April 11, 2024
Food & Drink, Eat, Guides,
With the rise in population, you can no longer waltz into a popular Austin restaurant and expect to be seated ASAP or even in 15 minutes. You may wait months for your reservation at any of these popular establishments. Here are our picks for the most sought-after reservations in Austin. If you “know a guy,” hold on tight. The lines are only getting longer.
Bureau de Poste
Located in the former historic post office building in Hyde Park, the Bureau de Poste inside reservations is a hot commodity. In the colder months, you can snag a table outside but have your notifications on for an available reservation inside. 4300 Speedway, Ste. 100, bureaudeposteatx.com
Food spread at Nomade Cocina. Photo by JayHuang
Nomade Cocina
This new gluten-free kitchen is trendy right now. With multiple seating areas, reservations depend on which part of the property you want to be on, but all are hard to acquire. Weekend reservations may have you eating before 4:15 p.m., or after 9:30 p.m. Walk-ins are your best bet while having a drink at the bar while you wait. 1506 S. 1st St., nomadecocina.com
Food prep at Otoko. Photo by Andrew Reiner
Otoko
Reservations are released on the first of the month and are part of a rolling three-month period, with new reservations released on the first of the year. With only twelve seats in the restaurant, you are paying for much more than a meal; you’re paying for an exclusive show. (Pro Tip: Not all Omasake is created equal. At Otoko, they have a variety of options to choose from, as well as a Japanese cocktail bar.) 1603 S. Congress Ave., otokoaustin.com
Pasta Bar
Reservations are released on the first of the month at noon for the following month. The only reservations available before February are at 5 p.m. or at 9:30 p.m. Open Tuesday through Saturday, 4:30 to 10 p.m. open reservations are rare. (Pro Tip: Get there early. There is a fabulous reverse speakeasy-type bar with a very talented barkeep that makes the start of the night even more fun.) 1017 E. 6th St., exploretock.com/pastabaraustin
Suerte
You can get a reservation for up to eight people, but it must be booked a month in advance for prime meal times. There is some availability outside in the colder months, but if you want to be inside, you will have to eat after 9:30 p.m. most nights. Suerte has gained heat. 1800 E. 6th St., suerteatx.com
Enjoy at Sushi by Scratch Restaurants. Photo by Chad Wadsworth
Sushi by Scratch
Reservations are released at noon on the first of the month for the following month and are hard to come by. You can snag an early week reservation at 5 p.m. or 9:30 p.m., but primetime dinner spots are next to impossible. The weekends are usually entirely sold out, so if you are looking for a weekend date night, be ready to wait for those reservations to come out a month in advance. Unless, of course, you’re Joe Rogan or know someone who can snag you a reservation. 575 Hyatt Lost Pines Road, Cedar Park, Texas 78612, sushibyscratchrestaurants.com
On the menu at Sushi by Scratch Restaurants. Photo by Chad Wadsworth
Tsuke Edomae
Reservations are required, but be ready to plan months in advance. Reservations for Jan. 1st through May 1st are all released on Dec. 31 at 9 a.m., but expect them to fill up quickly. This 21-course meal is a hot commodity and worth the wait! 4600 Mueller Blvd., #1035, tsukeedo.com
Uchiba
If you want a reservation less than three weeks in advance, you can choose between eating at 4:15 or 9:30 p.m. There is some availability on the patio or at the sushi bar at more ideal times. Uchiba also offers limited walk-ins, so you can always take your chances. (Pro tip: Put your name in and walk across the street to any of The Proper’s many bars for a drink while you wait.) 601 W. 2nd St., uchiba.uchirestaurants.com
Photography by: Opener photo by Andrew Reiner