From chef-driven concepts and neighborhood hangouts to nationally recognized brands planting roots in Central Texas, this guide highlights notable openings that reflect where Austin’s hospitality scene is headed—and what locals should have on their radar as the year unfolds.

Address: 2502 E. Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX
Opening: Early 2026
Vibe: East Coast oysters flown in from Maine, served with Southern hospitality. A coastal-inspired oyster house built around raw bar selections, chilled martinis, and an easygoing indoor–outdoor setting meant for long lunches and relaxed evenings.
Partners: Founded by Brendan Yancy, Dave Kleifgen, and Will Meredith, alongside Drew Ahumada. The team built a strong following through the Austin Oyster Co pop-up before committing to a permanent home.
About the Space: Approximately 3,009 square feet total, including 2,016 square feet indoors and a 993-square-foot outdoor deck and patio. This marks the brand’s first brick-and-mortar location.
Website | Instagram: @austinoysterco

Address: 205 E. 3rd St, Austin, TX
Opening: Spring 2026
Vibe: A high-end sports dining club combining elevated comfort food, cocktails, and beer with a lively, game-day-driven atmosphere in downtown Austin. Designed to function as both a restaurant and a social club.
Partners: Kevin Durant (NBA All-Star), Joe Gebbia (Airbnb cofounder), Rich Kleiman (35 Ventures), and Lobos Hospitality, bringing together sports, tech, and hospitality leadership.
About the Space: Roughly 4,700 square feet, designed as a large-format dining room with extensive bar seating and multiple viewing areas.
Website | Instagram: @austinsportsclub

Address: 3800 N Lamar Blvd, Suite 170, Austin, TX
Opening: Late Spring 2026
Vibe: A farm-focused, neighborhood restaurant serving fresh sandwiches, salads, and seasonal plates, paired with beer and wine. The concept emphasizes approachable food and a relaxed daytime-to-evening flow.
Partners: Led by Martin Berson, founder of Snap Kitchen, alongside the Texas-based Local Foods hospitality group.
About the Space: Approximately 5,300 square feet indoors plus a 2,000-square-foot patio, making it one of the group’s larger Austin locations.
Website | Instagram @localfoodstexas

Address: 610 Davis St, Austin, TX (The Modern Residences)
Opening: Spring 2026
Vibe: A contemporary cocktail bar designed for late-night energy, curated drinks, and a polished lounge atmosphere at the edge of the Rainey Street district.
Partners: Developed and operated by Urbanspace Hospitality, known for blending food, beverage, and real estate concepts.
About the Space: Ground-floor bar space within The Modern Residences
Website | Instagram @modernbaratx

Address: 3500 E. Parmer Ln, EastVillage, Austin, TX
Opening: Early 2026
Vibe: A high-tech Japanese restaurant featuring premium sushi, conveyor-belt delivery, and a tech-forward dining experience paired with sake and cocktails.
Partners: Operated by Aburi Oshi Restaurants, an international group known for Aburi-style sushi and global restaurant concepts.
About the Space: Approximately 3,200 square feet within the EastVillage mixed-use development.
Website | Instagram @aburitora.austin

Address: 7858 Shoal Creek Blvd, Austin, TX
Opening: Early 2026
Vibe: An upscale Middle Eastern dining destination centered on shareable plates, refined cocktails, and an elegant interior designed for both dining and social occasions.
Partners: Led by Chef Amir Hajimaleki, known for blending traditional Middle Eastern flavors with modern presentation.
About the Space: Located in a repurposed Northwest Austin restaurant space; square footage has not been publicly confirmed.
Website | Instagram @royaaustin

Address: 2330 W. North Loop Blvd, Austin, TX
Opening: Early 2026
Vibe: A casual Mexican breakfast and lunch spot highlighting regional dishes, fresh coffee, and aguas frescas in a colorful, community-oriented environment. features Mexican baked goods from the panadería, ice cream, and regional breakfast dishes from Mexican states and cities like Merida, Oaxaca, and Mexico City
Partners: From the team behind Fonda San Miguel, one of Austin’s most respected Mexican restaurants. Miró Rivera Architects designed Tzintzuntzan.
About the Space: The name Tzintzuntzan, pronounced “zin-zoon-zan”, means “place of hummingbirds” in Purépecha, an ancient language from the 1300s prevalent in the Mexican region
Website | Instagram @tzintzuntzan

