7 Fascinating Restaurants Breaking New Ground in Austin’s Dining Scene

Post originally Published April 25, 2024 || Last Updated April 26, 2024

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7 Fascinating Restaurants Breaking New Ground in Austin's Dining Scene - Stella San Jac - Savoring Modern Southern Delights


Stella San Jac, a modern Southern restaurant in downtown Austin, has emerged as a standout on the city's dynamic dining scene.

With its flavor-forward dishes, expertly crafted cocktails, and lively ambiance, the establishment has captivated local and visiting foodies alike.

The menu's creative spin on Southern classics, such as pecan praline French toast and short rib grilled cheese sandwiches, has earned Stella San Jac a well-deserved 4.5-star rating on TripAdvisor.

Stella San Jac's menu features a unique blend of modern and traditional Southern flavors, with dishes that showcase the region's diverse culinary heritage.

The restaurant's chefs have meticulously crafted a menu that pays homage to classic Southern dishes while adding innovative twists and contemporary presentations.

The restaurant's bourbon and whiskey selection is curated by a team of expert mixologists, offering patrons an extensive range of high-quality spirits and creative cocktails.

Stella San Jac's bourbon and biscuits tasting menu on Thursdays has become a local favorite, providing a unique opportunity to explore the nuances of these beloved distilled spirits.

Stella San Jac's eclectic decor and lively ambiance create a vibrant dining experience that transports guests to the heart of Austin's dynamic culinary scene.

The restaurant's design features a harmonious blend of rustic and modern elements, reflecting the city's blending of old and new.

The restaurant's commitment to sourcing locally grown and sustainably produced ingredients is evident in the quality and freshness of its dishes.

Stella San Jac collaborates with regional farmers and purveyors to ensure that its menu offerings showcase the best of the local food ecosystem.

Stella San Jac's innovative approach to Southern cuisine has earned it a reputation as a trailblazer in Austin's dining landscape.

The restaurant's creative interpretations of classic dishes and its dedication to culinary excellence have attracted a loyal following of discerning diners.

The restaurant's convenient location within the Westin Hotel in downtown Austin allows for seamless integration with the city's thriving hospitality industry.

Stella San Jac's private dining options and online ordering and delivery services cater to the diverse needs of both local residents and visitors to the area.

What else is in this post?

  1. 7 Fascinating Restaurants Breaking New Ground in Austin's Dining Scene - Stella San Jac - Savoring Modern Southern Delights
  2. 7 Fascinating Restaurants Breaking New Ground in Austin's Dining Scene - Banger's Sausage House & Beer Garden - A Lively Celebration of Craft Beers and Artisanal Sausages
  3. 7 Fascinating Restaurants Breaking New Ground in Austin's Dining Scene - Kemuri Tatsuya - East Austin's Fusion of Culinary Worlds
  4. 7 Fascinating Restaurants Breaking New Ground in Austin's Dining Scene - Cisco's Restaurant & Bakery - An East Austin Staple Since 1943
  5. 7 Fascinating Restaurants Breaking New Ground in Austin's Dining Scene - Vince Young Steakhouse - Locally Sourced Flavors and Happy Hour Delights
  6. 7 Fascinating Restaurants Breaking New Ground in Austin's Dining Scene - tommie - A Micro Lifestyle Brand with Unique Dining Experiences

7 Fascinating Restaurants Breaking New Ground in Austin's Dining Scene - Banger's Sausage House & Beer Garden - A Lively Celebration of Craft Beers and Artisanal Sausages


But the real draw lies in its expertly crafted, in-house artisanal sausages, ranging from traditional favorites to innovative vegetarian options.

With a spacious patio area and a live music stage, Banger's has become a popular gathering spot, attracting both locals and visitors alike.

The restaurant's commitment to quality, evident in its homemade sausages and extensive beer menu, has earned it a loyal following and a strong reputation within Austin's dynamic dining scene.

Banger's is home to one of the largest selections of craft beers on tap in the United States, boasting over 200 different varieties sourced from local and regional breweries.

The restaurant's sausage menu features over 20 unique and artisanal varieties, including exotic options like kangaroo, rattlesnake, and wild boar, all made in-house using traditional techniques.

The restaurant's expansive outdoor beer garden can accommodate up to 350 patrons, making it one of the largest alfresco dining spaces in Austin's vibrant Rainey Street district.

