DineSpin

Best Fine Dining in Austin

Find the best fine dining restaurants in Austin, TX. Scored on what actually matters.

By DineSpin Team·Updated February 2026·10 spots

Austin's fine dining scene has matured beyond the BBQ-and-tacos reputation. These ten restaurants are where locals celebrate anniversaries, close deals, and eat better than they probably should on a Tuesday. The trade-off is consistent: premium pricing, reservation requirements, and ambiance that costs money. What separates them is execution—and whether the noise level, wait times, and occasional service stumbles actually matter to you.

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Best Fine Dining in Austin

1.

Sushi by Scratch Restaurants

95/100

Sushi by Scratch Restaurants offers an excellent omakase experience in Austin, celebrated for its incredibly fresh sushi, exquisite flavors, and attentive service. The intimate atmosphere and personalized approach make it a standout destination for a memorable meal.

Pro tip: Definitely one of the best sushi places in Austin.

🍽️Food98

The sushi is well-regarded for its outstanding freshness, exquisite flavors, and masterful preparation, often described as a notable culinary experience.

The sushi was so fresh

👋Service95

Service is noted as attentive, friendly, knowledgeable, and personalized, contributing significantly to the overall positive dining experience.

The staff were extremely attentive

Vibe85

The atmosphere is described as intimate and modern, with a subtle entrance and a welcoming ambiance.

The small space and atmosphere

💰Value85

While not explicitly detailed, the overall experience and quality suggest good value for the omakase format.

What a fantastic experience!!

📍 603 Brazos St, Austin, TX 78701, United States
4.9$$$$AustinJapanese
Ideal for
Special occasions like anniversariesSushi aficionados seeking high qualityDiners looking for an experiential meal
2.

Fabrik Austin

92/100

Fabrik Austin offers an excellent plant-based fine dining experience with creative, artfully prepared tasting menus. The intimate atmosphere and attentive service contribute to a memorable occasion, making it a highly recommended destination for those seeking elevated vegan cuisine.

Pro tip: Absolutely incredible from start to finish. Every course is a work of art.

🍽️Food98

The plant-based tasting menus are consistently lauded for their creativity, fresh ingredients, and outstanding flavor profiles, often exceeding expectations for both vegan and non-vegan diners.

Every course is a work of art

👋Service95

Service is frequently described as warm, attentive, personable, and knowledgeable, with staff going above and beyond to accommodate guests.

The service was warm and attentive

Vibe90

The restaurant offers an intimate, cozy, and relaxing atmosphere with thoughtful lighting and calm music, ideal for special occasions.

Small, intimate setting

💰Value85

While considered pricey, the tasting menus are generally seen as offering good value due to the quality, creativity, and portion sizes.

Value is great for a somewhat fancy outing

📍 1701 E Martin Luther King Jr Blvd Suite 102, Austin, TX 78702, United States
4.9$$$AustinVegan/Vegetarian
Ideal for
Special occasions and anniversariesDiners seeking innovative vegan cuisineIntimate dining experiences
3.

Fogueira Gaúcha Brazilian Steakhouse

92/100

Fogueira Gaúcha Brazilian Steakhouse offers an excellent dining experience with perfectly cooked, high-quality meats and outstanding, attentive service. It is a highly recommended destination for special occasions and general enjoyment, well-regarded for its atmosphere and overall quality.

Pro tip: Outstanding food and service, making every occasion feel special.

🍽️Food95

The food is well-regarded for its quality, flavor, and perfect cooking, with particular highlights including the picanha, beef ribs, grilled pineapple, and a well-regarded salad bar.

Food was absolutely superior

👋Service96

Service is frequently described as outstanding, first-rate, and attentive, with numerous staff members named for their top-notch care and hospitality, often going above and beyond for special occasions.

Service from Esperanza and Sophia was truly out of this world

Vibe90

The atmosphere is consistently lauded as beautiful, upscale, romantic, and welcoming, with pleasant lighting and music contributing to a special occasion feel.

Atmosphere was calm and romantic

💰Value85

While not explicitly detailed, the consistent recognition for high-quality food and top-notch service suggests diners feel the experience is worth the price, especially for special occasions.

Food was amazing

📍 3221 Feathergrass Ct, Austin, TX 78758
4.6$$$AustinBrazilian
Ideal for
Special occasions and celebrationsCarnivores seeking high-quality meatsRomantic date nights
4.

1618 Asian Fusion

92/100

"From start to finish, incredible food and excellent service"—but getting a start requires navigating the wait. 45 to 90 minutes without reservation is standard, portions have reportedly shrunk, and the phone rings unanswered during service. When you finally sit, the kitchen delivers Vietnamese, Thai, Chinese dishes with off-the-chart flavors; individual servers (Aurelie gets named) handle the table with personal touch; live music justifies the upscale atmosphere price. The calculation is: can you tolerate the access problem for the execution?

