Last night was our second visit to ABA, and considering that it's a two hour drive to get to, that…read moresays a lot. Both times, the food has been spectacular, the service off the page, and the atmosphere and ambiance magnificent. We tried three mezzes last night, and each was killer. The hummus was the smoothest I've ever eaten and with the brisket, it was killer! We tried the whipped feta with pistachios, and it was special -- salty/sweet and a little something special to make you wonder just what the spice was. The lamb & beef keftas were also excellent, with the lemon rice and a nice tsadziki -- and we make keftas at home fairly regularly, so we know what a good one tastes like. The only regret that we had was that we only have one stomach each. A second would have allowed us to keep tasting... Don't miss it. Even the patio dining was cool and refreshing -- and it was 86º when we were eating dinner!

I booked this spot roughly 1 month in advanced, and I was only able to snag a 7:15pm reservation…read more(even as a solo diner). Music Lane is a beautiful area with corridors bustling with fresh air, which greatly contrasts the area not too far south of it. Aba lies within these corridors, so I was completely gobsmacked to see the size of the establishment and its number of seating. There are outdoor tables, a dedicated bar section, a decently large interior, and patio and sofa seats for the people waiting. Even then, the place was completely packed, so getting a reservation is an absolute must. Not only are the prices completely reasonable, the food itself had everything that I was looking for: a delicious spread starter, a balanced fiber dish, and an entree with intentional flavors and texture. The Short Rib Hummus is a must get! It is incredibly filling and completely worth the price. The short rib was a nice meat protein since I opted for a seafood main, and the pita bread that it came with was lightly seasoned and was as fluffy as it could possibly be. I could not eat much of my Brussel Sprouts because it was also very large. However it was not too oily or drenched, and each bite had a perfect light crunch, which is the standard for Fried Brussels Sprouts. Top it all off, the Grilled Branzino was the finisher to my savory dishes. The grill gave the fish a roasted flavor, which was complimented by the sweetness from the corn purée. The various greens, roasted tomatoes, and corn pieces themselves added bites of textures and secondary bursts of flavor. I can see why it took a month in advanced to book a decent time at Aba Austin. The atmosphere was so perfect because the air flows through all the doors and windows, allowing the diners to enjoy fresh oxygen. This place is a must visit, both as an experience and a meal that is WORTH the bill.

In the style of Anthony Bourdain because....it was THAT good: I went to a Georgian restaurant…read morebecause I like wine and make poor decisions around bread. This is how these things start. First comes the wine flight -- amber, gold, pale straw colors catching the light like old varnish. Georgian wine doesn't taste "new world." It doesn't even really taste old world. It tastes ancient. Mineral-heavy, floral in places, a little funky, unapologetically alive. Like somebody buried grapes in the earth a few thousand years ago and decided modernity was optional. Then the khachapuri lands. Not a plate. An event. A blistered, burnished canoe of bread carrying molten cheese, butter, and an egg yolk so offensively golden it looks fictional. Somewhere, a cardiologist wakes suddenly in the night sensing a disturbance in the force. You tear into it anyway. Because human beings were not put on this earth to refuse hot bread filled with cheese. The crust crackles. The center stretches and folds into itself. Butter disappears into the molten lake like it was never there to begin with. It is rich in the way only peasant food perfected over centuries can be rich -- not delicate, not curated, not interested in your wellness journey. Then come the khinkali. These beautiful dumb little meat purses filled with beef, pork, pepper, and scalding broth. There's etiquette involved. You're supposed to hold the top knot, bite carefully, sip the soup first. And for one brief moment everyone at the table becomes united by the exact same thought: "Oh, this is going to end badly." It's glorious. Broth runs down wrists. Black pepper hits the back of your throat. Wine keeps appearing. The room gets louder. Warmer. Looser. Nobody's pretending to be restrained anymore. And that's what I love about Georgian food. It feels completely uninterested in optimization. No tiny portions. No architectural foam. No chef explaining deconstructed emotions harvested from a local hillside. Just centuries of survival distilled into bread, meat, cheese, wine, and hospitality aggressive enough to qualify as a controlled substance. You leave full in a way that feels almost philosophical. Like maybe civilization peaked when somebody looked at bread and thought: "What if we filled it with molten cheese and handed everyone wine until they started hugging?"

Stopped by for early dinner on a Wednesday night because we wanted to try something new! It's to…read morethe left of the steam train station when facing the entrance of it. Our waiter was very kind and patient to explain the menu since we never had Georgian food before. Unfortunately, all the beers we tried to order were out of stock and he was nice enough to comp it for my S/O. I opted for the pomegranate 75 and enjoyed it! Our appetizer was the beef khinkali and adjarian khachapuri. The khinkali is a dumpling that has a thicker dough wrapping compared to the Asian counterpart, especially at the top. I think I would give the beef/pork one a try before I say it's not for me. The adjarian khachapuri does come with a raw egg but the freshly hot bread and cheese will cook it and melt the butter. It's so creamy! The bread had a crispy outside and soft inside. They complimented each other well. The chakhohbili was simple but good. It was like a chicken and tomato soup. For some, it may be too plain but I felt like it's a good no frills dish. The shkmeruli was a little bland for us. It felt like the creamy version of the chakhohbili but somehow less flavor? Just wasn't for us :) I didn't want to order kebabs/skewers since I could get that anywhere but I'm interested in coming back to try their version!

