Thought this would be a good thread in which I can give some expertise, not sure how many people are interested though.

Fine Dining

Uchi/Uchiko - Can be called Japanese fusion but really runs a gamut of styles. Do not mistaken this for a sushi joint as while the sushi is pretty good, the real strength is in the cooked dishes. Uchiko is slightly more casual and is a bigger space. Uchi a bit more formal. The foie gras nigiri with fish caramel at Uchi is really delicious.

Barley Swine - small space/tasting menu only. The menu changes very often and Bryce Gilmore takes a lot of risks in his cooking. A fun adventurous spot to eat if you can secure a reservation.

Congress - Very classic fine dining. Great handle on flavor and a nice setting. The coffee crusted cap of ribeye was a revelatory steak though. THis coming from someone who mostly scoffs at steaks at fine dining restaurants.


BBQ

LA BBQ - In my opinion the best BBQ in Austin, surpassing the more widely heralded Franklin's. Brisket might be slightly inferior but nothing really beats the LA BBQ beef ribs (Franklin's does not do beef ribs). The Sausage is also the best sausage I've tasted, a classic Texas hotgut. Best part, 1 hour long waits instead of 3 hour long waits

Franklin's - Great BBQ but sausage is not made in house and there is the whole getting up early to stand in line thing. I guess if you want the experience.

John Mueller - When its on, its really on. There is some inconsistency though.

Stiles Switch - a slight notch below these 3 but still very good. Added benefit of plenty of seating and BBQ available for dinner.

Freedmen's - Great Brisket, perhaps a notch below top 3 and will occasionally have specialty meats such as pork belly or duck breast which are all fantastic. Added benefit of having a liquor license and a wide selection of Whiskey, including a few different aged Pappy Van Winkles.

I don't want to write too long a first post but if anyone wants suggestions on where to eat, just name a cuisine and I will try my best.

Ramen Tatsuya

Lucky Bakery (Chinese bakery with GREAT buns)

Micklethwait Craft Meats is top 5 BBQ in Austin though the lines aren't nearly as bad as other places. Solid beef and pork ribs, great brisket and sausage.

This may be one more for Austinites rather than people visiting, as every other city in the US has better delis than us, but Melvins deli comfort at 53rd & Duval. They cure and cook all of their meat in house. Pastrami, roast beef, turkey, roast pork, etc.

Melvin's is the bomb. For people coming from places with better delis, they can still go and get the pork confit which you don't see elsewhere very much.

Also, good call on Tatsuya, Rant. I haven't tried like Monta yet so can't compare but Tatsuya is good.

Easy Tiger - Homemade pretzels. Good bread. Great sausage, great pastrami, great beer.

Recently, my two favorite spots in E austin are Licha's Cantina and The Hightower, just great food and drinks at reasonable prices.

This is not unique to Austin but Top Golf is a great way to spend an afternoon/evening.

Way South Philly - Legit Cheesesteaks
Home Slice - NY Style Pizza
Juan in a Million - Migas Breakfast Tacos (add bacon)
Guero's - Margaritas
Lucy's - Fried Chicken
ABGB - Craft Beer & Pizza
Hopdoddy - Hamburgers
LaBBQ - BBQ LDO
Butler Park & Peter Pan - Downtown Par 3 Course w/ Putt Putt Across the Street (**** Top Golf)

And this place just opened, but haven't had a chance to check it out.....

http://www.texascardhouse.com/

I don't know if they have changed, but I believe Franklin does beef ribs on Saturdays. I went on a Saturday and they had them (but were out by the time I got up there).

Blacks BBQ on Guadalupe at 29th (I think). Giant Beef Ribs!

Casino El Camino - Burgers

Noble Pig - Deli

Bartletts - Steakhouse

I went to high school and college in Austin. Moved away to San Francisco for 13 years and now back in Dallas.

Highly recommend Ramen Tatsuya. Was in town for Easter and went to the new location on S Lamar.

On Sunday had Brunch at Frank's Hot Dogs on 4th & Colorado. Awesome Texas (French) Toast with Makers Mark infused blueberry sauce. Bloody Mary with Bacon Infused Tito's was very good too. They have a good DJ spinning downtempo, hip hop, and some latin music too.

Also second the Micklethwait Craft Meats place just down the road from Franklins. Brisket is always on point and hardly a line.

Burgers- HopDoddy and P Terry's.

Burgers/bar... the jackalope

Music...stubbs

Odd Duck - Bryce Gilmore's other restaurant (Barley Swine) that replaced the trailer he had of the same name. Best dining experience in Austin right now.

La V - High-end Provence style. Really nicely designed but comfortable interior. Recommend Sunday brunch - the Brioche Donuts are ridiculous. Great bartenders and craft cocktails.

And +1 on Micklethwaite. As good as Franklin's without the wait.

Heading to Austin this weekend. Staying near 6th St don't know exact location. Best options places for live music and drinks. Thanks

What kind of music? Pretty much every spot on sixth will have live music on weekends. Midnight Cowboy is a good place for cocktails but you have to reserve in advance. The cocktails at Peche also really good. I also wouldn't bypass the Rainey st area.

A buddy of mine mentioned the Intercontinental says it a nice place. I won't be too picky, as long as the music is lively and the drinks are not too expensive.

And thanks for the thread! Timely

The Intercontinental is a hotel. Your buddy is likely referring to the bar inside an while it is nice, it is also a hotel bar.

If that is the vibe you are going for (old money cattle baron), I would also check out The Driskill Bar.

Its possible your buddy was talking about The Continental Club though. That isn't downtown though.

On 6th, I would check out The Firehouse Lounge.

MUSIC = JAZZ = ELEPHANT ROOM on Congress straight down from the Capitol on the left.

Downstairs from a Japanese Restaurant. Love this place. Fat cocktails too as I remember.

Flew in yesterday. Proceeded to Freedmans. Best brisket I have ever had. They were out of sausage, but that didn't matter. Had the absolute worst margarita ever though. Nut low. Saving grace was the Old Schmokey. Whiskey, orange, and pecan bitters with one ice cube garnished with a blackberry. Nutz. After cruised 6th. Wound up at the Dizzy Rooster. Good spot. Good music. Very cool that the street is closed. The later it got, the shorter the skirts got. Yum.

Today walked to the original Veracruz for chorizo/eggs tacos. Decent but not worth the 1 mile walk. Wound up at Moonshadow for cocktails. Try the Blind Mule refreshing.

BBQ for dinner again at Iron Works. Rating was ok. Cruised Congress. Went to the Elephant Bar got into it with the door man over paying $5 cover. We were there just for a drink a hour before the band. Split and wound up at Friends. Good music.