• Home
  • News
  • Restaurants + Bars
  • City Life
  • Entertainment
  • Travel
  • Real Estate
  • Arts
  • Society
  • Home + Design
  • Fashion + Beauty
  • Innovation
  • Sports
  • Events
  • Submit New Event
  • Subscribe
  • About
  • series
  • Arden Test Capitalization
  • Arden testing
  • ACM Literature
  • Football and Fashion
  • Formula One
  • Off the Record 2011
  • On Location 2011
  • ACL Festival 2011
  • ATX Comforts of Home 2011
  • Divine Presents
  • Culture of Giving
  • Imagine Austin's Future
  • Austin Entrepreneur Video Series
  • The State of Love
  • Clifford on the Catwalk Atx
  • ATX State of the Arts 2012
  • Inside Tracks
  • ATX Green Living 2012
  • Atx SXSW 2012
  • Buying Austin 2012
  • ATX Staycation
  • Hidden Austin 2012
  • Lost Pines Road Trip Austin
  • Picture Perfect
  • ATX London Dreams
  • ATX Football and Fashion 2012
  • ATX Fall For Fashion 2012
  • ATX Good Eats 2012
  • ACL Festival 2012
  • Fun Fun Fun Fest 2012
  • ATX Comforts of Home 2012
  • ATX Osborne Advisors
  • ATX Divine Presents 2012
  • Austin Culture of Giving 2012
  • ATX Sun and Ski
  • ATX Cars in Lifestyle
  • ATX Zimmet
  • ATX New Beginnings
  • ATX Longhorn Sports 2013
  • ATX Formula 1
  • ATX Songwriters
  • Picture This Pet
  • ATX Best of 2013
  • SXSW 2013
  • ATX City Centre 2013
  • ATX Music Scene 2013
  • ATX Breakfast Series 2013
  • Mothers Day Gift Guide 2021 Austin
  • First-time Homebuyers Austin 2021
  • Visit Frisco Austin
  • Attic Austin
  • Dogfish Head Austin
  • LovBe Austin
  • AT&T Dell Childrens Ball
  • Howdy Cleaners
  • Claire St Amant podcast Austin
  • Visit Boerne Austin
  • The Listing Firm Austin
  • South Padre Austin
  • Texas Restaurant Association Austin
  • Nasher Austin
  • Pioneer Austin
  • Kuper Neighborhood Guide
  • Luck Springs Austin
  • MileStone Builders
  • Rectanglo.com
  • Weekend Event Planner Austin
  • ACL Fest 2021
  • Proximo Spirits
  • Love Where You Live Austin - 2021
  • Bandera Austin
  • Port Aransas Austin
  • Milan Laser
  • Highland Park Village
  • Austin Tastemaker Awards 2021
  • COTA F1
  • Bordeaux Austin
  • Balcones
  • Verizon Visible
  • COTA Peppermint Parkway
  • Gift Guide
  • World Interiors
  • Blue Circle Foods
  • Construction Concepts
  • Athletic Brewing
  • Austin Wedding Guide
  • Get Help With Tula
  • Austin First-time Homebuyers Guide
  • El Paso
  • Austin Tastemaker Awards
  • Visit Lubbock
  • Neighborhood Guide
  • Real Estate Insider
  • Central Market
  • JW Marriott San Antonio
  • Moody Center Austin
  • Lamar Union Plaza
  • Travel Texas
  • Shift Adapt
  • AC Marriott Hill Country
  • Austin Mecca Spa
  • ATX Sustainable Food
  • ATX Good Eats 2013
  • ATX Culture Motive
  • ATX Auto Awards
  • ATX Ski Magic
  • The Perfect Valentine's Day
  • ATX Zoltan David
  • SXSW 2014 spotlight: CultureMap presents 30 Days, 30 Artists
  • ATX SXSW 2014
  • ATX Tastemakers 2014
  • ATX Paypal
  • ATX_15Winks
  • ATX Smart Luxury
  • RedRover Alley ATX
  • atx woodford reserve manhattans
  • Jameson ATX
  • SXSW 2015
  • CultureMap Social ATX
  • Where to Eat Austin
  • ATX Tastemakers 2015
  • Omni Hotel ATX
  • 2015 Austin Stylemaker
  • ATX New York Fashion Week spring 2016
  • Austin SXSW Eco
  • Formula 1 Giveaway
  • Kids in a Groove
  • NextSeed
  • Austin Charity Challenge 2016
  • Fresh Start Austin
  • Wedding Planner Austin
  • Texas Wine Talk Austin
  • JuiceLand
  • Metropia Austin
  • Gourmet by numbers
  • SXSW 2016
  • Minibar
  • Okay to Say
  • Tastemaker Awards 2016 Austin
  • Wilson Goldrick Realtors
  • Love Where You Live
  • Old Forester Austin
  • Car2Go
  • Texas Traveler Austin
  • Soldiers' Angels
  • Millennium Rainey Street
  • NMASS
  • Okay to Say Austin
  • Bob's Steak and Chop House Austin
  • Kuper Sotheby's
  • Real Estate Confidential Austin
  • Top Texans Under 30 Austin
  • Stylemaker Awards 2016 Austin
  • Real Weddings Austin
  • Soldier's Angels Austin
  • Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino Austin
  • Brown Forman Cocktail Chronicles Austin
  • Gift Guide 2016
  • W Austin
  • Austin Charity Challenge 2017
  • Wedding Series Austin
  • SXSW 2017
  • Tastemakers Austin 2017
  • Medici
  • Love Where You Live Austin
  • PSW Real Estate Austin
  • Engel & Volkers
