Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Austin

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies 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!

Fabrik

5.0

5 (252)

$50 and over

Vegan

East Austin

About the restaurant

Note: Opentable is up-to-date with our availability. Select "show next available" to see future openings.

Fabrik is the intersect of fine dining and mom & pop restaurant hosted in an intimate micro restaurant space. We offer a 5 and 7-Course tasting at 6pm, and a 7-Course tasting at 8:30pm Wed-Sun. Fabrik's current menu focuses on Japanese, Nordic, and Italian flavor profiles. Fabrik is 100% independently owned and operated.

Led by Executive Chef-Owner Je Wallerstein, Fabrik is Austin’s first 100-percent plant-based tasting restaurant featuring curated menus that highlight the seasonality and diversity of plant-based cuisine in an upscale, sophisticated setting. With sustainability as a priority in our approach, we source produce and ingredients from local growers and provisioners wherever possible. We offer an eclectic selection of vegan, biodynamic and organic wines, including an optional wine pairing. Fabrik also offers saké as well as a range of non-alcoholic options.

Top review

Garett

Dined 1 day ago

Great food, and atmosphere. Went there for my birthday and had a great time! Will be back

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Experience

Autumn 7-Course Tasting | $85

Experience

Winter 7-Course Tasting | $95

Uchi Austin

4.9

4.9 (5429)

$50 and over

Sushi

Downtown

About the restaurant

:: ADDITIONAL RESERVATIONS AVAILABLE ON RESTAURANT WEBSITE ::

Translated from the Japanese word “home,” the original Uchi is located in a refurbished South Austin bungalow. Award-winning Chef Tyson Cole’s signature non-traditional take on Japanese food has delighted Austin’s diverse dining crowd as well as visitors from across the country and around the world since 2003. Reservations are encouraged and can be made up to 1 month in advance. Walk-in seating is limited to the Sushi Bar and is subject to wait times. Patio seating is weather permitting and may be rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. We look forward to serving you, Kanpai!

Top review

Lauren

Dined 5 days ago

Another exquisite visit to Uchi. The service was fabulous from the moment we walked in. We let our server Jessica give us some guidance on our menu for the evening, and her recommendations did not disappoint. The sake tom kha was delicious, with a flavor packed tom kha reduction. We also had an ocean trout nigiri on special that was so delicious, we ordered seconds. We’ll be back!

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4.8

4.8 (6046)

$50 and over

Sushi

Central Austin

About the restaurant

:: ADDITIONAL RESERVATIONS AVAILABLE ON RESTAURANT WEBSITE ::

Uchiko is the sister restaurant to Tyson Cole’s original Uchi. It matches that restaurant’s dedication to food, wine, and service, but it has a Japanese farmhouse aesthetic with crafted materials and warm finishes to round out a completely updated setting. The chef team at Uchiko has created a brand new selection of composed dishes and sushi, taken from ideas and plates created at Uchi. Uchiko is Uchi redefined. Reservations are encouraged and can be booked online up to 1 month in advance. Walk-in bar seating is available and is subject to wait times. Patio seating is weather permitting and may be rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. We look forward to serving you, Kanpai!

Top review

GinaVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Wonderful food, as usual, first time at this location and the noise level is definitely better than Uchi!!

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4.8

4.8 (53)

$31 to $50

Contemporary Mexican

East Austin

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

Shawn

Dined 2 days ago

Service was first class. Beautiful restaurant with really good food and inventive drinks. We had a great time

Nori

4.8

4.8 (304)

$31 to $50

Sushi

Old West Austin

About the restaurant

Plant-based Japanese Cuisine serving sushi, ramen and crafted cocktails. Cozy romantic atmosphere with indoor and outdoor seating available. Come try our best seller Volcano Roll and handmade Shiitake Gyozas.

Top review

KrishnaVIP

Dined 6 days ago

As a lifelong vegetarian, it feels SO GREAT to have this many options on the menu. Thank you Nori for bringing tasty vegan food to Austin.

Soto - South Lamar

4.7

4.7 (1865)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Downtown

About the restaurant

Soto Restaurant is a unique Japanese restaurant located in South Austin. Executive Sushi Chef Andy, has worked as the executive chef in some of the best Japanese restaurants in the world. He now brings his extensive talent to Austin! We offer traditional Japanese cuisine as well as creative spins on some classic Japanese fair. The team now is expanding its reach south. And you can expect huge things from Chef Andy and this excellent team!

