Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Ember Kitchen

    4.5 (379 reviews)
    Open 5:00 pm - 10:00 PM

    Ember Kitchen Photos

    Business Info

    EMBER KITCHEN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Trendy
    Intimate
    Romantic
    Classy

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Ember Kitchen

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Kitchen
    Kristin S.

    There is garage parking with validation from the restaurant for 2 hours. They also take reservations. The live music was great when I went! We sat at the chefs table which was just ok, usually I'm used to chefs table interacting with chefs but that didn't happen. To start we were given complimentary plantains and guacamole. Drink: The paper wisdom was yummy and not too sweet and the in lieu of sleep was like an espresso martini. Small plates: The crab cake was great! We also had the Morita Shrimp, which honestly that was overcooked. The bread that it comes with was a very yummy, along with the sauce that the shrimp was in. Main dishes: The scallops were cooked well. The Wagyu steak was also very yummy. The star dish for me was an off the menu short rib which was to die for, but pricey! Make sure you ask the cost before you order! Side dish: The crispy beef fat potatoes are a MUST try. Dessert: The Maíz y Chocolate is a MUST have! If you are a fan of dark chocolate get it, because the raspberry dark chocolate combo is scrumptious!

    bday churros
    Kim H.

    We accidentally made reservations here thinking it was another restaurant that began with an E. We are so glad we made the mistake they went above and beyond for my husbands bday. We started off with complimentary caviar bites. My husband described them as little caviar tacos because of the shells. They also gave us plantains and guacamole and shots to start the evening off. We got the crab cake to share. It was honestly one of my favorite crab cakes because it was different than your traditional crab cake. I loved the black beans and corn and the spiciness from the peppers. He got the halibut. I t was decent portion and lovely presentation. I splurged and got seafood platter special. It was big and I could not finish it but it had a great flavor and variety of seafood. The beef fat potatoes were one of our favorite sides, so crispy and full of flavor. For dessert we ordered the suspiro, it has a hard meringue and dulce de leche with pecans and a Carmel sauce. They also gave us churros has his bday dessert. We sat at the seats that faced the kitchen and got a perfect view of all the food coming out. We are already talking about our next 2 visits and what we plan to order. There is a parking garage right behind the restaurant that they honor 2 hours of complimentary parking just know your license plate when you get to the restaurant.

    Migas with Josper Chicken
    Michaela P.

    I was so excited that Ember started to serve brunch and decided to give it a go with the hubs. We were promptly seated and placed our entire drink and food order and then, we waited. The Crudo eventually made it to our table well before our Mimosa and Bloody Mary, which was just ok. We ordered another round of drinks, and asked for more spice in the Bloody Mary, and we waited again. The Chilaquilles and the Migas with Josper Chicken made their appearance before our second drink order. Fine, but also annoying as we didn't order "craft" cocktails. The extra spice for the BM was "accomplished?" By adding a slice of jalapeño to the skewer, nothing extra in the drink itself. Disappointing. Back to the food. The chilaquiles were good, but hubs claimed he had better at other places. My migas were more like a Frittata due to their skillet cooking, thankfully I like Frittatas. I was really looking forward to the Josper chicken, but sadly I only found maybe 6 small pieces, albeit very tasty, in the entire dish. For the price I should've just ordered the 1/2 chicken entree. All in all it was ok, there are for sure better and cheaper brunch places in Austin

    Josper Chicken was amazing!
    Brandelyn G.