  • Galveston.com Austin
  • First-time Home Buyers
  • Reliant Bright Ideas Austin
  • Whisper Valley
  • Wedding Guide Austin
  • Austin Portfolio Real Estate
  • Urbanspace Real Estate Interiors
  • Braun Enterprises Austin
  • Impact Hub
  • Well Aware
  • Ronald McDonald House
  • Holiday Gift Guide 2017 Austin
  • Visit Houston Gift Guide 2017 ATX
  • Omni Hotels Austin
  • Ethan's View Austin
  • Wedding Guide Austin 2018
  • Austin Tastemakers 2018
  • Crosswinds
  • SXSW 2018
  • Gottesman Residential Real Estate
  • Milestone
  • Austin Charity Guide
  • Prospect Real Estate
  • San Luis Resort Austin
  • Whole Foods Austin 2018
  • Visit Houston spas Austin
  • Indochino Austin
  • Milestone 1306 West
  • Gardenio
  • GiftingMap Austin
  • WhiskyX
  • Scavenged Vintage
  • Love Where You Live 2018
  • Caliterra
  • FIA World Rallycross Austin
  • Watertrade
  • Milestone The Grove
  • Woodchuck Cider Austin
  • Wedding Guide Austin fall 2018
  • Camp Contemporary
  • ACL Music Fest 2018
  • Sam Adams
  • Wilson & Goldrick 2018
  • Four Seasons Austin
  • Dallas Bike Ride Austin
  • Whim Hospitality
  • South Congress Hotel
  • Holiday Gift Guide 2018 Austin
  • Fall Refresh
  • Milam Grove
  • Fresh Arts Austin
  • 2nd St District
  • Holiday Happenings Austin 2018
  • New Beginnings 2019
  • DON'T USE Crux Climbing
  • Galveston 2019 Austin
  • Roxan Coffman Properties
  • Austin Tastemaker Awards 2019
  • Visit Plano Austin
  • SXSW 2019
  • Lake Charles 2019
  • GOGO Charters Austin
  • First-Time Homebuyers Guide 2019
  • Love Where You Live Austin 2019
  • Omni Barton Creek
  • Opendoor Austin
  • Woodford Reserve Austin
  • Fredericksburg CVB Austin
  • Valencia Group Hotels Austin
  • The Isabella
  • Summer Getaways Austin
  • TenantBase Austin
  • Party at the Moontower
  • Austin WeWork
  • VRBO Austin
  • The Post Oak Hotel Austin
  • BestHotelRates.com Austin
  • Fairmont Austin
  • Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Austin
  • Legacy Communities
  • ACL Fest 2019
  • WhiskyX 2019
  • Keep Austin Weird Run to Brunch
  • Oskar Blues Wild Basin Austin
  • Camp Contemporary 2019
  • Vine Connections Austin
  • Sam Adams 2019
  • Echo Apartments Austin
  • Deep Ellum Brewing Co Austin
  • El Meson
  • Natiivo
  • Cigar City Margarita Gose
  • Holiday Happenings Austin 2019
  • Krewe Austin
  • Gift Guide 2019 Austin
  • Winestyr Austin
  • Getaways Austin
  • Trail of Lights
  • Verizon 2019
  • Hatchet Alley
  • Austin Home and Garden Show 2020
  • Lincoln Properties The Grand Residences at The Domain
  • Nan & Co. Austin
  • Austin Tastemaker Awards 2020
  • Campfire Gathering 2020
  • SXSW 2020
  • COTA MotoGP Austin
  • Pinstack Austin
  • Kerbey Lane
  • CBD Take Out Austin
  • Father's Day Gift Guide 2020 Austin
  • Lantower Residential
  • Matthews and Associates Austin
  • 2nd Street District 2020
  • Sourced Craft Cocktails
  • Calibrate Austin
  • Compass Legacy Real Estate Group
  • Travel Juneau Austin
  • Nine Banded Whiskey Austin
  • Austin Connections
  • SouthStar Bank
  • Mad Tasty
  • Grandes Vinos Austin
  • Sustainable Food Center
  • Realty Austin Jean Bruns
  • RVshare
  • Castle Hill Fitness
  • Babe Wine Austin
  • Local Color Realty Group
  • Cutwater Spirits Austin
  • Greystar ATX
  • Riata Austin
  • Legacy Communities Cooper's Square
  • Bandd Design
  • Junior League Austin 2020
  • Skout
  • Moreland Properties
  • Music Lane
  • Evolve Cryo Wellness
  • ZeroDown
  • Brixos Austin
  • Gift Guide 2020 Austin
  • Tuft & Needle
  • Foxtrot Austin
  • Fine Art America Austin
  • South Congress Improvement District
  • Samsung 2020 Austin
  • Texas Original
  • NextGen Real Estate Austin
  • The Colony Bastrop
  • LW test series
  • Garrison Brothers
  • The Tailgate
  • Northshore
  • Big Country
  • promoted
  • eventdetail
  • Charity Guide
  • Children
  • Education
  • Health
  • Veterans
  • Social Services
  • Arts + Culture
  • Animals
  • LGBTQ
  • New Charity
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Advertising Inquiry
  • Jobs
  • Suggestions
  • Authors
  • Love Where You Live
  • Small Business Spotlight
  • Vesper
  • Circuit of The Americas
  • Peppermint Parkway
  • internal 5
  • Gift Guide 2022 Austin
  • Gift Guide
  • Log in

