This restaurant tries to put itself out as something but it's purely unremarkable. It's not good or bad, but just okay. The people were nice but the food was just, meh, not something worth noting about. There were some good foods here but most of the dishes feel like it doesn't really stand out. read more

Mum and I came here for dinner and it wss amazing!!! There is parking available in the strip but i didn't want to take the risk so I just went valet. I loved the vibes of the restaurant. Comfortable... homely... and just about real good food. Staff are also in casual wear and they were all on top of everything. Though we had the one server ... so many people came to our table which was nice. We sat at a booth but they had us facing the kitchen All the courses were Really tasty that its so hard to choose a favourite. A surprise was the pork with peaches. This is because I usually don't like pork very much except for bacon or pork belly but it was good. The restaurant automatically puts a 20% gratuity on the check but what i did love is that the server told us when he gave us the check and also highlighted it whereas many restaurants I feel try to get away with a sneaky double tip. Would absolutely love to come back!! read more

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Changed my perception of everything I thought food could be. I went for my birthday and they really celebrated and pulled out all the stops. Dining here is an experience and they really take care of you. Every bite I had was perfectly balanced in texture and flavor. Their servings were the perfect size to have the perfect bite every time which I really appreciate. Ambiance was gorgeous and their kitchen seems like they have fun. I loved it and will try to be back as soon as I can. I have already recommended barley swine to so many people and they've all reported it was amazing for them too. read more

Everything about this place was great. The service, the menu, the lighting and vibe outside. Everything! This team was so thoughtful and prepared to give us an amazing experience. We went for our 5 year anniversary and they made sure to make it extremely special and detail oriented for us, down to putting "Happy Anniversary" on the menu. The food was so tasty, and good portion sizes for a 7-9 course meal. We order another piece on the side, and that almost ended up being too much food. I love having a nice cocktail with a nice dinner, and it was SO GOOD. I'm excited to make this a regular special occasion spot! read more

Barley Swine - Menu - New American Near Me - Austin, Texas

We had a Chef table seating for our anniversary. The party before us was running long and they took care of our drinks and sat us before we landed at the Chef table. The staff were all so professional and apologetic about running late but it was not a problem for us and they actually shared a friend of the kitchen was there before us. I respect they provide that level of hospitality to guests. We were candidly lavished upon with champaign when we sat at the kitchen table. Our server was Christina who has worked there since BS opened. She made our evening very special. And we were kind of blown away when Kevin Cannon, Chef de Cuisine brought us a beautiful dish to celebrate the evening. I'm attaching all the pictures. In my opinion this place is a bargain. This was a fabulous culinary experience and I highly suggest sitting at the kitchen view table to get the full experience of the art and hard work Chef and his team are producing from a place of love for what they do. read more

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Food was to die for! I wish I could order a dozen oysters!!! Service was excellent as we were celebrating and having an amazing date night. Can't wait to come back when we are in town! Thank you for an incredible dinner. Dumplings were a delicious highlight. Waffle caviar, I wish I could order 5 more. Ambiance is romantic and service takes their time catering to you. A true Michelin-starred dining experience read more

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What a fantastic experience. I was running a few late and when I called they answered promptly and said it was ok. As soon as I got out of the car I could smell the wood burning and got excited for what was to come. Sat at the bar which gave a great view of everything. There was a second/back bar that would be more of a chefs counter right across from the grill. Eric and Chelsea at the bar provided great service as well as the rest of the staff. With the tasting menu, choices were easy, wine pairing or add ons. Everything else was taken care of. I even forgot about the food allergy I added at the time I made the reservation. Which they executed and confirmed upon arrival. Talk about service! Watching drinks being made I loved that they use large tweezers to get straws, no dirty fingers! The food was amazing. The menu changes so it allows you to try new things. The chocolate chip cookies are a must and they were so good the next day. I'll def keep an eye out for their next menu change to go back for another experience. read more

