A break from the fried food, burgers and pizza near the downtown bars, Koriente offers fresh, healthy food in the heart of the Red River bar scene. Open late on weekends, the Asian-inspired restaurant has a diverse clientele, from health-conscious diners to late-night snackers. The menu features lots of fresh vegetables, noodles and spicy dishes like curries and bibambap. Snacks include summer rolls, tapioca wraps and edamame. To drink, Koriente offers an extensive tea list featuring greens, blacks, reds and herbals. Bubble tea, the chilled drink with delightfully chewy tapioca pearls suspended in it, is also available in a variety of fruit or yogurt flavors.
The Moonshine Grill sits in the oldest building in Austin, and the decor tastefully reflects the same. The sweeping arches and exquisite mirrors on the brick and stone walls, not to mention the warm fire place all make for a cozy setting. The starters everyone raves about are the corn dog shrimp, which are skewered shrimp in cornmeal batter, served with honey and blueberry mustard. The choice entrées are the broiled rainbow trout and Texas flat iron steak. Behind the main restaurant is a refurbished carriage converted into a bar, making the Moonshine Grill an ideal setting, no matter what the occasion.
Take an exquisite lake view, add in a spacious deck, a glass of carrot juice, and a double latte, and what do you have? This king of all coffeehouses, Mozart's Coffee Roasters. Here coffee, drinks, and desserts can all be had in one venue. Sit across the deck and enjoy a yogurt smoothie or an espresso shake. Caffeine addicts and nature enthusiasts can mingle and soak up the view, while music lovers can enjoy live music. This coffee room attracts a varied crowd, from early-morning exercise buffs to late-night conversationalists. Others simply kick back, relax, and smell the coffee.
Enjoy a special evening with elegant New American dishes lovingly prepared by meticulous chefs at the Launderette. The elite venue in East Austin has garnered rave reviews for its sumptuous meals and enjoys steady patronage. The décor is ultra-modern with luxurious leather seats, polished furnishings and upholstery. The food consists of a Prix-fixe menu of four courses featuring dishes like Squid Ink Cavatelli, Boneless Sardine, Rabbit Terrine and French Onion Soup. A separate menu catering to children is also offered.
If you think that Bouldin Creek Coffee House serves only coffee and breakfast, then you're wrong. Boulder Creek serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, but the menu here is strictly vegetarian. For drinks, try the chai latte and the honey lemonade. Leslie Martin, the owner offers the best multi-cultural menu at reasonable prices.
Whip In has Indian-infused breakfast items available until 2 p.m., perfect for late risers. Naan (Indian flatbread), scrambled eggs, cheese and your choice of chutney (a spiced, Indian condiment) makes up the breakfast naan (cilantro chutney is rather appetizing). As if that wasn't enough, they also have an impressive beer selection on tap, a vegan/vegetarian grocery aisle, a wine and beer area, and a tobacconist with Indian candles & incense.
Nestled quaintly inside an early 20th century building, The Swoop House serves some amazing delicacies, which are handcrafted by expert chefs. You not-so-regular restaurant, Swoop House also functions as an event management firm, which hosts family dinners and weekend brunches at the house. The culinary expertise that goes behind the food served here, is truly commendable. Drop in, for one of their exclusive dinner events, and get to witness the rare mix of an eclectic crowd and friendly service. To know more, or to have a look at their upcoming programs, please see their website.
Renowned for its mouthwatering smoked meats and long lines, Franklin Barbecue, in Austin, is a legendary destination for barbecue aficionados. Franklin Barbecue is open only for lunch from 11 a until it is sold out, which is usually even before it opens. This is the reason you'll see a serpentine line outside the restaurant right at 8 a. From perfectly charred brisket to succulent ribs and tender sausages, every bite here is a revelation of flavor. Despite the wait, the atmosphere is electric, with the tantalizing aroma of slow-cooked meats filling the air and creating an unforgettable experience. For those seeking the true essence of Texas barbecue, Franklin Barbecue on East 11th Street is a must-visit culinary pilgrimage.
Jumpstart your day with a breakfast from Paperboy. The small establishment has a limited menu that consists of items like B.E.C Sandwich, Goat Sausage Sandwich and Yukon Potato Hash. The dishes are prepared using locally sourced ingredients. Complement your meals with drinks like cafe beverages from Dallas Roasters. Guests usually praise the restaurant for their kind and prompt service.
Little Deli puts together items like tuna salads, cold roast beef sandwich, meatball sub and Liverwurst, all of which are scrumptious and filling. Pot-roast and sandwich lovers will find plenty to relish on. Don't miss the decadent brownie and chocolate cake on the dessert list. The kind owners make you feel at home even on crowded days and service is usually swift. The atmosphere is always abuzz with more locals than outsiders. As most patrons will testify, the drive to this Little Deli & Pizzeria is worthwhile.
For Austinites, the drive to Pflugerville is worth it to dine at Taste of Ethiopia. Family-run, the restaurant serves lovingly cooked Ethiopian specialties, pleasing both vegetarians and non-vegetarians. Like most Ethiopian restaurants, meals are served family-style at Taste of Ethiopia. Stews are ladled onto a thin round of injera, or Ethiopian sourdough flatbread, on a platter placed in the center of the table along with rolled up injera. Diners pick up morsels of stew with the bread. Delicately spiced, stews range from mild to spicy and include beef, chicken and lentils, along with lots of vegetables. To try a wide selection, opt for a sampler platter or try the lunch buffet, 11a-2p on weekdays.
Located inn the East Austin neighborhood, Micklethwait Craft Meats is a caravan-driven barbecue restaurant. Opened in December 2012, the menu on offer features house-style dishes of sausage, brisket, and sliced pork shoulder along with small plates of Brisket Frito Pie and sandwiches. The in-house specialty of the restaurant is jalapeño cheese grits. The restaurant has been acclaimed in The Austin Chronicle's Beef Rib Smackdown 2014, The Jimmy Kimmel Show, the Cooking Channel's Eat Street, and the Discovery Channel's show Barbecue Paradise along with print media like The Wall Street Journal, Esquire and Texas Monthly.