Routinely named one of the best places to live in the U.S. lists, Austin features a vibrant community that continues to attract new residents. With its fantastic weather, wonderful job opportunities, and thriving cultural scene, Austin is the perfect place for young singles, families, and those looking to retire in an area that features a laid-back lifestyle paired with world-class amenities. Do you plan to be in the area to start the search for Austin luxury homes on the market? If so, you can get a better idea of the community by eating at one of Austin’s renowned restaurants. A food lover’s paradise, Austin has everything from down-home barbeque to high-end gourmet restaurants perfect for date night or to celebrate a special occasion. Here are some of the best.
1. Bufalina Due
Love a Neapolitan pizza? Then you need to make plans to go to Bufalina Due when you’re in town to look at Austin real estate. Not only does this popular eatery have innovative pizza concoctions like Vodka Arrabiatta and Red Pie (tomato, chili flake, double parm, double garlic, and oregano), but it also has great munchies like white bean and ricotta dip and antipasti plates. Wine lovers will enjoy Bufalino Due as it has a large selection of affordable wines by glass or bottle. If you decide to buy one of the Austin luxury homes on the market, you can also join the restaurant’s wine club and have curated bottles delivered monthly to your house.
2. The Peached Tortilla
This Allendale hotspot started out as a Southern Asian food truck and gained so much popularity that owner Eric Silverstein was able to open a permanent location. When you visit The Peached Tortilla, you’ll be able to get Asian-inspired comfort food like Crispy Umami Chicken Wings, Banh Mi Tacos, and Southern Fun (braised brisket, kale, bean sprouts, and wide rice noodles). If you’re a brunch connoisseur, you’ll love the classics like avocado toast as well as unique menu options like the Korean Steak & Egg Bowl. The Peached Tortilla is also an excellent choice for happy hour. They offer $7 cocktails like the Blackberry Beret (vodka, blackberry, lemongrass, lime, and soda), $4 tacos, and $5 snacks (the Kimchi Arancini Bowls come highly recommended.)
3. Foreign & Domestic
This New American restaurant describes itself as a “nose-to-tail, farm-to-table dining experience.” Since it was opened by chefs Nathan Lemley and Sarah Heard in 2017, it’s been a favorite of both tourists and those who live in Austin luxury homes. Open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday at 5:30, Foreign & Domestic has innovative menu options such as a Berkshire pork chop served with bloody butcher grits and miso cabbage slaw, Parisian gnocchi, and venison tartare. If you come in at 5, you can enjoy the happy hour with half-price Austin beers and wines by the glass and snacks like popovers with charred onion butter for only $4. Foreign & Domestic also has a Sunday brunch where you can enjoy blackberry and lemon crepes, fried chicken biscuits, and crispy pork and grits.
4. Olamaie
James Beard Award semi-finalist Amanda Turner is the chef behind the fancy Southern dishes at Olamaie. Open seven days a week from 5-10 p.m., this Austin staple serves up a menu that changes daily due to what ingredients are fresh and available. You can expect to dine on interesting dishes like braised beef cheeks served with tomato gravy and grits, Texas-raised beef tenderloin with a side of brown butter sweet potatoes, and red rice with gulf shrimp. Those who like a beverage will also love Olamai’s wonderful cocktail and wine menu. You can enjoy a Whiskey A-Go-Go or a glass of sparkling Brut or California cabernet sauvignon while contemplating whether you have room for a slice of Kentucky butter cake or a cucumber lime sorbet sundae.
5. Better Half Coffee & Cocktails
Coffee, cocktails, and casual comfort food all in a cool space with a large patio? Yes, please! There’s a reason why Better Half was named the 2018 Restaurant of the Year by Eater magazine. From its cardamom clove latte to its draft cocktails and a large selection of beers and wine, there’s a beverage for every taste at Better Half. When it comes to food, you simply can’t do better than a menu featuring chicken biscuits and waffle iron hash browns for brunch, a pastrami sandwich for lunch, or shrimp and crab finger orzotto for dinner. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, you’ll also find a lot to love from their doughnut holes to their cinnamon buns, and more.
6. Franklin Barbecue
When you’re in town to look at Austin real estate, you simply can’t pass up the chance to try their fantastic barbecue. Franklin Barbecue, one of the most talked-about barbecue restaurants in the entire nation, is the ideal place to get your fix. Opening at 11 a.m. every Tuesday through Sunday until they are sold out, Franklin regularly has long lines for their takeout and to dine in, so prepare to wait. Rest assured, their brisket and Tipsy Texan sandwiches, potato salad, slaw, and bourbon banana pie are well worth the wait. If you choose to dine in, you can also pair your meal with a local brew or glass of wine.
Known for its welcoming residents, a multitude of outdoor activities, and collaborative tech scene, Austin will continue to attract those looking to live the good life in Texas. If you plan to join them by purchasing one of the Austin luxury homes on the market, make sure you dine at one of the restaurants on this list while you’re in town. Not only will you get a taste of the local cuisine, but you might also meet a future neighbor! Ready to start your search? Reach out to one of the experienced agents at the Dicker Morin Group for assistance.