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A 5/5 in service, food, and satiety. I also want to express my thanks for the complementary items for my belated birthday celebration. This was my first Austin pure tasting menu experience (outside of omakases and seasonal occasions), and I was more than happy with my overall experience. For starters, I was given a champagne for my belated birthday. It was a wonderful sentiment and pleasant starter for what was to come. My cocktail for the night was the Capo Rosa. It was a lovely mild, balanced drink with a slightly strong foam. It lasted me the whole meal, which was fantastic because I had many plates. I'm a big fan of Crudo starters, and so the Hiramasa was right up my alley. Each bite had satisfying chews of savoryness and acidity, with moments of sweetness from the apples. My only criticism is the lack of a crunchy texture. Some greens, nuts, or even fruits can add another dimension of texture. However I was still content with the starter and would be delighted to have it again. The Big Tree Oyster took me by surprise because I did not expect a savory raw shellfish. It deeply reminded me of a bacon wrapped h'ordevore, as supposed to a saline or cocktail infused approach. I don't remember most oyster experiences, but this one will stay in my memory. Next was the Butternut Squash with Quajillo Queso. The key notes of this plate were the smooth textures and slightly pungent flavours. The two blocks were surprisingly creamy, which was a good contrast from the starting plates. The grouper was an introduction to the entrees to come, which is why it feels weaker in comparison to them. However this plate does check the things that I look forward to in a plate: a main ingredient, texture, and a flavour complexity. As a Chinese person, I enjoyed Shiitake Dumpling, which is a take on the Soup Dumpling. As sacrilegious as it may sound, it's interesting to have the vinegar aspect inside the wrapping instead of a sauce dip. The scrambled eggs is a pleasant addition, but I think it couldve used a little more salt, and think it would've been exceptional with some truffle. It's not something to fall head over heels for, but I welcome the creation. Also I would like to thank the establishment for giving me this on the house as a belated birthday gesture! The pig face carnitas is one of the best intensely seasoned meat that I have tried. Although it's quite small, it's best eaten in tiny bits because it's incredibly packed with spices. The variety of additions surrounding it are just a plus, slightly changing each bites experience. The Seared Duck Liver was also phenomenal. It was like a cooked eel, minus the sliminess and small bones. Definitely get this if you can, even if you dislike liver. The Wagyu Tartare is a modest, crunchy bite of sweetness. It's not on the menu, but is a nice starter for the rest to come. Next came the Akaushi Ribeye skewer, dry aged wagyu, and scallion roll (plus smoked bone in rib if you get that as well). To save me from typing even more words, everything was simply splendid. Seeing everything plated and explained before me was breathing taking. Like most folks, I took the rest of the rib to go. And lastly the Tarragon Whip, Sunflower & Miso Cake, and Grapefruit popsicle respectively came. The whip was a nice bingsoo-like starter, the cake was super dense in sweetness (a bit much for my liking), and the popsicle was a strong, bitter appetite cleanser. In conclusion, the food is good, you can order to your stomach's needs, and the staff was lovely. Definitely will be coming again. read more

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Ambience Drinks Our server Thank you barley swine for your amazing meal. My birthday felt extra special this year read more

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Food was 10/10. No complaints there. I left a tiny bit hungry still but we did no add ons which I think is not typical. Other two ladies with me said they were full- I just have a big appetite! As far as being an expensive fine dining experience I felt like it was plated a touch too slow. Especially since we were seated for the second service. Service was friendly and explanatory, the food was great there were no duds. But for a super casual fine dining experience it seemed like they were stretching out the experience to justify the price? I know a lot goes into it. But just my personal preference that since we were not ingesting slowly it would have been nice to pace it a little more quickly. read more

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AMAZING. We did the wine pairing with the chefs tasting and it made it even more delicious. We opted for the caviar supplement and that was so decadent. Our servers were all pleasant as well. I recommend sitting at the chefs counter so you can see the hustle and bustle of the kitchen. So cool. read more

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I'd been wanting to try this place for a while and last year, my parents had eaten here and given Barley Swine a mixed review. When they were awarded a Michelin Star, I knew I needed to give them a chance. My husband and I were in celebrating our anniversary. The reservation process was easy and they have a great series of reminder emails and texts. The free valet parking is great given the small parking lot. Don't let the modest front of the "strip mall look" deter you. The minute you pass through the doors that are held open for you, it smells like delicious food, smoked wood, and dare I say, the deep rustic emotion I imagine whiskey could feel if it could have any. Service is impeccable. Every server can tell you about the dishes being placed in front of you. They never interrupt conversation or flow and yet your water glass never goes empty. The food. Stand out success. We opted for adding all of the supplements and were not disappointed with any of them (our server recommended that they were all shareable outside the oyster and caviar dishes). The smoked beef rib was so tender and flavorful we wished we had ordered one each. The foie gras dish was perfectly balanced in flavors and texture, an artful masterpiece in one bite. As a historical non-fan of raw oysters, I have to say that I would eat this one again. Their signature shiitake dumpling dish was a tad on the salty side but so delicious and umami forward. My husband's favorite was the grouper. Even the palate cleansers were delicious! My only regret? I forgot to take a picture of that grouper! Barley Swine, congrats and one can definitely see why you've earned that Michelin Star. I'll be entreating my parents to give you another opportunity to fall head over in heels in love with your inventive, one of a kind, delicious food. We can't wait for the next celebratory opportunity to return! read more