Pro tip: Call for a reservation at 2pm or 10pm, not 6pm-8pm. This alone cuts your wait from 90 minutes to 20.

🍽️Food95

The food is well-regarded for its outstanding flavor, freshness, and quality, with many dishes highlighted as standouts, including soup dumplings, pho, and various fusion creations.

Pho wagyu beef soup dumplings were the best

👋Service93

Service is frequently described as first-rate, attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable, with numerous staff members well-regarded for enhancing the dining experience.

Our server Brian was super attentive

Vibe95

The atmosphere is consistently lauded as beautiful, stylish, cozy, and inviting, often enhanced by live music, making it suitable for various occasions.

Atmosphere is relaxing

💰Value75

While the food quality is highly regarded, some diners note that portions can be small for the price, and found the overall experience to be overpriced.

Small portion but good flavor

📍 1618 E Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78741, United States
4.8$$$AustinMixed/Fusion
Ideal for
Date nights — romantic and moody atmosphereSpecial occasions — personalized touches and top-notch serviceFood enthusiasts — diverse and flavorful fusion menu
5.

Lonesome Dove Austin

92/100

Lonesome Dove Austin offers an excellent and unique dining experience, particularly for meat lovers, with a strong emphasis on wild game and a quintessential Texas atmosphere. While service and food quality are well-regarded, some diners note the high price point and occasional issues with noise and wait times during peak hours.

Pro tip: The food, my God. The bison ribeye might be able to convert a vegetarian into a carnivore.

🍽️Food95

The food is well-regarded for its outstanding quality, inventive preparation, and unique wild game offerings. Dishes are frequently described as amazing, delicious, and cooked to perfection, with many diners highlighting specific items like bison ribeye, elk, and rattlesnake sausage.

Everything we had was amazing.

👋Service90

Service is generally described as first-rate, friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable, with staff often going above and beyond to ensure a positive dining experience. However, a few recent signs suggest occasional lapses when the restaurant becomes busy.

Service was so incredibly kind and attentive

Vibe85

The atmosphere is frequently lauded as a quintessential Texas experience, with a rustic, upscale, and cozy ambiance that appeals to many diners.

Atmosphere, Texas-downed!

💰Value75

While the food and experience are well-regarded, several diners note the high price point, with some questioning the value proposition for the cost, especially for those not focused on exotic meats.

The trade-off is the price.

📍 123 W 6th St, Austin, TX 78701, United States
4.5$$$$AustinAmerican
Ideal for
Meat and wild game enthusiastsSpecial occasions and celebrationsDiners seeking a unique Texas experience
6.

Sushi Junai Omakase

92/100

Sushi Junai Omakase is a highly-regarded Austin sushi restaurant celebrated for its remarkably fresh and high-quality fish, creative preparations, and engaging omakase experience. Well-regarded for the attentive service and pleasant atmosphere, finding the value to be excellent.

Pro tip: The food was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully prepared, but what truly made the night stand out was our server, Sunny.

🍽️Food95

The sushi and sashimi are well-regarded for their outstanding freshness, quality, and flavorful preparation, with many diners highlighting the melt-in-your-mouth texture of the fish.

The food was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully prepared

👋Service88

Service is frequently described as attentive, knowledgeable, and friendly, with specific recognition for servers like Sunny and chefs like Eddie and Sean who engage with diners.

Sunny did a phenomenal job. He was attentive

Vibe88

The atmosphere is consistently described as engaging, romantic, modern, and cozy, with the open kitchen providing an entertaining element.

The atmosphere was engaging

💰Value85

Diners find the prices reasonable, especially for the high quality and generous portions of fish offered, particularly during happy hour.

The prices are very reasonable

📍 315 Congress Ave. #100, Austin, TX 78701, United States
4.6$$$AustinJapanese
Ideal for
Date nights — romantic atmosphere and engaging chefsSushi aficionados — first-rate quality and freshnessSpecial occasions — memorable omakase experiences
7.

Fig Italian Kitchen & Bar

92/100

Fig Italian Kitchen & Bar is a highly-regarded Austin restaurant celebrated for its excellent modern Italian cuisine, outstanding service, and sophisticated yet comfortable ambiance. It is particularly noted for its creative dishes, fresh ingredients, and a welcoming atmosphere ideal for special occasions.

Pro tip: Outstanding food, attentive service, and a chic atmosphere make this worth trying.

🍽️Food95

The food is well-regarded for its first-rate quality, fresh ingredients, and creative, well-balanced flavors, with many dishes highlighted as standouts.

Octopus was one of the best

👋Service93

Service is overwhelmingly described as attentive, friendly, knowledgeable, and top-notch, with numerous staff members well-regarded.