Meet the Tastemakers

Austin's 9 best neighborhood restaurants are the heart and soul of the city

Brandon Watson
Mar 1, 2019 | 10:20 am

Sometimes a restaurant is just a restaurant, but a neighborhood eatery has a way of working into people’s lives. It’s where birthdays are celebrated and proposals are made. With little pomp, they become integral to what makes Austin Austin.

Each year, we send a love letter to the city by honoring the Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year as part of the CultureMap Tastemaker Awards. Before we announce the winner at our annual blow-out party at the Bullock Texas State History Museum on April 10, we’re taking a moment to trumpet the nominated restaurants that always feel like home.

Better Half Coffee & Cocktails
For the past few years, Austin has opened a bevy of all-day restaurants — a term meant to telegraph the wide appeal as much as the opening hours. Arguably, no other restaurant in town embodies the idea as effectively as this stylish West Austin newcomer. Whether stopping by for a ham biscuit and iced coffee in the morning, a cheeseburger at lunch, or a cocktail at night, guests know they will find a fast friend in Better Half. That’s exactly what a neighborhood eatery is supposed to be.

District Kitchen + Cocktails
South Austin deserves more restaurants like this neighborhood gem. Chef Amir Hajimeliki serves the United Nations of dishes, ranging from Moroccan lamb kabobs to pappardelle bolognese, while pastry chef Dennis Van quietly concocts some of the most innovative desserts in town. The bar is far from being incidental, serving rock-solid classics like Manhattans and Sazeracs and creative originals like a drink using butterfly pea flower tea-infused Nikka gin that one might more readily expect at the haute bars downtown.