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Gorgeous vibe. Like. Love it. Rustic I think is the feeling I got. Service was great. Got served by a few different people but I sat at the bar. The kitchen was so gorgeous. Watching everyone work and wearing their cute outfits it almost looked as though they were just from the same family. The button ups, the laid back vibes. But the food. Different from any place I been. Although they did serve lions mane mushroom lol I will make sure to never get that again. It's too meat like. Butttt I will say they did the best job with it! The way it was cut and served and flavor with it was the best I had yet. This is now ranked in my top 3 of the Michelin restaurants I been too. The first to have served tofu! So proud of them! And they did an amazing job!! I'm bringing my parents here... the only reason worth a trip back to Texas from California for me! Delicious and creative. Now u need to creat le a drink pairing ( cocktails ) read more

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This was our best dinner while in Austin! If you get the opportunity, try to get a spot at the chef's counter. It always gives me such an appreciation for the operations of a kitchen. Every dish was outstanding and the tasting menu was a steal at their current price point. I wont go into each dish since they change seasonally but i would add one of the supplemental dishes. One of their first dishes on their menu 12 years ago is still available at $16, Shiitake Dumplings with Scrambled Eggs. Well worth the add. We also added the Traditional Wine pairing at $85/pp. The wines were well paired but a little pricy and out of balance from a cost perspective compared to the tasting price. Great service and awesome end to our trip. read more

Barley Swine - New American Near Me - Austin, Texas

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A top dining experience in Austin! This entire meal was incredible. They accommodated with a vegetarian menu, and everything was fantastic. We were celebrating our anniversary, and they brought us the mushroom and egg dumpling dish for free which was so kind. The dumplings and the fried rice were probably my favorite dishes, but it's so hard to pick since everything was done perfectly. We sat at the bar that looked into the kitchen which was really cool to watch the chefs. Would love to go back for another special occasion :) read more

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This place absolutely delivered. The tasting-style small bites may look minimal, but the pacing leave you fully satisfied by the end. It's definitely a splurge, but the creativity and execution make it worth it. We sat at the bar, which I totally recommend because you can see how meticulous the prep is and how much detail gets put into every plate. In my opinion, Barley Swine should be on every foodie's list who isn't afraid of bold flavors. Best birthday dinner ever!!! read more

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Best meal while we were in Austin! Barley Swine is pretty far from the downtown area, taking nearly 30 minutes to arrive. We reserved the chef's counter, with a lovely view into the kitchen with its huge wood-burning oven and grill. Rina was our lovely server and guided us through cocktails, the tasting menu $125) and the traditional wine pairing ($85). Good wines, but 70% the cost of the meal, which seems too high. They change the tasting menu, so no need to go into all the dishes, but we did add 4 delicious oysters ($4 each) and the Shitake Dumpling with Scambled Eggs ($16). Everything we had was unique and delicious! Make a reservation on Tock, complete with a reservation deposit. 20% gratuity included in the bill. I would eat here again if I'm back in Austin. read more

If I could give this place 100 stars I would. This is probably going to be my go to spot to take out of town guests to show them Austin/Texas cuisine from here on out. We chose Barley Swine for an early Mother's Day dinner for my family. We knew about it from their 1 Michelin star but also had seen it on an old episode of Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations. This place definitely earned every bit of that star and I'm surprised they don't have two. We arrived to a very warm welcome from the staff who showed us to our take where personalized menus had been printed with "Happy Mother's Day [insert my mother's name]" written above our menus. The staff was also kind enough to personalize some of the pre fixe menu items for my parents who do not eat seafood. From start to finish, the food, the service, the ambience were all 10/10. Every dish got better than the last. My favorites were the Akaushi ribeye course and the lemongrass whip with strawberry sorbet and fennel fudge. There was not one dish that I wasn't blown away by. If you're looking for a jaw dropping meal full of innovative creativity with tried and true Texas flavors and ingredients, Barley Swine is the place! read more

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Wowowowow!! Best meal of 2026 so far, might remain at the top spot for the remainder of the year. We did the tasting and all of the add ons and really you must get it all! The dining area is small so make sure to get a reservation. Service drinks and ambiance are all impeccable. I look forward to returning for another celebration! read more

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We visit Barley Swine a few times a year, and every single time I leave having fallen in love with something new. The tasting menu is consistently creative, thoughtful, and genuinely fun, making each visit feel like a fresh experience rather than a repeat. There are two upgrades I will never skip: the caviar dish and the uni on top of the shiitake dumplings. They are absolutely to die for and hands-down worth it every single time. The drinks are always on point, creative, delicious, eclectic, and playful, perfectly complementing the menu. Service has been phenomenal on every visit, polished yet warm, which elevates the entire experience. This is an absolute favorite of ours for a kid free date night and one we continue to come back to without hesitation. read more