Top review

SteveVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Everything about my experience at Soto was excellent. Our waiter was very attentive. The food was delicious and served quickly. The drinks were perfect. I never felt rushed on my date, and I had a wonderful time. I will be back.

Sushi Roku - Austin

4.7

4.7 (70)

$31 to $50

Sushi

Downtown

About the restaurant

A Japanese sushi concept new to Austin, Texas, unites the elements of inventive fusion dishes, hip ambiance and trendy cocktails while offering unparalleled hospitality. Making it a favorite for Los Angeles, Orange County and Las Vegas tastemakers as well as guests from around the world.

Top review

David

Dined on Dec 7, 2024

Our server was so amazing and made sure we had the best experience she possibly could. The quality of food, the vibes, and the whole experience was top tier. Will definitely be back!

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Experience

Say Hello to 2025 at Sushi Roku!

Space Cowboy

4.7

4.7 (286)

$50 and over

American

East Austin

About the restaurant

Where robots serve, flavors rule, and good times reign. Modern kitchen redefining expectations by blending innovative service with elevated dining. Serving globally inspired, made from scratch plates and cocktails.

Our journey began with a simple idea: to venture into uncharted territory, blending robotics with elevated dining to push the boundaries of what a dining experience can be. Our menu is crafted around a spirit of breaking boundaries since, in space, there are no bounds. Each dish and cocktail is an invitation to taste something unexpected—a fusion of cultures, and styles that feels both familiar and surprising.

While our playful robot servers glide by, delivering your food and drinks with a wink toward the future, Space Cowboy is deeply human at heart. Our team is a collection of creators who infuse their own stories and passions into every sip and bite. With love for cultures, and a heart for adventure we share a desire to bring a piece of the future to life.

Top review

Sandy

Dined on Dec 11, 2024

The food was fantastic. The server knew his stuff He had really great information about food and drinks and offered some good suggestions. The only thing I didn’t like was because everything is delivered by a conveyor belt robot I feel like we weren’t checked on as often as we should’ve been, like after food was delivered to make sure everything was Okay. I would suggest a little more attention to the customers. They were not that busy so that wasn’t the reason.

Kemuri Tatsu-ya

4.6

4.6 (24)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Austin

About the restaurant

Japanese izakaya and Texas barbecue are arguably the two best cuisines to enjoy while
drinking. Recognized by the James Beard Foundation and named one of the best restaurants in
the U.S. by Food & Wine, Bon Appétit, GQ and more, Kemuri Tatsu-ya offers a mash-up of the
two, plus an excellent selection of booze—including a ‘whisky bible.’ Guests are welcomed into
the space with an enthusiastic “irasshaimase!” from the staff. The experience only gets better
from there with creative dishes like Taiyaki Cornbread, Brisket Tsukemen and Guaca-Poke.
Bright, tiki-style cocktails, including super-chilled Toki highballs cranked out from a machine, are
an essential part of the experience. Reserve a table today to get a taste of this iconic Austin
restaurant, brought to you by Tatsu Aikawa and the team behind Ramen Tatsu-Ya.

Top review

DanielVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Amazing food and excellent service. Most cocktails are on the (very) sweet side, but sake options are plentiful.

Arlo Grey by Kristen Kish

4.5

4.5 (1716)

$31 to $50

American

Downtown

About the restaurant

Arlo Grey is the LINE's lakeside restaurant by Top Chef winner, host , and cookbook author Kristen Kish. At Arlo Grey, Kish and Executive Chef Alejandro Munoz dig deep into the bountiful ingredients of Central Texas to create a mix of dishes. The restaurant reflects Kristen's playful yet refined cuisine, pulling inspiration from her classical training as a well as nostalgic dishes that highlight her upbringing and love of travel. Come by for a casual, comfortable experience and a menu designed to nourish the soul. Reservations are highly recommended. Valet-parking is available for $10 for 3 hours with validation.

Top review

LaurenVIP

Dined 7 days ago

Oh, man! This place did not disappoint. The crudo, burrata, and rabbit and dumplings were absolutely amazing. We had great service and the vibe is super cool. Very impressed!

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Explore Diners' Choice best of Austin