Every once in a while, you run across one of those restaurants that you know you will always remember. Not that they serve good food, but that they transform food in ways that you didn't know possible. Not by how strange they can make it appear, or what form it can be shaped in, but the flavors that can be evoked. Barley Swine did that. We're fans of Odd Duck, and Barley Swine is similar, in that it offers small plates, locally sourced ingredients, etc.. But the bar is a little higher. Hard to believe. Barley Swine is not cheap. If you want the stuffed feeling for a bargain, do not come here. You get enough, and the flavor is incomparable. The deets... The interior is eclectic, and you see many home made infusions, vinegars, in jars on shelves. Fish bones hanging in the kitchen,waiting to be made into "fish caramel". Yep, interesting things ahead. We started with the steak tartare. Wow. Delicious. Great balance of flavors. What was surprising is that it clearly had fresh pepper in it, but the pepper was not forward. It was in the after taste. Pepper is usually pretty dominant throughout a bite. To me anyway. Pig Face Parker House rolls. Do you self a favor and get one. One of our favorites from Odd Duck. Unfortunately, I'm doing Keto right now, so I could only taste a bit of the filling. Delicious. Charred cabbage - excellent. Shitake Dumplings - I can only report what others said, and the reviews were glowing. These are small soup dumplings. Well done soup dumplings are treasures, and it sounds like these delivered. I did taste the sauce, and it was excellent. Grilled quail - I didn't taste it myself, but not only did it look fabulous, but our other diner said it was delicious. Smoked goat - Excellent. I highly recommend it. We also ordered an off menu item that was available that night. It was beef rib meat. Apparently they get this from unused portions of a beef dish on the tasting menu. If you want a definition of what the perfect bite of beef is supposed to taste like, this is it. A little smokiness, crust, fat, juiciness, and huge flavor. Wow. If they're offering this, do not miss it. We, or they, finished with the tres leches cake. I did break down and have a small taste of the cake itself. Fantastic. The grapefruit was an interesting twist, but apparently it worked. The only disappointment was that there was no bread. Not that we would have wanted bread, but we wanted something to mop up the amazing sauces on every plate. This was a flavor journey. If you're seeking flavors and discovery of the amazing different ways food can taste, this is the place. read more

Barley Swine - Grilled quail - New American Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Barley Swine is one of my favorite restaurants. I'm never disappointed. The tasting menu is the best. The foods are all very great. The services are out of this world. Kristy my server is the very best. I celebrated my pre birthday there. They made my day. They personalized everything for me. I can't thank the enough. I will definitely recommend this restaurant. read more

Barley Swine - New American Near Me - Austin, Texas

Easily top 10 meals of my life. Do the tasting menu. Let them tell you what's up. Eat it. Love it. The drink pairing is worth it. The ambiance is awesome. Casual. Vibey. read more

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Everything we tried was excellent. The four of us shared 4 small plates. All the plates were beautifully presented and the Snapper Ceviche was one of my favourites. The menu changes frequently but all items are described. Some of the descriptions sounded strange, but trust the chef, because all the plates were wonderful. Very small potions and but expensive, but if you pick the Happy Hour plates, it is more reasonable. read more

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Holyyyyy chef's tasting. $90 per person is steep but it was sooo worth it! Every bite was phenomenal. Make reservations and come hungry! read more

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Barley swine has lived up to their reputation. We have tried course menus in nyc like per se and eleven madison and i have give barley props for such an emaculate course dinner We sat at the chef table/bar and the bartender who served us was awesome. Starting from the drink menu (which we tried all 5 of their cocktails) and the tasting menu, everything was on point. Covid19 has made it challanging for alot of resturant but barley swine did an excellent job making sure we were safe but at the same time, be able to receive the full enjoyment of what they had to preaent read more

I 've always thought that Houston's restaurants are slightly better than Austin's until I found this hidden gem. It is definitely up to the hype. Everything on their August's tasting menu were superb. Drinks were on point as well. I will definitely come back when I am in town. read more