    I surprised my husband with a reservation at Ember kitchen for his birthday! I planned for us to sit at the chef's counter but when we arrived there were 2 other people sitting there and we would have been elbow to elbow so we asked for a table by ourselves-- which was more of the vibe we wanted for that night. I ordered the Julian Collins mocktail (which had matcha in it) but it wasn't my favorite. Our waitress was kind of enough to bring me another mocktail that has ginger cider (I forgot the name) -- and while it was beautifully crafted it was a bit too sweet for me and tasted like a super sweet cold apple cider. For dinner we each decided to try the Josper chicken (even though we could have split it) and we ordered the beef fat potatoes and fried plantains as our sides. The Josper chicken was humongous and truly the best chicken I think I have ever had. I'm so glad we don't split it because we both tore it up That charcoal flavor was everything!!! The potatoes were nice and crispy and the plantains were perfectly cooked, The salad that comes with the Ember Kitchen was light and refreshing and was the perfect compliment. They were kind enough to give my husband a free desert which were churros filled with dulce de leche and they were the most incredible thing I ever had!!! My husband also ordered the chocolate gelato but he said it tasted like ice cream-- although he really enjoyed it. TLDR: - Josper Chicken is amazing! Try it and see - Churros delicious - Mocktails are creative and beautifully crafted, but not my favorite - Amazing place to celebrate birthday, anniversaries or special occasions

    Seaholm courtyard walking over to Ember.
    Stephanie M.

    We came in for a little date night around Christmas time. Made a reservation and were seated promptly when we arrived. At 1st they say us at a 2 top upstairs just right in the middle where a lot of people were passing by us. It seemed a bit too hectic for us and they happily moved us to another 2 top near the railing and with a nice few to see down to the 1st floor. Our server, Victoria, brought us some lovely welcome shots and even a second round a little later into our visit since our main entree's took a little long to arrive. She even added some churros for us to go. Nice gesture for the wait. We had the following items: Tuna Tartare $25 - Tuna was fresh and paired very well with the plantain chips. Decent portion size. Morita Shrimp $23 - Wow this dish was our absolute favorite. Would 100% order again. The creamy sauce is super garlicky(I LOVE garlic) and perfect for dipping the flatbread in. We cleaned the bowl! Filet Skewer $34 - Tender filet and love me some grilled sweet peppers. Great flavor. Pork Chop $54 - Sadly our least favorite dish. Pork was overcooked. Overcharred. Meat dry. Buuut it was fun to pick our own knives to use to cut up our Pork Chop. Crispy Beef Fat Potatoes $16 - Nothing special here. Not enough flavor for me. I would not order again. They do give a large portion though. Charred Broccolini $16 - Decent portion and cooked perfectly. Overall the ambiance and exceptional wait staff are what made our date night such a lovely experience. There were some hits and misses on the food we selected, but I'm definitely open to trying more menu items and 100% getting the Shrimp Morita again.

    Katalina P.

    Went here for a celebration and they gave her a compliment cocktail to start:) The crab cake was my favorite appetizer. It had large crab flakes and slight kick was perfect. The mussels were another favorite. You must get a little bit in one bite: baguette dipped in the sauce and a mussel with veggies! Such a unique, delicious flavor. The tomahawk was perfect for sharing. The server let us pick out own cutting knife. The fish quality was great but the sauce and flavor wasn't the best combo. Overall, I think the apps are better than the main dishes. Service was a little slow. It's a little overpriced for what you are getting.

    View from Chef's Counter
    Henry L.

    Such a fantastic experience! We made a reservation at the Chef's Counter for our wedding anniversary on a Sunday night. The staff was superb and we really felt welcomed. The food was amazing as well. We looked around for a place with delicious and uniquely prepared dishes, and Ember didn't disappoint. Let's start with the parking. Parking was super easy. We parked in the Seaholm Garage and scanned the QR code in the garage to start our parking session. Ember has a QR code at their host stand to take 2 hours off of your ticket. No need to ask your waiter; just scan the code on your way out. The Chef's Counter experience was super fun. We got to watch the Josper doing its thing, and all of the kitchen staff working like a well oiled machine. Would definitely recommend! We started off with the Market Fish Crudo (Ora King Salmon) and the Crispy Tamal "Ahogada". The salmon was super tender and delicious and paired nicely with the light sauce. The Tamal was great as well and is definitely the more interesting of the two apps. Would love to try the Salpicon de Pulpo and the mussels next time. For entrees, we got the Scallops and the Josper-Roasted Market Fish (Halibut). The scallops were cooked perfectly and the corn was deliciously sweet. Always wished to have more scallops though. The halibut is a meaty fish, and flaked so well. It was tender with a nice crispy sear on top. The sauce for the fish was absolutely addicting and we definitely used our spoons to not waste a drop. The sides were great as well. The Beef Fat potatoes were perfectly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The amount of potatoes could easily feed another person. The salad was also high quality. We ended the night with the churros, which, as expected, was solid. Despite sitting next to others at the counter, the place felt pretty intimate. Wished the music wasn't as loud though. Definitely a memorable night and would love to come back for the next special occasion.