Foreign & Domestic
Here’s one indication that this North Loop mainstay has worked its way into Austin’s heart: Locals call it simply F&D. That casual familiarity is usually found in places that only serve burgers and fries, but owners Nathan Lemley and Sarah Heard turn the tables with a snout-to-tail menu that explores everything from venison tartare to fried pigs ears. They get away with the more challenging fare because customers trust the chefs' palates. Guests may find the ingredients unfamiliar, but there’s the promise that the meal will be delicious.

Hopfields
If you ask a regular what they like about this campus gastropub, they’re likely to point to the outrageously luscious Pascal burger, but it’s really the salade niçoise that shines. Far from being an afterthought, the eatery makes it a showstopper with a flutter of butter lettuce, seared yellowfin tuna, boquerones, haricots verts, bitter olives, and a sharp aioli that sings when paired with a citrusy lager. Hopfields didn’t have to try this hard with that dish — almost nobody does — but the extra mile is one of the secrets to its longevity.

June’s All Day
When most Austinites think of comfort food, they might conjure a chicken fried steak draped off the edge of a plate or the delightful monochrome of cheese enchiladas served with rice and beans. They pale in comparison to the Capital City’s coziest dish: June’s matzo ball caldo. The soup may seem pricey at $21 an order, but there is no more affordable luxury within city limits — especially when enjoyed on a Monday night with a half-price bottle of bubbles.

Justine’s Brasserie
After a decade of business, this East Austin brasserie hasn’t lost a bit of its shine. The dining room, painted the deep crimson of the Moulin Rouge, has its charms, but nothing in Austin is more glamorous than the patio, where the carnival lights draw in the city’s most beautiful fireflies. The menu is tailored to the Central Texas demimonde, complete with buttery escargot, steak frites, and a transcendent pork chop.

Launderette
When a local asks where they should take an out-of-town guest, the answer inevitably comes in like a Greek chorus: Launderette, Launderette, Launderette. It’s not much of a surprise. The interior is hip without being precious, and the wine selection is curious without an ounce of snobbery. The food is approachable but not homogenous, and no other restaurant makes humble avocado toast into such a celebration.

Little Deli
Clad in pale wood paneling, this Crestview deli’s interior is the definition of no muss, no fuss. The sprawling menu, however, is anything but. Dozens of sandwiches vie for customers' attention, ranging from Italian subs to a brazenly gooey grilled cheese. Then, there’s the pizza, which is perpetually named the best in Austin. The No. 7 probably got its name from the order it appears on the menu, but its pepperoni, roasted garlic, and cherub tomato combo is a taste of seventh heaven. We’d like to think that Saint Peter is waiting with it at the pearly gates.

Pool Burger
McGuire Moorman Hospitality has splashier concepts, like the country club luxe of Jeffrey’s or the Parisian cafe cool of the aforementioned June’s. This West Austin trailer is the group at its most easygoing. Start the evening with the Deep End cheeseburger and a potent drink like the rum and Herbsaint Johnny Utah. Then spend the rest of the evening playing pool at Deep Eddy Cabaret next door.

Launderette is one of the most recommended eateries in Austin.

Launderette Bar
Photo by Melody Fury
Launderette is one of the most recommended eateries in Austin.
tastemakers
news/restaurants-bars
series/austin-tastemaker-awards-2019

CultureMap Emails Are Awesome
Get Austin intel delivered daily.

We will not share or sell your email address.

most read posts

David Bowie career retrospective lands at Austin art gallery with rare prints

10 festive Thanksgiving feasts and specials to gobble up in Austin this holiday

7 Austin exhibits and one big studio tour to tantalize the creative senses this month

Hot Headlines

Austin shines as 'supernova' real estate market, plus more popular stories

Hannah J. Frías
Nov 12, 2022 | 12:00 pm
Austin skyline night
Photo by Carlos Alfonso on Unsplash

The Austin market may be changing, but it is still one of the hottest in the U.S.

Editor’s note: It’s that time again — time to check in with our top stories. Here are five articles that captured our collective attention over the past seven days.

1. Austin shines as a 'supernova' real estate market in this 2023 forecast. The Austin market may be changing, but it is still one of the hottest in the U.S.

