Austin Michelin star restaurants have finally arrived. The city's food scene has reached a new level. Austin Michelin star restaurants made their debut in 2024. This was a big moment for Texas dining. Austin Michelin star restaurants now number seven. They represent the best cooking in the city. Austin Michelin star restaurants include everything from barbecue to fine dining. The Michelin Guide's first Texas edition put Austin on the global food map. This guide will walk you through all seven spots. You will learn about their chefs, menus, and what makes them special. No matter if you're a local or a visitor, these Austin Michelin star restaurants are worth your time and money.
1. Barley Swine: Farm-to-Table Excellence
Barley Swine stands out among Austin Michelin star restaurants. Chef Bryce Gilmore opened it in 2010. He is a seven-time James Beard Award nominee. The restaurant uses a farm-to-table approach. Ingredients come from local farms. Some produce is grown on their own farm. The menu changes with the seasons. This keeps things fresh and exciting.
- Key menu items:
- Blackened cod with masa butter.
- Pig face carnitas with sweet potato mole.
- Hoja santa pavlova with roasted pear sorbet.
The prix fixe menu costs $125. The restaurant is 100% carbon neutral. This makes it a good choice for eco-conscious diners. Anthony Bourdain featured Barley Swine on his show No Reservations. The restaurant's success shows in its loyal following. It is a must-visit among Austin Michelin star restaurants.
Learn more about Barley Swine and its seasonal menus.
2. Craft Omakase: Intimate Sushi Experience
Craft Omakase offers a special sushi experience. It is one of the newer Austin Michelin star restaurants. Chefs Charlie Wang and Nguyen Nguyen used to work at Uchiko. They opened their own place just one block away. The restaurant has only 12 seats. This makes for an intimate dining experience.
- What to expect:
- A 22-course seasonal tasting menu.
- Dishes like aguachile of pink shrimp with sweet potato.
- Crudo of hamachi with yuzu-honey sauce.
The menu costs $175 per person. This price includes tax and a 20% tip. Adding sake or wine pairing will increase the cost. The Michelin inspectors praised the food's creativity. Craft Omakase is the only sushi spot in Austin with a star. It is a top choice for Japanese food lovers.
Find details about Craft Omakase reservations and menus.
3. Hestia: Live-Fire Cooking Downtown
Hestia brings live-fire cooking to downtown Austin. It is named after the Greek goddess of the hearth. Chefs Kevin Fink and Tavel Bristol-Joseph founded it. They use an open kitchen with a big fire. Most dishes get touched by fire or smoke. This adds depth to the flavors.
- Standout dishes:
- Uni and cornbread.
- Parker rolls with formagina butter.
- King crab with kelp butter.
- Chocolate mousse inspired by s'mores.
Hestia offers both à la carte and tasting menus. The 12-course tasting menu costs $195. The restaurant is part of the Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group. This group runs 12 concepts in Austin and San Antonio. Hestia's creative approach earned it a spot among Austin Michelin star restaurants.
Read more about Hestia's live-fire cooking techniques.
4. InterStellar BBQ: Award-Winning Smoked Meats
InterStellar BBQ made history. It is one of the first barbecue spots in the US to get a Michelin star. Pitmaster John Bates started with sandwiches. He moved to barbecue and found success. Texas Monthly named it the #2 BBQ joint in Texas.
- Must-try items:
- Peach tea-glazed pork belly cubes.
- Smoked and chopped lamb shoulder tacos.
- Spiced rice pudding with gingerbread crumble.
The restaurant sits in a North Austin strip mall. Lines can be long, but the food is worth it. Bates recently hired a pastry chef to improve desserts. InterStellar shows that barbecue can be fine dining. It is a key stop among Austin Michelin star restaurants.
Discover InterStellar BBQ's menu and hours.
5. la Barbecue: East Side Classic
la Barbecue has been an Austin favorite for years. It started as a food truck on the east side. The late LeAnn Mueller founded it. Now, her wife Alison Clem runs the brick-and-mortar location. The restaurant has a custom pit and a big patio.
- Popular orders:
- Brisket (some of the best in Central Texas).
- Pork ribs and housemade sausage.
- Beef ribs on weekends.
- Chopped and sliced brisket sandwiches.
la Barbecue offers local beers, cocktails, and Champagne. The lines used to be long at the food truck. The new location has more space. This makes it easier to enjoy their famous meats. la Barbecue's inclusion among Austin Michelin star restaurants honors its long history of quality.
Check out la Barbecue's location and menu.
6. LeRoy & Lewis Barbecue: New School BBQ
LeRoy & Lewis Barbecue takes a modern approach. It started as a food truck in 2017. The team opened a permanent restaurant in early 2024. They focus on quality meats from Texas ranches. The animals get good treatment and respect.
- Favorite dishes:
- Smoked beef cheeks from 44 Farms.
- L&L cheeseburger (Akaushi brisket and ground beef).
- Hog fat cornbread with seasonal butter.
The restaurant now offers weekend steak dinners. These require reservations. Texas Monthly gave them good reviews. LeRoy & Lewis proves that barbecue can evolve. Their creative dishes earned them a place among Austin Michelin star restaurants.
Learn about LeRoy & Lewis Barbecue's philosophy.
7. Olamaie: Refined Southern Cuisine
Olamaie serves contemporary Southern food. Chef Michael Fojtasek founded it in 2014. The current chef de cuisine is Amanda Turner. She appeared on Top Chef: Wisconsin in 2024. The restaurant has maintained high standards for years.
- Current menu highlights:
- Fried catfish with blue crab rice.
- Lemongrass-poached shrimp with coconut rice.
- Rabbit, jerk-spiced pork chop, and Texas Wagyu.
A must-order item is the buttermilk biscuits. They come with salted honey butter. These biscuits are so popular they have a sister restaurant. Little Ola's Biscuits sells them to go. Olamaie's elegant take on Southern food makes it a star among Austin Michelin star restaurants.
Explore Olamaie's menu and reservation details.
Final Thoughts
Austin Michelin star restaurants show the city's food diversity. From barbecue to fine dining, these seven spots offer something for everyone. The Michelin Guide's arrival in Texas was a big deal. Austin got seven of the state's 15 stars. This puts the city on the global food map. Two restaurants also got Green Stars for sustainability. These are Dai Due and Emmer & Rye. They focus on local sourcing and low waste. No matter if you're a local or a visitor, these Austin Michelin star restaurants are worth trying. They represent the best of what the city has to offer. Make reservations early, as these spots are now even more popular.