    Jen H.

    I had the best time here! The food and drinks were amazing, and everything was well-seasoned and balanced flavor-wise. I loved sitting by the kitchen and being able to have a glimpse of the dishes being made. There was live music playing, which was a little on the louder side--the waitress had to step over to our side to talk about the evening specials because she wasn't able to shout over the tunes lol. Regardless, it's the perfect spot for a date night.

    Tartare
    Billy T.

    Every single dish here was unique in its own way and had very sophisticated flavor profiles that fancy food tends to bring. This was one of the priciest restaurants I've visited, and I wasn't disappointed. I ordered a Pisco Spritz as my drink to start, which wasn't too sweet and had the right amount of citrus. For appetizers, the tartare was really good- the guac complemented the tuna very well. Also, the mussels were phenomenal. Standout main courses included the chicken- just wonderful. You gotta get the broccolini too. The fish was also very tasty. My one disclaimer would be to not come here super hungry, because the food is quite light and the portions aren't huge, but you probably already knew that coming into such a high end restaurant.

    @nhueats_
    Nhu L.

    This place really took me by surprised! As someone who doesn't venture out to Latin food I came here for a birthday dinner and it did not disappoint. This is located in the Seaholm area and is a two story restaurant. I think the bottom floor is cuter. The food is so good and I def recommend eating family style and sharing dishes. I really enjoyed the steak and broccolini! Everything was seasoned. The service was nice and prompt.

    Spicy margaritas
    Soseh P.

    We tried Ember Kitchen for the first time for our 10 year anniversary. We went with our 1 year old. The ambiance of the place is also chic and nice with beautiful Latin flare decor. The selection of Latin music playing was so nice and changed the whole vibe of the restaurant to a fun relax yet sophisticated atmosphere. They do have highchair & for our anniversary the staff wrote a little card which was so sweet. Our server Grace was AMAZING. She was so sweet and explained the menus and what the top picks are. They served up little guacamole with plantain chips as an amuse-bouche. We ended up getting their special seafood platter, flatbread, beef fat potato, and let me just say we were so full. The seafood platter flavors were top notch. The sauce, the flavor that all the seafood was in was amazing. The potato were amazing, and i appreciate that without telling them they put the spicy sauce that comes on top on the side so we could give it to our baby. LOVE THAT. The flatbread was soft yet you were able to dip into the sauce of the seafood platter. I got the Siente El Fuego and it was delicious just the right amount of spice to give that nice kick. For dessert they gave us complimentary churros which were sooo yummy and not that sweet. We also got the Suspiro for dessert that cardamombb spice was so flavorful with the sweet pecans and dipping the churro in there was a whole lot of sweet flavors. We absolutely loved this place and will be back for their brunch menu on a weekend.

    Char P.

    Ember Kitchen is actually so cute. Went here for dinner one night my first time in Austin because it was actually close to the hotel I was staying at downtown. They seem quite popular as they had a full house when I got there! I reserved seats where you can watch them plate your food, thinking it would've been cool to watch them. It was okay. LOL. I think I would've preferred a table on the second floor, but it was all good regardless! The wait staff are friendly and have readily available recommendations if you need them. I ordered an ember margarita (I forgot to take a photo! eeek!) and the pork chop. The drink was strong, but delicious! The pork chop was plated beautifully! It was very tender and well-seasoned. The citrus garnishes complimented the savory flavor. Portion-wise what'd you expect for a fancier place. I would definitely come back again and try other dishes if I'm ever back.