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Online Reservation System: [x] Call 'em up [ ] OpenTable [o] Tock [ ] Resy [ ] Yelp [ ] What's a reservation? Walkins only Hours: [ ] 24/7 Convenience store [ ] Breakfast [ ] Brunch [ ] Lunch [o] Dinner [ ] 'til sold out [ ] whenever we feel like it Seating: [ ] It's a drive-thru, silly [x] Bar [o] Watch that kitchen action [x] Table tops [x] Patio [ ] Hey look, it's a food truck Beverages: [ ] Morning cuppa Jo [ ] Smoothies and blendies [o] Still, sparkling, filtered, or tap? [x] Fermented grape juice [x] Craft Cocktail [o] Craft Mocktails, I don't drink [ ] Fresh coconut water [ ] Fermented tea and SCOBY [ ] Acidic fizzy sugar water [ ] Whole, 2%, 1%, skim [x] Bier and hard cider [ ] Agua Frescas Service: [ ] Room Service [ ] All Ewe Can Eat [ ] Buffet [ ] Self-service grab'n'go [ ] Popeyes [ ] Shake Shack [ ] Chick-fil-A [ ] Hopdoddy's [x] Waiter Service, a la carte [o] Waiter Service, Tasting Menu [ ] Other Worldly Tasting Experience Mocktails: After the Fall, Hazy Shade of Winter Timing: 4:30pm Sunday (discounted tasting menu for the first 30 minutes of opening) Allergen and Food Sensitivity Accommodations: The kitchen has specific adjustments for the recipes of certain dishes. Food: Yummy enough for inquisitive taste buds. Certain dishes make taste buds smile. Well-seasoned flavor. This is not comfort food. We did the tasting menu and came out satisfied. Seating: Chef's Counter, nice view of the kitchen action, pickles, and chilis. Would recommend. Service: Friendly, attentive. Dishes were briefly explained when being presented. Satisfaction: Pretty good, would consider coming here again in the future. Interior: Dark, wooden. And surprisingly cozy. It's a good option as one of the few places in Austin offering a tasting menu. Parking: Valet in front on their end. Lot is shared with Licks and Bufalina. You can also park in the back (drive around the block to the back). If that is full, street parking in the back. read more

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If I could give 10 stars, I would. When we walked in, we were shown to our table right away, and the decor was really unique and interesting. Our waitress, Chelsea, along with the team (yes I said team) of at least 3 others serving us were attentive, kind, and seemed to share our passion and enthusiasm for incredible food and drink. We could see right into the kitchen while we ate, and I felt like I was on an episode of top chef or something. It was just incredible to see the cohesion and teamwork to prepare each and every course. And, that teamwork clearly paid off. We had one of the most amazing culinary experiences of our lives. The "fish and chips" really tasted like fish and chips, but so elevated! The drinks were perfectly balanced, and the cod dish with fishbone caramel legitimately caused me to tear up. The hiramasa was refreshing and opened up the palate to the rest of the incredible experiences, including smoked beets and chèvre with nuts. Honestly, every single item was absolute perfection. Steak was cooked phenomenally, the rib was fall-off-the-bone, and every single item on each plate complimented the other perfectly. The carnitas were some of the best I've ever had, and the mole on it was spectacular. Also, the shiitake dumplings are a must. They are pillows of perfection. Dessert was insane, with a celery panna cotta with chamomile granita and a divine chocolate fondant with meringue and strawberry ice cream. Don't sleep on the chocolate chip cookies to take home, and be prepared to spend two or more hours as the pacing is situated specifically for maximal enjoyment. read more

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If it's not a Michelin one star restaurant, I will give 4 stars. But it's a pricey Michelin one star. The food presentation is good, the service is good too. But food tastes just OK, not that impressive. With that price, it's not worth it. I have been to Barley Swjne before they became a Michelin star, the old price is more reasonable. read more

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First time here for a multi-course tasting menu, and overall we thought this was a very nicely put together experience, with solid variety in both flavors and ingredients. The opening hiramasa (yellowtail amberjack) with apple and milk foam was refreshing and light, followed by a rich, salty big tree oyster with kimchi and coppa. Butternut squash with queso and corn kept things hearty, while the mild-flavored tilefish with sweet potato and curry was just okay. The standout was the pig face carnitas with sweet chile peas and cabbage - basically a refried carnitas kebab and easily the most memorable bite of the night. The trio of akaushi ribeye yakitori, scallion roll in rich ribeye and onion sauce, and rib cap was also well done and showcased different preparations of the same cut. Desserts were playful and well executed, especially the sunflower & miso layer cake (and the allergy-friendly alternative - gluten-free olive oil cake with peanuts and sunflower seeds). The chocolate popsicles were rich and creamy. The only real miss was the shiitake dumplings with soft scrambled eggs (an optional menu add-on), which were overly salted across the board. Drink-wise, the Gilmore's Garden Party cocktail was a standout if you like pickle juice and briny, pickled flavors. It was made with Haku vodka, Dolin Blanc, pickled green tomato water, and pepperoncini. Service was attentive and accommodating of my allergies, and the ambience was cozy and unpretentious. read more