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What a great experience we had here on a visit from Denton, Texas! My party of 4 rolled in at 530 on a Friday, just in time for happy hour. Originally, we were told we'd have to wait but a blue haired superhero swooped us up and took us to the end of the bar. It's a small place, with outside seating too - so I can see it would get super packed with a long wait. I hate waiting. We perused the menu and had a few delicious cocktails while waiting. We ordered 5 appetizers and watched the magic going on in the open kitchen. Fantastic solution for a small space! I counted at least 3 grills but some walls I could not see behind, with masters at each station. We requested the snapper ceviche, smoked lamb shoulder, grilled potatoes, shitake pasta and pork belly pate. Our waters were refilled plentifully as we ran though that, impatiently awaiting the first course. The snapper ceviche showed up first and though I loved the sauce, I did not care for the fish. I have to be in the mood for raw and tonight was not the night. After we tucked that dish away, our empty dish was taken away and replaced with the shitake pasta. Dear god, the sauce underneath that was so delicious. Next up, came the pork belly. Now, it was visually unappealing just a shredded mess of meat held together with what looked like mayo. It came with toast points, sweet & sour mustard, raw onion & arugula. I felt like it was supposed to be a deconstructed sandwich so I took a toast point, slathered it with mustard, piled high with meat and topped with onion & a piece of arugula. Both my friend and I demolished that plate, while our two other party people pretended they didn't care for it. Point is, don't be turned off by something you normally don't like, just try it. The grilled purple potatoes came out mixed lovingly with chunks of crab meat and in a light, parmesan sauce? Whatever it was, it turned out to be one of our favorite dishes! The final dish was the lamb shoulder... perfectly done, medium rare little cubes of innocent lamb. By this time, I was in a food coma so I may not get all of the ingredients but did determine it was my favorite dish. I love lamb! This is one of the only 5 stars I have given a place, especially on a first try. The service, the pace and most importantly, the cuisine made me feel like I was in foodie heaven. Try it, you'll like it. My eyes are always bigger than what I can eat so I have to say that though the portions were small, they were rich enough to satisfy 4 adults. Go ahead, go and go early! Life is too short for boring food! read more

Overpriced and overindulgent. The food tries to be complex and sophisticated but really disappoints. Portions are insulting. I guess the appeal here is hipness and that's about it read more

I haven't tried lots of fine dining restaurants, but among the ones I tried, the majority have artistic-looking food with mediocre taste. Barley Swine is different. The food not only looks super appealing but also tastes amazing. I don't remember exactly how many small plates I had with the tasting menus, but not a single dish disappoints. Everything was tasty and flavorful. You can tell that the chefs have seriously amazing cooking skills and can bring out the best taste of the raw materials. I'm not on a paycheck that allows me to enjoy expansive fine dining food regularly, but I have to say I'm very tempted to go there every single month as they change their menu monthly and I'd love to try new plates created by the chefs. read more

There's an usual Dutch expression "It's like an angel is peeing over my tongue", which the Dutch uses to capture the exquisite food art experience. Since 2014, we've been coming to here for special occasion and when we would like to treat ourselves.  I've lived in 4 different countries and been blessed with dining at top restaurants during my travels, Barley Swine holds a special place in my heart.  As I mentioned to our Uber driver, just the carrots to the quail, they're all divine!!! Thank you Barley Swine staff for your care for all of nature's bounties and for us! read more

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

This place is extremely overrated in my opinion. The waitress we had did not explain the menu at all. The parking is horrible and the food some dishes you could do without. I think it's for sure worth one try but I promise you won't go back. The couple next to us gave them the same suggestion on two dishes and the lady just said thanks. They don't give extra sauces out or crackers if you finish the very few you get with the small plates you try. read more

I'm so happy we happened soon this place. Our first time in Texas started out amazing thanks to the amazing chef here the tasting menu was phenomenal and the staff was friendly. Eve sitting outside in 40 degree weather was pleasant thanks to the heaters. From LA to Texas this is definitely a must go and worth th read more

Barley Swine - Ribeye. So tender and a little salty but still great with the tater tots. - New American Near Me - Austin, Texas

Hands down, this is our favorite Austin restaurant. The craft cocktails are always delightful ... the bartenders are talented. The wonderful food is creative and always a surprise. Last night, my wife and I celebrated our 10th anniversary at Barley Swine. Even during COVID-19, the staff was warm and welcoming. Their safety precautions were practiced rigorously. These folks provided a great and fun evening! read more

Barley Swine - smoked fish pimento, tostada, and duck proscuitto - New American Near Me - Austin, Texas

Went here for a date night and it was a fun experience. We did the 10 course chef's tasting menu. Everything was an interesting palate teaser but nothing out of this world. I would say 3 stars for the food and 4th star for great service and food presentation. read more