    Chicarrone
    Sara O.

    It's a bit of an upbeat bordello vibe in here. We sat upstairs, which was cool, it was a bit cramped but nothing unmanageable. We had multiple servers, they all had high energy and seemed to know the dishes well. We tried the crispy tamal, which was really good, flavors you don't find, try that! The Morita shrimp, I would have bathed in the sauce, so good. The crab cake! So much beautiful crab meat, not a lump of breading, great bit of heat here, loved this too. The Salpicon de Pulpo... artistry on a plate, party in your mouth. Delicious and well presented. We also ordered the pork chop, which was good, but didn't stand out especially vs the Halibut which was fantastic, crispy top, nicely cooked... just get that too.

    Market fish

    See all

    2 months ago

    Absolutely loved this place! The atmosphere is magical -- it feels both elegant and cozy at the same time

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    17 days ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Nhu L.
    206
    132
    1292

    8 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jamie P.
    972
    1162
    1338

    10 months ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 3
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Rich C.
    30
    175
    132

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Aditya A.
    612
    29
    48

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    17 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 2
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    16 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    17 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 days ago

    Damon was an amazing server! The food and ambience were amazing. Live music on Friday and Saturday nights make it well worth the visit.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 12
    Thanks 6
    Love this 12
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Duke W.
    69
    23
    24

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 10

    Ember Kitchen Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Ember Kitchen

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Latin American 558 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Here Nor There - The code has to be entered

    Here Nor There

    (397 reviews)

    $$$

    Downtown

    Here Nor There is one of the best speakeasies in Austin, hands down…read more The drinks are always incredible--thoughtfully crafted and consistently good. The ambiance is moody and intimate, with music that makes the whole experience feel elevated. Definitely a go-to for a great night.

    Last night we rounded out our evening with reservations at Here Nor There…read more If I told you the location of this speakeasy then...lol. It's been around since 2018 so most folks know where it is by now. Heads up, you no longer have to use their app to make a reservation. Simply do so through Open Table and that's when you'll get the entry code. So glad it's no longer a members-only spot as well. The basement location gives anything but a basement vibe. When you enter, you'll see the infamous black paint on white walls mural but then you're transformed into something more. An elegant and elevated high-end speakeasy that transports you to what life in speakeasy settings must have felt like in the days of olde. Who doesn't love being greeted by a tasteful, giant, fake bear with welcome cocktails? The low-lit space brings a feeling of warmth, secrecy, romance, and mystery. You absolutely get the feeling you're in a special and secret hideaway space. From the refined wallpaper to hand blown glass lighting fixtures to the lush and velvety sofa seating, you are truly immersed in the vibe. It brings a feeling of noir and romance with even sexier drinks. Being seated in one of the nooks is my favorite and just really adds to the overall experience. If you follow my reviews then you know I often refer to excellent cocktails as liquid works of art. And, in this case, it's like the most exclusive, high-end art gallery of liquid masterpieces. Cocktails with branded cubes, top tier alcohol and other ingredients from around the globe make for a worthy piece of drinkable art. It doesn't end with cocktails! The mocktails are equally as beautiful and delicious. I highly recommend the cocktails and mocktails. Service is exactly what you would expect and want it to be in this environment. Yes, the prices are a bit higher than average but you're paying for art, atmosphere, and experience that is beyond wonderful.

    Powder Room - Craft Cocktail Bar

    Powder Room

    (134 reviews)

    Warehouse District, Downtown

    Upon stepping in I felt like I was transported to Miami in the 70s or 80s. Once you enter you turn…read morein your phones making it easy to lose time in connecting with your company. The staff was super nice and attentive our waitress came by multiple times and drinks were good and quick. They have a fun magazine style menu and plenty of options including mocktails. The mocktails were well balanced and not too sweet and my husband enjoyed every drink he tried. We ordered the French fries which were so good the perfect blend of freshness and salt. Would definitely come back for the ambiance and the no phones was a great reminder to connect to who your with and be present.