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Wow this meal was so fun and full of so many flavors! Our waitress made the whole experience easy and fun as well. Highly recommend sitting at the bar so you can watch the chefs. It's super impressive to see how everything works. We did the tasting menu plus the shiitake dumplings and it was perfect amount of food. The dumplings were a flavor explosion, literally. My other favorites were the hiramasa first course and the donut with beer cheese and rib cap. They also brought out a surprise round not on the menu. We left very full! Also must get the chocolate chip cookies to go! This was a very fun anniversary dinner. read more

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An absolute wonderful dining experience. Everything we tried was fantastic. The service was impeccable. It was neat watching the staff work together in a true team capacity. I would highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys good food and a wonderful experience. read more

Barley Swine - New American Near Me - Austin, Texas

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It was pretty unassuming from the road. We were like, is this the right place? But they warmly greeted us at the door and our food adventure began. We got the chef's counter and I was very happy we decided to do that. Great view of all the cooking. The food is incredible. We left very full and very happy. This is well worth the trip and very much worth the star they just earned. From the service to every last detail this place aced it. Come hungry. read more

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Grabbed a reservation for my birthday, and it was the perfect evening! They have valet parking so even though there is a small lot, you don't have to worry about parking. Even though we arrived a bit early, they were able to seat us right away. We sat at the chef's counter which is always so fun to get to watch the team cooking and plating all the dishes. I always get a bit nervous about tasting menus with small dishes, but the order of the dishes and the amount of food was absolutely perfect. The dishes themselves were each unique and nothing like you'd get in another American restaurant. Perfect pairings of flavors and textures, fun to eat, and plated beautifully in unique little dishes. We added one of the additional options to our set menu, plus drinks. Glad we did that, and service was SO nice & informative. Would recommend for a nice occasion where you don't want white tablecloths but just great food and service read more

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Came here for the tasting menu experience and it was very good. The beginning portion, like first 3-4 courses plus the compliments I added on, were incredible. Everything was bursting with flavor, creativity, and sophistication. My favorites were the shiitake dumplings, pig face carnitas, and the fish-n-chip. When the meal got to the ribeye course, I was disappointed to see that it was overcooked. My steak pieces were a medium throughout, with the end tips being closer to a medium-well, which is obviously not where it should be. Multiple different courses came out too hot (in terms of physical temperature) and burned the roof of my mouth when I ate them. These courses were both one-biters, so I didn't realize it would be too hot until it was already in my mouth. There were no warnings of it from the server. For the shiitake dumplings add-on compliment, I did a half-order of them and also added on Uni for this course. The dumplings were half of the listed menu price since I got a half order, but the Uni up charge was the same as it would've been if I got a full dumpling order. That didn't make sense, because I did only get half of the Uni that I would've gotten if I had chose the full regular dumpling order. The only dish that I think could've done without was the last one -- the eggplant olive oil cake. It didn't do much for me at all. Otherwise, aside from the few issues I noted, most of the dishes were incredible. Definitely a good spot to try out, read more

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We've been going to Barley Swine long before they got their fancy Michelin star, and have always enjoyed the food. It's one of our go-tos for special occasions (birthdays, anniversaries, just because - you name it). Food is always good and sitting at the Chef's counter watching the magic happens is always our preferred way to enjoy the atmosphere here. Food is great, the courses are timed well, service has always been good - no wonder why they got that star. Parking available at the front and some in the back - limited though since there are others spots that share the same lots, so at certain times can be tricky if too crowded. read more

Barley Swine - Great food and presentation - New American Near Me - Austin, Texas

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This was our first time dining at the Barley Swine, and by far will not be our last, either! We now understand why Barley Swine has earned the Michelin start they have. What an amazing meal! Not only was the food spectacular, but the service to match was a bonus. Our server, Ty, was extremely knowledgeable of each dish we were served, as well as being knowledgeable of each glass of wine that was paired with the various dishes we had. For anyone wanting to go for the first time, we stress that you will not be disappointed! The tasting menu included 8 dishes. My wife and I opted to order several supplementary dishes on top of that, and wound up having a total of 12 dishes. In hind sight, as spectacular as the extra supplementary dishes were, the 8 that came with the tasting was definitely more than enough. What an experience! Lastly, we encourage everyone to take the leap of faith by ordering the standard wine paring, as it will make the experience that much more complete! It was also surprisingly quite reasonable, all things considered. Well, it's official ... we are now huge fans of the Barley Swine! We will sit at the chef's counter again when we come back. You get to see the kitchen in action, and the team of chefs preparing the meal are incredibly engaging, as well, We are looking forward to our next visit, for sure! read more

