Austin’s Burgeoning Food Scene: New Restaurants, Revamped Menus and More

A Burger Pop-Up Gets a Permanent Location in Austin

In a delightful surprise for burger lovers in Austin, Bad Larry’s, renowned for its chaotic smashburgers and intriguing Instagram presence, is making the transition from a pop-up to a permanent establishment. Helmed by Matthew Bolick, Bad Larry’s has garnered significant popularity for its impressive burgers and grassroots connections to the local music scene. The restaurant is expected to open its doors at its new permanent location at 2027 E. Cesar Chavez St. in the first quarter of 2025.

New Ventures and Relocations in Austin’s Food Landscape

Austin’s rapidly evolving food scene continues to surprise and delight with new additions and noteworthy changes. Tacodeli, an Austin original fast-casual taco spot, is set to open a new location on South Lamar Boulevard on July 17. Alongside its consistent, straightforward, and delicious meals, Tacodeli has also had some of its salsa hit the shelves at H-E-B stores across the state this year.

Fogueira Gaúcha Brazilian Steakhouse, formerly rooted in Round Rock, is making a move to The Domain. The upscale Brazilian steakhouse operates on an unlimited table-side service model where patrons can choose from a variety of meats served by waiting staff. With a business casual dress code, this place offers an elevated dining experience that is as much about the ambiance as it is about the food.

In other interesting updates, a new poolside bar, Swim Club, brought to life by Nickel City visionary Travic Tober, is set to open on June 24 at the upcoming Downright Austin hotel. Designed around a cleverly repurposed pool, this bar offers a whimsical Barbie-inspired theme along with the refreshing drinks.

A Fresh Wave of Menu Refreshes

With summer well and truly here, several restaurants are introducing new offerings and revamped menus to cater to the seasonal palate. Notable mentions include innovative additions from establishments like Uchiko, The Driskill, North Italia, Equipment Room, and Olamaie. Additionally, Old Thousand has introduced a new day – Mondays – while the Peached Tortilla locations host a steak frites night every Tuesday.

Father’s Day Offerings and Other Special Events

Austin’s restaurants are ready to make Father’s Day special with unique offerings such as a cocktail class and a vineyard brunch with car show. Lutie’s, a plush garden restaurant nestled within the Commodore Perry Estate, is hosting a special Prime Rib Night, featuring a prix fixe menu that is sure to impress, on June 16. Further, Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa is hosting a wine dinner at Blind Salamander Kitchen & Bar to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Caymus Vineyards, on June 18.

Sustainable Living at Its Best

Sightseer Coffee Roasters, a proudly feminist, and queer-owned enterprise, seeks to uphold gender equity in the coffee industry by sourcing beans exclusively from female producers. In the coffee industry where women constitute 70% of the manual labor force, Sightseer Coffee is reinforcing the values of fairness and equity by ensuring the visibility of women at every level of the coffee production process.