    The vibes are great, but I'm not sure they are worth the wait. There are two lines: one for…read morewalk-ins and one for those with reservations. We waited maybe 15 minutes at the walk-in line as others progressively started to pile on behind us. Then again, even people in the reservation line were waiting. This is definitely the kind of place that wants you to wait. The kind of place that wants to build a line outdoors to intrigue onlookers. We were treated nicely, but we definitely could have gotten in right away. By the time we walked in, the place was probably at 60% capacity. It was standing room only at the bar, but not overcrowded by any means. There is a dress code, but it's not entirely clear what it is. Some guy dressed to the 9s got turned away for not having sleeves whereas I got in with sneakers and a t-shirt. They ask for your cellphones upon entering and give you a key in exchange, but there doesn't seem to be any security to enforce it if you don't want to give them up. I have no problem with their policy, but I bet a lot of customers do. Interestingly, their little social experiment seemed to have a positive effect, where we ended up talking to strangers and vice versa. The Powder Room may be making America social again.

    The Roosevelt Room

    The Roosevelt Room

    (917 reviews)

    $$$

    Warehouse District, Downtown

    "No I've never been to Austin, but I kinda like the music...all the people say it's crazy but I…read moreknow they don't abuse it..." (RIP Chuck Negron) This was my "Must go to" spot on the first day we were here...and let me tell you, it did not disappoint! I made a reservation per recommendation on their website and I am glad I did. As the evening went on it got very busy. The foyer where you check in reminded me of the lobby of a small theatre. There were 2 velveteen curtains separating it from the restaurant. When the curtains parted a huge room with high industrial ceilings and architecture was revealed. WOW!!!! The hostess led us upstairs to the smaller loft bar and told us to sit where ever we wanted...So, we sat with a review to the entire place! We ordered food and drinks from their huge cocktail menu. We watched the bartender make both drinks with fascination. *BTW The bartenders here need to know how to make every cocktail by heart and there are over 50 specialty cocktails! Rosie and I went with: Vodkadora - Wódka Vodka, raspberry syrup, ginger syrup, lime, soda water Cigar Box - Del Maguey Vida Mezcal, smoked black tea syrup, RR lavender bitters, tobacco essence, served on an ashtray with a flamed cinnamon stick Food: CLASSIC REUBEN w/chips - 5/5 sooo good (Rye bread with Rosemary-Garlic Butter, Corned Beef, Swiss Cheese, housemade Sauerkraut & Russian Dressing) SALADE VERTE 5/5 - light and fresh Loved the industrial space and decor. Great for large groups - don't really recommend for children ~ and that's all I have to say about that...

    I went to Roosevelt one afternoon with my friends. We didn't…read morehave reservations but the staff accommodated us at the bar. It had the ambience and gravity of a serious establishment with well knowledgeable staffs, clean decoration with depth. We loved the ambiance and cool interior away from Texas heat. The food and drinks were crafted with meaning, focus and quality ingredients that really justified the price they had set. We ordered their garlic hummus, seasoned nuts and whole bunch of appetizers I don't recall all, but everything stood out. Talking about cocktails- The bartened was extraordinary. We had French 75, Cosmopolitan, Old fashioned, Espresso Martini, El Presidente. In a group of 5 people, we definitely ordered multiple rounds of each. I tried their signature drink called Painkiller (about $20) and also another with blended 12 yr old blended scotch . Left sufficiently satisfied and I will visit this place again in Austin for drinks and some bar bites.