Address: 3120 Palm Way, Suite 170 Austin, TX 78758 (Domain Northside)
Opening: January 2026
Vibe: Mediterranean-inspired dining with vegetable-forward plates, mezze-style offerings, wine, and craft cocktails in a polished yet approachable setting. Ēma aims to transport diners to a sun-drenched summer day in the Mediterranean year round with both indoor and outdoor dining spaces.
Partners: Operated by Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants, with Chef CJ Jacobson leading the concept. The same company behind ABA on South Congress.
About the Space: Approximately 5,000 square feet with indoor dining and patio seating.
Website | Instagram @emarestaurants

Address: W. 6th St & Guadalupe St, Austin, TX
Opening: January 15, 2026
Vibe: A fast-paced, modern coffee shop built around bold espresso drinks, pastries, and efficient grab-and-go service.
Partners: Black Sheep Coffee, a London-based coffee brand expanding into the U.S. market. Located in the ground level of 6G Residences
About the Space: Approximately 1,500 square feet in a downtown corner location.
Website | Instagram @blacksheep_coffee_usa

Address: 706 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78703
Opening: January 8, 2026
Vibe: Specialising in affordable “Blue Collar BBQ” during the week, and Prime BBQ on weekend. Family Friendly, Neighbourhood food joint, with great hospitality from staff that cares.
Partners: Family Owned & Operated by: Aaron and Savannah Aday. Locally renowned Pit Master: Justin Abercrombie (Tallest Man in Barbecue)
About the Space: Outdoor seating in parking lot. The food truck is a fully remodeled vintage Spartan trailer with a massive wood-fired smoker installed directly inside. Weighs over 10,000 lbs and required a crane to get the smoker in the truck.
Website | Instagram @twogoose_

Address: 1805 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78704
Opening: Spring 2026
Vibe: Neighbourhood bar serving Spanish drinks and bites
Partners: Founded by Todd Duplechan and Jessica Maher of Lenoir.
About the Space: located next to Lenoir Restaurant
Instagram @bonisbaratx

Address: 604 Brazos St, Austin, TX (The Driskill Hotel)
Opening: Early 2026
Vibe: A return to classic Texas fine dining with steaks, cocktails, and old-world service inside Austin’s most historic hotel.
Partners: Operated by MML Hospitality in collaboration with The Driskill Hotel.
About the Space: Historic dining room originally opened in 1930; reopening follows a multi-year renovation after its 2020 closure.
Website | Instagram @thedriskillgrill

Address: 1600 South Congress Avenue
Opening: Spring 2026
Vibe: A bright, plant-forward café and restaurant serving vegetarian dishes, fresh juices, wine, and cocktails.
Partners: The Butcher’s Daughter hospitality group, founded in New York City.
About the Space: Estimated 2,300 square feet of spacious patio and cocktail bar; final specs pending. The previous home to Trudy’s Del Mar and South Congress Café
Website | Instagram @thebutchersdaughter_official

Address: 18725 FM 685 Suite 140 Pflugerville, TX 78660
Opening: January 30, 2026
Vibe: A fast-casual sushi restaurant featuring conveyor-belt service, digital ordering, and a family-friendly dining experience.
Partners: Kura Sushi USA.
About the Space: Original location at 6929 Airport Blvd, Suite 125. With plans to open a 3rd location in South Austin on Sunset Valley.
Website | Instagram @kurasushi_usa

Address: 2027 E. Cesar Chavez Street,
Opening: 2026
Vibe: A casual, bar-driven concept combining burgers, drinks, and event-style energy rooted in pop-ups and community gatherings. With Live Music programming.
Partners: Matthew Bolick (Bad Larry's founder) and Open Road Hospitality
About the Space: Details still emerging; recommend verifying opening status closer to launch on their social media
Instagram @badlarryburgerclub

Address: 11501 Rock Rose Ave, Domain Northside, Austin, TX
Opening: Spring 2026
Vibe: A casual Roman-style pizzeria focused on by-the-slice pies, quick dining, and a relaxed beer and wine program.
Partners: Family-founded Baldinucci brand.
About the Space: Approximately 2,200 square feet.
Website | Instagram @baldinucci.pizza
About the Space: Approximately 2,200 square feet.

