Experience the Best Austin Restaurants During Formula 1
August 23, 2025
|
One of the most thrilling sporting events of the year, Formula 1 United States Grand Prix will be returning to Austin October 17-19, 2025.
The weekend promises to be full of exhilarating races and one-of-a-kind experiences, including live music performances from Garth Brooks and Kygo. With Heywood Hotel’s proximity to the track and to downtown Austin, we’re one of the closest hotels to all of the action.
Austin is not only a destination for Formula 1 each year but it’s also home to some of the country’s best restaurants and bars. Austin boasts 43 MICHELIN Guide 2024 restaurants — the most in Texas. While you’re in town for the race, it’s mandatory to partake in the best dining experiences Austin has to offer.
The Heywood offers a culinary package that combines a stay at the Michelin-rated Heywood Hotel with VIP access and extras at 20 Michelin restaurants. Learn more and book your SAVOR AUSTIN package.
Here are our top recommendations for the best restaurants to experience while you’re in Austin for Formula 1.
Hestia
Hestia is a live-fire cooking restaurant, as evidenced by the 20-foot hearth that anchors its kitchen and dining room. The Michelin-starred restaurant offers both an a la carte menu and a chef’s tasting menu for $195 per person, both of which feature protein-packed dishes with notes of ember and smoke.
Olamaie
Another Michelin-starred restaurant, Olamaie is a longtime favorite of the Heywood Hotel. The award-winning restaurant offers a modern take on classic Southern American cuisine with dishes including chicken pressé, gumbo, catfish, and their iconic buttermilk biscuits. Located in a converted house near downtown Austin, Olamaie is a must-visit during Formula 1 Austin.
Barley Swine
Michelin One Star contemporary American restaurant Barley Swine is another spot to add to your dining list during F1. Helmed by chef and owner Bryce Gilmore, Barley Swine is known for its highly curated tasting menus featuring seasonally-driven and locally-sourced ingredients. The dining space seats 65, making for an intimate experience.
Odd Duck
Chef Bryce Gilmore is also behind the Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant Odd Duck. Located on South Lamar in the Bouldin Creek neighborhood, Odd Duck is considered one of Austin’s top restaurants. The menu focuses on sustainable, locally-sourced ingredients and features New American cuisine with signature dishes that include a wagyu burger with beer cheese, cast iron cheddar cornbread, and stuffed quail.
Juniper
Located just a few blocks away from the Heywood, Juniper is one of the most cosmopolitan restaurants in the neighborhood. The interior design with exposed kitchen is really striking and the atmosphere is lively. With a focus on Northern Italian cuisine, Juniper serves pasta dishes as well as small, shareable plates. Reservations are accepted and group dining is also an option here.
Kemuri Tatsu-ya
Kemuri Tatsu-ya is a Japanese izakaya and bar down the street from the Heywood. The restaurant has an adventurous menu with a focus on Texas smoked meats. They also have an extensive sake list and inventive cocktails, making it an ideal spot for late-night, after-dinner drinks.
Kemuri Tatsu-ya accepts reservations through their website for parties of up to seven people, which our concierge team will gladly assist with. Otherwise, it is first come, first served.
Casa Bianca
Casa Bianca is a modern American-Italian restaurant new to our neighborhood, and located just across from the Heywood.
The restaurant serves what they call “weirdo Italian” — influenced by Japanese forms and techniques — craft cocktails, and wine. The menu includes lots of raw bar and conservas along with on-tap cocktails, including the Aperol Spritz and Old Fashioned. We love the limoncello doughnuts! Vegetarian and vegan options available.
Ezov
Named one of Austin’s Best Restaurants by the New York Times, Ezov is an Eastern Mediterranean restaurant that “celebrates the markets of Tel Aviv and the bounty of Texas.”
The menu changes with the season, and the dishes are served tapas-style so they can be shared with the table. The restaurant also serves inventive cocktails and wines from Greece, Lebanon, Israel, Italy, and more.
Oseyo
Oseyo is a modern Korean restaurant serving family recipes in a fun, comfortable environment. It’s also located directly across the street from the Heywood! Dishes are served with homemade banchan (side dishes like kimchi) and inspired by “mom’s recipes.” Dinner reservations are encouraged and can be made online. Our concierge team is also happy to help coordinate a reservation.
Emmer & Rye
Emmer & Rye has been nominated for multiple James Beard awards and recently received a MICHELIN Green Star for its sustainable practices and Bib Gourmand recognition in the first-ever MICHELIN Texas Guide. Emmer & Rye focuses on whole-animal butchery and house-milled grains, highlighting new techniques and beautifully composed flavors.
Led by James Beard-nominated Chef Kevin Fink, the Rainey Street restaurant serves inventive small plates and larger dishes and offers an extensive wine list. Emmer & Rye is just one mile west of Heywood.
Uchi and Uchiko
Uchi and Uchiko are two of Austin’s best restaurants. Serving outstanding sushi and Japanese fusion cuisine from owner and James Beard award-winning chef, Tyson Cole, the restaurants are an example of contemporary dining at its finest. The original Uchi is located just south of downtown. The second location, Uchiko, is located in Central Austin and has more seating and a slightly more adventurous menu.
Both locations accept walk-in seating at the bar; however, because of their popularity, reservations are highly recommended.
As a guest of the Heywood, our concierge team will take care of reservations, so the only thing on your to-do list will be to enjoy one of the best meals in town.
Comedor
Comedor is located in a stunningly designed downtown building, a little more than a mile away from the Heywood Hotel. The new restaurant serves up modern Mexican cuisine and features inventive dishes like bone marrow tacos and octopus tostadas. Comedor also offers an impressive mezcal list, in addition to wine, tequila and specialty cocktails.
BBQ Restaurants in Austin
If you’re looking for a casual meal, there’s no better cuisine to experience than Austin BBQ. Here are a few of our recommendations for must-try, Michelin-rated barbecue restaurants:
- la Barbecue: Michelin One Star barbecue restaurant located just blocks from the Heywood Hotel
- Micklethwait Craft Meats: Michelin Bib Gourmand barbecue restaurant
- KG BBQ: Michelin Bib Gourmand Texas-meets-Egypt barbecue truck
While these are just a few of our top recommendations for the best restaurants to visit during Formula 1 in Austin, our concierge team loves to provide personal recommendations for each of our guests and assist with any plans throughout your stay. We also offer free parking, a welcome basket, and a convenient location to make the most of your time in Austin on and off the track.
