A famed 78701 thoroughfare, Rainey Street has seen its fair share of evolutions over the years. In the last two decades, the once-sleepy, bungalow-filled neighborhood transformed into a bacchanalian nightlife corridor frequented by rowdy twenty-somethings and adventurous tourists. But now, the downtown stretch enters a more sophisticated era with the arrival of posh restaurants, lounges, hotels, and residences. Here are six new hospitality spots that have recently emerged on the bustling row.
Kinsho
Courtesy Kinsho
Helmed by Nick Ford and Wade McElroy, the duo behind Italian hot spot Rocco’s, this neighborhood sushi bar highlights nigiri, sashimi, maki, and hand rolls. The 18-seat space also includes a selection of kushiyaki skewers from the robata, such as beef with koji chimichurri and chicken with miso leek puree. Don’t miss the buttery, refreshing scallop aguachile.
If you’re craving beef, enjoy burgers, steak frites, and wagyu tartare at Bar Fino, which debuted on Rainey Street last fall. The European-inspired cocktail bar recently expanded into the neighboring bungalow and patio to include locations for favorite Austin concepts Fleet Coffee and La Santa Barbacha as well, making it an ideal stop for food and beverage.
What’s the buzz? Launching its second location in Austin last fall after a successful West Campus iteration, this popular coffee shop at the bottom of Paseo inspires guests to get up and go in the morning with honey oat lattes and Neapolitan matchas (iced mocha matcha lattes with strawberry milk and vanilla cold foam).
Modern Bar
Courtesy Modern Bar
Located at the base of the Modern Austin Residences, Urbanspace Hospitality’s stylish lounge features lush textures, green marble, and white oak. Bar highlights include the Golden Hour Martini, made with olive oilwashed gin and lacto-fermented Texas peach, and the Mushroom Manhattan, a savory blend of shiitake butter and PX sherry.
Formerly operating as an underground lounge, this bar found a permanent home on Rainey Street this summer. Bar Hacienda features an unmistakable Latin American verve, with cocktails such as pisco sours, daiquiris, and caragigilos, plus paella nights on Wednesdays and Latin House music with live DJs and bongos every Friday.
Amaya
Courtesy Amaya
Soak in sweeping views of downtown at this Mediterranean-inspired rooftop restaurant. Shared plates are the name of the game here, so order a mezze platter, whole grilled branzino, aleppo chicken thigh skewer, and papas bravas for the table (and don’t skimp on the fried donut “loukoumades” at the end).