Diners' Choice: Best Ambiance restaurants in Austin

OpenTable

Updated April 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best ambiance in Austin? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Sushi | Bar Austin Downtown

5.0

5 (30)

$50 and over

Sushi

East Austin

About the restaurant

Step into the extraordinary world of Sushi | Bar ATX, an intimate Omakase speakeasy that invites you to embark on a whimsical culinary journey presented through 17 exquisite courses.

Behind an unmarked door in East Austin, you'll discover a hidden gem featuring two intimate dining rooms, each boasting only 10 coveted seats. Positioned directly in front of our chefs' cutting boards, experience a free-spirited interpretation of the traditional sushi counter, where beloved standards receive unexpected and delightful riffs. Throughout your dining experience, our talented chefs will guide you through a captivating culinary journey, showcasing interpretive new takes on traditional nigiri sourced from both land and sea.

Reserve your seat today and unlock the extraordinary world of Sushi | Bar ATX, Austin's premier Omakase experience.

Top review

Madeline

Dined on Feb 20, 2025

Great at accommodating allergies. I always have the best time!

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Experience

Chef's Counter Omakase

Goldie's

4.8

4.8 (150)

$30 and under

Cocktail Bar

Downtown

About the restaurant

Goldie’s is an intimate cocktail bar on the ground floor of the Austin Proper Hotel. Goldie's serves as an elegant and vibrant setting for a posh celebration, sophisticated drinks, or a romantic evening out. The focal point of the room is a marble sunken bar, surrounded by a plush array of tweed and velvet seating. Here you'll find Afternoon Tea on the weekends and seasonal cocktails in the evenings.

Top review

Alyssa

Dined on Apr 19, 2025

10/10 experience! Rivals the afternoon tea I had in London

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Experience

Cocktails at Goldie's Sunken Bar

Devil May Care

4.9

4.9 (251)

$31 to $50

Mediterranean

Downtown

About the restaurant

Located at the bustling corner of 6th & San Antonio, Devil May Care delivers a fresh and enigmatic experience to Austin’s dining and entertainment scene. With its cozy, eclectic vibe, Devil May Care provides a downtown, art-filled, underground hideaway. Family-style dining features a healthy and shareable play on Modern Mediterranean cuisine.

Top review

Geneva

Dined on Apr 9, 2025

We really enjoyed our meal and the drinks. The service was great and the vibe is chill.

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Honey Moon Spirit Lounge

4.9

4.9 (340)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Central Austin

About the restaurant

Honey Moon Spirit Lounge is a vintage-chic restaurant/speakeasy with a well curated menu of elevated comfort food and modern American share plates. The menu includes a craft cocktail list emphasizing fresh juices and classic ingredients, and an extensive and diverse wine list featuring varietals from around the world with a selection of beers and ciders, and a tap of local craft brews.

Top review

Allyson

Dined 3 days ago

I had the best experience during happy hour today! We had a large group and they were so accommodating and kind! Also, the food was delicious!

Retail Therapy

4.8

4.8 (34)

$30 and under

Cocktail Bar

Downtown

About the restaurant

Welcome to Retail Therapy, a sophisticated cocktail lounge where timeless elegance meets relaxed comfort. Step into a world of luxury as you sink into plush seating and enjoy expertly crafted cocktails, meticulously prepared by our talented mixologists.

Indulge in a harmonious blend of classic and contemporary drinks, perfectly paired with decadent desserts from our pastry chef. Whether you’re here for an intimate cocktail experience or a vibrant night out, we promise an unforgettable journey of flavors.

***Please note: Kindly review our hours of operation to plan your visit according to your desired experience—whether it's the tranquil atmosphere of our cocktail lounge or the lively energy of our club lounge.

Cocktail Lounge Hours:
Tuesday & Wednesday: 5pm - 1am
Thursday - Sunday: 5pm - 10pm

Club Lounge Hours:
Thursday - Sunday: 10pm - 2am
(Featuring live DJs and a condensed late-night drink menu)

Happy Hour:
Tuesday - Sunday: 5pm - 7pm

Top review

DENISEVIP

Dined on Apr 13, 2025

Had a great experience and the drinks were so good! Atmosphere was luxe and had good music too!

J Carver's

4.9

4.9 (2100)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Downtown

About the restaurant

J Carver's Oyster Bar & Chophouse features market fresh oysters & premium wood grilled steaks. Nestled in West 6th District of Downtown Austin, John Carver, Owner and Chef delivers an elevated classic fine dining experience featuring a gorgeous raw & oyster bar and intimate dining experience.