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This was among the more entertaining dining experiences I've had, and I don't regret it-- But before you read on, please know that this review will be h-o-n-e-s-t. There will be no consideration of fads, or trends, or of the latest geographical whims here. Ooooh, no. This review will be based purely on bang-for-your-buck, and average gastrointestinal requirements (assuming you aren't achondroplasic). That being said, let's proceed. My evening at Barley Swine was on a Sunday night for dinner. I was in town on business for one night only, and wanted an "Austin" culinary experience (one that didn't involve a truck). And I got it. If you were asleep in your Dallas/or San Antonio/or Houston home, and someone ran up behind you, blind-folded you, and transported you to Barley Swine--you would instantly recognize the ambiance as Austin. Really great, actually. Tucked into a plaza on what looks to an outsider as, "just another street" outside Austin, Barley Swine beckons. Who could resist a restaurant with that name? That MUST be half the allure. That, and the patio, with plants and colored glass lanterns and teak wood furniture. And inside the charm continues. Comfortably dim, with a small lounge at the entrance, a bar, and regular seating options too; all with a view of the bustling kitchen, where colorful characters rush about, creating magical concoctions. If it were all about the preceding dining accoutrement, I would give it 5 stars. ...but it's a restaurant. And so I can't. First, I didn't realize it was a tasting menu, and no one told me as I ordered a pasta and squash dish, that these wouldn't be enough. Having been listed as "$$" on some website or another, I expected my dishes would leave me slightly full, but with room for dessert. Let's start with my vegetable. My $6.00 squash was a slice of a small roasted butternut squash. Now, I prepare these wonderful things each Thanksgiving, so I'm no stranger to butternut. But this squash must have been smaller than any I've ever purchased to begin with, and, as I said....it was just a slice. Including the center, and a charred exterior so unappealing I sacrificed the precious calories and cut off the edges. The mesquite bean mayo and toasted seeds it rested atop were flavorful, but couldn't atone for the bland squash itself, nor could it assuage my stomach rumblings and wonderings about the whereabouts of the rest of the vegetable. Do they buy one butternut squash an evening to supply the whole restaurant? If so, they're making a KILLING. Speaking of making a killing, a glass of sauvignon blanc will set you back about $16.00. Let's be real. You know that whole bottle is worth about $11.00. My next course, the $12.00 shiitake pasta, was much larger--about 4 hearty bites. These were ravioli's, and they were very good. No complaints about this course, other than the fact that I would have loved more. Lastly, my dessert, also very good, the $8.00 cornmeal pudding with carrot sorbet. I really wished this were a normal place where we didn't pretend to not like to ingest food, because this was a great combination of flavors, textures and temperatures. So. $50.00 later, I left with hunger pains and shame over being the fool who stands among the crowds, pointing at the emperor and exclaiming about the beauty of his new clothes. Can someone please show me where to get dinner around here? I'm not sure where my money went, but I sure am hungry... read more

Barley Swine - That's a teaspoon. For scale. - New American Near Me - Austin, Texas

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A myriad of hits and misses. First, let me say that we loved the ambiance of the space (minus a few things I'll speak to) and their staff. Everyone we interacted with was very kind, highly attentive, and seemed to genuinely love their work. That matters so much! The hits: The Shishito Pepper Mousse was the home-run dish of the meal. Beautifully assembled and the flavors blew ours minds and pallettes. We loved the various textures in the dish. The beef tartar was also very good. The carraway seeded crackers paired nicely with the creaminess of the meat and spread. Also, the mushroom dumplings were fantastic. So many flavors to take in at once. We loved how they "popped" in our mouths and the sake and vinegar really worked well with the creaminess of the rest of the dish. The Misses: We didn't love the fried eggplant. It was a pretty dish but the eggplant was very tough and hard to chew. Also, the breading was too coarse and the dish had a very one note vibe. Nothing stood out. Unfortunately, both of our "main" dishes weren't great. The blackened redfish and quail missed the mark. The crust on the redfish was overly burnt and the rest of fish was very dry. The quail had no discernable taste beyond charcoal and the spice of the stuffing. The biggest miss was the noise. We were celebrating my wife's birthday and sat behind a large table (10 or so) of seemingly very intoxicated people. They broke glasses, had an altercation of some sort at one point, and were borderline yelling the entire night. Honestly, it ruined our experience. The space of the restaurant is small so their noise was amplified. I've been a fan of Bryce's since I first visited the "Odd Duck" trailer in 2010. The good at Barley Swine was simply fantastic. The bad really soured the experience. read more