    Fortune Teller - Bar

    Fortune Teller

    (30 reviews)

    Parking? Easy. They have a front lot off Congress and another one off Sandra (just South on…read moreCongress after you pass the bar). The drinks? Oh my gaaahhd. I'm usually not a fan of 'craft cocktails' out bc they're overpriced and not nearly as good as what my partner makes at home, but these were glorious. These drinks had layers of flavor. And fresh ingredients. And they were reasonably priced. Honestly, I don't even remember the last time we had such good drinks out (ok that's a lie but another review and it was at that place where Crowbar used to be - but these win hands down). The bartenders were nice and knowledgeable (Did I mention they make amazing drinks?). The outside has a similar feel to Cosmic but more secluded which is nice. They have plenty of seating, mostly outside, and food from an onsite truck, Sabor Tapatio. Honestly, I feel like this place is a unicorn. 78745 low key vibe but also with some old school Austin feels (I'm talking 2005 mid-Noughties - not 20-teen Rainey Street batch cocktails). They also have coffee in the mornings which we'll be checking out sooner rather than later. 10/10 recommend.

    Met a friend here on a sunny Sunday afternoon. I was happy that it wasn't overcrowded - one of us…read moredid have to utilize the add-on parking in the back. There are plenty of different seating options but very few seats inside. The place is chill, ordering drinks took some time even with no rush. Seems like they have some pre-mixed type of cocktails. Honestly, neither of us liked our drinks much. We actually left it behind. The food truck is nice to have though we didn't get to try. Happy that South Austin is finally seeing some nice spacious outdoor hangout spots.

    Marlow - Mocktail (Grow a Pear)

    Marlow

    (32 reviews)

    Downtown

    I discovered Marlow through a Yelp Elite event and knew I had to come back. We stopped by on a…read moreSaturday night around 9:30/10pm and had a great time! Great house music from the DJ, friendly staff, and an easygoing atmosphere that's perfect for hanging out. I was having a sober night and tried a few drinks from their Dry January Specials menu. Wow, they did not disappoint. The Alrighty Aphrodite was delicious, and the So Fresh, So Clean was exactly that, super refreshing with a great pineapple flavor. My husband had the Dusty Trail (strong and perfect for bourbon lovers) and a Coquito that was creamy and smooth with a hint of cinnamon. Parking is limited, but we found street parking nearby. Overall, great drinks, great music, and a spot I'll definitely keep coming back to.

    Marlow's has a very Austin vibe. I grew up in Austin and just moved back. Austin has changed a lot…read moreso I was happy to visit a place like Marlow that's dedicated to keeping the Austin vibe alive. The owner is also an Austinite! Marlow's has a really in interesting and delicious drink menu. I tried both mocktails (option to add THC) and really enjoyed them both. Most mocktails with NA liquor have honestly tasted a bit weird and a bit off. I usually have one and call it a day. However, I really enjoyed the first one that I tried the second one, which I also liked. The bartenders work amazingly fast and take multiple drink orders at a time and don't miss a beat! There's street parking and during weekdays, it's free to park after a certain hour.

    Whisler's - Left On Read - Delicious! (Tequila, Amaro, Bitters, Strawberry, Citrus, Spice, Egg White )

    Whisler's

    (675 reviews)

    $$

    East Austin

    These are moments I think why do I live in San Antonio ( and often work in Austin ) when I can just…read morelive here and enjoy great restaurants, bars and weird gothic haunts like this with weird dark goth decor, a scent of palo santo , superb music, a great crowd and amazing drinks! College me would have lived here !! Enjoyed a French 75, my husband enjoyed a smoked Old Fashioned and it was a great place to grab a drink prior to seeing Springsteen at the Moody seated amongst candles , a weird alter of sorts while enjoying some Stevie Wonder as is playing now though some weird NIN or Type O might have been more appropriate