Address: 1108 E. 6th St, Austin, TX (East Austin Hotel)
Opening: January 8, 2026
Vibe: An Italian restaurant centered on house-made pasta, natural wine, and an intimate neighborhood dining experience.
Partners: Operated by the Poeta hospitality team.
About the Space: Roughly 4,000 square feet within the East Austin Hotel complex.
Website | Instagram @poetarestaurant

Address: 1302 South First Street, Austin, TX 78704
Opening: Early 2026
Vibe: A vibrant Tex-Mex cantina known for tacos, margaritas, and energetic neighborhood vibes.
Partners: De Nada restaurant group.
About the Space: Second Austin-area location planned. Taking over the former El Mercado space on S 1st street.
Website | Instagram @denadacantina

Address: 7001 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX
Opening: Opened November 2025
Vibe: A relaxed neighborhood cocktail lounge focused on well-crafted drinks and low-key social energy.
Partners: owned by Jason Carrier the restauranteur behind Mama Betty’s and Happy Slice Pizza under Carrier5 Hospitality
About the Space: Located in North Austin; square footage not publicly listed.
Website | Instagram @foxtail.atx

Address: 1401 E. 6th St, Austin, TX
Opening: Opened 2025
Vibe: A casual seafood bar serving oysters, fried fish, martinis, and champagne in a neighborhood-friendly setting.
Partners: Founded by Justin Huffman and Nicole Rossi.
About the Space: Roughly 1,200 square feet.
Website | Instagram @fishshopatx

Address: 1009 E. 6th St, Austin, TX
Opening: November 2025
Vibe: An intimate sushi destination focused on pristine fish and a minimalist, chef-driven experience.
Partners: Phillip Frankland Lee and Margarita Kallas-Lee, part of their michelin-starred Scratch Restaurants Group
About the Space: Approximately 20 seats.
Website | Instagram @shokunin_atx

Address: 111 Congress Ave, Austin, TX (Fareground)
Opening: Late 2025
Vibe: An Italian bakery and café serving pastries, espresso, and quick bites within a food hall setting.
Partners: co-founded/owned by Italian Chef Gianbattista “Gianba” Vinzoni and local austin comedian, Tom Segura
About the Space: Located inside Fareground. With a new brick and mortar location opening soon.
Website | Instagram @cicciobombaatx

Address: 6405 Brodie Ln, Sunset Valley, TX
Opening: Opened 2025
Vibe: A garden-forward café and bar blending coffee, cocktails, and rotating food pop-ups in a lush outdoor setting.
Partners: From teams associated with Dee Dee and Veracruz All Natural.
About the Space: Spans approximately five acres with extensive indoor and outdoor seating. Open 7 days a week. Bun Bun Burgers coming soon.
Website | Instagram @leonacafebar

Address: 908 E. 5th St, Austin, TX
Opening: Opened 2025
Vibe: A late-night Japanese-inspired counter serving sushi and snacks connected to Austin’s nightlife scene.
Partners: Operated in partnership with the Papercut bar.
About the Space: Small-format counter concept; square footage not publicly released.
Website | Instagram @konbiniatx

Address: 2310 S. Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX
Opening: December 13, 2025
Vibe: A modern handroll sushi bar offering a fast, elevated dining experience with counter seating.
Partners: Led by Chef Paul Qui.
About the Space: Compact sushi bar with limited seating; exact square footage not published.
Website | Instagram @kitsu.nori

Address: 1717 W. 6th St, Austin, TX
Opening: Mid December 2025
Vibe: A modern neighborhood pizzeria serving wood-fired pizzas, classic Italian comfort food, and a curated wine and cocktail program in a relaxed setting designed for casual dinners and group gatherings. Focus on "Post-Heritage Neapolitan" pizza and pasta, with a huge Marra Forni oven in the center.
Partners: Locally owned and operated; Chef Leo Spizzirri — Master Pizzaoilo/Executive Chef, Mike Pottorff — Renowned Restaurauteur/Serial Entrepreneur, Chris Ruhling — Bar & Restaurant Entreprenuer/Serial Entrepreneur
About the Space: On West 6th Street in a remodelled 8,368 square foot restaurant space; formerly Cover 3 location.
Website | Instagram: @modernapizzeria

The restaurant and bar scene in Austin, Texas remains both exciting and challenging. While new concepts continue to open their doors in 2026, many operators are also navigating rising costs, staffing hurdles, and a competitive market that has led to closures across the city. That balance makes supporting local hospitality more important than ever. We’ll keep tracking what’s opening, evolving, and worth your time in Austin and across Texas. For ongoing updates, new recommendations, and deeper coverage of the Texas food scene, be sure to follow us on social media and subscribe to our newsletter.