Austin’s Best New Restaurants to Try Right Now
Whether you're looking for a new date-night plan or a laid-back neighborhood hang, these six openings are worth a spot on your list
Austin’s dining scene keeps moving, and the latest openings are already making their mark. Whether it’s a breezy rooftop, an intimate chef’s counter or a cozy spot for biscuits and coffee, these new restaurants bring fresh energy and good food to the table. These are the ones that caught our attention.
Amaya
80 Rainey St.
High above Rainey Street, this Mediterranean-style rooftop restaurant at Paseo feels like a breezy escape to a sunny coastal hideaway. The menu features dips, crisp salads, and flavorful skewers, all designed for sharing around the table. With skyline views and an easygoing vibe, it’s a great place to linger over spritzes and shared plates.
Kappo Kappo
600 W 2nd St.
Kappo Kappo stands out among Austin’s new openings, pairing French technique with the precision and intimacy of Japanese kappo dining for a unique chef’s counter experience. The 11-course tasting menu shifts with the market, offering A5 wagyu, pristine seafood and intricately plated dishes prepared right in front of you at the intimate chef’s counter. The room, designed by Kelly Wearstler, adds to the experience with a warm, modern elegance that keeps the focus on the food and the chefs in motion. From the pairings to the pacing, every detail feels considered, making the meal as engaging as it is delicious.
Lynny’s
1914 E 12th St. Unit A
While Lynny’s isn’t new to Austin, as its Govalle food truck has been a neighborhood favorite since 2023, the team opened its first brick-and-mortar on East 12th Street this fall. The menu sticks to what made the trailer so popular: soft, flaky biscuit sandwiches, housemade fruit compote and playful coffee drinks like a latte topped with Lucky Charms. The new space brings a cozy, diner feel with checkerboard accents and room to settle in, while the original trailer keeps serving its loyal fans on Gunter Street. It’s the same comfort and personality Lynny’s is known for, just with a bit more room to enjoy it.
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VanHorn’s
238 W 2nd St.
Downtown’s newest steakhouse, VanHorn’s, nods to New York dining with prime cuts, classic cocktails and a warm, moody dining room. The menu sticks to the classics, including a solid raw bar with East Coast oysters and seafood towers, plus steaks finished simply with butter and salt. Rotating dishes like steamed Maine lobster and braised lamb shank shepherd’s pie round things out. It’s elevated, comfortable and already shaping up to be one of downtown’s best date-night bets.
Rocco’s Neighborhood Joint
5001 Airport Blvd.
New to Airport Boulevard this fall, Rocco’s is already drawing diners in for simple, satisfying pasta nights. Chef Nicholas Ford, formerly of Sammie’s, focuses on antipasti, a standout Caesar and hearty pastas like casarecce bolognese, rigatoni with vodka sauce and mafaldine with butternut squash and ’nduja. The room has a lived-in warmth with its dark wood, soft lighting and family photos lining the walls. It’s first-come, first-served, which suits its comfortable, true neighborhood feel.
Restaurant François
401 W 3rd St. Suite 100
Restaurant François is the newest addition to Guy and Larry Restaurants’ lineup, blending French technique with a contemporary American menu in the heart of downtown Austin. The open kitchen turns out seafood flown in daily, delicate crudos and classics like lobster Thermidor, stuffed lamb saddle and Wagyu short ribs Bourguignon, along with dry-aged steaks served with tableside sauces. With its deep wine list and beautifully executed plates, it’s a strong new choice for celebrations and nights when you want something a little more special.
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