Top Margaritas

10 best spots in Austin for out-of-the-ordinary margaritas

It's National Tequila Day, and what better way to celebrate this glorious day than by kicking back a few Texas margaritas? This boozy, refreshing potion has inspired an array of interpretations and traditions over its remarkable history. Salt, no salt, frozen, on the rocks, lime, flavored, swirl, or no swirl — you name it — there’s no wrong way to make a margarita.

Here in the Lone Star State, our diverse mixologists have concocted a curated collection of traditional and not-so-traditional inventions from this beloved beverage.

This National Tequila Day, we're celebrating the adventurous margaritas around town, the ones you aren’t likely to find anywhere else than right here in Austin.

Takoba
There are an array of margaritas on this East Seventh Street restaurant’s menu, but if you’re looking to wander off the beaten path, order the mango-habanero margarita. Made with el Jimador reposado, Patrón Citronge tequila, fresh mango, habanero and fresh-squeezed lime juice, this tangy beverage packs a punch.

Curra’s Grill
Thick, creamy and insanely delicious, the avocado margarita, made with smooth avocado slices, lime juice, triple sec, tequila and fresh cilantro, is what keeps the patrons coming to this margarita house.

Fixe
As a Southern-focused venture, Fixe has its margarita down to a beautiful science. The fine dining restaurant infuses a bold Louisiana twist into the Texas margarita. Using Avion Silver, orange, Grand Marnier and Abita Amber, Fixe has invented the Abita Rita, an odd-but-delightful Austin margarita.

El Alma
The margarita chilanga has transitioned from odd to classic at El Alma, but we couldn’t resist including it in our roundup. Spicy chili powder, orange juice, tequila and lime juice piece together this refreshing adult slush.

Licha’s Cantina
Texas is proud of its watermelons, and Licha’s has made use of the juicy fruit in its watermelon jalapeño margarita. This pastel drink is made with watermelon Espolon tequila, lime juice, orange liqueur and chili powder.

W Austin
Ever heard of a margarita with grapes? It sounds strange, but W Austin has managed to make it work brilliantly. Using Casamigos Blanco Tequila, crème de violette, agave, lime juice and grapes, the W has revamped and re-imagined the Texas margarita.

Lucy’s Fried Chicken
Lucy’s all-star beverage is definitely the Juicy Lucy. This pink margarita — made with watermelon juice, watermelon syrup, lime juice, tequila and triple sec — is both beautiful and delightful.

El Naranjo
Using a blend of mezcal, muddled serrano peppers, basil agave nectar, lime juice and pineapple juice, this relaxing Rainey Street restaurant has mastered a bold take on the margarita. The Mexican restaurant’s authentic cuisine is divine, but here the margarita is king.

Jeffrey’s
Who knew a fine dining restaurant would be one of the best places for a playful margarita? Mixing together such ingredients as lemon juice, orange flower water and Tequila Cabeza Blanco, this classic Austin restaurant has wielded a lovely and refreshing margarita.

400 Rabbits Bar
This Slaughter Lane bar specializes in tequila and mezcal-based drinks, so it’s a safe to say you’ll find a share of funky margaritas here. The cucumber mint margarita —made with Dulce Vida Blanco, orange liqueur, lime juice, agave nectar and cucumbers and mint —is a grand and successful departure from the overwrought lime margarita.

The mango habanero margarita from Takoba certainly packs a punch.

Takoba Austin restaurant mango habanero margarita 2015

Courtesy of Takoba

The mango habanero margarita from Takoba certainly packs a punch.

unspecified

Omakase for Everyone

New South Austin restaurant swims against current of expensive omakase

Photo courtesy of Tancho Sushi

Tancho Sushi keeps things simple.

Austin had no shortage of beautiful sushi restaurants, but a new one at Lantana Place is doing drawing the trend away from the center of the city and sticking a lower price tag on the experience. Tancho Sushi, offering "everyday omakase," is now open at 7415 Southwest Parkway.

The thought of casual omakase feels like a bit of an oxymoron in Austin, where the service style — which tasks the chef with choosing what the diner will eat — is almost synonymous with something fancy and expensive. Factor in the interior design at Tancho, which certainly doesn't look pedestrian, and it's hard to believe it's actually an everyday meal.

But all things considered, these prices seem reasonable: $29 for the lightest dinner option, and capping out at a $59 feast. Lunch is even less expensive, starting at $24.

Tancho Sushi interior The airy space takes advantage of its surroundings outside of the city.Photo courtesy of Tancho Sushi

In some omakase experiences, the chef might factor in a diner's taste, the special ingredients that are available that day, and any number of other factors to determine what hits the table. But at Tancho, these prix fixe options are predetermined, doubtlessly contributing to the more accessible pricing.

The 50-seat restaurant also uses a clever marketing angle to get diners in who aren't necessarily experienced in sushi, or might otherwise be intimidated by letting a chef choose unfamiliar foods. "With thoughtfully curated preset menus, Tancho simplifies the dining experience by eliminating the guesswork so guests can focus on enjoying their meals," a press release announcing the opening says.

The release was sent November 22, but it looks like Tancho has been serving customers in a soft opening capacity for about a month, based on its Google reviews (which are stunningly high for a new restaurant at 4.7 stars).

Offerings at Tancho are simple.Photo courtesy of Tancho Sushi

Although each menu is different, there is a shared arc. All four experiences start with sunomono salad, a cucumber-based dish with red seaweed and sesame. Then there's tuna sashimi with smoked yuzu ponzu and scallions, and the rest depends on what the diner chooses.

Some standout items across the dinner service are sea bream on the light menu; akami (very red meat along the spine of a tuna) on the standard omakase menu; a lobster open hand roll on the rolls-only menu; and a tuna flight on the grand omakase menu.

No menu item is especially complicated. The focus is on doing each ingredient right, including the temperature the fish is served at and even the flavor of house-made soy sauce and ponzu.

“We keep the focus on the ingredients,” said co-founder Brad Van Otterloo in the release. “By stripping away unnecessary flourishes, we allow the quality of our fish to take center stage. This is a Texas-born concept through and through, and we’re proud to contribute to Austin’s growing sushi reputation.”

The open hand rolls are a signature for the restaurant.Photo courtesy of Tancho Sushi

Despite all this talk of omakase, it is possible to order à la carte items: some appetizers, nigiri (sliced fish on top of rice), and rolls. There's also a carefully curated beverage program, which largely focuses on sake. That includes the Kubota Manju or “Ten Thousand Celebrations" ($79), renowned in Japan for its complex layers and smooth mouthfeel.

“As Austin continues to grow, we wanted to introduce a fresh take on the sushi experience,” said Van Otterloo. “We’re here to make sushi approachable for Austinites while honoring the integrity of this cuisine. It’s about creating a space where everyone can discover and enjoy sushi at their own pace – no pressure, no pretense.”

Tancho Sushi exterior This restaurant is meant to be approachable.Image courtesy of Tancho Sushi

Tancho Sushi is located at 7415 Southwest Parkway, Building 4, Suite 300. It's open daily from 11 am to 10 pm, offering both dine-in and takeout. There are no reservations.

omakase sushi openings south austin