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Best Authentic Restaurants in South Austin

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64 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Aba - Austin restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(1170)
Price: Very Expensive
• Mediterranean • East Austin
Booked 205 times today
Aba, meaning father in Hebrew, is a Mediterranean restaurant with a California influence. The menu features Chef CJ Jacobson’s modern approach to Mediterranean cooking and the beverage program showcases spirits and rare wines from lesser known Mediterranean regions.
A photo of El Naranjo - South Lamar restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(1192)
Price: Expensive
• Traditional Mexican • South Austin
El Naranjo is an Austin, TX restaurant that is proud to serve up high quality, fresh Mexican cuisine that has an authentic traditional favor. You can always find something interesting on the menu and those who visit often will find that it changes regularly. Some of the typical items you will find on the menu at El Naranjo include guacamole, empanadas, ceviche. In addition, you can enjoy the homemade moles, all of which are made from scratch. El Naranjo is the place to dine for authentic flavor.
A photo of Sammie's Italian restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(1440)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Downtown
Booked 71 times today
Sammie’s is a little taste of old Italy in downtown Austin. It celebrates the great ‘red sauce’ institution—inspired by old school, legendary Italian-American restaurants. The menu offers classic dishes in a casual but sophisticated, retro-designed space that is both lively and comfortable, capturing the essence of a night out at your favorite neighborhood joint. The space consists of a central dining room overlooking Shoal Creek and 6th Street, polished wood bar, Mildred’s Room (a private dining/wine room), and wraparound patio dining area. Please note that patio seating is weather contingent. The menu offers riffs on standards including Housemade Mozzarella Sticks, Clams Casino, and Caesar Salad a la Tommy; timeless pastas like Spaghetti with Meatballs, and Linguine Vongole; and Sammie’s Classics: big portions of iconic plates like Chicken and Eggplant Parmigiana, Veal Marsala, and Baked Manicotti.
A photo of El Alma Cafe y Cantina restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(986)
Price: Moderate
• Mexican • Downtown
Booked 26 times today
Patio seating is first come first serve. Reservations are for indoor dining room only.El Alma Cafe y Cantina is vibrant, homespun take on the authentic flavors of Mexico. Chef Alma Alcocer prepares food as she would cook for you in her home."It"s fun, flavorful Mexican food that is very approachable. It's a casual, authentic representation of the food I grew up eating." - Chef Alma
A photo of The Guest House Austin restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(191)
Price: Moderate
• American • Downtown
Booked 30 times today
Welcome to The Guest House – A new dining destination in downtown Austin. We are redefining the dining experience, infusing timeless classics with a modern twist. Our restaurant is perfect for any occasion, whether it's a casual meet-up, business meeting, or a special celebration.
A photo of Vespaio Austin restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(1729)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Downtown
Booked 44 times today
Vespaio Restaurant is one of the original South Congress eateries and remains one of Austin's favorite Italian go-to's among locals and visitors. This casual dinner venue is a popular choice for date nights or evenings out with friends, seating every day at 5pm. The interior of Vespaio Restaurant is decorated with ceiling tiles, ceiling plans, vintage pendant lighting, classic table seating, a plethora of wine racks and vibrant accent walls.In addition to a full bar menu, Vespaio Restaurant offers a lengthy selection of mouth-watering and flavorful authentic Italian dishes. Menu items include carpaccio, mixed seafood stew, lasagna, mussels, calamari, spaghetti carbonara, chocolate hazelnut cake, panna cotta and green pasta with shrimp. Everything on the menu is sourced locally and prepared in-house, including the pasta, bread and pastries.
A photo of Suerte restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(61)
Price: Expensive
• Contemporary Mexican • East Austin
Booked 108 times today
Suerte is a restaurant inspired by the people, cooking techniques, and flavors of Mexico. Nationally acclaimed Chef Fermin Nunez and his team pride themselves on the use of local ingredients from our beloved farmers to achieve something delicious and uniquely East Austin.
A photo of Eberly restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(1781)
Price: Expensive
• American • Bouldin Creek
Booked 68 times today
Forged from an old print shop on South Lamar, Eberly is a thoughtful collection of dining, drinking and thinking spaces. Austin has always been a gathering place for risk takers, creative types and liberated thinkers to connect and feed off each other’s energy and creativity. We’ve distilled that spirit into one distinctively authentic place. Within Eberly you’ll discover a beautiful dining room offering contemporary American cuisine showcasing timeless favorites that incorporate a modern spin, a welcoming study, a rooftop terrace overlooking downtown, and our crown jewel, the historic Cedar Tavern bar of Greenwich Village in New York City. From our artisan kitchen and bakery, Eberly will serve the highest quality fare using bold flavors and perfectly executed preparation with an emphasis on freshness, seasonality and local availability. Everything served out of Eberly’s kitchen will be made from scratch.
A photo of Nômade restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(461)
Price: Expensive
• Contemporary Mexican • Austin
Booked 37 times today
Nômade provides an authentic taste of the Yucatán, transporting patrons to the region's lush jungles. It offers a menu that's both gluten-free and vegan/vegetarian, sourcing seafood from the Mexican gulf coast. Reviewers frequently comment on the restaurant's unique and authentic flavors, with one saying 'the food is delicious and interesting - flavors are authentic with a twist.' Nômade also offers an ambiance that's described as 'vacation in Mexico' and 'beautiful decor'.
A photo of The Well restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(523)
Price: Moderate
• Contemporary American • Downtown
Booked 43 times today
Located in Austin's iconic 2ND Street District at 440 W. 2nd St., The Well blends top-tier nutrition, local and sustainable farming, and authentic flavors for a culinary experience that redefines healthy food in Downtown Austin.