Omgoodness! I can't even rave about this place enough. Bf and I were visiting Austin for ACL and he had been to Barley Swine once before and he kept telling me how amazing this place was and he has quite good taste in food so I was excited and my expectations were high. Boy did this place not only impress but blow my mind. Customer Service : The hostess and overall staff was extremely accommodating and friendly. They went out of their way to make our experience here great. My bf is a bit particular with his drinks and likes a certain flavor of Negroni and the bartender and staff treated us like royalty to make sure they made a drink to his flavor. Bartender even came and spoke to us to get a better understand of his flavor profiles and preferences. Our waitress was amazing. I love someone who is extremely insightful about the menu and can give me the best idea of what to expect when I order a dish and she did such that. ( FYI- Barley Swine is a shared plate style restaurant so expect to order multiple dishes to try) Food: the food was absolutely phenomenal , not one dish let us down. We are a very vegetarian/ pescatarian couple so did not order any of the meats (beef/ pork/ chicken) but regardless our dining experience was amazing. Mushroom Chorizo Tostada- 4.5/5 , Delicious and fresh. Shishito Mousse - 5/5 , this was one of my favorite dishes, the flavors were amazing and the melons were such an interesting addition but delicious Shiitake Dumplings- 5/5 , soup dumplings with a burst of flavor in every bite . The soft cooked eggs were so creamy and well paired Blue Crab Fundido- 4.6/5 , the homemade tater tots were crispy and delicious, could use a little more crab but overall , fab! BBQ Field Pea Tempeh- 4.5/5 , I'm picky with tempeh and this was so creamy and tasteful. This had an asian fusion and is not typical BBQ flavor , it was subtle and flavorful. Blackened Red Fish- 10/5 Lol, this was our favorite dish. The redfish was the best I've ever had , tender, flaky just enough, moist, and favors with the couscous , red plum , and mint were explosions. Peach Tart - 4/5 , different and not overly sweet. Buttery crust with nopal . Different flavors and unique Fig Cacao Nib Très Lèches - 5/5 , honestly best très lèches I've ever had. The cacao crust was amazing and the cake wasn't overly soggy . It was just right. Mocktails- im not drinker and they had the best mocktail fusions I've ever had. They can also spike it if you are feeling rebellious lol Overall, if I could give Barley Swine a 10 , I would! If you are ever in Austin, this is a must try and we definitely will be back to try their vegetarian menu. read more

Barley Swine - Red Fish - New American Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Ok so I am a food and wine snob, I will admit. The place is pricey but damn worth it. You're paying for the experience as well as the food. I loved the orchestrated table service and tasting menu. It was amazing! The wine pairing was on point and quite unique. It's rare that I am not familiar with the wine varietals, regions or makers. Someone did their homework because this was awesome and educational. I loved the open kitchen. I was shocked by the relatively young chefs and staff. I see a Michelin Star in someone's future! Go check it out! read more

Definitely the best meal I had while in Austin during a weeklong business trip there. Had a reservation, but opted for the bar since I was by myself. Glad I did as I was able to watch the chef and his team prepare a number of different dishes. There must have been 12 people in that kitchen working in unison, each doing his or her part to make every dish special. I was drawn to Barley Swine because it promised farm fresh, seasonal produce, and a creative culinary team. As I was seated, the bartender gave me a menu and said quick, pick something, happy hour is almost over. It was 6:30pm. A $7 tequila cocktail was a perfect way to start along with some shrimp and grits for about half off. I narrowed the entrée down and sought advice from my bartender. She said go for the quail, stuffed with dirty rice. The guy next to me echoed her advice saying he was on business as well and always stopped at Barley Swine to eat on each trip. The quail was out of this world delicious, bursting with flavor, served moist and beautifully presented. I really wanted to go for the chef's tasting table but at 10 or more courses I wasn't sure I was up for it. Next visit I will be. Barley Swine has a really good wine selection as well as some good local craft beers. Parking in the lot gets tricky, but is generally available. Well Done. read more

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It's been a while I have not written a review befor e so I am catching up The food is uniquely Austin The beef dish was great I plan to return soon after this COVID thing is gone Rick read more