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Did you know that Barley Swine was featured on an episode of No Reservations in 2012? No, well neither did I and I'm an Anthony Bourdain fan. When we had decided to go to Austin for a family wedding, I started researching places to eat. Barley Swine popped up in my Chase Sapphire Dining under Austin and I did a quick search. Michelin Star? Check. Tasting menu? Check. Best restaurants in Austin? Check. I decided to make a reservation for the weekend of the wedding when we would be in town. I used points to made the reservation for the Chef's Counter aka deposit on Tock. Our reservation was set. We were going. We arrived via Lyft from our hotel and were greeted by the hostess. We were seated at the bar adjacent to the kitchen where we could watch the kitchen staff execute the tasting menu throughout the evening. We were celebrating and our server was nice enough to bring us some complimentary zero proof champagne. The Hiramasa dish arrived first. The fresh fish was delicately paired with the carrots and shiitake mushrooms. It was a refreshing start to our meal. The Turnip and mushroom bite came out next and it was served with a preserved lemon goat cheese. Truly delightful in the contrast of different flavors. The fish-n-chip bite was an interesting take with the crunchy seaweed and uni tartar sauce combination. Not my favorite. Next, we had the Cajun spiced blackened cod with fennel and sunchoke butter was a hit with my husband who welcomed the flavors. The pig faced carnitas with sweet potato mole was a delicious interpretation of a homey dish. The Akaushi ribeye and the Donut with rib cap skewers came out simultaneously. I started on the donut with the beer cheese and skewers first and was delighted in the uniqueness of the dish. The Akaushi ribeye was just as I expected, tender with the broccoli sauce bringing brightness to accompany the fatty meat. As we were moving into dessert courses, we were asked if we wanted any coffee or tea. I hesitated for a second until she said they had cappuccinos and lattes. I ordered a cappuccino to have with dessert. They brought out the Sunchoke and olive oil cake and the Tarragon pavlova. Both were really tasty but the pavlova's different textures won my tastebuds. The sourdough stroopwaffle was a surprise addition to our tasting menu. Almost everything was really good and we really enjoyed the tasting menu. We did not add anything onto our menu other than the cappuccino. There are additional items you can order should you want them. The tasting menu is a set price and you have to make a deposit when you book a reservation. Pricing seems to have increased since they received their star. If you're willing to eat within the first half hour of opening on Sundays, you'll get happy hour pricing with $30 off your bill. read more

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I'm not on board just yet. 58, married, happy. Live in Allandale, and this nearby restaurant (1.2 miles!) , Barley Swine, came highly recommended. Driving up Burnet Rd, I had often admired its Utopian Mural, rich in Central Texas lore, with its massive birds and giant squirrels; it looked like the overt lovingkindness that imbues Austin culture. bounteous and hopeful. The name, Barley Swine, had a similar attenuations. As one who loves Austin, my curiosity was piqued. And even a Michelin Star! So I was a little let down when our brave waitress opted for a COVID mask four years past the idiocy of it all. We assume she has concerns about all the filthy people around her? So that's weird -- but we are in Austin, right? But then there is the practicality of the N24 mask, right? Should we look past her unconscious psychology, there is still the issue of understanding her words. Although she enunciated well and was more affable than you might expect from a masked person, it was still difficult sledding. Depending on the direction of her head, the words, many times, were received garbled. Sometimes the sentences ended without clarity. We nodded as if we understood. Again, no big deal in the larger sense, if the food hits. But I digress. So she talked a lot. This is not an ordinary restaurant. This is a tasting restaurant. Every course is verbally positioned with the chef's holistic approach to eating. We got a lot of: the chef is pleased to let you know "(?)" or we want you to notice when you eat this clam that (?). We were walked through every individual course & explained how this and that. I stopped listening about 3 items in. So you may be surprised to learn that if memory serves, the initial course, an amuse bouche, was tantalizing! I thought to myself, and then spoke under my breath to wifey that maybe the masked waitress & her half-heard presentations were worth the fuss. My wife chimed in. "That was neat!" Unfortunately, the apogee of the evening was at number 1. Course after course (were there 10?). Numbers 2 and 3 were different, new ideas, & we remained hopeful, open-minded. The shock of the black S19 mask had ebbed, & we became friendly with the waitress, albeit stiff and a little wary, like when you are assigned a new group at work. I whisper to myself that this will be all right. We will get blown away, soon. (Again, it's been described to me by multiple Austinites as blissful, I want to believe) But as the night wore on, the lights grew darker. And yes, as the night wore on, & on, & on. At number 6 or 7, I began to look at my watch. I am bad with detail but the music was dumb, something a boomer might like. Each time the masked waitress arrived with instructions or insights or platitudes from the chef, the mood lost altitude. So here is the deal. On paper, I am not against pig-face. But if I am going to charge $410 for dinner, I am not going to put pig-face on the menu if it is not delectable, the surprising dish of the evening! But it wasn't. I had tasted pig-face before. It tasted like salted pork from a grain depot. I ate it. But this is not fine dining. Maybe the chef missed on that somehow, but if that was the case, he should not serve it. And again. Had this place had steakhouse prices, maybe 250 for the two of us, you might hear no complaint. But y'all. It wasn't good. And it was called pig face. Let me put it another way. We all remember escargot. Snails. Every kid in America said, "Gross!" when they heard about it. But if the escargot was prepared correctly, you can turn an opinion. I feel like this may have been chef's "Escargot Play". But it doesn't deliver. If you make escargot you gotta do it right. Anyhow, long and short of it, from pig face on I felt as if we were dealing with impostors. The N24 cut us off from our waitress, and then the pig face at dish number 8 threw everything that followed into a feeling that we were participants in a false. At the end, thedessert was unexciting and had its own amuse-bouche dessert. Interesting idea, but again, it made little sense. Neither the amuse dessert nor the actual dessert felt like dessert. I give it 3 stars because at 100 bucks i would have thought it interesting. But after 3.5 hours, I was ready to go. read more

