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Olamaie’s smoked beef belly topped with a cane syrup glaze and green onion. Sept. 12, 2022.<\/p>\n
Aaron E. Martinez \/ American-Statesman, Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Summer is typically a slower season for Austin restaurants as many locals travel out of town. But for diners returning from vacation, the\u00a0city\u2019s dining scene may look a little different<\/a>.<\/p>\n July brought a wave of openings and high-profile closings<\/a>. Rising operating costs remain a common theme reshaping the industry<\/a>, even as established local brands<\/a> and nationally recognized concepts continue to expand. Here’s what opened and closed in July.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Closings<\/p>\n Olamaie<\/p>\n Plating elegance at Olamaie matches the sophisticated mood of the modern Southern restaurant.<\/p>\n AARON E. MARTINEZ<\/p>\n Olamaie closed July 19 after more than a decade of serving Southern cuisine in Central Austin.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n The restaurant was named the American-Statesman\u2019s No. 1 restaurant in Austin three separate times, beginning in 2017, and became the first Southern restaurant in the United States to earn a Michelin star.<\/p>\n Chef Michael Fojtasek said Austin\u2019s high rents and labor costs contributed to the decision to close. He also pointed to the city\u2019s dining habits, noting that fewer late-night diners make it more difficult for restaurants to remain profitable.<\/p>\n The closure follows the spring shutdown of\u00a0Fojtasek\u2019s South Congress chophouse, Maie Day<\/a>, which closed as the South Congress Hotel undergoes redevelopment<\/a> ahead of its transition to The Standard hotel next year.<\/p>\n El\u00a0Naranjo<\/p>\n Chiles en nogada are prepared at El Naranjo in Austin, Texas. The seasonal Mexican dish, featuring poblano peppers stuffed with meat and fruit and topped with walnut cream sauce and pomegranate seeds, reflects the restaurant\u2019s focus on regional traditions passed down through generations of women.<\/p>\n Provided by Iliana de la Vega<\/p>\n One of Austin\u2019s most acclaimed<\/a> restaurants has closed its doors.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n El\u00a0Naranjo served its final meal on July 18, ending a 13-year run that began on Rainey Street before the Oaxacan restaurant relocated to South Lamar in 2019. Chef Iliana de la Vega, who won the inaugural James Beard Award for Best Chef: Texas in 2022<\/a>, announced the closure, citing an oversaturated restaurant market and rising costs for goods, labor and rent.<\/p>\n Known for traditional\u00a0Oaxacan cuisine, El Naranjo built its reputation on house-made moles, handmade tortillas, regional Mexican specialties and seasonal dishes prepared with refined technique.<\/p>\n Teddy\u2019s<\/p>\n Teddy’s was one of several concepts from Berg & Sons Hospitality in Austin.<\/p>\n Provided by Jane Yun<\/p>\n Teddy\u2019s, a Southwestern-inspired grill in the\u00a0Bryker Woods neighborhood, quietly closed<\/a> after opening in late 2024.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Located on West 38th Street near the original\u00a0Kerbey Lane Cafe, the restaurant served dishes influenced by Southwestern cuisine, with steaks, grilled meats and seasonal fare. Teddy\u2019s was one of three concepts launched by Austin-based Berg & Sons Hospitality, alongside Bill\u2019s Oyster and downtown steakhouse\u00a0VanHorn\u2019s.<\/p>\n Picnik<\/p>\n Picnik closed its flagship \u2014 and last remaining \u2014 restaurant<\/a>, founder Naomi Seifter announced on Instagram.<\/p>\n The restaurant was known for its gluten-free, peanut-free and seed-oil-free menu, serving items including grass-fed burgers, hot honey chicken sandwiches, tempura chicken tenders, breakfast tacos, salads and other comfort food.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Seifter said she plans to open a new concept in the space within four to six weeks. She said Picnik\u2019s identity had drifted from the mission behind the original food trailer she launched in 2013.<\/p>\n Openings<\/p>\n Moody Tongue Sushi at The Loren<\/p>\n Moody Tongue Sushi is popping up at The Loren Hotel Austin beginning July 2.\u00a0<\/p>\n PROVIDED BY MOODY TONGUE<\/p>\n Moody Tongue Sushi<\/a>, an offshoot of Chicago\u2019s Michelin-starred Moody Tongue Brewing Company, is operating at The Loren Hotel through October.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n The evening-only concept has transformed the hotel\u2019s ground-floor cafe into a sushi restaurant led by executive sushi chef\u00a0Hiromi Iwakiri.\u00a0The menu features\u00a0nigiri, hand rolls, small plates and specialty items such as a torched A5 Wagyu hand roll.<\/p>\n 1211 W. Riverside Drive. 512-580-1182, thelorenhotels.com\/austin.<\/a><\/p>\n Honest Mary\u2019s<\/p>\n Honest Mary’s opened its sixth Austin location in July.<\/p>\n Becca Wright\/Provided by Honest Mary’s<\/p>\n Austin-based Honest Mary\u2019s opened its sixth Texas location in the\u00a0Seaholm District, marking the fast-casual restaurant\u2019s first downtown location.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n The concept focuses on customizable grain and salad bowls built with greens or grains, proteins, vegetables, toppings and house-made sauces. Signature bowls include the Smoky\u00a0Poblano, Honey Mustard Chicken and Aloha Poke, while guests can also build their own meals. The restaurant also offers gluten-free options.<\/p>\n 211 Walter Seaholm Drive. 737-359-0940, honestmarys.com.<\/a><\/p>\n Amy\u2019s Ice Creams<\/p>\n The Amy’s Ice Creams empire was founded in 1984.<\/p>\n American-Statesman file<\/p>\n Amy\u2019s Ice Creams expanded with a new neighborhood ice cream truck at the corner of 12th Street and Lamar Boulevard. The walk-up location is designed as a smaller neighborhood outpost serving Amy\u2019s rotating selection of handcrafted ice cream flavors.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n 927 W. 12th St. 512-458-6149, amysicecreams.com.<\/a><\/p>\n Ramen Del Barrio<\/p>\n Chef Christopher Krinsky blends the flavors of his youth in Mexico and his time working in Japanese restaurants in Austin at Ramen del Barrio in Hana World Market’s food court.<\/p>\n Provided by Ramen del Barrio.<\/p>\n Ramen Del Barrio<\/a> reopened July 25 in its first standalone restaurant. After operating inside\u00a0Hana World Market, the Japanese-Mexican concept has expanded into a full-service izakaya and ramen restaurant with a full bar.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n The larger space allows owner and chef Chris\u00a0Krinsky to expand the menu while bringing back favorites including ramen, tacos and seafood dishes. The bar features Japanese whisky, Mexican mezcal and other cocktails.<\/p>\n Ramen Del Barrio was named one of the American-Statesman\u2019s Best New Restaurants in 2023<\/a>, with its carnitas ramen becoming one of the restaurant\u2019s signature dishes.<\/p>\n 2007 Kramer Lane. 512-720-1469,\u00a0ramendelbarrio.com.<\/a><\/p>\n Luv Fats Ice Cream<\/p>\n Luv Fats Ice Cream has opened a new location on Loyola Lane as the business enters its next chapter.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Owner Chi\u00a0Ndika launched the vegan ice cream company after experimenting with avocados as a dairy-free base when her mother developed a dairy allergy. The concept began at Austin farmers markets in 2018.<\/p>\n The new Loyola location continues to serve the brand\u2019s dairy-free and egg-free ice cream made with avocado as its signature base, offering rotating flavors. The shop is open from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday.<\/p>\n 4700 Loyola Lane. Instagram.com\/luvfatsicecream<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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