    I went to Whisler's and had one of the worst bar experiences I've ever had…read more I had one drink. I was completely sober for all intents and purposes. The bartender claimed I was drunk and cut me off anyway. I was at the bar talking to a girl while waiting to get a drink (the wait was long because the service is very slow, despite the bar not being very busy at all). She was clearly into me, and the bartender kept jumping in trying to talk to her too (instead of doing his job making drinks). He was doing all sorts of things to try and flirt with her and make her laugh: pulling out and showing her buckets of pre mixed cocktails, running and sliding under the bar, etc. She was engaging with both of us , and right in the middle of that, I get cut off out of nowhere. No explanation other than claiming I looked drunk, which I very clearly wasn't. It felt very clear what was going on--he wanted me out of the way. I left and asked the bouncer on my way out if I seemed drunk. This was literally two minutes later. He said no, not at all, and asked me why I would even ask that. I then told him exactly what happened and asked him to let the owner or whoever was in charge know about this extremely unprofessional conduct so they can discipline the bartender. His response was that the bartender has discretion to cut anyone off, and let me know the bartender is supposedly married so he couldn't have been flirting with any of the customers. Well, sounds like his logic is flawed--not only COULD he flirt with his customers, he WAS, and was therefore cheating. I hope his wife finds out. This is perfectly representative of Austin customer service lately and not normal in other places. I was in Tampa for an entire month earlier this year and this would've been unthinkable there. I'm not coming back.

    Equipment Room - Mocktail.

    Equipment Room

    (120 reviews)

    78704 (South Austin)

    It's a rainy night in Austin. My girlfriend is in town because my cousin and her fiancé are getting…read moremarried in Austin. It's also the weekend of our one year anniversary. An hour ago it wasn't raining, but now it's pouring. A few months ago, I heard of a newer bar and experience called Equipment Room just right off of South Congress. Music means everything to me. Nothing can express emotions and instill a feeling in 3 minutes like a song can. I live for that. Equipment Room is inherently Japanese in concept. Existing in Japan for over 50 years, listening bars combine high fidelity audio equipment with impressively crafted cocktails and alcohol combining the passion of music in a space to gather with comfortable chairs and a beautiful atmosphere. The concept has expanded westward as all cool things inevitably do, but I would never think a spot would be successful in Austin like it would be in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and so on. As I back my car into a parking spot on South Congress, I grab the umbrella out of my trunk and walk my girlfriend and me to the entrance trying to not get ourselves soaked in the process. This is not the first time we have tried to go to Equipment Room. We tried to get a walk-in table just to see out of morbid curiosity and that was a failure. I booked her and me a table for this night and I was madly looking forward to it. As we got to the small entrance, we were introduced to the hostess who brought us from the stairs into the main underground space and to our seats on the couch in a large wraparound sofa with other parties sitting near us. The music is faint from the entrance, but once you walk through the main walkway, a wave of sound hits your eardrums. You're immediately engrossed into the music like walking into a concert hall or putting a fresh pair of headphones on for the first time. As we sat down, selections from Outkast's Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik were playing through the speakers. Our hostess introduced us to their "User Manual" (their menu) where it contained all the snacks and drinks you could get your grubby hands on. There's more than just drinks and food on the menu. The first page introduces the concept and gives a few house rules. The second page shows all the equipment this so-called room has, from the premium Klipsch speakers, their preamps and amplifiers as well as their turntables and mixers. It's a dream page for music nerds. I want a $15k speaker in my apartment, but those noise complaints would never end. Our waitress came by shortly to give us water and take our order. Their menu is quite expansive, but the main pages we were told to check out were their A-side drinks or the classics and their B-side drinks, which are more experimental. We had to go with experimental for starters because who knows when you'll get to try something similar again. I started with a Goca Dünya while my girlfriend ordered a Deceptacon. The Goca Dünya was a vodka based floral drink with pistachio foam and Amaro Nonino, an Italian herbal liqueur. The Deceptacon was a rum-based cacao drink with a touch of lime and mint. It took a little time for our drinks to come out, clearly, as they are quite intricate. I loved my drink, bluntly. The pistachio foam was a great balance to the herbal flavors at the bottom. My girlfriend and I continued to enjoy each other's company as the music continued. The space we were in was decorated with posters and memorabilia from legendary artists coming through Austin and some general music decor like that purple album from that Prince guy. The DJ-curator that night was on a tear playing incredible soul music holding the bar hostage with a taste of funk. Jimmy Smith came next before transitioning to a few tracks from Bobbie Gentry. The last albums he pulled out were Steely Dan's Aja (a stone cold classic) and Stevie Wonder's Songs in the Key of Life (a top 10 album of all time). Not only was he playing classics like Isn't She Lovely, but he threw down some deeper cuts like Black Man and Contusion. Incredible. We both got another drink with my girlfriend getting their A-Side Espresso Martini while I got the Brown Sugar from their B-Sides. It was a seaweed and mushroom infused whiskey with a few more bells and whistles and it was super unique. Quite a bit of their menu is Japanese-inspired in homage to the originators of listening bars. This includes Japanese beer, sake, and Japanese-inspired food and beverages on their menu. Very cool. The worst part of the night came when our hour and 45 minute reservation came to a close. I could've stayed there for another 3 hours and never grown tired, but with how popular this space has become, they gotta kick you out at some point. This is an experience you have to have. It's worth it. I'll be strolling back in soon enough because there is nothing like this in Austin and it's truly a special space. RIYL: Actively listening to music.

