This is a traditional French bistro like you might find in Normandy. In an open kitchen, French Chef Cesidio d'Andrea prepares all the usual suspects like pâté de campagne, salad Niçoise, cassoulet, and beef bourguignon. He has a nice French wine list and also operates a bakery on-site. Magnifique! – Wes Marshall
CLOSED
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Curtis Clarke's cafe puts out some excellent Cajun-Creole fare, with authentic everything – muffalettas and po'boys, gumbo and jambalaya, boudin and étouffée, gator and redfish. They feature live music many nights, and if you ever wanted to fais do-do in South Austin, this is the place. – Mick Vann
8106 Brodie Ln.
512/282-2586
evangelinecafe.com
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photo by John Anderson
photo by John Anderson
Owner/chef Jeff Blank and Executive Chef Kelly Casey continue to provide imaginative food to the residents around Lake Travis. Blank started the restaurant almost 30 years ago, which makes him one of the pioneers of Southwestern cuisine. Don't miss the Coca-Cola baby back ribs with orange ginger BBQ sauce and mango jalapeño cole slaw. – Wes Marshall
CLOSED
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Brave the constant crowds and be rewarded with skillfully made Southwestern-styled comfort food. Nightly specials are from locally sourced, fresh-that-day food. Regular items include belly-busting portions of dishes like Chicken-Fried Beef Ribs. Remember to get a mason jar of Jack's amazing pimento cheese on the way out. – Wes Marshall
7720 Hwy. 71 W.
512/852-8558
jackallenskitchen.net
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photo by John Anderson
Since they opened at Eighth and Brazos in 1985 (they moved to Lakeway in 1997), Pao's has remained in the top rung of Austin's Chinese food options. Be sure and request the "Chinese menu," which has the good stuff. Tasty, dependable dim sum on weekends. – Mick Vann
2300 Lohmans Spur #134
Lakeway
512/263-8869
www.paosmandarinhouse.blogspot.com
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Chef Francisco Cortez's dream has been to bring real Mexican food to the folks out in the Lakeway area. His food is good enough to draw folks from all over Austin. Santa Catarina is rightfully proud of its cochinita pibil and huitlacoche. We love the handmade tortillas with a dinner-sized campechana. – Wes Marshall
310 RR 620 S. Ste. A-4
Lakeway
512/300-0946
www.santacatarinarestaurant.com
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Sap's is putting out the best Thai food in Austin, covering all of the cuisine with an expansive menu. Unquestionably authentic and fresh, Sap's is also a bargain for the quality and quantity of the food you get. Consistent and delicious – and a haven for gorgeous roses. – Mick Vann
4514 West Gate Blvd.
512/899-8525
www.sapsthai.com
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In 2013, after a couple of years of health problems, owner Ronald Cheng had an opportunity to reopen in the building where Chinatown started in 1983. He kept some of the former menu items, added some delicious new ones, and gave the whole place a new look – simultaneously reinvigorating his brand and cementing his Austin culinary legacy. Austin is full of restaurateurs. Cheng is a giant. Inducted in 2016.
2712 Bee Caves Rd.
512/328-6588
www.austinchinatown.com
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