In order to honor all reservations booked, we ask that all bookings adhere to our suggested dining time frame. Please contact our reservationist if you have additional questions. Our time frames are as follows
2 people - 2 hours
3 people - 2 hr 15 minutes
4-5 people - 2 hr 30 minutes
6-7 people - 2hr 45 minutes
8+ people - 3 hours

Please reach out to our reservationist for private dining.
We offer Valet at $12 daily

Top review

John

Dined 1 day ago

Our server gave us amazing recs for bars and things to do and recommended some of the best things to order and just the right amount of food.

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Popular dish

Beef Filet Steak Tartare

4.8

4.8 (9)

$31 to $50

Cocktail Bar

Downtown

About the restaurant

The Blue Room is W Austin's by-reservation cocktail bar. A secret hidden almost in plain sight, this clandestine watering hole is a seating only experience in which Austin's brightest mixologists craft classic and custom cocktails alike.

Top review

Jason

Dined on Mar 27, 2025

Beautiful place. Great drinks. Outstanding service.

The Roosevelt Room

4.9

4.9 (1344)

$31 to $50

Cocktail Bar

Downtown

About the restaurant

The Roosevelt Room is Austin's most awarded cocktail bar, offering a seated experience with table service provided by its knowledgeable bar staff to guide guests through its expansive menu of classic and original cocktails, craft beer, wine, and epicurean bar food.

The Roosevelt Room has received the following accolades: Top Four Best American Cocktail Bar 2022 by the Spirited Awards, Top Four Best American Bar Team 2022 by the Spirited Awards, Top Five Best Cocktail Bar 2022 by Liquor.com's Liquor Awards, Austin's Best New Cocktail Bar 2015 by Thrillist, & Bar of the Year 2017 by TimeOut Austin.

RESERVATIONS ARE STRONGLY SUGGESTED. Walk-ins are welcome, but please note that there may be a short wait for the next available table. If your reservation details change, please let us know. We will do our best to accommodate last-minute alterations, but we cannot guarantee immediate seating for any additional guests. For reservations of 11+, click the "Book an Event" tab on our website.

Top review

SteveVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Great craft cocktails, solid but limited food option, gear atmosphere and excellent service.

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5.0

5 (124)

$50 and over

Creative Japanese

Old West Austin

About the restaurant

For only $150 a seat for a limited time, experience the exquisite craftsmanship of Chef Endo Yasuhiro's 20-course omakase at our establishment, a collaboration with the renowned Sushi Nakazawa of Washington D.C. and New York City fame. Indulge in a culinary journey meticulously curated by Chef Endo, showcasing the finest ingredients and traditional techniques.

Enhancing your dining experience, our custom bar features an impressive selection of rare Japanese whiskies, top-rated sake, and artisanal beers sourced from both local and Japanese breweries. Immerse yourself in the rich flavors and cultural heritage of Japan as you savor each sip and bite.

To further entice your palate, please note that our menu changes daily, ensuring that you experience the freshest and most seasonal offerings handpicked by Chef Endo himself. Join us and embark on a culinary adventure like no other.

Top review

Ashley

Dined 4 days ago

Incredible! We had an amazing time celebrating our anniversary here for dinner. It was intimate, and the food was amazing. The staff was personable. Would hands down recommend! Can’t wait to go back!

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4.9

4.9 (2317)

$50 and over

American

Central Austin

About the restaurant

Jeffrey's Restaurant & Bar has been an Austin fine dining institution since 1975. In 2012 the restaurant closed for a major renovation and was reopened by McGuire Moorman Lambert Hospitality. The legendary restaurant, nestled in the Clarksville neighborhood just west of downtown, features a lively bar and three distinct dining rooms. The menus, from executive chef Mark McCain, features dry-aged prime steaks, updated classic fine dining, and locally sourced produce. The award-winning wine list, one of the largest and most diverse in Texas, features highly-sought after vintages from Old and New World producers. Private dining in the Napoleon Room and The Apartment is available for special events. Valet service is offered.

The charming neighborhood location, old world service & multiple private dining options make Jeffrey's a true Austin gem. Jeffrey's was named “Top 10 Best New Restaurants” in the country by Bon Appetit magazine in 2013.

Top review

MichaelVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Sterling was one of the best servers we have ever had. Tell him thank you.

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