2. Austin Powwow and heritage festival approaches 30 years of dancing, food, and crafts. The 12-hour festival takes place on Saturday, November 12, and is one of the largest of its kind in the country.

3. H-E-B reveals renovated store in Austin suburb with new, upgraded departments. H-E-B revealed all-new and upgraded departments at the recently renovated Round Rock location.

4. All Austinites are BookPeople at the indie book store's 52nd anniversary party. The 52-year-old independent bookseller is the largest in Texas.

5. Armadillo Christmas Bazaar gathers miraculous music lineup and 200 artisans.The fun-filled holiday tradition is back again December 17-23.

news/restaurants-bars
series/austin-tastemaker-awards-2019

CultureMap Emails Are Awesome
Get Austin intel delivered daily.

We will not share or sell your email address.

most read posts

David Bowie career retrospective lands at Austin art gallery with rare prints

10 festive Thanksgiving feasts and specials to gobble up in Austin this holiday

7 Austin exhibits and one big studio tour to tantalize the creative senses this month

Best Wishes

The holiday shopping genie returns to Austin to fulfill one-stop browsing wishes

Brianna Caleri
Nov 11, 2022 | 1:25 pm
Interior sign of Blue Genie Art Bazaar in Austin
Photo courtesy of Blue Genie Art Bazaar

The floor is packed with nearly 200 vendors at the 2022 bazaar.

Sometimes it feels like the only way all the holiday shopping can get done is if a genie steps in. Austin’s Blue Genie Art Bazaar (BGAB) isn’t far from that fantasy; no one can choose for you, but the curated artisan goods narrow down the possibilities, gathering a mix of people-pleasing and hyper-specific gifts under one roof.

November 18 kicks off the 22nd iteration of the bazaar, with nearly 200 vendors that generally steer clear of holiday clichés, focusing mostly on art, snacks, and home goods. It would be easiest to shop for friends and family who love decorating their homes and kitchens, but shoppers will also find accessories, toys, and sometimes even experiences.

The website divides the vendors into categories that make it easy to plan a trip with shoppers who like a plan, although seeing what stands out in person is at least half the fun. One step further into perfectly streamlined shopping, personal shoppers will make selections for a fee of 10% of the price of the item a home shopper selects (capped at $25).

Three of the four BGAB founders — all artists themselves — sent out some ideas to their nice list contacts:

  • Dana Younger recommends soap by Fleegal Farms, tea towels by Victrola and Kimball Prints, chocolate by Madhu, tea from White Cloud and SESA, and shirts by Supermaggie.
  • Kevin Collins recommends artworks by Dan Grissom and Danika Ostrowski, and accessories by JNA Designs.
  • Chris Coakley recommends art by JCR Work, Eya Claire, and another founder, Rory Skagen.

“As always, this year’s Blue Genie Art Bazaar will be filled with some of the best work of our local artists,” said Younger in a press release. “And, as always, we’ll have a mix of recognized favorites along with exciting new artists and plenty of items to surprise and inspire."

In 2021, Blue Genie’s efforts were acknowledged by Austin Chronicle readers, who voted it to the top of the Austin Gifts/Souvenirs category. In addition to a well-balanced curation, it offers a very shopper-friendly experience with free parking and admission, and a snack bar. Shoppers can feel good about supporting local artisans as well as the Make-a-Wish Foundation of Central and South Texas, which receives a portion of every Monday’s sales.

The 22nd annual Blue Genie Art Bazaar will be held in the Blue Genie Art building at 6100 Airport Boulevard, from 10 am to 10 pm daily until December 24. The last day, Christmas Eve, closes at 6 pm. More information and shopping links are available at bluegenieartbazaar.com.

holidaysartisansfamilieskidstexasshopping
news/restaurants-bars
series/austin-tastemaker-awards-2019

CultureMap Emails Are Awesome
Get Austin intel delivered daily.

We will not share or sell your email address.

most read posts

David Bowie career retrospective lands at Austin art gallery with rare prints

10 festive Thanksgiving feasts and specials to gobble up in Austin this holiday

7 Austin exhibits and one big studio tour to tantalize the creative senses this month

historic discovery

NASA confirms stunning discovery of Space Shuttle Challenger artifact

Steven Devadanam
Nov 11, 2022 | 12:34 pm
Space Shuttle Challenger liftoff 1986
Photo courtesy of NASA

Divers off the east coast of Florida discovered the underwater artifact.

