Best New Restaurants 2018

An average of 100 new restaurants are opening each year in Austin, TX.  2018 saw a slew of newcomers to the scene, bringing everything from interior Mexican food to chicken biscuits.  We’ve rounded up our favorite restaurant additions of the year below!

 

Suerte:  Suerte, opened by Sam Hellman Mass (partner in Odd Duck), on East Sixth Street in March of 2018 to raving reviews, and has since been featured as Bon Appetit’s Best New Restaurants in America list.  It’s just THAT good! The restaurant serves up contemporary vibes, and interior Mexican food with made-from-scratch masa tortillas, ceviche, and their already-famous suadero tacos with brisket and truffle oil.

Menu Highlights:  Suadero Tacos, Aguachile (Royal Red Prawns in Chile Broth), Goat Barbacoa,  and the Masa Roasted Carrots.

 

The Brewer’s Table:  This highly-anticipated restaurant opened in East Austin in April, with its beer program launching shortly afterwards in June.  Everything from the swanky decor, with wooden bars and table tops (crafted by next-door-neighbor: Delta Millworks) will impress guests.  Executive chef, Zach Hunter, adds loads of flavor to his menu with highly innovative takes on farm-to-table dining including house cured meats, flavorful salads, snapper and event toasted barley ice cream.  The beer itself is brewered small-batch by Drew Durish (formerly of Live Oak Brewing) in-house with seasonal infusions.

Menu Highlights:  Swordfish Belly Lardo, Smoked Rabbit Carnitas, Hearth Bread, Barley Ice Cream Cone

 

Loro: Two of Austin’s Top Chefs [ Aaron Franklin + Tyson Cole ] teamed up to open Loro on South Lamar in March of 2018.  The Asian Smokehouse restaurant + bar encourages casual order ahead service + communal dining in its open space. The menu offers up bavette, Franklin-BBQ style brisket, as well as oak-smoked salmon.  

Menu Highlights:  Green Papaya Salad, Garlic Rice Noodles, Chicken Karaage, Smoked Beer Brisket and Smoked Prime Bavette

 

Sour Duck Market:  This is the second restaurant from Odd Duck partner, Sam Hellman Mass, to make our list (and also Bon Appetit’s Best New Restaurants in America)!  Sour Duck Market offers a laid back vibe with locally sourced ingredients and approachable, shareable cuisine. The patio has TVs and games for children + plenty of space for larger groups!

Menu Highlights: Hamburqueso, Croissants, Cookies, Soft Serve

 

JoAnns Fine Foods:  JoAnns opened in early October inside the Austin Motel on South Congress, just in time to catch the massive ACL Festival crowds that took over Austin.  The concept is an extension of the McGuire Moorman Hospitality Group, and is coined as a ‘California Tex Mex Diner’ offering guests everything from tacos & enchiladas to pork loins.  The White Bean Hummus is actually one of my new favorite dishes in Austin, and a must-order if you visit JoAnns. Most Austinites will still know the space as the former home to Austin original, Snack Bar.  The South Congress landscape is changing very, very quickly, but we do love seeing Bunkhouse + McGuire Moorman teaming up!

Menu Highlights: White Bean Hummus, Gulf Shrimp & Octopus Ceviche, Green Chicken Enchiladas

Guild:  North Lamar’s newest restaurant, Guild, is a progressive seafood concept from Chameleon Companies: the team behind Swift’s Attic and Wu Chow.   They aim to provide diners with the freshest local ingredients and even grow their own microgreens and herbs from an on-site garden. The oysters are a must order, and the happy hour is also a great deal with bites ranging from $7-$12.  If breakfast is more your style, they also have a brunch menu that is served every Sunday from 11am-3pm.

Menu Highlights: Oysters from the Raw Bar, Barley Risotto, Brioche *Menu is constantly changing*

 

Il Brutto:  New Waterloo’s latest Italian dining concept opened in March in East Austin with classic Italian dishes and wood fire pizzas.  A highlight was definitely the free limoncello offering at the end of the meal– a traditional digestive to end a meal in Italy.  As with most New Waterloo concepts, the design is impeccable and the service is above average. Brunch is now served here on Saturday and Sunday from 11am-3pm.

Menu Highlights: Burrata, Prosciutto and Arugula Pizza, Butternut Squash Ravioli

 

Hanks:  This coffee shop and cafe serving traditional American Fare opened in April.  The entire space was designed by Claire Zinnecker, a local interior designer known across the United States for her work.  Needless to say, Zinnecker brought the perfect ambiance to the space and it has attracted the likes of every Instagram personality in the city.  The menu compliments it well with many delicious offerings!

Menu Highlights: Brussel Sprouts, Avocado Toast, Garden & Goat Salad, Chantilly Cake

 

Better Half Coffee + Cocktails:  This neighborhood cafe opened near Clarksville earlier this year with an all-day menu featuring American fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  It’s the perfect spot for coffee, and an amazing option for freelancers looking for coffee shop/coworking space. Breakfast seems to be the most popular, but the burger is a hit for lunch and/or dinner.  Burgers are only $5 during happy hour Tuesday through Sunday from 3-6PM.

Menu Highlights: Better Half Breakfast Sandwich, Burger, Coffee + Cocktails

 

Bird Bird Biscuit:  Not necessarily a sit-down restaurant like the rest on this list, but the still very worthy to be on this list.  Bird Bird is the perfect stop for a breakfast biscuit, and the shop was opened by Brian and Ryan, the longtime owner/operators of Austin’s Thunderbird Coffee.  The new concept features a short menu of four sandwich options + three sides all under $10.  Located on Manor Rd… the price is right for a chicken biscuit!

Menu Highlights:  Lovely Day and Queen Beak