24 Diner: Austin Comfort Food

24 Diner offers classic American fare with a modern twist in a fun, laid-back Austin atmosphere. The inspired menu, plus a great beer, wine and cocktail selection turn up the volume on the ordinary diner experience. Partygoers love the fact that they stay open round the clock right in the heart of central Austin.

24's all day breakfast menu means you can sidle up to Eggs, Sausage and Waffles at any hour. Burger and sandwich options include a French Dip with gruyere & horseradish, Chicken Salad with spicy pepper relish and a Bacon Avocado Burger with smoked aioli. Entrees include Meatloaf with sweet onion gravy, Pork Chops with sage butter, Roast Chicken with shallot jus, Vegetable Plate with lemon vinaigrette, and No-Bean Chili with cornbread.

Austin's 24 Diner is open daily.

24 Diner
600 N. Lamar Boulevard
Austin, TX 78703
(512) 472-5400
www.24diner.com
www.yelp.com/biz/24-diner-austin

Second Bar + Kitchen Serves Farm-to-Table Food

Warm decor lends itself to a comfortable, welcoming dining experience at Second Bar + Kitchen in Austin. The restaurant serves reasonably priced innovative and creative farm-to-table American cuisine for lunch and dinner daily, plus a Sunday brunch.

Start your meal with potato gnocchi tots made with housemade ketchup, or go for an appetizer of buffalo fried pickles, shihito peppers with miso aioli, daily changing charcuterie boards, steak tartare, or carrot gazpacho. Large plates include a pulled pork sandwich or brisket burger, Asian inspired soba noodle salad, roasted chicken and truffle, blue cheese and pork belly pizza. Chef inspired side dishes please the palate with seasoned Brussels sprouts, black truffle grits, and warm potato salad. Additionally, the restaurant offers an extensive bar menu replete with classic cocktails, wine, beer, hard cider and liquor.

Reservations are recommended, and private parties can be accommodated in one of the eatery's private dining rooms.

Second Bar + Kitchen
200 Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 827-2750
www.congressaustin.com/second
www.yelp.com/biz/second-bar-kitchen-austin

Trendy Meets Traditional at No Va in Austin

In English, the Spanish phrase "no va" translates to "it doesn't go." Since the entire premise behind No Va is the juxtaposition of old and new, traditional and trendy, it makes a fitting name for Chef Brad Sorenson's Austin restaurant.

A former Food Network contestant and graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Sorenson has never lacked in creativity when it comes to cuisine. No Va puts his artistic flair on display, not only in its cuisine but also in the building itself. Housed inside a strikingly modern former home, No Va clashes with the other historic buildings that dot Rainey Street. The aesthetic works well for Sorenson's vision, letting in the Texas sunshine through large windows that almost make diners feel as if they're outdoors. Of course, they can actually go outdoors and eat on the patio, which connects to the dining room via a double-sided fireplace.

Chef Brad's food also draws in crowds. It's inventive and portioned in plates small enough to share (for the most part). Pass around plates of whipped bleu cheese with bacon bread or kale salad tossed with a coconut dressing at dinner. Or simply stop by for a cocktail, such as the Lo' Daddy, a blend of bacon bitters, sazerac, salt, maple, and cherry.

No Va
87 Rainey Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 382-5651
www.novaonrainey.com/

www.yelp.com/biz/no-va-kitchen-and-bar-austin

The Flying Carpet: Truck It to This Tasty Moroccan Eatery

Austin’s culinary scene is well-known for its diverse assortment of food trucks, and The Flying Carpet is one of the city's most popular mobile eateries. This Moroccan fare restaurant cooks and serves its food from inside of a colorful food truck, and it also hosts a dining room inside of a separate building in front of the truck. This quirky layout makes The Flying Carpet a bit difficult to find for first-time visitors, but once you figure it out it becomes quite convenient. If you prefer to sit outside on a warm Austin afternoon, The Flying Carpet also offers a few shady tables on the outdoor patio.

Dishes like the Big Abdu consist of freshly baked pita bread, ground meats, and seasoned vegetables, and many regular guests order a pot of fine Moroccan tea to pair with their meal. With affordable prices and a knowledgeable staff, The Flying Carpet is ideal for an adventurous lunch.

The Flying Carpet
504 West Oltorf
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 744-5651
www.tfctheflyingcarpet.com
www.yelp.com/biz/the-flying-carpet-austin

Henri’s: Take a Taste of Europe’s Finest Delicacies

Walking into Henri’s feels like entering a quaint European bistro, from the white stone fixtures to the wall of wines and cheeses.

The charming cheese shop stocks a thoughtful selection of cheese and charcuterie, as well as simple sandwiches and salads that are well-suited to an elegant, casual lunch. Later in the evening the shop serves wine, cheese, and charcuterie pairings only, an ideal arrangement when you simply want a nightcap or you’re waiting for a table at one of the upscale restaurants nearby. Each cheese plate comes with a generous assortment of lovely preserves, freshly baked bread, and nuts that complement the cheese selection. For dessert, Henri’s serves French-inspired baked goods such as decadent chocolate cake.

Henri’s serves lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and wine and cheese from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. The retail store is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Sunday lunch is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. only.

