Great Austin Eateries (That Aren't Barbecue!)

Folks come from all over the globe to sample Texas barbecue, and Austin offers some of the best, with joints such as Franklin, Terry Black's, and La Barbecue making headlines and filling bellies. But the Texas Hill Country does not live on smoked meats alone, and when we branch out, the results are amazing. Here are some great places to chow down in Austin that aren't served with a side of Wonder bread and pickles.

Uchi and Uchiko, at 801 South Lamar Blvd and 4200 North Lamar Blvd, were started right here in Austin and have since expanded across the US. Award-winning founder Chef Tyson Cole took non-traditional Japanese cuisine and ran with it. Popular dishes include smoked beets and fried milk ice cream, the Hama Chili (yellowtail, ponzu, Thai chili, and orange), and the Walu Walu (oak-grilled escolar with yuzupon, candied citrus, and myoga). It's a mind-blowing experience every time.

Matt's El Rancho, at 2613 S Lamar, has been slinging Tex-Mex for just over 100 years. It started in the 1920s as a humble cart selling tamales to folks at the Texas Capitol and grew into a nostalgia-fueled institution. Its iconic Bob Armstrong Dip combines melted queso, taco meat, guac, and sour cream mixed to perfection. Cisco's Restaurant Bakery & Bar, at 1511 East 6th St, oozes old-school diner vibes and is celebrated for bringing Huevos Rancheros to the masses, though its most famous item is the homemade biscuits, best eaten with honey and butter.

Magnolia Cafe, at 1920 South Congress Ave, began as the Omelettry West in 1979 and remains a quintessentially Austin spot with robust vegetarian options. Its Love Veggies dish mixes broccoli, mushroom, spinach, onion, and bell pepper sautéed in garlic and serranos, served over rice and topped with cheese.

Clark's Oyster Bar, at 1200 W 6th St, has become a national affair since opening in Austin in 2012, with locations in Colorado and California. Its see-and-be-seen patio celebrates outdoor Austin dining, and despite the land-locked setting, Clark's brings fresh oysters and lobster rolls along with a Pan-Roasted Angus Burger, a killer brunch menu, and potent martinis.