2 Hip Austin Restaurants You’ve Got to Try
I’m heading back to La La Land after a whirlwind trip to Austin for the ISES Austin Day of Education. Ah, had a blast! Such huge thanks to everyone who took amazing care of me. I loved it! While I didn’t have a ton of time to check out as much of the food scene as I wanted to, I did find 2 hip Austin restaurants via the Eater app that I wanted to pass on!
Hip Austin Restaurants – #1: La Condesa
They describe themselves as: “an award-winning modern Mexican restaurant, nominated for a James Beard Foundation Award for ‘Best New Restaurant.’ Helmed by Executive Chef Rick Lopez, La Condesa is located in Austin’s vibrant 2nd Street District, across the street from the W Hotel Austin and the world-famous Austin City Limits.
La Condesa features the largest selection of 100% blue agave tequila and mezcal in Austin and a craft bar program overseen by Cocktail World Cup champion Nate Wales.”
I describe them as just plain awesome. The vibe is hip, industrial, multilevel, open, has vignettes throughout and has a TON of great vegetarian options. Not that I’m vegan girl, but the 4 salsas were so good I almost drank them. The Colifor a la Plancha was one of the tastiest veggie dishes I can ever remember having. My photo doesn’t do it justice, but OMG, swear, you’d never miss steak after this one!
Other dishes at this hip Austin restaurant I want to try when I get back:
El Califa – new york strip, crispy manchego, cilantro, oak-grilled jalapeño-tomato salsa
Elotes – mexican style street corn
Coles de Bruselas – brussel sprouts, bacon, grapes
Hip Austin Restaurants – #2: 24 Diner
Again, thanks to my tried and Eater app I jetted, so fast 24 Diner before I had to head to the airport. Matt, the bartender who made sure I got the fastest breakfast possible, oatmeal with chutney – must’ve had crack in it because it was freaking amazing oatmeal, scored me some homemade 25 million grain bread, grapefruit juice and a stiff capp and I was out.
Next time I’m going to try:
Dutch Baby Breakfast – Oven-souffled pancake, two eggs, choice of bacon, sausage, ham or house-made veggie sausage, seasonal fruit topping
Get this. The house-made veggie sausage is with beets, mushrooms, lentils, rice, pumpkin seeds & golden flaxseeds. Never even heard of a veggie sausage so magical!
24 Diner describes themselves as:
“We were inspired by the classic diners of the ’50s. A place for people to come meet, eat, drink and have fun. Only this is Austin — so we left out the standard cookie-cutter diner stuff. No fluorescent lights, chrome or a cheesy refurbished jukebox in the corner. We blended a mid-century modern design with a big helping of Austin eclectic. Just like our food, it’s a unique blend of ingredients that’s delightfully unexpected.
Our crew is uniquely inspired as well. Chef and Texas native Andrew Curren was valedictorian of his class at the Culinary Institute of America in New York and worked alongside top chefs such as Danny Meyer and Jonathan Waxman. In fact, all our partners are Texans with discerning palates. We offer local, farm-to-table and organic produce whenever possible and quality food prepared immaculately.
Come hungry any time of the day — or night. Our chef-inspired comfort food will make you happy whether you’re craving chicken and waffles, veggie hash, meatloaf with sweet onion gravy or a tasty bacon Gorgonzola burger (try it with a fried egg on top). You’ll get extra grins if you order one of our decadently rich milkshakes — or a pint of craft beer or glass of boutique wine — to top it off.
Good atmosphere. Good people. Good food. Good drink. All in one convenient location at the corner of 6th and Lamar. The fact we’re neighbors with Austin icon Waterloo Records, well, that just makes it even cooler.”
Here’s the Contact Info for These 2 Hip Austin Restaurant GEMS!
La Condesa
400A West 2nd Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 499-0300
For general inquiries, please email info.austin@lacondesa.com.
The official address is 600 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin, TX, 78703, but they usually just tell folks that they are at the intersection of 6th & Lamar, next door to Waterloo Records.
They are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (with the exception of Wednesday morning from 1:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. when they’re closed for cleaning). Sweet Southern hospitality giving us the heads up!
Check them out and let me know!
Share your comments below about La Condesa and 24 Diner. Bon appetit! xx
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