Henri’s
2026 S. Lamar Boulevard
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 442-3373
www.henrischeese.com
www.yelp.com/biz/henris-austin

Bouldin Creek Café: Get Your Veggie On

Vegetarians and vegans in the Austin area have more restaurant options than those in some other cities, and Bouldin Creek Café is just one of these favorite veggie eateries. The casual restaurant is dedicated to providing wholesome, meat-free dishes at affordable prices, as well as organic wines and fair-trade coffees to go with them.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day at Bouldin Creek Café, and the menu includes meat-free omelets, tofu scrambles, and vegan pancakes that are just as good as the originals versions. Tacos and sandwiches are some of the most popular items for lunch and dinner, and there are also more elaborate entrees for larger appetites.

Bouldin Creek Café has an industrial loft feel on the inside, with mismatched tables offering ample seating and local art hanging from the walls. Outside, there are a few patio tables where guests can enjoy their meals al fresco.

Bouldin Creek Café
1900 S. First Street
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 416-1601
www.bouldincreek.com
www.yelp.com/biz/bouldin-creek-cafe-austin

Uchi: Japanese Fare Made With Local Ingredients

The farm-to-table culinary movement is the backbone of a number of Austin’s most popular restaurants, and although the ingredients come from local suppliers, eateries like Uchi prove that they can be used to create cuisines from around the globe. This Japanese farmhouse restaurant and sushi bar serves creative, modern takes on traditional Japanese dishes using meats and produce from farms around the Austin area. The restaurant is located inside of a renovated bungalow-style house in South Austin, and it is decorated with colorful cherry blossom wallpaper, rustic wooden tables, and an elegant sushi bar where guests can sit and watch as talented chefs prepare each roll by hand.

Uchi’s menu includes a tasting menu of small hot and cool dishes, a full list of sushi, soups and other Japanese fare delicacies. There is also a sake social menu that offers the perfect sake pairing for any dish on the menu.

Uchi
801 South Lamar
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 916-4808
www.uchiaustin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/uchi-austin

Luke’s Inside Out: Dine Al Fresco at This Upscale Food Truck

In a city well-known for food trucks, Luke’s Inside Out stands out in the crowd. The small, green truck is permanently located next to Gibson Bar, a hip craft beer bar with a young, eclectic crowd.

Luke’s Inside Out serves gourmet, French-inspired sandwiches with truly decadent toppings, including a brisket banh mi, eight-ounce sirloin burger, and Szechuan fried chicken. Luke’s also features a menu of shareables that will hold you over until your sandwich is served. Though these shared plates include your usual salads and fries, the appetizer menu also features fish fingers with sesame slaw, a cheese plate with fresh herbs, and many daily specials.

On Sundays, Luke’s offers an all-you-can-eat brunch for $12 from 11:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. If you’ve never tasted the tater tot casserole or Szechuan chicken and waffles with brie, the Sunday brunch is not to be missed.

Luke’s Inside Out
1109 S. Lamar Boulevard
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 589-8883
www.lukesinsideout.com
www.yelp.com/biz/lukes-inside-out-austin

Hopdoddy Burger Bar: Enjoy Burgers in Austin

Just like peanut butter and jelly, burgers and craft beers are simply meant to be together. Austin’s Hopdoddy Burger Bar combines these two tasty indulgences, and it does so in a stylish location to boot. The South Congress location is often very crowded, which creates a fun, lively atmosphere that bolsters the restaurant’s overall funky vibe. The inside features modern decor with bold neon green chairs at the number of tables scattered throughout, as well as a spacious outdoor patio perfect for cooler evenings.

Unique burgers made entirely of antibiotic-free beef and housemade buns promise a fresh burger experience. Creative options like the tzatziki-smothered Greek or the Southwestern Terlingua feature Hopdoddy’s numerous toppings, and each one comes with Kennebec fries or chili con queso for even more delicious flavor. Finish your meal with a craft beer or one of Hopdoddy’s thick milkshakes—or splurge for both—and you’ll leave feeling full and satisfied.

Hopdoddy Burger Bar
1400 S. Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 243-7505
www.hopdoddy.com
www.yelp.com/biz/hopdoddy-burger-bar-austin

Austin Beer Garden Brewing Company: Craft Brews and Bites in Austin

Funky and energetic, Austin Beer Garden Brewing Company (ABGB) is a popular local gastropub and brewery in South Austin. The brewery always has more than eight beers on tap daily, in addition hard cider and wine.

To complement your brew, the menu touts appetizers such as charcuterie boards with cheese and meat, prosciutto-wrapped melon, deviled eggs, and house-made habanero-bacon-wrapped asparagus. Refreshing salads include a yellow watermelon with sunflower sprouts and fresh mozzarella with an olive oil balsamic reduction and a spinach salad with fresh plums, onions, almonds, and goat cheese. The restaurant also bakes a mean pizza (regular or gluten-free), with an abundance of toppings from which to choose. Overstuffed sandwiches and subs are also on offer.

ABGB is open daily, and take-out is available.

Austin Beer Garden Brewing Company
1305 West Oltorf Street
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 298-2242
www.theabgb.com
www.yelp.com/biz/austin-beer-garden-brewing-company-austin-2

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