In addition to its sausage and beer offerings, Banger's operates an on-site smokehouse that slow-smokes and open-fires a variety of meats, adding a unique layer of flavor to its culinary creations.

The restaurant's off-leash dog park, complete with water bowls and shaded areas, has made it a popular destination for Austin's four-legged friends and their owners.

Banger's has been recognized by industry publications such as The Infatuation and Austin City Guide for its innovative approach to classic sausage and beer pairings, showcasing the depth and diversity of its menu.

7 Fascinating Restaurants Breaking New Ground in Austin's Dining Scene - Kemuri Tatsuya - East Austin's Fusion of Culinary Worlds


7 Fascinating Restaurants Breaking New Ground in Austin’s Dining Scene

The restaurant's creative menu features dishes that seamlessly combine ingredients and techniques from both culinary traditions, such as Sweet and Sour Mozuku Shooter and BBQ Tsukemen with Brisket, earning it positive reviews for its innovative approach to fusion cuisine.

Kemuri Tatsuya is the first restaurant in Austin to successfully blend traditional Japanese izakaya-style dining with authentic Texas barbecue techniques.

The result is a unique fusion of flavors that has captivated food critics and diners alike.

The restaurant's co-owners, Tatsu Aikawa and Takuya Matsumoto, spent years perfecting the precise temperature and smoking times required to achieve the perfect balance between tender brisket and the delicate, umami-rich flavors of Japanese ingredients like ponzu and amazuke pickles.

Kemuri Tatsuya's signature dish, the BBQ Tsukemen with Brisket, features housemade ramen noodles served alongside slow-smoked brisket that has been marinated in a blend of soy sauce, mirin, and sake, creating a harmonious interplay of East and West.

The restaurant's innovative use of a traditional Japanese taiko drum as a serving vessel for its Sweet and Sour Mozuku Shooter has become an Instagram-worthy spectacle, drawing in curious diners and food enthusiasts.

Kemuri Tatsuya's Taiyaki Cornbread, a fusion of a classic Japanese fish-shaped cake and Southern-style cornbread, has been lauded by critics as a masterful example of culinary creativity and cultural blending.

The restaurant's back patio, adorned with string lights and Japanese lanterns, offers a serene and inviting atmosphere, creating the perfect setting for guests to savor the unexpected flavors of Kemuri Tatsuya's menu.

The restaurant's use of high-quality, locally sourced ingredients, such as Texas-grown produce and heritage-breed pork, has been a key factor in its success, showcasing the wealth of culinary resources available in the East Austin community.

7 Fascinating Restaurants Breaking New Ground in Austin's Dining Scene - Cisco's Restaurant & Bakery - An East Austin Staple Since 1943


Cisco's Restaurant & Bakery, an East Austin institution since 1943, has weathered the changing tides of the city's dining landscape with its unwavering commitment to traditional Mexican flavors and warm hospitality.

Despite the evolution of the neighborhood around it, Cisco's has maintained its appeal as a cultural cornerstone, serving classic breakfast and lunch dishes alongside innovative culinary creations that continue to delight both longtime locals and newcomers to the area.

With over seven decades of history behind it, Cisco's has solidified its place as one of the most intriguing and enduring restaurants in Austin's dynamic culinary scene.

The restaurant's original name was Cisneros Bakery, named after its founder, Rudy Cisneros, who opened the business primarily as a bakery before expanding into a full-service restaurant.

Cisco's has been recognized for its exceptional Tex-Mex cuisine, with its classic breakfast tacos and enchiladas being consistently lauded by local food critics and diners.

The restaurant's signature dish, the "Cisco Special" plate, features a combination of two cheese enchiladas, one beef taco, rice, and refried beans, a menu item that has been a customer favorite for over seven decades.

Cisco's is one of the few remaining restaurants in Austin that still prepares its tortillas, both corn and flour, fresh in-house on a daily basis using traditional methods.

The restaurant's original location on East Sixth Street was destroyed in a fire in the 1960s, but Cisco's was quickly rebuilt at its current address on East Cesar Chavez Street, cementing its place as an East Austin landmark.

Cisco's has maintained a low-key, casual atmosphere throughout its history, with its interior decor featuring vintage signs, photographs, and memorabilia that pay homage to the restaurant's long-standing presence in the community.

Despite the rapid gentrification and development that has transformed much of East Austin in recent years, Cisco's has managed to retain its authentic, neighborhood-centric charm, attracting a loyal following of both longtime residents and newcomers to the area.