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See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • Jennifer
    Austin •3 reviews
    4.0
    Dined 2 days ago
    I made a reservation. When I gave them my name, they said I didn’t have a reservation at this location, maybe I had made it at the South. They said that was fine they could clean a table and seat us. This was embarrassing in front of the people I came with. I pulled up the confirmation text that showed the location. The hostess shrugged and said yeah it was this location. If it had been another time of day when it was busy this could have been a problem.
    More info
    El Alma Cafe y CantinaPrice: Moderate• Mexican• Downtown
    4.7
  • Deanna
    Seattle / Eastern Washington •7 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 2 days ago
    Everything lived up to the recommendations I heard that sent me to the restaurant. The environment, the food… it was all great.
    More info
    Aba - AustinPrice: Very Expensive• Mediterranean• East Austin
    4.8
  • ElizabethVIP
    Austin •3 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 5 days ago
    Sammie’s is always the perfect spot for that special occasion!
    More info
    Sammie's ItalianPrice: Expensive• Italian• Downtown
    4.8
  • JentryVIP
    Los Angeles •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 5 days ago
    Everything was perfect. The ambience, the food and the service. I’m picky about cocktails. The Duchess might be the best one I’ve ever had. Brioche bread was a die for, I ate the entire loaf alone. 100 layer cake was stunning and also delicious. This just beat out my number one favorite, Jeffery’s in town.
    More info
    The Guest House AustinPrice: Moderate• American• Downtown
    4.6
  • Patricia
    Vancouver / British Columbia •10 reviews
    5.0
    Dined on Nov 15, 2024
    We were drawn back by the menu descriptions in the February newletter and so started with the La Catrina Negra drink. The marigold flower powder was a very fun addition. The Queso appetizer was wrapped in hoja santa leaves that our server told us were grown in Chef Iliana’s own garden. The Estofado Istmeno was also delicious. The crowning touch was the Tamal de Chocolate with orange blossom ice cream. We like the ice cream so much we ordered an extra bowl. Can’t wait to see the next newsletter to see what we’ll be ordering during our next visit.
    More info
    El Naranjo - South LamarPrice: Expensive• Traditional Mexican• South Austin
    4.8

Discover best authentic restaurants in South Austin

Discover the heart of South Austin's dining scene with a selection of restaurants that epitomize authenticity. Each establishment in this vibrant neighborhood brings a unique flair to their culinary creations, ensuring a memorable dining experience steeped in local culture. These restaurants excel in offering a genuine taste of their respective cuisines, with each location passionately delivering dishes made from high-quality, locally sourced ingredients. The atmosphere in these eateries varies from casual and cozy to sophisticated and innovative, catering to a variety of dining preferences. Patrons can expect not only exceptional food but also attentive service that emphasizes a personal touch, enhancing the overall authenticity of the experience. South Austin itself is celebrated for its eclectic and dynamic dining scene, making it a must-visit destination for food enthusiasts seeking true culinary authenticity. This curated list of restaurants promises to satisfy your cravings with their dedication to genuine flavors and exceptional dining environments.

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