Roxie’s, a new concept from Salt Lick BBQ’s owner Scott Roberts, pays tribute to his late grandmother, Roxanna.
Courtesy Garrett Smith
Here’s what’s cookin’ up in Central Texas! Texas’ food scene has garnered plenty of love from residents and tourists alike, especially as the Lone Star State has grown and more restaurants have resonated in the culinary zeitgeist. Here’s a look at some of the new restaurants in the Austin area this year that have earned plenty of buzz.
Ēma
Texas French Bread, located at the intersection of 29th and Rio Grande streets in Austin, is set to reopen this spring, more than four years after a devastating fire.
Kelsey Thompson/MySA
Austinites who are fans of Mediterranean food can look no further than Ēma, a new North Austin eatery and the culinary sister of South Austin’s popular Mediterranean outpost, Aba. Opened in the Domain Northside in late January, Ēma’s menu includes mezze, Meditarranean small plates, kebabs and an array of hummuses and dips.
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Find it: 3120 Palm Way, Suite 170, Austin, TX 78758
Roxie’s
Barbecue enthusiasts of The Salt Lick BBQ in Driftwood have a new culinary exploration they can set their sights on. Salt Lick owner Scott Roberts pulled inspiration from his grandmother, Roxanna, with Roxie’s, his latest restaurant that opened in late January in Buda. The eatery pays tribute to Roxanna both through the Southern comfort restaurant’s name and reimagination of some of her acclaimed recipes as part of the menu.
Find it: 308 S. Main St., Buda, Texas 78610
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Roya
A slice of Persian culture is right here in the Texas capital via Roya, a Persian restaurant that opened in North Austin in mid-February. Its menu features traditional spreads and appetizers, slow braised beef, lamb and chicken plates, vegetarian dishes, kebabs and shareable plates.
Find it: 7858 Shoal Creek Blvd., Suite C, Austin, TX 78757
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Tzintzuntzan
From the masterminds behind Fonda San Miguel comes Tzintzuntzan, an upscale Mexican cafe and panadería that opened in Central Austin’s North Loop neighborhood in late February. Its curated menu highlights regional breakfast and lunch offerings, in-house Mexican baked goods, homemade ice cream and specialty drinks.
Find it: 2302 W. North Loop, Austin, Texas 78756
Oria
Self-described as a “Mediterranean secret garden,” Oria opened in late February off of one of South Austin’s prime corridors: Barton Springs Road. Menu selections include wood-fired pita, hummus and dips, raw bar offerings, veg-friendly salads, shareable plates as well as main entrees like lamb and chicken skewers, Wagyu meatballs, roasted sea bass and steak.
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Find it: 1530 Barton Springs Road, Austin, TX 78704
The garden of Texas French Bread is back open in Austin after a devastating fire destroyed the more than 40 year old bakery.
Photo courtesy of Texas French Bread
Austin Oyster Co.
After years of catering events, pop-ups and private parties, Austin Oyster Co. officially planted roots and launched its East Coast-inspired oyster bar in East Austin in late March. Its menu blends a range of oyster selections with its raw bar add-ons, caviar services, lobster rolls, Texas Wagyu burgers, swordfish steak frites and curried mussels from Maine.
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Find it: 2502 E. Cesar Chavez St., Austin, TX 78723
Only the Wild Ones
An outdoor listening bar blended with a wine garden? How apt for the Live Music Capital of the World. Only the Wild Ones opened in South Austin in early May as a third outpost for the business concept, joining existing bars in Venice and New York. The bar’s menu marries together aperitivos with specialty cocktails, house wines, beers and non-alcoholic drinks, while also serving up elevated bar snacks, small plates and desserts as part of its accompanying food menu.
Find it: 1600 S. Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78704
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SugarWolf
SugarWolf, a from-scratch bakery, coffee bar and kitchen service, opened off Fourth Street in downtown Austin in early May. Its pastries and breads are offered from 7 a.m. until they are sold out, accompanied by specialty breakfast sandwiches and breads, lunch sandwiches and salads alongside specialty drinks like the smoked raspberry latte, a dirty latte prepared with Mexican Coke and a black sesame matcha.
Find it: 401 W. Fourth St., Suite 120, Austin, TX 78701
Texas French Bread
More than four years after a devastating fire destroyed Austin’s Texas French Bread bakery, the business rose from the ashes and reopened its Central Austin dining room to the public in early July. In the four-year interim, it continued to service Central Texans via a pop-up operation in the business’ attached outdoor garden, selling bakery favorites like tea breads and croissants, cinnamon rolls, specialty cakes, cookies and brownies alongside French baguettes.
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Find it: 2900 Rio Grande St., Austin, TX 78705