The 21 Best Restaurants in Austin

"From Aztec-inspired corn tortillas to corn god murals, there’s no way to mistake that you’ve come upon Nixta. It bumps with major tunes, a sparkly gold disco ball, and knock-your-socks-off vibrant colors including coyoacan blue (a la Frida Kahlo’s home). Although the inside is a little snug and short on elbow room, what it lacks in fancy finishes and head space it makes up for in lively energy and out-of-the-box taco omakase experience that mimics the path of the owner’s indigenous ancestry (roasted green beans, ricotta, and pickled hibiscus onions) up through their move to California (duck consommé with buffalo nata and hoja santa). Think unconventional, elevated ingredients hidden in a humble, earthy shell for their everyday menu: marinated yellowfin tuna with furikake and duck confit with salsa cruda alongside vegetable-forward “meaty” bites like beet tartare with avocado crema, microgreens, and salsa macha aioli. Stay for dessert: the much-lauded Persian rice pudding or strawberry paleta with rose and lime." - Mandy Ellis