and residents only. The focal point of the room is a marble sunken bar, surrounded by a plush array of tweed and velvet seating. Seasonal cocktails will rotate based on ingredient availability, while a classic martini, Pink Lady Champs-Élysées, and other favorites are menu mainstays.

Top review

HollyVIP

Dined 3 days ago

The most fabulous high tea in Texas!!!!!! So good, fresh, fancy, tasty!!!! Expensive but you are getting what you pay for. Loved it!!!!!!!

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Experience

New Year's Eve at Goldie's

Sushi Endo

4.9

4.9 (74)

$50 and over

Creative Japanese

Old West Austin

About the restaurant

For only $150 a seat for a limited time, experience the exquisite craftsmanship of Chef Endo Yasuhiro's 20-course omakase at our establishment, a collaboration with the renowned Sushi Nakazawa of Washington D.C. and New York City fame. Indulge in a culinary journey meticulously curated by Chef Endo, showcasing the finest ingredients and traditional techniques.

Enhancing your dining experience, our custom bar features an impressive selection of rare Japanese whiskies, top-rated sake, and artisanal beers sourced from both local and Japanese breweries. Immerse yourself in the rich flavors and cultural heritage of Japan as you savor each sip and bite.

To further entice your palate, please note that our menu changes daily, ensuring that you experience the freshest and most seasonal offerings handpicked by Chef Endo himself. Join us and embark on a culinary adventure like no other.

Top review

HarshivVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Everything from the food to the service was amazing. I loved the Uni and Toro nigiri’s the most. The service was great and very attentive. I will definitely be coming back.

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Siena Ristorante Toscana

4.7

4.7 (2622)

$31 to $50

Italian

Northwest

About the restaurant

For over 20 years Siena has been Austin’s premier destination for authentic Tuscan cuisine. Locally owned and operated Siena's owners wanted to share their love of Tuscany with Austin diners. Utilizing the talents of long time veteran of the Austin food scene, Chef Harvey Harris, Siena's goal is to transport the dinner from the hills of North Austin to the rolling hills of Toscana. Chef Harvey received his Master's Chef in Italian cuisine while attending culinary school in Piedmonte Italy, but his heart is in Tuscany where he lived and worked. All food at Siena is prepared to order, pasta is made fresh daily as well as all stocks and sauces. Our food is complemented by an award-wining wine cellar and served in rustic, elegant surroundings of thick stone walls and tall wood-beamed ceilings. Whether visiting for happy hour, special event, or a romantic evening, experience the welcoming charm of Tuscany close to home.

Top review

Sergio

Dined 1 day ago

Good experience, the server lady was great, she gave us a couple good suggestions , very kind and attentive. Was a good experience overall!

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4.7

4.7 (88)

$31 to $50

American

Driftwood

About the restaurant

Now Open! Located at the entrance to the Hill Country in Driftwood, Texas, Whiskey Ridge will serve elevated home-style offerings featuring Texas meat and fresh Gulf Coast Seafood cooked over our coal fire grill. At the heart of the restaurant, our bar will spotlight hand-selected whiskeys as well as craft cocktails. We hope you’ll join us on the wrap-around porch for a drink, take in the scenic Hill Country views, and enjoy some Texas-style hospitality.

Top review

Nadja

Dined 5 days ago

Went for a nice Christmas Eve dinner and it didn't disappoint! All of the staff were wonderful and the food superb.

Pecan Square Cafe

4.9

4.9 (535)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Downtown

About the restaurant

Pecan Square Café, located in the heart of Clarksville, serves simple, seasonal food inspired by our home in Austin. With a focus on market driven ingredients and an evolving roster of dishes, the menu is straightforward but elevated. The beverage program delivers dynamic variations on classic cocktails, with an approachable and sophisticated wine selection. Open for lunch, brunch, and dinner seven days a week. Service is easygoing, warm, and casually elegant.

Top review

Teagan

Dined 3 days ago

Where do I begin!? I adore this restaurant. The ambiance is so delightful, the food delicious, and the service is always top tier. I love that the menu changes seasonally. Will always return, truly an Austin favorite.

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Experience

Happy Hour | Monday - Friday

J Carver's

4.9

4.9 (1938)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Downtown

About the restaurant

J Carver's Oyster Bar & Chophouse features market fresh oysters & premium wood grilled steaks. Nestled in West 6th District of Downtown Austin, John Carver, Owner and Chef delivers an elevated classic fine dining experience featuring a gorgeous raw & oyster bar and intimate dining experience.

In order to honor all reservations booked, we ask that all bookings adhere to our suggested dining time frame. Please contact our reservationist if you have additional questions. Our time frames are as follows
2 people - 2 hours
3 people - 2 hr 15 minutes
4-5 people - 2 hr 30 minutes
6-7 people - 2hr 45 minutes
8+ people - 3 hours

Please reach out to our reservationist for private dining.
We offer Valet at $12 daily

Top review

ChelseyVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Amazing Christmas Eve dinner! We loved our table and the atmosphere was perfect!

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Popular dish

Beef Filet Steak Tartare

Truluck's - Ocean's Finest Seafood & Crab - Austin Downtown

4.8

4.8 (5185)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Downtown

About the restaurant

Truluck's, a premier dining destination since 1992, offers high-quality seafood and exceptional service with a commitment to sustainability. Renowned for its Florida Stone Crab, Truluck's ensures this delicacy goes from trap to table in 24 hours during its October to May season. Under Corporate Executive Chef Thomas Dritsas, the menu features fresh seafood and prime steaks, complemented by an extensive beverage program. Adhering to Ocean Conservancy guidelines, Truluck's supports sustainable practices and community initiatives. With 12 locations and a dedicated team, Truluck's creates remarkable dining experiences. Reservations can be made online or via OpenTable.

Top review

Christine

Dined 2 days ago

Such a beautiful restaurant and wonderful ambiance! Everything we ordered was delicious!

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World Class Carrot Cake

Tillie's- Dripping Springs

4.6

4.6 (1553)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Dripping Springs

About the restaurant

Much like the family property where it’s located, Tillie’s menu takes what’s familiar and infuses it with an array of innovative international flavors, creating a new set of rules for cuisine in Central Texas. Join us for a modern interpretation of classic gourmet dishes and a celebration for what lies ahead.

The concept behind our award-winning dining experience can be described as “American Nouveau" cuisine that borrows cooking traditions and techniques from all around the world to create something new and exciting.

Through its breathtaking architecture and innovative menu, Tillie’s lives the American Nouveau concept. The restaurant’s building, a repurposed town hall from the Ninh Binh region of Vietnam, is the physical embodiment of an experience that takes inspiration from history and cultures.

Top review

Ashley

Dined 7 days ago

What a treasure! We had tea today for the first time as a Christmas celebration and cannot wait to come back!

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