A TV documentary crew has just made a startling discovery linked to one of the American space program's greatest tragedies, one that deeply resonated here in Texas. Divers off the east coast of Florida have found an artifact underwater that NASA confirms is debris from the space shuttle Challenger.

While searching for wreckage of a World War II-era aircraft, documentary divers noticed a large object covered partially by sand on the seafloor, one that was clearly crafted by humans. The team contacted NASA after analyzing the proximity to the Florida Space Coast, the item’s modern construction, and presence of 8-inch square tiles, according to the space agency.

Upon viewing the TV crew's footage, NASA leaders confirmed the object is indeed part of the Challenger, which exploded during launch on January 28, 1986, killing all seven crew members on board — all of whom trained in Houston.

A History Channel documentary depicting the discovery of the Challenger artifact is scheduled to air Tuesday, November 22. While the episode will screen as part of a series about the Bermuda Triangle, the artifact was found well northwest of the area popularly known as the Bermuda Triangle, researchers note.

NASA, meanwhile, is currently considering what additional actions it may take regarding the artifact that will properly honor the legacy of Challenger’s fallen astronauts and their families, the agency notes.

The Challenger disaster is now counted as one of American history's "where were you?" moments. The mission, dubbed STS-51L, was commanded by Francis R. “Dick” Scobee and piloted by Michael J. Smith. The other crew members on board were mission specialists Ronald E. McNair; Ellison S. Onizuka, and Judith A. Resnik; payload specialist Gregory B. Jarvis; and teacher S. Christa McAuliffe.

Space Shuttle Challenger crew 1986The Challenger crew poses ahead of the mission in January, 1986.Photo courtesy of NASA

McAuliffe, a charismatic civilian with a bright smile, became an international celebrity, bringing everyman accessibility to the space program. She was beloved by fans young and old, and quickly became the face of the doomed mission.

Celebrating NASA's 25th shuttle mission, the spacecraft waited overnight on Launch Pad 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. A sudden coastal cold front brought freezing temperatures, causing ice to form on the shuttle. Launch managers cleared the mission for launch at 11:38 am on January 28, despite concerns raised by some shuttle program employees.

A mere 73 seconds after liftoff, major malfunction caused the explosion that killed the seven crew members, a moment captured on live TV and watched by millions.

Later, a NASA investigation revealed that the unexpectedly cold temperatures affected the integrity of O-ring seals in the solid rocket booster segment joints, sparking the explosion.

Challenger's loss, and later Columbia with its seven astronauts – which broke up on reentry in February 2003 over the western United States – greatly influenced NASA’s culture regarding safety. The agency went on to create an Office of Safety and Mission Assurance, developed new risk assessment procedures, and established an environment in which everyone can raise safety concerns.

NASA also created the Apollo Challenger Columbia Lessons Learned Program to share these lessons within the agency and with other government, public, commercial, and international audiences.

“While it has been nearly 37 years since seven daring and brave explorers lost their lives aboard Challenger, this tragedy will forever be seared in the collective memory of our country,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson in a statement. “For millions around the globe, myself included, January 28, 1986, still feels like yesterday. This discovery gives us an opportunity to pause once again, to uplift the legacies of the seven pioneers we lost, and to reflect on how this tragedy changed us. At NASA, the core value of safety is – and must forever remain – our top priority, especially as our missions explore more of the cosmos than ever before.”

By law, all space shuttle artifacts are the property of the U.S. government. Members of the public who believe they have encountered any space shuttle artifacts should contact NASA at ksc-public-inquiries@mail.nasa.gov to arrange for return of the items.

news/restaurants-bars
series/austin-tastemaker-awards-2019

CultureMap Emails Are Awesome
Get Austin intel delivered daily.

We will not share or sell your email address.

most read posts

David Bowie career retrospective lands at Austin art gallery with rare prints

10 festive Thanksgiving feasts and specials to gobble up in Austin this holiday

7 Austin exhibits and one big studio tour to tantalize the creative senses this month

Loading Next Story...