Our anniversary snuck up on us, but my husband was able to get a reservation at Barley Swine just a week ahead of time so happily we got to check it out! We let them know we were coming for our anniversary and they not only put Happy Anniversary on the daily menu for a cute little souvenir, they also gave us complementary glasses of champagne to celebrate! The ambiance is great with quirky lights, a classy yet with a homey feel from all the spice jars and misc ingredients on the shelves, a bit of romance with the low lighting while still be able to see your food, and the staff were all very friendly and knowledgeable when we asked questions. The star of course was the food which was amazing! The hiramasa was one of my favorite dishes, the flavor combos were delicious and the refried carrot was rich and creamy. My least favorite was the beet dish, but just because they aren't my fav- and it was still good just my least favorite of them all! The fish n chip was perfectly crispy with a nice tang from the tartar sauce (though I don't know what element was supposed to be the chip). Grilled trout was tender and I really enjoyed the lemony pea sprouts (I think), pig face carnitas were good but VERY rich with the sweet potato mole. The only add on we got was the duck liver which was a rich and flavorful bite- I'd recommend it! Akaushi ribeye was also a favorite, very tender and I loved the broccoli topping. The scallion roll didn't taste much like scallions to me, but was very good with the drippings foam, kimchi, and rib cap all together. The celery panna cotta with granita was very interesting and sort of a combo dessert/palate cleanser; sweet but clean. The chocolate fondant/peanut brittle/marshmallow/strawberry ice cream concoction was delicious and a perfect end to the meal. The cocktails were pretty good, though we tried the seasonal Aviation and it was too much of a martini for me it was hard to drink! I did really enjoy the Mr. Feelgood which wasn't overly sweet but was still smooth and drinkable, and the Coral Snake which was on the sweeter side but balanced with a fruity and spiced flavor. Parking seemed a little limited but they had a valet, not sure of cost as we accidentally came around the back of the building and parked back there. Misc plus- bathrooms had full doors, and were well light in the stalls with a full mirror for checking your date night outfit! The last little touch was a free box of cookies as an anniversary gift- and while I suspect it was partially because we were one of the lasts guests there and they were probably clearing out the baked goods, it was a super sweet surprise! All in all it was a fantastic experience, but definitely one saved for special occasions with the price point. read more

Barley Swine - New American Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Barley Swine was on my list way before their much deserved Michelin, however, we live by SoCo and with their move up north, it was not a priority to go until their status changed. I love Michelin restaurants and I know all too well how the status, while incredible, also makes it very hard to secure a reservation. I finally got on the band wagon and was able to secure a cool spot at the chef's counter. When I dine at the Chef's counter, I prefer to watch the chef's in action, however, we were at the end of the counter in front of the fire. Lucky for us, it just so happened to be in the 20's outside , so our seats were perfect! We were immediately seated at our reservation time and throughout the evening, we enjoyed a lovely service from Katricia Short. Prior to our experience, I was able to submit my dietary restrictions and the day prior, I received a text confirming the restrictions which were also repeated by Katricia as she got us prepared for our delicious meal. Every bite that we consumed was amazing and I love that the vegetables are grown in the chef's garden ensuring local and fresh ingredients. Although the menu changes seasonally, we enjoyed the following: Hiramasa, turnips, fish-n-chips, blackened cod (simply to die for), duck carnitas, scallion roll, akaushi ribeye, tarragon pavlova and sun choke olive oil cake. In addition to our meal, we were presented with additional add-on's that I am glad we decided against because we were quite full by the time we left. read more