I have a new appreciation for the state of Texas because of this restaurant... Warning: If you're used to Outback Steakhouse or your grandmother's portions, you'll be sorely disappointed in the experience here at Barley Swine. It's a tasting menu for starts... My husband and I are originally from San Francisco: a place where there is an abundance of Michelin star restaurants. This place combined the best of two of those restaurants : the modern and technical Japanese cuisine of Kusakabe, and the organic, down-to-earth seasonal menu of The Village Pub. Dish after dish we were surprised to see more than just all-around amazing-tasting food. There were plates presented to us with the look of a delicate, Asian-inspired dish that tasted like the comforting meal that was roasted over your backyard fire pit. They used their sauces to tie in sweet, savory, fruity, and nutty elements throughout their courses - that's definitely a mark of a great restaurant who knows their stuff. Thank you, Barley Swine, for a wonderful food experience that was amazing from start to finish. The service was very cordial and the overall timing of the food was well planned and thought out. We've already invited more people for next time! Our Experience ---------- Sweet Potato, goat cheese + Cheese usually goes over potatoes no? Surprised at the crunchy shell that led to the soft cheese filling Beet cured mackerel and pine + Ironically, I'd describe this as an earthy seafood dish... It's amazing with what you did with the aftertaste. Sunchoke custard + Man, you guys do deviled eggs well... I wish the apple bits were brought out a little more in the custard though. This was the only underwhelming dish you had tonight. Ember roasted squash, mesquite, toasted seeds + Wonderful unfolding of many flavors. Technically well done Red shrimp, cauliflower, tangerine + I hate shrimp. I love this dish. WTH. Shoutouts to the chef at the grill and the person who made the sauce. It was AMAZING, cooked perfectly, and beautifully balanced. Akaushi beef, oyster mushroom, seeded loaf + The marrow broth had so much flavor. The ribeye steak was very tender and flavorful. The arugula pesto could stand on its own with the bread but also be used to cut the saltiness in the leftover broth so well. Pork belly, cabbage, Gulf XO sauce + The southern sushi : a very unique dish where the cabbage is cooked like seaweed, but made the dish smell like a backyard bbq. Tasted like some good shrimp and grits with fresh, pickled cabbage in tow to change it up. Duck, broccoli, fried duck egg + Perfectly cooked duck with a great crisp on the skin. Broccoli played a different role as an integral part of the dish rather than the typical side filler. Did I say that that your sauces are ON POINT?! Apple, lemon grass, koji rice pudding + Timed perfectly in the menu. Great balance between sweet, nutty, fruity, tart, and milky. Coconut and apple introduced great character in the dish while the crispy rice gave it the texture it needed. Dark chocolate ganache with caramel and tangerine + Great capper for the end. Sweet, but not too sweet. Really liked how the crust pulled in that citrusy, nutty flavor from the toppings on the ganache And thanks for the adorable pastries :) I would only complain about the tea as it didn't match the level of the food menu, but then again, who cares. read more

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As a vegan in Austin, it's hard to find good places for a fancy meal when you want to celebrate. I went here for my birthday and absolutely loved it! My boyfriend and I did the tasting menu - he got the regular one and I got the vegan one. Each dish was so unique and flavorful and interesting. I don't think there was a single one that I didn't like. I think it took about 2.5 hours to get through the whole tasting menu, so plan accordingly. They send you home with a treat at the end, which was really yummy. The only quibble I have, and it's a minor one, is that I found the staff's attire distracting. I get that it's supposed to have a funky Austin vibe, and as such there didn't seem to be a dress code. However, a lot of the staff I saw were in outfits one step above pajamas. I personally think if everyone was told to wear a button-up shirt of their choosing with jeans, that would clean things up considerably while still letting everyone dress to their liking. I only bring it up because I was distracted by it and I think the focus should stay on the food. read more

The first time I went to Barley Swine, I ordered something incredibly hardy. I ordered the pork chop which was a dish for two people. It sounded too good to turned down, so I took the challenge. This pork chop took around 30 minutes to cook, so I occupied that time with some well mixed cocktails. The snack that they brought out was also really good. It was a combination of homemade cheese crackers, chicharron and other morsels of sweet/salty deliciousness. It reminded me of something a chef would eat on a Saturday morning. The pork chop finally came, and it was amongst the best I've ever had. The pork itself was very juicy, but it was cooked in such a way where the skin is crispy, and the fat has a butter like consistency. There was a lot of skill involved in cooking pork that well! Alongside the pork, there was a grilled radicchio salad with a light dressing. It was crunchy and acidic, which was a good contrast against the fatty pork. I managed to get through 2/3 of the pork chop before calling it quits. It was definitely one of the best meals I've had. Other times when I'm been to Barley Swine, I've been impressed by very nice, meaty dishes. I've enjoyed their steak dishes on other occasions. Desserts are delicious. They are treated as a good ending to a meal as opposed to being something large and sweet. Overall, the dishes at Barley Swine are very flavorful and creative. I really like how the menu rotates and is seasonal. If you are a foodie who likes to try new things and appreciates creative, flavorful dishes, you should visit Barley Swine! read more

