Austin’s innovative food scene

While Austin is known for its food trucks and cheap eats, that doesn’t mean the city is devoid of innovative, delicious sit-down eateries. In fact, ATX has become one of the United States’ most interesting and progressive food cities, with young chefs opening some of the country’s best new concepts.

TETELA, a triangle-shaped stuffed taco filled with green corn masa, bacon refried beans, beef tongue and triple cream cheese. Suerte

Constantly on best new restaurant lists in 2018, this modern Mexican eatery has much to offer in terms of both style and flavor. From its bright pastel interiors to its traditional-but-with-a-twist homage to Mexican food, Suerte is basically a perfect little establishment. Its tetela, which can be best described as a triangular, stuffed, toasted, soft taco, is filled with soft beef tongue and creamy cheese. A beautiful octopus tostada uses pumpkin seed macha for crunch, and chili urfa for an earthy kick. End the meal with their version of a blondie made with yellow corn masa, topped with butternut ice cream.

If you think Texan food and Japanese food would make the weirdest food combo ever, then the chefs at Kemuri Tatsu-ya will prove you wrong. The Japanese folks are responsible for Austin’s favorite ramen shop, and have brought their wits to this izakaya that is full of smart ideas. Its BBQ Tsukemen replaces chashu with fatty brisket, and uses the flavors of barbecue sauce to make a sweet, sour ramen broth. Its Hot Pocketz use beancurd skin to enrobe an unholy marriage of brisket and cheese.

White Sonora Ravioli, Mangalitsa Pork, Winter Onion, Rutabaga, Mustard. Emmer & Rye

If you’re looking for fresh ingredients and the best example of New American cooking, then try this sunny, glass-enclosed restaurant along Austin’s popular Rainey Street. Chef Kevin Fink has become known for his affinity for the most local products. Everything here was wonderfully thought out, from a dry-aged beef crudo covered in chive sabayon with puffed wheat berries, to the exceptional handmade pastas (we loved both the white Sonora ravioli and the rigatoni with year-old crab amino). The desserts were the most memorable part of the meal: a floral wild bay laurel ice cream sat upon yaupon ice and wildflower syrup, while a tart and sweet tangerine sorbet was covered in salted cream. It even has a “dimsum-style” cart roving around dinner, housing impressive small bites.

Matzo Ball Caldo with poached chicken, vegetables, avocado and jalapeños. June’s All Day

June’s All Day has become one of the most popular restaurants in Austin thanks to its location along the city’s chicest street. It’s best to come for brunch when the area’s colorful shops are open, and you can take a seat at its outdoor patio. The food is as light and breezy as the restaurant, with things like a warm Matzo Ball Caldo taking front and center. Their snapper carpaccio embodies summer with its light vinaigrette and use of fruits, and a heftier bolognese uses hand-cut, silky pasta to make a statement.

1722 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704, USA

Gouda with brisket in beancurd skin. Sour Duck Market

This was easily one of my favorite places in Austin, purely because of Sour Duck Market’s interiors — exteriors, actually — and atmosphere. This place embodies the warmth of Austin’s people and captures the city’s quiet effervescence. The communal seats are all outdoors, and surround fireplaces, and a huge area for kids to play in. We went at brunch time, and the menu is succinct but really, really tasty, like an excellent fried chicken terrine that was punctuated by house-made ranch sauce and pickled cauliflower.

1814 E Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Austin,

Austin’s version of The Grid brings together some of the city’s favorite spots; for example, Emmer & Rye, mentioned above, has a fast casual concept called Henbit in the uptown food court. Popular restaurant Dai Due has a taqueria in the space which is known for the care they put into crafting their tortillas, some of which use blue corn masa.