Best Restaurants in AustinOur favorites include some of this travel destination's best restaurants—from fine dining to simple fare.
Elegant Dinner Settings.
A stained glass ceiling, marble floors and three-story columns distinguish Hyatt The Unbound Collection The Driskill , rivaling the hotel's architectural splendor is the sophisticated cuisine served at its renowned eatery. Utterly elegant, The Driskill Grill is often touted as Austin's finest destination. A first-class waitstaff presents such items as pan-roasted veal, quail with orange curd and pistachio-crusted sea scallops. The culinary brilliance continues well beyond the third course; five- and seven-dish tasting menus are available, as are exquisite desserts.
nycshooter/iStockphoto.com
There's no need to leave town if you're looking for places to eat fresh Florida stone crab. Truluck's operates its own Sunshine State fisheries, transporting the meaty, black-tipped claws (when in season) to Austin in less than 24 hours. Red king crab is delivered from the icy Barents Sea year-round; other recipes emphasizing oceanic flavors include tuna tartare, baked Caribbean lobster tail and salmon drizzled with a jalapeño béarnaise sauce. The restaurant's noted parmesan mashed potatoes go well with a selection of aged Midwestern beef and a bottle from the extensive wine list.
A Fashionable Upscale Eatery
Nestled among the trendy SoCo restaurants just south of downtown, Vespaio Ristorante imparts a casual ambiance accented by upscale amenities. From the mixed seafood grill to delicate veal medallions, the café's meticulously prepared foods yield robust flavors. Wait times are long at this brick-and-glass storefront trattoria, with diners frequently returning for oak-fired pizzas, handmade pastas and fine Italian wines. Reservations are scarce, and on Fridays and Saturdays, seating is first-come, first-served only.
Taste the Texas Classics
iStockphoto.com/NRedmond
Traditional Texan flavors merge with decades-old family recipes at Hoover's Cooking in northern Austin. The heaping platters of comfort food are reasonably priced, so you won't break your vacation budget when you're in the mood for a Cajun ham po'boy or fried chicken smothered in creamy homemade gravy. Choose from such sides as black-eyed peas, Caribbean rice, jalapeño creamed spinach and fried okra. The popular restaurant also offers a huge breakfast menu, freshly-squeezed lemonade and made-from-scratch desserts.
See all the restaurants for this destination.
Austin, TX
AAA’s in-person hotel evaluations are unscheduled to ensure the inspector has an experience similar to that of members. To pass inspection, all hotels must meet the same rigorous standards for cleanliness, comfort and hospitality. These hotels receive a AAA Diamond designation that tells members what type of experience to expect.
Sponsored Listing
Members save 5% or more and earn Marriott Bonvoy™ points when booking AAA/CAA rates!
Austin Marriott Downtown304 E Cesar Chavez St. Austin, TX 78701
Book NowMembers save up to 10% and earn Honors points when booking AAA/CAA rates!
Hilton Austin500 E 4th St. Austin, TX 78701
Book NowMembers save up to 10% and earn World of Hyatt points when booking AAA/CAA rates! Members also receive free breakfast at Hyatt Place/Hyatt House with their World of Hyatt membership!
Hyatt Place Austin Downtown211 E 3rd St. Austin, TX 78701
Book NowCity population
790,390
Elevation
521 ft.
Sales Tax
Municipalities may impose additional rates of up to 2 percent on the statewide 6.25 percent sales tax. Sales tax in the city of Austin is 8.25 percent. A 15 percent tax is levied on hotel rooms.
Emergency
911
Police (non-emergency)
311 or (512) 974-2000
Hospitals
Dell Children’s Medical of Central Texas, (512) 324-0000; St. David’s North Austin Medical Center, (512) 901-1000; St. David’s South Austin Medical Center, (512) 447-2211; Seton Medical Center Austin, (512) 324-1000
Visitor Information
602 E. 4th St. Austin, TX 78701. Phone:(512)474-5171 or (866)462-8784
Air Travel
Austin is served by Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), about 5 miles southeast of Downtown Austin. Minimum fare for taxis leaving the airport is $12.30 for up to 4 passengers.
Rental Cars
Austin is served by major car rental agencies. Arrangements should be made before you leave on your trip; your local AAA club can provide this assistance or additional information. Hertz, (512) 247-7250 or (800) 654-3080, offers discounts to AAA members.
Rail Service
Amtrak train service is provided out of Austin Station at 250 N. Lamar Blvd.; phone (800) 872-7245. Austin is a stop on Amtrak's route known as “The Texas Eagle,” which connects Chicago with San Antonio.
Buses
The Greyhound Lines Inc. bus station, (512) 458-3823 or (800) 231-2222, is at 916 E. Koenig Ln.
Taxis
Taxi companies serving Austin include ATX Co Op (512) 333-5555, Austin Cab (512) 478-2222, Lone Star Cab (512) 836-4900 and Yellow Cab (512) 452-9999.
Public Transportation
Bus and rail service is provided by Capital Metro; phone (512) 474-1200 for information on routes and schedules.
As a AAA member, you'll save even more. Your AAA Travel Agent will check to see if AAA Vacations is combinable with other AAA member benefits, plus cruise and tour past passenger discounts and benefits.