7744 Ranch Glamping Resort

Is East Austin's Micklethwait Craft Meats good? Take one look at the crowd, with everyone from police officers and parents with kids to well-dressed locals, and it's a sure sign that this place is on point. Owner Tom Micklethwait is a master at central Texas-style barbecue, doling out luscious meat from ribs and brisket to sausage, pulled pork, and lamb. Juicy, smoky, spicy, and sweet, it's all good, no matter your selection. While it would be a sacrilege to skip the meat, the sides, including jalapeño cheese grits, and a standout potato salad dressed with cider vinegar, are good enough on the

Discreetly tucked away in Rosedale, Craft Omakase has a lounge up front with a dining room and counter in back. It is here where guests wisely place their faith in the hands of Chefs Charlie Wang and Nguyen Nguyen who dole out an impressive procession of nigiri and other bites. Their creative omakase doesn't shy away from embellishment, yet it's done with restraint and allows the fish to shine. An abundance of product hails from Japan, and the fish is skillfully handled. Preparations like an aguachile of pink shrimp with sweet potato or crudo of hamachi with a creamy grapefruit sauce with red

With its white clapboard and black shutters, Olamaie, named for the chef's grandmother, mother and daughter, is a charming spot north of downtown Austin. Consider a cocktail, as their list is interesting and includes a daily punch and fun drinks like the Spaghetti Western martini with Texas olive-oil-washed gin, vodka, cherry tomato-infused dry vermouth and basil eau de vie.Expect Southern cuisine that's been given a contemporary polish, and don't dare miss out on the buttermilk biscuit, served warm and accompanied by whipped honey butter sprinkled with sea salt. Roasted chicken tucked with sp

Holden Fulco, who spent time at Franklin, Interstellar and other well-known places, is the force behind this barbecue spot in a stationary trailer that's located behind Batch Craft Beer & Kolaches. It's a simple set-up outdoors with picnic tables, and there are plenty of seats indoors too. Discover a bit of Creole on this central Texas-style barbecue menu, where spice rubs are enhanced with Cajun spices, Tabasco works its way into glazes and meat offerings include the usual suspects like tender brisket alongside ham, pulled duck, and a snappy boudin. Like any good barbecue spot worth its salt,

Push past the glass door of this restaurant in the heart of downtown and you'll immediately get the drift—quite literally, as wood smoke perfumes the air. This hot spot is all about live fire cooking, as evidenced by the 20-foot hearth in the open kitchen. Contemporary cooking is on display in both the à la carte and chef's tasting menu, and Texas produce and proteins take center stage. From savory to sweet, nearly everything is kissed by the flames or scented with smoke. "Embered" cantaloupe with green tomato and shiso blossoms is an elegant opener; and hearth-dried and blistered tomatoes ove

The room is decidedly casual, and diners are welcome to come as they are, but there's no mistaking the passion of this kitchen. They make deft use of local ingredients with a distinctly Southwestern palette of flavors that draws from Mexican and Southern traditions, while maintaining a contemporary, global sophistication. The tasting menu is carefully attuned to the seasons, and refinement is balanced with a sense of whimsy. Hiramasa with caramelized apple is a clever first bite that teases what's to come, from a wood-fired grouper with a creamy curry to wagyu tartare, ribeye and rib cap with

Barbecue is ubiquitous in Texas, but there's something deliciously different about KG BBQ. It's all due to owner Kareem El-Ghayesh. Raised in Cairo, he left behind a career in finance to move here to smoke meat, and Austin is very happy he did. His food truck is located next to Oddwood Brewing, and there's always a line for this food that marries Middle Eastern twists with Texan barbecue tradition. From rubs and sauces that use sumac, cinnamon, and pomegranate (as in the lamb shoulder finished with Egyptian dukkah) the mashup is marvelous. Don't skip the boneless chicken thighs marinated in ho