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Top New Spots for Lunch in Austin

From neighborhood delis to seafood counters and pizza shops, these recently opened restaurants offer reliable, well-priced options for midday dining

Dinner Menu_PC_ Fish Shop (1)
Dishes from the menu at Fish Shop, a new seafood restaurant in East Austin. (Photo courtesy of Fish Shop)

Lunch doesn’t always get the same attention as dinner, but these new Austin restaurants make a strong case for carving out time midday. While not all of these establishments are exclusively open for lunch, each offers an easygoing setting with approachable prices and menus, and all have opened within the past year.

High Road Delicatessen

915 W. Mary St.

If you’re looking for a cozy, comforting lunch in a place that feels distinctly Austin, High Road fits the bill. The Bouldin Creek neighborhood spot operates as a cafe, deli, market and cocktail bar, serving oversized sandwiches and dressed-up sausages alongside sides like cheesy fries, boudin balls and potato salad. There are also salads, a full coffee program and a full bar. The casual space welcomes families and groups, with games and seating designed for lingering over cocktails and comfort food.

Fish Shop

1401 E. Sixth St., Suite 201

Fish Shop, opened by husband-and-wife team Chef Justin Huffman and Nicole Rossi, focuses on seafood sourced through direct relationships with fisheries and purveyors. Lunch is served Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. In addition to oysters and crudos, the lunch menu includes a Little Gem salad with optional shellfish, a bay shrimp Louie roll, a BLTA with anchovy-Calabrian chili mayo, and the Filet O’ Fish Shop sandwich made with fried Pacific rockfish.

An assortment of dishes from Gati’s new all-day breakfast and lunch menu.
An assortment of dishes from Gati’s new all-day breakfast and lunch menu. (Photo by Liz Harroun)

Gati

1512 Holly St.

Long known for its gluten-free and vegan baked goods, Gati has expanded into a full breakfast and lunch destination. Owner Jam Sanitchat, who also owns Thai Fresh, built the all-day menu around dishes inspired by places she has lived and traveled. Menu options range from shrimp and grits and laksa to mushroom congee and chive pancakes. Everything on the menu is gluten-free, with most dishes vegetarian and many available vegan or dairy-free, making it a reliable option for groups with mixed dietary needs.

A plate of smoked meats and sides is served at Parish Barbecue in East Austin.
A plate of smoked meats and sides is served at Parish Barbecue in East Austin. The new food truck offers Central Texas barbecue with Louisiana-inspired flavors. (Photo courtesy of Parish Barbecue)

Parish Barbecue

3220 Manor Road

Parish Barbecue has quickly become one of the most talked-about new barbecue spots in Austin. Owned by Interstellar BBQ alum Holden Fulco, the restaurant puts a Louisiana-influenced spin on Central Texas barbecue. Alongside brisket, pork ribs and sausage, the menu includes pulled duck with spiced cracklins and house-cured ham glazed with Louisiana cane syrup. The restaurant opened in April 2025 behind Batch Craft Beer & Kolaches in the East MLK neighborhood and has already earned a Bib Gourmand distinction in the Texas Michelin Guide.

Mendocino Farms' menu offerings, which opened two Austin locations in fall 2025. (Photo courtesy of Mendocino Farms)
Mendocino Farms’ menu offerings, which opened two Austin locations in fall 2025. (Photo courtesy of Mendocino Farms)

Mendocino Farms

4301 W. William Cannon Drive
1106 W. 38th St.

For a quick, reliable lunch, Mendocino Farms delivers familiar favorites done well. The California-based chain recently opened two Austin locations, offering soups, salads and sandwiches that travel easily through a busy workday. Standouts include the Avocado & Quinoa Superfood Ensalada, the Chicken Pesto Caprese sandwich and Spicy Curried Couscous. The menu is allergy-friendly, with several items that can be made gluten-free or vegan.

(Photo courtesy of Small's Pizza)
(Photo courtesy of Small’s Pizza)

Small’s Pizza

1023 Springdale Road, Suite 1D

A lunch roundup isn’t complete without pizza, and Small’s Pizza fills that role for East Austin. Located at Springdale General, the shop serves classic New Haven-style pies from a curated menu. The 16-inch pizzas are topped with cheese, pepperoni, anchovy or sausage. The menu also includes a chopped romaine salad, a hot fudge sundae, and a beer and wine list.

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