A new concept by the hospitality team behind Bill’s Oyster and Teddy’s, VanHorn’s will make you feel like you’ve taken a quick sojourn to the Big Apple. Inspired by old-school New York steakhouses, the downtown restaurant features impeccable ambience, with soft lighting that highlights red leather banquettes and a Carrara marble oyster bar. Sip a martini as you indulge in hearty fare such as a dry-aged New York strip steak, oysters Rockefeller, wedge salad, or German potatoes with au jus and sour cream. And whatever you do, don’t leave without ordering the divine cheesecake—New York style, of course. 238 W. Second St.
VanHorn’s. Photo by Jane Yun.
For a town with bustling nightlife and concerts that go into the wee hours, Austin has always had a curious lack of late-night bites. But popular East Side bar Papercut is adding a much-needed new after-hours dining option to the mix with its stellar sushi concept, Konbini. The latest culinary win from chef Michael Carranza of Michelin-recommended Tare, the walk-in sushi bar features an a la carte menu of nigiri and crudos. Tucked in the back of Papercut, the dining spot is open until midnight Wednesdays and Thursdays and 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturdays, so you can satisfy your late-night appetite with dishes like a hot dog topped with trout roe or an egg sando with bread toasted in wagyu tallow. 908 E. Fifth St., Ste. 107
Konbini. Photo courtesy Konbini.
Take the elevator all the way up to this gorgeous new rooftop-adjacent restaurant on Rainey Street that’s tailor made for date night. Located inside LV Collective’s buzzy new high-rise, Paseo, the Mediterranean restaurant has a mix of tasty shareable plates, with standouts including whole grilled branzino, octopus, a mezze platter with hummus and baba ghanoush, and fried loukoumades (donuts) with St. Germaine caramel. Pro tip: Enjoy an al fresco beverage at sunset to soak in the golden hour amid sweeping views of Lady Bird Lake. 80 Rainey St.
Amaya. Photo courtesy LV Collective Hospitality.
It’s not often that you find a kid- and dog-friendly spot that still manages to be stylish. But Leona pulls off this rare feat with a stunning walkable outdoor space in South Austin featuring landscaping and design from Campbell Landscape Architecture and Clayton Korte, respectively. Savor Thai cuisine from DEE DEE and authentic Mexican fare from Veracruz All Natural before you take a post-prandial stroll through the verdant grounds. Of course, if you’d prefer a beverage after your meal, you’ll find internationally inspired cocktails as well as Texas beer, kombucha, and NA offerings inside the stunning bar. 6405 Brodie Lane
Leona. Photo by Diane Rothery.
A hidden gem on Airport Boulevard, this new Italian joint by chef Nicholas Ford (Sammie’s) became an instant classic, already nabbing a spot on Austin Monthly‘s Best New Restaurants 2025 list. Grab a seat along the eatery’s pillow-lined perimeter booth before exploring its small but mighty menu, filled with an extra-crunchy chopped Caesar salad with pecorino and garlic bread crumble and arancini filled with beef bolognese. Italian for “little ears,” the orecchiette dazzles with sweet and spicy Italian sausage, fried zucchini, and marinated peppers, while the four-ingredient rigatoni made with vodka sauce, ricotta, basil, and sesame garlic breadcrumbs has already become a menu staple. 5001 Airport Blvd.
Rocco’s. Photo by Justin Cook