A new joint study by OpenTable and Kayak has named three Austin standouts — Dean's Italian Steakhouse at JW Marriott, and La Piscina and the Peacock Mediterranean Grill at Austin Proper — among the Top 100 Hotel Restaurants in America. The new rankings prove what Austinites already know: when it comes to travel, food is not just part of the journey; it is the destination.

According to the study, nearly half of Americans (47 percent) have booked a trip to visit a specific restaurant. Kayak has also seen a 51 percent year-over-year increase in the use of its "restaurant" filter when searching for hotels, a clear sign that travelers are planning their itineraries around what is on the menu, not just what is on the map.

The data also revealed that 45 percent of Americans say they post more about meals than sights while traveling, 73 percent would return to a hotel based on a great on-site dining experience, and 38 percent have booked a hotel stay specifically for its restaurant.

"Travelers are not just asking 'Where should I go?' They are asking, 'What is on the menu when I get there?'" said Kate Williams, chief communications officer at Kayak, in a release. "Great dining experiences are an essential part of today's travel itineraries, and hotels are rising to the occasion."

If you're vacationing in Texas, steak is usually a good idea.Dean's Italian Steakhouse

Austin's culinary standouts

The unranked list combined data from Kayak and OpenTable. Using metrics from June 2024 through May 2025, OpenTable evaluated metrics like overall diner ratings and percentage of five-star reviews. The restaurants that made the cut were then sorted by bookability on Kayak.

OpenTable didn't provide data on what each of its victors did well, but its Austin choices all have fancy atmospheres and a strong point of view.

At Dean's Italian Steakhouse, a beautiful steak is never far away — but the restaurant's great reputation comes from how well-balanced everything else is. With housemade pasta and excellent seafood, steak is not the only star of the show. Plus, a look at Google Reviews shows a rare strength: one superhero server's name is overwhelmingly the most-mentioned word by reviewers. Dean's has locations (with slight variations on the name) in Charlotte and San Antonio.

The two other Austin restaurants on the list share a home, but seem to have been added to the list of their individual merits. Elevated Tex-Mex poolside eatery La Piscina is the more casual of the two, and the Peacock Mediterranean Grill kicks things up a notch. Both feature good-looking interiors, but The Peacock is gorgeous — the interior alone will probably stick with travelers for years. Both also serve colorful and generously portioned plates with interesting meatless options.

Guests can eat with their eyes at La Piscina.La Piscina/Facebook

After lunch or dinner, visitors to Austin Proper should also check out Goldie's, a similarly beautiful bar that just launched a twice-weekly custom cocktail program and added iced teas to its famous British tea service.

A trip to San Antonio

If your dream getaway includes Texas Hill Country views, comfort food with a twist, and a glass of fine Burgundy, Signature at La Cantera Resort and Spa is the perfect match. The menu offers contemporary interpretations of classic European dishes infused with unconventional Texas spirit.

Meanwhile, the Study at Dean's offers an entirely different experience at the Kimpton Santo Hotel. This intimate, reservation-only bar is tucked away in a historic courtyard shaded by century-old live oaks. The restaurant is known for its high-end drinks, artful presentation, and cozy setting. It's an offshoot of the Dean's that made the list in Austin, but not in San Antonio.

The rest of Texas

In total, nine Texas hotel restaurants made the OpenTable and Kayak list. The following eateries made the honor roll:

• 97 West Kitchen and Bar at Hotel Drover — Fort Worth
• Dean's Italian Steakhouse at JW Marriott — Austin
• Fearing's Restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton — Dallas
• La Piscina at Austin Proper — Austin
• Signature at La Cantera Resort and Spa — San Antonio
• Stillwell's at Hôtel Swexan— Dallas
• The Study at Dean's at Kimpton Santo Hotel — San Antonio
• The Peacock Mediterranean Grill at Austin Proper — Austin
• Trick Rider at Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa— Frisco

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Brianna Caleri contributed to the Austin version of this CultureMap story.