I came here a few months ago and I have to say dining here is one of the most memorable meals I've had the chance to experience. It is definitely a restaurant to visit when you want to celebrate a special occasion or jut to splurge on yourself (because you deserve it). I had the chance to try the tasting menu with drink pairings, and because it was my birthday we got an extra glass of wine on top of all the other drinks. I also liked how on top of the tasting menu courses, we'd be given little surprise one-bite dishes that weren't on the menu. We were seated right in front of the kitchen, so we could see how the dishes were prepared (which was really cool). As for the food itself, there wasn't a dish disliked; each course had a combo of foods one wouldn't think would go together, but wildly somehow it all worked. Such an awesome experience--I'd definitely want to come back during another season to see what they come up with next. read more

My wife and I celebrated our anniversary at Barley Swine last night. We did the chef's tasting menu and both agreed it may have been the best meal we've ever had. I won't exaggerate and say every dish was perfect, but of the savory dishes, 4 were out of this world and 2 were really good. The broth in the fish soup was incredible. The thin sliced aged pork and corn masa tamale was borderline insane. The only thing that was a surprise was the Akaushi ribeye. It was surprisingly chewy. It was a surprise since when I saw the menu, that was the item that really grabbed my attention. No worries though. This is a minor criticism. Overall, I will never forget this meal. We must have had at least 8 people wait on us throughout the evening. Every server was friendly and extremely knowledgeable. Considering the price of the tasting menu, we can't eat here all the time, but we're already looking forward to our next incredible meal at Barley Swine. read more

Everything we had was delicious (snacks, Brussels, carnitas, Mackerel, and birthday cake), the atmosphere was lovely, and the service (from the hostesses to the servers) was so friendly and great. I am so pleased. Our favorite was the Mackerel, it reminded my husband and I of our time this summer in Iceland. The food was fresh and the flavors were intense and interesting. We sat at the Chef's Counter and it was really entertaining to watch them all busy at work. I especially enjoyed trying to guess what they were making by watching them and referencing the menu. :D Make sure you look at the pictures from all the reviews and recognize that this is not a 'Texas-sized' portion place. These are tasting portions, like tapas, and the flavors are awesome and INTENSE! read more

Barley Swine - A perfect birthday dinner at the Chef's Counter. My husband and I shared the 'snacks', Brussels, Carnitas, Mackerel, and a piece of cake. - New American Near Me - Austin, Texas

We made reservations here for my significant other's birthday. We both did the chef's tasting with one wine pairing (shared). Every drink we had was paired so well with each dish! Each dish stood out and was really unique. We sat at the bar so we could see all the of chefs' working. We really enjoyed it and the boss chef was very detail oriented and made sure every dish was perfect before it left. The portions are small, but I guarantee you'll devour every single plate! My absolutely favorite dishes had to be the angel hair squash with lion fish, peanut smoked ham & peach tart, redfish in corn husk, and the aged akaushi ribeye. The potato was soooo good. We left pretty full. We only have fancy dinners like these every once in a while but it was definitely worth it. The service was great as well. We'll be back. read more

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Came here for the tasting menu, which exceeded expectations. Was 9ish courses, plus amuse and surprises. Most dishes were beautiful, inventive, but also delicious, which cannot always be said of trendy tasting menus. I loved how they were able to bring out Texas flavors and nostalgia but present them in a modern fashion. We sat at the chefs counter so could see all the action. Our courses arrived in a timely fashion, a tad faster than i was expecting but didn't feel rushed. Service was fantastic- they gave us welcome drinks and a take home gift since we were celebrating my birthday. They have an excellent beer and wine selection, but we ended up going with the Thai One On cocktail instead, which was almost like an herbal pina colada and delicious. Would love to come back to try new dishes, especially as it appears that they change up the menu frequently read more

We went to Barley Swine for a celebratory dinner, and decided to try the chef's choice ten course tasting menu. The atmosphere was casual but upscale, and we sat at the chefs counter. Having a full view of the kitchen was definitely a fun part of the experience. The service was impeccable and everyone was friendly, and each dish was thoroughly introduced to us. Presentation for each of the dishes was great. For the $95 price tag per person, I expected to be blown away by the food, and while it was good, I'm not sure the food was worth the money. In addition, the portions were rather small and I left feeling a little unsatisfied. I would consider returning to try out the regular menu, and while the tasting menu was a fun experience, I would skip it next time. read more

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I came here for the chef's tasting menu. It was a crazy experience, one that I will never forget. Every dish was made very delicately, and every flavor was calculated and precise. Every plate I tasted felt so right and so perfect. The service is also great. The workers are very attentive and really know how to take care of you. The restaurant itself was smaller than I thought it was, so you should probably make a reservation before coming if possible. Parking was also scarce, but other than that, two thumbs up. I'll be back to try out their regular dinner menu. read more