Service attentive without hovering

Vibe90

The atmosphere is consistently described as chic, modern, intimate, and perfect for date nights or special occasions, with a pleasant ambiance.

Amazing atmosphere and service

💰Value80

While generally well-received, a few diners noted that the quality did not always match the price point, suggesting it might be on the higher side for some.

Too pricey for what was offered

📍 3403 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704, United States
4.8$$$AustinItalian
Ideal for
Date nights and romantic eveningsSpecial occasion celebrationsDiners seeking creative Italian dishes
8.

J Carver’s Oyster Bar & Chophouse

92/100

J Carver's Oyster Bar & Chophouse is a highly-regarded fine dining establishment in Austin, celebrated for its excellent steaks, seafood, and impeccable service. It offers an upscale, romantic ambiance, making it a top choice for special occasions and memorable culinary experiences.

Pro tip: Outstanding food and service create a memorable fine dining experience, ideal for special occasions.

🍽️Food95

The food is well-regarded for its first-rate quality, with steaks, seafood, and appetizers frequently highlighted as standouts. Dishes are often described as perfectly prepared and flavorful.

Succulent steaks grilled to perfection

👋Service96

Service is a major strength, with staff frequently described as attentive, friendly, knowledgeable, and professional, contributing significantly to a memorable dining experience.

Service was top-notch, our waiter was attentive

Vibe90

The atmosphere is consistently described as upscale, romantic, and elegant, with dim lighting and a sophisticated decor, making it ideal for special occasions.

Ambiance was impeccable

💰Value75

While acknowledged as expensive, diners generally feel the high quality of food and service justifies the cost, offering good value for a premium dining experience.

Expensive, hell yes!

📍 509 Rio Grande St, Austin, TX 78701
4.7$$$$AustinSteakhouse
Ideal for
Special occasions and celebrationsFine dining and steak enthusiastsRomantic dinners
9.

Odd Duck

92/100

Odd Duck is a well-regarded Austin restaurant celebrated for its innovative, locally sourced, and seasonal New American cuisine. It offers an excellent dining experience with creative dishes, outstanding service, and a vibrant, relaxed atmosphere, making it a top choice for food enthusiasts.

Pro tip: Outstanding food, service, and vibe make this worth trying Austin culinary destination.

🍽️Food95

The food is well-regarded for its creativity, fresh, locally sourced ingredients, and bold, well-balanced flavors. Dishes are often described as unique, innovative, and expertly prepared, with a particular highlight being the cast iron cheddar cornbread.

Outstanding and unlike anything I’ve had before

👋Service95

Service is frequently lauded as first-rate, with staff described as knowledgeable, friendly, attentive, and passionate about the food. Many diners specifically mention servers by name for providing outstanding experiences.

Service was incredible from start to finish

Vibe90

The atmosphere is consistently described as warm, lively, relaxed, and uniquely Austin, with an upscale yet unpretentious feel. The open kitchen and chef's counter seating add to the engaging ambiance.

The vibe is warm, lively, and very Austin

💰Value85

Diners generally find the prices fair for the quality and portion sizes, especially considering the innovative and high-quality ingredients used. Small plates are seen as a good way to experience a variety of dishes.

Portion size and prices were very fair

📍 1201 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704, United States
4.7$$$AustinAmerican
Ideal for
Adventurous eaters seeking unique flavorsSpecial occasions and celebrationsDiners who appreciate farm-to-table concepts
10.

Dean's Italian Steakhouse

92/100

Dean's Italian Steakhouse is a highly-regarded Austin establishment celebrated for its excellent food, particularly its steaks, and outstanding service. It's a popular choice for special occasions, offering an elegant ambiance and a memorable dining experience.

Pro tip: Outstanding food and service make this a top-tier steakhouse experience.

🍽️Food95

The food is well-regarded for its first-rate quality, flavor, and presentation, with steaks frequently highlighted as outstanding.

The steak was probably the best I’ve ever had

👋Service88

Service is overwhelmingly described as top-notch, with numerous servers well-regarded for their attentiveness, knowledge, and friendliness. However, isolated instances of slow or rude service, and poor management responses, temper this score.

The service was absolutely amazing

Vibe90

The atmosphere is consistently described as elegant, sophisticated, and perfect for special occasions, with dim lighting and a comfortable ambiance.

The overall ambience was amazing

💰Value80

While generally considered worth the price for the quality and experience, a few diners noted that the cost for certain dishes or overall experience could be higher than expected.

For the price, I need to be a little more strict

📍 110 E 2nd St, Austin, TX 78701, United States
4.9$$$$AustinSteakhouse
Ideal for
Special occasions and celebrationsFine dining enthusiastsBusiness dinners

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