5 Locavore Restaurants You Need to Try in Austin

Food

Apr 27

If there is something to be said about Austin’s restaurant scene, it’s that locavore (locally sourced and grown foods), is done well. Here are 5 that consistently do a great job of it.

1 - Dai Due, Cherrywood

Dai Due, (pronounced Dai Doo-ay) is a butcher shop and restaurant that boasts locally sourced farm-to-table ingredients in a casual rustic setting. Get lucky and score last minute brunch seating at the bar on the weekends but know that dinner is the highlight here so make sure to book that reservation in advance. Their specialty? MEAT.

2406 Manor Road Austin, TX 78722

Grilled Butler’s Gold Sourdough w Blueberry Lard

2 - Odd Duck, South Lamar

This homey, comfortable, I-think-I-just-ate-off-of-grandma’s-plates-and-became-the-waiter’s-new-best-friend sort of a spot will leave you feeling fully satisfied both in regards to your taste buds and the vibes. Odd Duck knows a thing or two about pairing - each dish has a real depth of flavor not to mention the twists and turns you get when you start mixing the flavors on other plates aka, dipping the cornbread into the chile beer glaze on the short rib, highly recommended by our new friend (thanks Gideon). It has you coming back for more because you leave wondering what flavors you might get to experience next.

1201 S Lamar Blvd Austin, TX 78704

Sour Duck, East Austin

The more casual spinoff of Odd Duck by the same owners is Sour Duck in East Austin. Come here for coffee and pastries, or a low key breakfast.

1814 E Martin Luther King Jr Blvd Austin, TX 78702

3 - Emmer & Rye, Rainey Street Historic District

You know you’re getting nothing short of fresh when they mill their own grains to serve you homemade bread and pasta. Emmer & Rye does simple foods well with ingredients you can trust. Tables get booked fast so make sure to plan in advance.

51 Rainey St #110 Austin, TX 78701

Hestia, Downtown

Hestia, a sister restaurant to Emmer & Rye has an artful approach to food, with each plate full of intention. It is on the pricier side but worth a visit for those nicer occasions.

607 W 3rd St Suite 105 Austin, TX 78701

4 - Birdie’s, East Austin

Birdie’s knows how to do a very good simple meal that leaves you feeling great all around. You really get to taste the purity of the flavors here. Everything is well balanced with nothing overdone. Make sure to order from each category and end it on a sweet note with the vanilla soft serve. You won’t regret it.

2944 East 12th Street Austin, TX 78702

5 - Olemaie, North Side

Olemaie isn’t inexpensive. And given it’s rooted in southern food, you might think it’s just plain heavy. But if there’s a place that does southern comfort in a tasteful way, it’s Olemaie. You wonder how cabbage could taste so good and if you actually always did have a thing for biscuits (their biscuits are perfection). Come here and do southern comfort properly.

1610 South Antonio Street Austin, TX 78701