Blue Dahlia Bistro: Enjoy French Cuisine, From Breakfast Through Happy Hour

Whether you’re looking for a charming breakfast spot or a place to relax with friends over happy hour drinks, Blue Dahlia Bistro is the place for both in Austin. In the morning, the expansive menu includes French dishes like fresh-baked croissants, rich yogurt and fruit, and berry blintzes stuffed with sweet ricotta cheese. Later in the day, enjoy a lunch or dinner of French cheeses, duck mousse pâté and fresh mussels, or opt for something a bit more filling with housemade pastas and Bouillabaisse.

If you stop in for happy hour, Blue Dahlia Bistro offers special rates on red and white wines and festive champagnes, as well as a large selection of beer and snacks to share. No matter the time of day, this charming French bistro is a stylish, laid-back locale to enjoy authentic Parisian cuisine here in Austin.

Blue Dahlia Bistro
1115 E. 11th Street
Austin, TX 78702
(512) 542-9542
www.bluedahliabistro.com
www.yelp.com/biz/blue-dahlia-bistro-austin

CRAVE: Come for the Sliders, Stay for the Sushi (Or Vice Versa)

Not many eateries exist where you can order sushi, sliders, and caprese flatbread in the same sitting, but CRAVE is one of them.

The Austin eatery prides itself not only on the variety of its menu, but also the array of options when it comes to serving size. Smaller appetites can stick with a small plate like the CRAVE sliders (although some guests note that they're actually large enough to serve as an entree). The smoky bites of beef are topped with cheddar cheese, caramelized onion, and the house's signature burger sauce. Flatbreads and sushi also make for a smaller meal.

But there's nothing small about the crab-crusted filet mignon or One Big Meatball, oozing mozzarella cheese over an angel hair foundation. Some other full-sized entrees include pan-roasted sea bass and fried chicken and waffles, all of which pair well with a cocktail, pint of beer, or glass of wine. Plus, the menu boasts an impressive list of gluten-free options for diners with dietary restrictions.

CRAVE
340 E. 2nd Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 469-0000​
www.cravetexas.com
www.yelp.com/biz/crave-austin-4

Expect Farm-to-Table Fare at Wink in Austin

Wink Restaurant is a fun, fresh and creative eatery in Austin that is consistently voted one of the top restaurants in the city. The kitchen operates on a farm-to-table system, sourcing almost all of its seasonal ingredients from local farms and suppliers in order to create dishes that are distinctly Austin.

The menu at Wink changes just about every day, and it often includes unique combinations such as grilled quail with coconut and lamb sausage and chilled poached flounder with white bean salad. There are also always a few options for vegetarian guests. At the bar, Wink focuses on wines from across Texas and around the world, and you’ll even find additional seating in this more casual area of the restaurant.

The next time you want to celebrate an occasion, have a hearty meal, a decadent dessert, and a perfect wine pairing at this beloved eatery.

Wink
1014 N. Lamar Blvd
Austin, TX 78703
(512) 482-8868
www.winkrestaurant.com
www.yelp.com/biz/wink-austin

Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill: Modern American Food and Drink

The Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill was revamped in time to open its doors in 2003. This Austin establishment offers modern American food and libations in a laid back atmosphere.

The bar serves classic cocktails, including house-made moonshine and hard lemonade as part of the extensive full bar menu. Start your meal with the corndog shrimp, the creamy and hot bacon dip, or a steaming bowl of spicy chicken tortilla soup. Overstuffed sandwiches and salads are loaded with only the freshest and highest quality ingredients. The platters are known to be hearty and feature Southern favorites such as chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits, large, classic cowboy flat-iron steaks and baby back ribs smothered in the restaurant's secret barbecue sauce.

If you’re interested in letting Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill host your next event, check out the banquet facilities that are available for private parties.

Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill
303 Red River Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 236-9599
www.moonshinegrill.com
www.yelp.com/biz/moonshine-patio-bar-and-grill-austin

Numero28: Southern Italian Specialties in Downtown Austin

Southern Italian food is the specialty at Numero28, but even this gourmet food plays second fiddle to the warm, welcoming owners. Many Yelp reviewers mention Marco and Bernardo by name, citing them as part of the reason they return to Numer28 on a regular basis. The owners take special care to make every guest feel at home—and they watch over what's going on in the kitchen so that each and every dish is crafted carefully.

The menu boasts a slew of traditional favorites, including thin-crust pizzas. From the classic margherita with tomato, mozzarella, and basil to the Austin pie with jalapeno, sausage, and red peppers, the pizza menu offers a wide array of options for all tastes. And if you aren't into pizza, you have plenty of other entrees to choose from. Dig into the classic lasagna Bolognese (or a vegetarian version), the ziti with eggplant and mozzarella, or the porchetta with wild herbs and spices. Add a glass of wine to your meal for the full Numero28 experience.