Usta Kababgy is an excellent restaurant for authentic Middle Eastern cuisine in Austin, TX located…read moreon N. Lamar Blvd. The restaurant has well seasoned, charcoal grilled meats. The kebabs are the true highlight...juicy, flavorful, and grilled to perfection. The portions are quite large as the hubs and I shared a wrap. We were sufficiently full after eating the chicken tikka wrap. Interestingly, the wrap came in a Shawarma King packaging with their contact phone number. So, I assume that Usta staff are sub-contracting from Shawarma King. Usta also has freshly baked bread and classic sides like hummus and rice paired with the main dishes. The restaurant has a homey, lived in feel. It has a few middle eastern artifacts sprinkled throughout the restaurant. The menu offers a wide variety of options, from Iraqi and Adana kebabs to shawarma and traditional Middle Eastern plates, so there are food items for both first timers and regulars who want to explore beyond the basics. They also serve flatbreads where you can have two different toppings. The food focus is on bold, traditional flavors rather than modern takes on middle eastern foods. On the desserts front, they have an assortment of desserts and several sections of ice cream. I had the baklava, which was surprisingly delicious...it was not eye-squinting sweet like a standard baklava. It was crunchy, flavorful, and had nuts that were substantial. Layla, my server, was so super sweet and welcoming. She pointed out that Usta provides its customers free tea. How cool is that? I cannot remember last time I received a free drink.

Usta Kababgy offers amazing charcoal-grilled Mediterranean food that provides authentic, "soul-fed"…read moreexperience that's hard to find elsewhere. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, suitable for a place nice enough for a family/friend gathering. The service is friendly and reassures wanting to provide an enjoyable meal. The standout here is the charcoal grill definitely must try. It's all fresh and top-tier.

We stopped by Churro Co. after dinner to satisfy a sweet tooth and it really hit the spot. This…read morecute churro dessert truck is on S. 1st Street right next to Bouldin Creek Cafe, with outdoor seating only. The staff was friendly and happy to answer our questions, and our order was ready in just a couple minutes! I got the Matcha-Cha off the seasonal menu, which had a great balance of matcha flavor and lightly sweet strawberry ice cream. The roasted walnuts added a really nice break in texture, which I loved. My husband ordered the Campfire with added ice cream, which was rich and very chocolaty. The charred marshmallow on top was a great touch and made it extra indulgent. Overall, a great late night dessert stop with solid flavors and friendly service. Definitely worth checking out when you're craving something sweet!

The service was excellent from start to finish, and the staff was friendly, helpful, and…read moreprofessional throughout my visit.

Gati is an absolute dream, especially if you're gluten-free or just love incredible food…read more Their gluten-free pastries are next level. You would never guess they're gluten-free everything is soft, flavorful, and perfectly textured. The cinnamon rolls in particular are unforgettable, warm, gooey, and just the right amount of sweet. Truly some of the best I've ever had. And the Thai dishes? An explosion of flavor. Every bite is vibrant, rich, and beautifully balanced. You can tell everything is made fresh with high-quality ingredients and a lot of care. To top it all off, the staff is so friendly and kind. The whole space feels welcoming and full of good energy, which makes the experience even better.

Best vegan ice cream I have had! Especially the strawberry…read morewhen it's in season. The staff are always friendly and helpful. Thank you!

Every couple months we love a visit to Omg Squee for their delicious, no nonsense soft serve and…read moretaiyaki with several Asian flavor options. My favorite ice cream flavors have been ube and the Earl grey but you really can't go wrong. They have limited parking spots but often people will park along the side of the road when it's busy. Theres a few seats in front of the shop and a cute lighted outdoor area with picnic benches to the side. Highly highly recommend a visit, especially given how late they are open at night and night time soft serve is the best! The only thing I always struggle with is not getting the taiyaki with ice cream drip all over me, so I highly recommend getting a cup to flip it over into!