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We dined at Barley Swine for our last night in Austin and it did not disappoint! They seated us at the 'chef's counter' which was the best seat in the house as we were able to watch the whole kitchen production! The food was excellent and the flavors were on point. read more

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I loved my dinner experience at Barley Swine. What I like most is how unpretentious it seems. Even though this is a restaurant that serves a $125 tasting menu, it really does have a more casual feel. We sat in the enclosed patio, which is nice. The sun was in my friends' eyes at the start of the meal, but that's the only complaint. This meal is an experience. We decided to opt for cocktails and glasses of wine instead of the wine pairing, which is an additional $80 for 6 two ounce pours. The first cocktail I tried was the Coral Snake, which was absolutely delicious. Refreshing, citrusy, not too sweet. The second cocktail I tried was the Hard Beet Redux, which I was not a fan of. It was just too smoky for my preference, though my friend loved it. Our server was so friendly and approachable. He said he would take the Hard Beet Redux off the bill and asked what I liked to drink. He said the bartenders could make any cocktail I wanted, and also elevate a traditional cocktail. I ended up getting a mojito, which was wonderful too. Now to the food! Each course was beautifully presented. The standouts for me were the hiramasa, kohlrabi, ribeye, and the pavlova. In addition to the dishes listed on the tasting menu, there were a few surprise bites presented, including a caramel stroopwafel and beef tartare. Another thing not listed on the menu are the brown butter chocolate chip cookies that you can bring home, which I would 10/10 recommend! I also appreciate how much attention they pay towards dietary restrictions. You let them know what these are when you make a reservation. I stated that I don't eat pork, and instead of the carnitas, I got duck confit. I overheard a person seated near us just had their wisdom teeth removed, and they modified for the menu for them as well. Overall, this was a lovely 3 hour dinner experience with close friends. I am very glad I tried Barley Swine while in Austin. Would recommend a visit for a special occasion or if you just want to treat yourself! read more

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Stopped by for a late dinner reservation to celebrate a birthday. We went with the March set menu without any supplements. Overall I think the flavors were generally solid and they were trying to do some interesting things but the food wasn't particularly standout. They seemed to be giving every table some items on the house, though, which was super nice - we got the shiitake soup dumplings with soft scrambled eggs, which they gave us mini spatulas to use to scoop up the dumplings (while this was fun, this was actually the only dish I actively didn't like - I remember it being sour). They also gave us a beef tartar amuse bouche and miso caramel stroopwafel at the end. I was actually the most impressed by the dessert, particularly the pavlova (I'm not even a huge fan of meringue), which had a beet jelly inside, cream, and a grapefruit sorbet on top which wasn't too sweet nor too sour/bitter and offset the sweetness of the meringue and beet jelly really well. I was full but not stuffed by the end of dinner. Service was great - they were super attentive and constantly refilling our water. They were also mindful that we were celebrating a birthday and added a candle to one of the dessert courses. They also swapped out the silverware to match with each course, which was a nice touch. Overall a fun experience to have on a special occasion and glad we came! read more

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The best restaurant in Austin we always enjoy ourselves tremendously! Our first grader has a ball as well doing the full tasting menu and additional dishes. The ambiance staff and food quality are so exceptional that it's absolutely magical read more

THE BIG: Located in Central Austin and nestled in the middle spot between two other stores. Beautiful indoor/outdoor area with an open flame grill and focus on fine southern comfort food. Complimentary valet parking available. THE BLACK AND WHITE: We came here on a Saturday afternoon at 4:30 to take part in their summer special pairing. It was priced right at $85 for 9 courses. We additionally did a wine pairing of 6 wines at $65 and a glass of pinot noir. The pacing and service here was impeccable and smooth. The highlights included the hiramasa tostada that had a nice crunch and neutral fish taste. Then the halibut was nice and flavorful with its dashi. The Muscovy duck paired really nicely with the wine pairing and the pinot. Lastly the ribeye done 3 ways was a nice way to say, hey we ain't done treating yall yet. THE FINAL BAMBOO: Overall damage done for 2x summer special tasting menu, the wine pairing, and a glass of pinot noir was around $310. Great pricing for the tasting and if you're interested in the wine pairing, they had some great pairs, otherwise a bottle never hurt anyone ;) read more

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