    Loved this place so much..!!! If you want to go somewhere to just lounge with low lighting and have…read moresome delicious drinks with great music in the background , this is place is it! They play no digital music and their speakers are installed throughout the whole building. The sound is great! The menu was so cute and on theme. The furniture and decor is mid century modern. I went here for my birthday and they gave my table a round of Sake shots, which was nice! My table ordered drinks: the Brown Sugar, Goca Dünya, Suffer No Fool (non alcoholic), Vitamin C. They were all delicious and they did not skimp on the alcohol! It was well balanced! I seriously recommend the Goca Dünya--that pistachio foam was addictive! For food, we got the Cheese board to have something to pick on and we demolished it, haha. It came with marmalade and crackers. The cheeses were great, along with the dried fruits and nuts. The cheese selections seem to rotate every other season, which is cool.

    Midnight Cowboy - Drinks LOOKED delicious

    Midnight Cowboy

    (580 reviews)

    $$

    Downtown

    5-star speakeasy...if you like cool, secretive, unusual speakeasy cocktail bars - this is the place…read morefor you! Located on 6th street in downtown Austin (near the Driskill hotel), in what looks like from the street an apartment complex. You buzz the "secret" button and if you have a reservation, they let you in and escort you to your beautiful, sexy table. Their menu is creative and their every cocktail delicious! The theme we experienced was tarot cards and we loved the presentation and creativity of cocktails. Service is excellent and all drinks are around $20. Worth a visit for sure - great 5-star speakeasy and so fun for a date or with a group.

    I was unable to check out the quality or ambiance of this establishment as there were a number of…read moreissues with my reservation. Basically, I had a large group reserved for a celebration, and I didn't get a confirmation email and when I noticed this I scrambled to find another reservation. The reservation link I was sent to kept erroring out when I tried to process it. Apparently the incorrect date was selected and I did not notice I was charged an exorbitant amount of money because it was a larger party, but we had every intention of going and we would have spent quite a bit of money. After being charged a $120 no show fee I tried to contact them to see if they could at least squeeze us in or take the no show fee off but they said their policy was clearly stated and they don't respond to my last email. Also, there is no phone number which is incredibly frustrating as I would have called to confirm my 5:30pm reservation issue, but instead just assumed it didn't go through While part of this was undoubtedly user error, the process of reserving and confirming reservations was not easy. Furthermore, the establishment was not overly understanding Some tips: Go to a different bar. There are so many great bars, lounges, and speakeasy's in the area, and I wouldn't risk the potential hassle. We pivoted to the Roosevelt room last minute and we had a great time Cheers!

    Ember Kitchen - latin - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...