The restaurant's enduring success can be attributed in part to its commitment to using high-quality, locally sourced ingredients, including produce from nearby farms and meat from regional suppliers, ensuring the consistent quality of its Tex-Mex specialties.

7 Fascinating Restaurants Breaking New Ground in Austin's Dining Scene - Vince Young Steakhouse - Locally Sourced Flavors and Happy Hour Delights


7 Fascinating Restaurants Breaking New Ground in Austin’s Dining Scene

Vince Young Steakhouse is a highly acclaimed, locally owned fine dining restaurant in the heart of Austin, Texas.

Known for its USDA prime steaks, elegantly composed entrees, and house-made desserts, the restaurant offers an impressive dining experience.

The restaurant also features a vibrant happy hour from 5 to 7 pm, offering special food items for $10, discounted beers, wine, cocktails, and premium well drinks.

Vince Young Steakhouse sources its beef from a small, family-owned ranch in the Texas Hill Country, ensuring each steak is of the highest USDA Prime quality.

The restaurant's signature steak, the "Vince Young Ribeye," is dry-aged for a minimum of 28 days, resulting in an exceptionally tender and flavorful cut of meat.

In addition to classic steak dishes, the menu features inventive fusion items, such as a Thai-inspired beef carpaccio with lemongrass, mint, and crispy shallots.

The restaurant's mixologists have created a unique cocktail menu that incorporates locally sourced ingredients, such as honey from urban beehives and seasonal fruit purees.

During happy hour, Vince Young Steakhouse offers a selection of $8 craft cocktails, including a popular espresso martini made with locally roasted coffee.

The restaurant's dessert menu features a decadent "VY Chocolate Bomb," a molten chocolate cake with a warm, gooey center and a scoop of house-made vanilla ice cream.

Vince Young Steakhouse's private dining room can accommodate up to 40 guests and is a popular choice for corporate events and special celebrations.

The restaurant's commitment to sustainability is evident in its practice of composting food waste and using energy-efficient appliances in its kitchen.

Vince Young Steakhouse has been recognized by various local and national publications, including Texas Monthly and Zagat, for its exceptional service and culinary excellence.

7 Fascinating Restaurants Breaking New Ground in Austin's Dining Scene - tommie - A Micro Lifestyle Brand with Unique Dining Experiences


Tommie is a micro lifestyle brand that offers unique dining experiences in downtown Austin, Texas.

The brand is associated with the Thompson Austin hotel and the tommie hotel, both of which feature a variety of dining options, including the Grey Diner Bar, Grey Market, and the Wax Myrtle's rooftop restaurant, bar, and pool.

The Coffee Bar at tommie serves award-winning coffee, while the hotel's location near 6th Street provides easy access to other notable dining spots, such as Dai Due and Moonshine Grill.

With nightly rates starting at $199 and a convenient proximity to the Austin Bergstrom International Airport, tommie Austin presents a compelling dining and hospitality experience in the heart of the city.

Tommie is a micro lifestyle brand that originated in the Thompson Austin hotel, which has 212 rooms and suites, and the adjacent tommie hotel, which has 193 king guest rooms.

Wax Myrtle's at the tommie hotel offers cocktails, seasonal fare, and a stunning view of the Austin skyline.

The Coffee Bar at tommie serves award-winning coffee from Greater Goods Coffee Roasters, a local Austin roastery.

Tommie Austin is strategically located near 6th Street in downtown Austin, within close proximity to other unique dining destinations like Dai Due and the Moonshine Grill.

The tommie Austin hotel is situated approximately 15 minutes from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, providing convenient access for both local and visiting diners.

Inspired by the rich culinary heritage of the American South and the vibrant culture of Austin, the restaurant at tommie features a menu that includes crispy chicken sandwiches, cheesy grits, and other locally-inspired dishes.

The Thompson Austin, which combines the Thompson and tommie experiences, offers a diverse range of dining options, including an unmatched rooftop bar, pool, and restaurant.

Tommie Austin's location in the heart of downtown puts it in close proximity to several acclaimed restaurants, such as the meat-centric Dai Due and the Southern comfort food-focused Moonshine Grill.

The Coffee Bar at tommie has been recognized for serving award-winning coffee from Greater Goods Coffee Roasters, a local Austin roastery known for its high-quality and ethically sourced beans.

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