Made a visit to OMG Squee, a gluten-free Asian American Dessert Shop, serving Asian-inspired…read moredesserts, pastries, butter mochi donuts, taiyaki soft serve, and more made in-house, from scratch. I was craving Ube and might have gone a bit overboard on ordering dessert because they had so many Ube options. The building is colorful and decorated in bright pink with fun artwork and decor for an uplifting vibe. The line moved quickly and the service was friendly fast and efficient. I was able to place my order and pay with Apple Pay. I ordered the Taiyaki Sundae with black sesame and ube swirl soft serve served in a fish shaped mochi Belgian style waffle with Oreo dust on top. You can customize your sundae with filling like organic red sweet beans, Nutella or custard and toppings like Oreo dust, fruity pebbles or rainbow sprinkles. I ate this on site and the nutty black sesame balanced the sweet ube perfectly, and the Oreo topping added the best crunch. They had a variety of mochi donut flavors. Lucky for me, nothing was sold out today. I ordered the Oreo ube mochi donut and ube milk tea to-go. I ate the mochi donut later that day and it was probably my least favorite item from my order. It had the chewy mochi texture however I didn't get enough of the rich ube flavor. It had somewhat of a bitter aftertaste and the Oreo overpowered the ube. I drank the ube milk tea the next day and it was creamy, smooth, and not overly sweet. I really enjoyed the flavor profile of the beverage and would order it again. Overall, enjoyed my selections and will be back to try more dessert options and flavors from one of the most unique Asian dessert spots in Austin!

great donuts! Mila and David are wonderful and friendly, we have enjoyed our time and we will come…read moreback!

Super friendly service…read more Spacious indoor and outdoor seating Delicious donuts For sure with stopping for a coffee and treat!

I have been frequenting Gourdough's original food trailer on South 1st for a long time. I got a…read morecraving for one of their donuts and decided to make a trip. Gordough's is one of those places that fully commits to indulgence. I was able to place my order online and schedule for pick up. The order was ready when I arrived. Parking was a bit challenging and the lot was full and they charge for parking. Service was quick, casual, just good energy and fast turnaround. I ordered my tried and true Miss Shortcake with their famous cake donut with cream cheese icing and fresh cut strawberries. The donut is so indulgent and was served warm with the most delectable flavor combinations. Tried the Son of a Peach with cream cheese icing, spiced peach filling, cake mix topping, cinnamon and sugar with honey butter. This one was a bit too overindulgent and sweet for my liking but was definitely worth a try. Portions are huge and can be shared as the donut is not as good warmed over. If you're in the mood for dessert and not think about calorie count, then this is the place.

When in Austin TX this is a must try place.... Great service & our donuts were AMAZING!! We even…read moretold them they should open up a spot in San Diego, CA. * Mini Funky Monkey * Mini Naughty & Nice #DiningWithTheAndersons #Austin #TexasGoodies #Donuts #SweetTreats

I went here after getting super hyped from an Instagram reel and displayed absolutely did not…read moredisappoint. I am obsessed with Japanese flavors and dessert form. When I arrived here, the attendant got as excited as I was and walked me through the entire menu gave me all of their popular flavors and his personal suggestions. He was so patient and offered us free samples for gelato flavors per person so between my fiancé and I we were able to try every single flavor that was on their menu. I went there to get the limited edition Yuzu cheesecake flavor, but ended up with the banana show you instead because it was just that much better. I highly recommend going here and trying out your version of favorite. They had some incredible flavors like black, sesame, pineapple cake, Texas sheet cake, mango sticky rice.

Kessho was such a fun stop for dessert. It's a food-truck style setup with a casual vibe and plenty…read moreof bench seating, which makes it an easy spot to hang out for a few minutes while you decide what to get. They offer a ton of unique gelato options, and the service was genuinely great. We were super indecisive, but they let us try samples, which helped us narrow things down! We ended up choosing the ube and the banana shoyu caramel. Ube is a familiar favorite for me, but the banana shoyu caramel was the standout. It was rich and I was so glad the banana flavor did not taste artificial! Definitely a spot worth checking out if you're in the mood for a creative dessert. I'd definitely come back and look forward to trying their cookies and chocolates!

Was in East Austin and saw that there was no line at Rockman Bakery so decided to pop in. I have…read morebeen wanting to try it for a while but there is always a long line so had to take advantage of this opportunity. When I walked in, I immediately noticed the display of pastries that all looked amazing. There were so many options to choose from. I was only planning to try one or two and ended up coming out with 5 pastries because I could not make up my mind. You wait in line and order at the counter. The staff was friendly and responded to my questions about the pastries and helped me to make a decision. Some of the pastries I tried were the pecan bar, guava cheesecake danish, everything bagel croissant, seasonal kouign amann an a craquelin. I took my items to-go and everything was packed nicely for the journey home. When I got home, everything tasted fresh and had unique and creative flavor combinations. I was so excited about my haul that I had to take a bite of each one. Overall, I can see what the hype is all about. Rockman Bakery has an amazing selection of creative, fresh pastries. I can't wait to try some of their beverages as well.

I was day tripping from San Antonio and heard very great things about this place…read more The hype was definitely lived up to and their bagels are so chewy yet fluffy and soft like a pillow. I had a French onion dip smear and it was so delicious. Every other pastry was so great and very fulfilling. The staff were super friendly and were so efficient with pumping out orders. I had the tiramisu latte and was 10/10 best tiramisu latte around. Inside is good space with plenty seat but parking is limited. Nice and cozy though.