Whether you’re going out with your significant other, celebrating a special occasion, or just treating yourself, these spots are worth the hype. I’ve pulled together a few of my favorite date night/special occasion spots in Austin for you to try next time you’re needing to take your dining up a notch.
I’m going to do my best to give a price estimate, but obviously, the amount you can spend varies. I’m going to do my best to estimate for an appetizer, entree, and drink, but definitely check out their menus before making a decision for yourself!
Fig Italian // 3403 S Lamar Blvd. ($100+ per person)
I can’t even begin to list out all the incredible food we sampled during our visit to Fig Italian. From crudo to daily house-made pasta to wood fired pizza to a fried pork chop tomahawk to white chocolate gelato set inside a sea salt oil brioche bun. Are you kidding? And don’t even get me started on the drinks. It was all so delicious.
This was a hosted visit with the Austin Food Bloggers Alliance, but I would 100% go back and spend my own money.
Small plates and pizzas range from $7-25, pastas are $30-37, and entrees are $45-60. Drinks are $16-18. Happy hour deals are Monday-Thursday 5-6pm.
The interior is dark and sophisticated and there is an incredible patio under a huge tree donned with twinkling lights (for when it’s not 6000 degrees outside). Pro tip: There’s a retail parking garage at 3401 S. Lamar.
Buenos Aires Cafe (bonus Milonga Room $20ish per drink) // 1201 E 6th St ($70+ per person)
19 years (!!!) and counting, Buenos Aires Cafe is thriving on E. 6th Street.
I’m embarrassed to admit… I’d never been to Buenos Aires Cafe before last week. What kind of Austin food blogger am I if I haven’t been to a staple that has been around nearly TWO DECADES? And it’s owned by an incredible mother/daughter team: Chef Reina Morris and Paola Guerrero-Smith. Don’t miss their collection of family photos in the “family room” when you enter.
Again, this was a hosted visit with the Austin Food Bloggers Alliance, but I would 100% go back and spend my own money.
Let me just say – I’m already planning my order for when I go back. And when I do, here’s what I’m getting:
- The Vermouth with sparkling water cocktail (I like red!) and cheese plate to start.
- Their house-made chorizo and the 8oz entraña (Argentinian skirt steak).
- One or two empanadas. You can’t go wrong, but the Cebolla & Queso (carmalized onions and cheese) was my favorite, followed by the Verdura (spinach and cheese).
- Sealing off the meal with an Apertivo de Alberto – a tribute cocktail made from a recipe handwritten by Paola’s father, Alberto.
- Never skip dessert – the Cuatro Leches is where it’s at.
If you’re more the weekend, daytime diner type, Buenos Aires Cafe just launched their Sunday Asado. It’s a time to get together with your friends and family, socialize together, and eat together. In Argentina, it’s not a meal that you eat and you leave, you have charcuterie, you do empanadas, you do sausages… someone is always grilling and it just keeps on coming.
And don’t forget the Milonga Room! It’s a specialty speakeasy behind the restaurant. Make a reservation for before or after you dine at Buenos Aires Cafe and enjoy the exclusive cocktail lounge vibes. I can’t remember the exact price of the cocktails, but I’m guessing they’re in the $20 range.
Hillside Farmacy // 1209 East 11th Street ($50+ per person)
$25 Sunday Steak Dinner at Hillside Farmacy is a heck of a deal. (I mean, I spend $25 EASY every time I Uber Eats something…)
My steaks were comped by the restaurant in exchange for media coverage,
but all opinions are my own.
Every Sunday after 5PM at Hillside Farmacy, you can order a steak cooked to perfection with Chimichurri sauce and mashed potatoes for $25. For $5 extra, you can add a side of grilled broccoli. Pro tip: Just order one serving of broccoli for two people to share. In addition to steaks, we added on some drinks and a shrimp cocktail. Honestly, such a solid date night.
Hillside Farmacy prides itself on its freshest, farm-to-market ingredients and close relationships with local producers. They’ve been located in East Austin for 12 years in a Texas Historical Landmark building. The building used to be home to Doc Young and his Drugstore in the 1920’s, one of the few owned and operated by an African American pharmacist. The interior is really beautiful and classic – lots of tile, glass bottles on shelves, and soda fountain-style bar stools.
Make a reservation today so you don’t miss out on the next Sunday Steak Dinner! Side note: Hillside Farmacy also has an excellent brunch menu, if you’re rather pancakes instead of steak.
Loro // Domain Northside + S. Lamar ($35+ per person)
If you need a first-date spot that’s casual, but still super nice and vibey, Loro is a great hit. Their domain location is closer to me now, but the south Lamar location is also great. Both have wonderful vibes and pretty good parking.
Loro is an Asian smokehouse from award-winning chefs Aaron Franklin, of Franklin Barbecue and Tyson Cole, of Uchi. The menu includes burgers, sandwiches, ramen, salads, rice bowls, meat plates and more. Their sides are also SO good (especially the corn fritters), perfect for a happy hour grazing.
Speaking of happy hour, Loro has happy hour weekdays 2-6pm at the domain and 2-5 on south Lamar. Those are some pretty good hours! Specialty bites are discounted, Boozy Slushees are $5 (and delish), select beers/wines/cocktails are $5… it’s so great.
My personal favorites are the corn fritters, the smoked salmon dip, the salmon rice bowl, the crispy chicken sandwich, and the Loro cheeseburger.
Craft Omakase // 4400 N Lamar Blvd #102 ($225 per person, + drinks)
If you’re looking for the MOST special date night spot in Austin, it’s gotta be Craft Omakase. This Michelin Star 22-course omakase is $225 per person ($175+$50 gratuity). While yes, that’s kind of an insane price for a meal, I’m gonna say it – it’s worth it. I made reservations for Brian’s birthday/Christmas gift (yep, his birthday is ON Christmas Day and we both agreed it was worth it. You 100% have to make reservations in advance (usually weeks).
The experience is about 2 hours long and includes a welcome cocktail. The setting is upscale, just seating 12 people at a time around a U-shaped bar, while still feeling comfortable and approachable.
Shokunin // 1009 E 6th St. ($125+ per person)
Shokunin is an a la carte sushi spot from Michelin Guide chefs Phillip Franklin Lee and Margarita Kallas Lee. With a name like “Shokunin,” I had high expectations and let me tell you, they did not disappoint!
On a tick box style menu, choose from nigiri, a handroll, or sashimi for each item. Shokunin does not offer cooked dishes – only no frills, high quality sushi. The pieces are very simple and fish-forward. No other crazy ingredients. Just exceptional fish, delicious sushi rice, and homemade soy sauce.
Just a heads up – casual dining does not mean cheap prices! Nigiri (2 pieces) and handrolls range from $11-18 and sashimi (5 pieces) from $22-36. Don’t forget dessert! Margarita’s Famous SBS Bon Bon (bite size, $7.50) and the Matcha Affogato ($12) are both exceptional.
Brian and I were hosted for this visit as a part of media, but again we both agreed – we would probably go back! Ultimately, you’re paying for quality and craftsmanship and I think Shokunin delivers on both. You have to be very aware as you order, so you don’t end up spending $300, so maybe don’t go here on a first date with someone you don’t know. Just to be safe!
Shokunin does not take reservations, but they do have a waitlist you can join as you wait for a table.
