Austin Takes Center Stage in Food & Wine Rankings
Two Austin restaurants have made their mark on the national culinary scene, ranking among the top 20 in the United States according to the latest Food & Wine lists. Meanwhile, a Japanese-inspired cocktail bar in the city, WaterTrade, received an honorable mention on the list of the top 15 American bars.
Austin’s Culinary Journey
Austin grabbed a spot on three of Food & Wine’s lists, enhancing its status as one of the greatest gastronomic cities in the nation. It notably captured the No. 4 ranking on the list of 10 Top US Cities for Food and Drinks, a significant advance from its No. 10 position in 2023. Notably, it was the only Texas city to make the cut.
Honoring Austin’s Food Industry
The city’s restaurants that made it to the top tier are Birdie’s, ranked at No. 4, and Nixta Taqueria, listed at No. 17. The former received accolades for its illustrious dining format, presented as a counter service. Birdie’s serves a New American menu where upscale steak holds the limelight along with indulgent portions of creamy soft-serve ice cream. The latter restaurant, Nixta Taqueria, is well-known for its chef Edgar Rico’s taco omakase. Moreover, the eatery’s a la carte options received recognition, offering dishes such as a snapper soup with udon noodles and oyster sauce, a golden beet salad that gets a boost from a pickled fennel salad, and a duck mole tamal.
Austin’s WaterTrade, a bar serving cocktails with Japanese flair, is an intimate nook providing meticulously prepared drinks. The connection to its neighbor restaurant, Otoko, another omakase specialty establishment, lies in the “transcendent tasting menu” that it offers, only in a liquid form, according to Food & Wine.
Other Texas Establishments
Other Texas eateries that made it to Food & Wine’s lists include Houston’s March and Julep. The former is a fine-dining restaurant listed at No. 14 on the Top 20 Restaurants in the US, while the latter is a Southern-inspired cocktail bar ranked at No. 11 in the 15 Top Bars in the US.
In Dallas, Midnight Rambler bar earned the No. 5 spot on the list of the 15 Top Hotel Bars in the US. It was recognized for its thrilling atmosphere, frequent DJ rotation, and especially for the thoughtful shot pairings featured on its cocktail menu.
Overall Impact
While the list shows a bit of geographical preference on the American coasts, it’s an undeniable victory for Austin, which has continued to rise in the culinary rankings over the years. Being the only Texas city in the top 10 for food and drink, coupled with the high-ranking positions of its restaurants and bar, further solidifies Austin’s integral role in America’s food scene. Keep an eye on this vibrant city as it continues to offer new and fascinating flavors and culinary experiences.