Numero28
452 W. 2nd Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 494-5510
www.numero28austin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/numero-28-austin

Hey!… You Gonna Eat or What?: Try the Monte Cristo

The Hey!… You Gonna Eat or What? food truck is one of Austin’s most popular, and that’s saying a lot for a city that almost single-handedly made the food truck en vogue.

This mobile restaurant exclusively serves creative, exceptionally hearty sandwiches and fresh, homemade chips to go with them. Some of the most popular items are the Monte Cristo, which is beer-battered in Shiner Bock beer and topped with ham, turkey, and scratch-made jelly, and the deliciously gooey Smoked Ham and Brie. All of these sandwiches are topped with generous smears of homemade condiments, like jalapeno jelly or honey mustard, and the thick bread is always fresh and delicious. In addition to a menu of constant favorites, the truck offers daily specials that are announced via social media pages in the morning.

Hey!… You Gonna Eat or What? is a food truck, but it has a stationary location on Barton Springs Road in South Austin.

Hey!… You Gonna Eat or What?
1720 Barton Springs Road
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 296-3547
www.heyyougonnaeatorwhat.com
www.yelp.com/biz/hey-you-gonna-eat-or-what-austin

Super Bowl Restaurant: Wok This Way for Great Chinese Food Takeout

If you’re craving Chinese food in the South Austin area but just don’t feel like leaving the house, ordering delivery from Super Bowl Restaurant is a great option. This Chinese takeout spot offers all of your favorite dishes ranging from egg rolls and steamed dumplings to lo mein and Kung Pao chicken, as well as a wide variety of other specialties made true to tradition.

Flavorful dishes like Mongolian beef and General Tso’s chicken will satisfy your craving for something spicy, while vegetable fried rice, sesame tofu, and other veggie meals are made entirely without meat for vegetarian diners. The prices at Super Bowl are very reasonable for the large portions, and the small delivery fee is more than worth it for the convenience of having hot, tasty food delivered right to your door.

To order from Super Bowl Restaurant, fill out the form on the restaurant’s website.

Super Bowl Restaurant
719 W William Cannon Drive
Austin, TX 78745
(512) 445-3399
www.beyondmenu.com/21269/austin/super-bowl-austin-78745.aspx

Fair Bean Coffee: An Austin Spot for Great Coffee

‘Drink Coffee Responsibly’ is the motto at Austin's Fair Bean Coffee, where life is about more than just a great cuppa joe. They buy all of their beans from Fair Trade organizations. But you really don’t have to know all that to enjoy a trip to this friendly little java spot and coffee roastery. Just order yourself one of their yummy coffees or an espresso drink and find yourself a comfy spot at a table or on a couch and settle in to relax.

Large windows make for a sunny, open ambiance and free Wi-Fi means you can bring your laptop and surf the net or catch up on your email. Food is also on the menu, with some delicious light fare to complement your drink.

Fair Bean Coffee is open every day.

Fair Bean Coffee
2210 S. 1st Street
Austin, TX 78704
www.fairbeancoffee.com
www.yelp.com/biz/fair-bean-coffee-austin

Cocktails and Crab-Crusted Steak at Austin’s CRAVE

Local, seasonal ingredients form an important part of the menu at CRAVE in Austin. Although not every ingredient comes from a local source, CRAVE's chefs incorporate locally sourced ingredients whenever they can.

CRAVE's menu of options includes some upscale, creative dishes, like crab-crusted filet mignon and egg rolls stuffed with chicken and avocado. Those are two of regular customers' favorites, but they're by no means the only things to enjoy here. The menu is expansive, encompassing a huge array of dishes, from pizza and pasta to pan-roasted sea bass, fried chicken and waffles, and even spicy lamb burgers. There's also a sushi menu, a huge list of specialty and cooked rolls, and the equally impressive cocktail list. Visitors can complement the upscale fare with a ginger pear martini, blackberry sage tea, agave margarita, or a sweet glass of sangria.

Visit CRAVE's website to learn more about this Austin restaurant!

CRAVE
340 E. 2nd Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 469-0000
www.cravetexas.com

www.yelp.com/biz/crave-austin-4

Javelina: Craft Beer and Fine Cuisine in Austin, Texas

Founded by four college pals, Javelina features what the owners call ‘Hill Country Soul.' It’s your go-to spot to kick back with a craft beer and a bite to eat while listening to some great music from Austin’s array of musicians.

Settle in with a craft beer or one of their signature cocktails like the Sandiamo with vodka, watermelon juice, fresh lemon and agave syrup. If you need a nosh, order something from the starter menu, like the all-time favorite Green Chile Pork Fries with your choice of plain or sweet potatoes topped with a heaping mound of pork-infused green chile. The yummy burger selection includes the Javelina topped with green chile pork, mustard & jack cheese, and the Miga with fried egg, tortilla strips & American cheese. Entree salads are also served.

Just a short trip from Mosaic at Mueller, Javelina is open every day.

Javelina
69 Rainey Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 382-6917
www.javelinabar.com
www.yelp.com/biz/javelina-austin

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