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Tried the chef's tasting menu with the wine pairing and it was probably one of the best meals I have ever had. Each of the 10 courses were so unique and flavorful and presented beautifully. Our waitress was so nice and knowledgeable about all the food and wine; it really made the experience enjoyable. Like other reviewers mentioned, the portion size is small, but it's a "tasting" menu, so that's expected. I felt full after the 10 courses. I would definitely return to Barley Swine :) read more

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Barley Swine holds one of our fondest memories of a meal we've ever had. Unfortunately that memory is from several years ago when Barley Swine was in its former location. So we returned few weeks ago with great expectations and were not terribly thrilled. We can't say we were terribly disappointed either - it just wasn't great. Hard to define but the main issue was the service. Last time everything felt so free and fun and informative and the service was so perfectly timed. This time it was crowded, it was loud, it was hot. Our waiter gave us some brief explanations but not what we were hoping for. But worse was that the timing between courses was way off. Some came 10 minutes apart and some came 30 minutes apart. We had the wine pairings (of course!) and when your courses are 30 minutes apart that 4 oz (or 3 or 2?) pour just doesn't last. We thought perhaps they would add a little extra to our glasses to help us get through what was turning into a very long evening, and even asked nicely, but it was not to be. I finally wound up going to the bar and buying a couple glasses to get us through the night. Not what you expect when you're paying this kind of money for a wine pairing. So... Barley Swine is still a very good restaurant. But it's not great and it's not amazing, and it won't make you desperate to come back like it used to. read more

First chef tasting menu since the pandemic. It was beyond amazing. We sat at the bar and the service from the moment we sat down was on point. Highly recommend sitting at the bar if you want to watch everything being prepared in the kitchen. Since I am currently pregnant, they made a some perfect modifications due to the fact that I'm not supposed to be eating raw/deli meats. My sister got the wine pairings. I had the Spa Water mocktail... one of the most refreshing drinks I've ever had. It tasted like the Pepino Gatorade (arguably the best flavor) but like... fancier! The first course was a set of 4 amuse bouche style bites. The shrimp dumpling was my favorite! We also ordered the kanpachi ribs. The crunch on the fish was ASMR-worthy. My favorite light dish was the butter scallop and heavy dish was the Parker House ribeye donut course. Ordered a coffee to go with our final course which was a sunchoke custard. Every item was described to us in detail with immaculate timing. Parking was super easy for us considering being in Austin. 10/10 would return for another experience. read more

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Hands down one of the top 5 restaurants in Austin. I've lived here 13 years and cannot find better food-it's creative and interesting and beautiful and absolutely delicious. Service is always incredible, drinks are divine. Truly the best of the best! read more

We didn't know what to expect when we booked our reservation. We knew it had to be good if they were going to charge a $50 cancellation fee per person if you didn't cancel 24 hours in advance. From the moment we pulled up for valet to the moment we left, we experience great service. We all ordered the tasting menu as we read it was worth the splurge. It was pricey, but the small bites were so explosive in taste. Each plate was made with love and had different flavor profiles. Who knew you could literally have so many flavors burst in your mouth in one bite! We'd recommend this place and would definitely come back! read more

Barley Swine - New American Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Came here on a business trip to Austin. It's a place with a fun vibe and excellent service. We shared a whole bunch of small dishes here. Almost everything we ordered was excellent. We ordered a lot of dishes between the four of us, some of them twice :). A few memorable items were: fried duck leg, octopus, pork shoulder, and many more that I don't recall now. Their hot toddy was excellent as well. read more

Amazing Drinks and the food is different every time. Love this place! Needs a Michelin star

The entire night was a symphony of exquisite surprises. We sat at the bar and Jeff was our guide as we worked our way through the medley of offerings on the menu. Chef/Owner Bryce Gilmore served as conductor between two talented sous chefs as the orchestration of offerings were prepared. Gilmore stirred, touched, tasted and sauteed food items while the others were at his side, chopping, blending, mixing, creating sauces and tending to finishing touches. Our feast began with a delicious plating of black eyed pea fritters, tomatoes and grilled okra. A rhythmic offering of beer battered zucchini, mussels, arugula and basil dressing followed. Service here is impeccable. Every member of the staff is friendly and helpful. The beer and wine list is surprisingly extensive and hubby indulged in several unique brews while I sipped my Malbec and stuffed my face. One of the chalk board specials, featuring huge tender scallops, tomatillos, tiny baby tomatoes and a tangy dressing was my favorite savory plate of the night. I was not as passionate about the cod and potatoes but my partner in dining ate the entire serving. However, the grilled wagyu with onion puree and grit cakes sang to me. Don't be surprised if your neighbor offers you a bite of her sweetbreads. Sharing is part of the fun at Barley Swine. The grand finale, a smoked pecan fudge bar with a crunchy sweet bottom layer, toasted lumps of marshmallow, cocoa nibs, and salted caramel ice cream, was miraculous. Sweet and salty flavors blended into a harmonious song that serenaded me all the way home. read more

Single folks, listen up... if you have not yet found the perfect someone, there is a place in Austin that will bring you more pleasure in every bite AND make you wonder why you ever were looking. Barley Swine is that perceived, slightly unattainable, yet desirable experience that leaves you feeling like you just had the most perfect date of your life, even if you were not there on a date. That is because Barley Swine IS the date. Every experience at Barley Swine IS a little bit like courtship, with the thrill of the pursuit in just getting there at the perfect moment to get a table. But alas, good things come to those who wait, and the butterflies in anticipation make it that much sweeter. With only 42 chairs, they don't take reservations. If you have to wait, they will take your mobile number and call you a few minutes before you will be seated. This way, you can venture next door to Henri's, or down the block to Opa or another bar and enjoy a beverage while you wait. It is hard to review a place like this with more than 200 people singing their accolades, but I decided to try for my 200th Yelp review. In order to have the perfect Barley Swine experience, take your time. If there are two in your party, order six to seven plates and a dessert to share for the full experience. I can be predictable at ordering. To dissuade this, I take cues from the staff on their perfect meal. Each plate is truly a work of art. They are carefully prepared with as much local, farm-to-table items as possible and artfully arranged. They always look too pretty to eat. And this is where the magic happens. That first bite of each dish you slowly chew, sit back, let all the flavors burst into a perfect medley of any combination of savory, salty, sweet, moist, melt-in-your-mouth ecstasy rising to that crescendo of pure exhilaration. You never knew all these textures and tastes would bring such extreme pleasure that causes you to let out inaudible gasps of joy. And with each subsequent dish, you get a new first-time experience to have that moment all over again. It's like having seven or eight food-gasms in one night. Each one is exciting, new and different as you are unwrapping the flavor and texture combination that each work of art brings. Now it is hard to recommend a specific dish here, because the menu changes monthly. I have loved everything I have tried. They generally have a scallop dish on the menu, but the way they are prepared will change from time to time. Do not miss this dish as the scallops are always melt-in-your-mouth, perfectly cooked and married with a creative array of flavors. This week I had scallops with Brussels sprouts cooked in peanut oil with peanuts and ruby grapefruit wedges over a sweet potato puree. The peanut oil was genius, and I loved the citrus and sweet contrast to the flavors. It is amazing how they creatively prepare dishes with foie gras, from a more savory foie gras with pork belly, goat cheese grits and watermelon like they served up last summer to the current decadence of grilled foie gras with tiny oatmeal cookies, berries and home made strawberry ice cream. Talk about a symphony of different flavors and textures with sweet, savory, creamy, crunchy. It is pure joy! They have eggs. They soft boil, poach, chicken fry, and scramble locally sourced chicken and duck eggs. This week, we devoured the soft scrambled duck egg with morels, white potatoes, radish slices, goat feta and green bean salad topped with a dill foam and arugula with a tad of lemon zest. It was smooth, creamy with a light tang of dill that complimented the feta and potatoes with an added crunch from the green beans. There is always that one menu item, usually on the specials board, that I never want to try, yet the staff tells me it is one of the best things they have at the moment. This one was a corn battered pig face with mustard and pickled vegetables. So the idea of pig face had me remembering those whole roasted pigs at events I had been to and it conjured up a face looking back at me. The staff insisted it was fabulous, so we acquiesced and were not disappointed. Think pork "barbacoa" corn dog, only moist and shredded inside and melty-crunchy from the corn batter on the outside. There was not a pig face in sight, just the sight of our faces in sheer elated bliss. They are always great about using local vegetables in season. I remember a summer heirloom tomato salad with goat cheese and melon that rocked my world. This week, they had a roasted beet salad with beet greens, mole, popcorn and goat cheese. They cooked up the pink, red and gold beets, so you had a nice array, from less sweet to sugary. The mole with goat cheese, greens and popcorn rounded out the Earthy beet as a nice contrast. To sum it up, Barley Swine is that pleasurable experience that will leave you perfectly satiated, somewhat besotted, and wanting to come back the next day for another fix of euphoria! read more