Overall my experience did not go as planned. I came here specifically for the happy hour, only to learn (after being seated and ordering a drink from the HH menu) that you could not order from the HH menu from the dining room. I did not see this listed anywhere on Resy or their website and would have planned this evening differently had I known. When I asked the server about this he pointed out that it was 6:02pm so I had missed the happy hour anyway, but he brought me a menu for it anyway? It was an odd encounter.So I ended up spending way more than I set out to and not getting the food I was going for.But the food was amazing and the atmosphere/design is really fun. I’m happy to have a southern seafood place in Austin.
Daniela Oyervidez
JOHN IS THE BEAT BARTENDER EVER WE LOVE HIM
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Irfan Ari Syed (Ari)
Bring back the beef tar tar!
Jqiatx
Perfectly prepared Seafood, comfortable but elegant ambiance, and a great location. A nice high end but low-key spot right near the iconic Austin music spot, Antone’s.The kind crab was perfectly cooked. The braised greens had the subtlest kiss of Serrano pepper. It is seafood with a whisper of the south. The chef is James Beard award winning MASHAMA BAILEY of Savanah, so that makes a lot of sense.The vibe was relaxed but high-end.They bill this as a southern spot. I think it is more a seafood place with a whisper of the South (not to be confused with “Texan cuisine” a cousin but something entirely its own thing.)The restroom is hard to find - it is in the hotel lobby but they do not have good signage. It is buried in the back of a second elevator bank area. They have a neon sign in a different spot announcing that it is NOT the restroom - but nothing of its equal to show you where you should go / where it is.They set up shop diagonally across from Eddie V’s (seafood and chop house) which has been there for decades.Vegetarian options: This was the one area of real opportunity: there were very few options for a vegetarian / vegansDietary restrictions: Greedy for keto and gluten allergy folks!Parking: No garage. No street parking $15 for first 3 hours of valet.Kid-friendliness: Not a kid spot.Wheelchair accessibility: Very wheelchair accessible throughout
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Braised Greens
caitlyn blair
By far the best restaurant experience I’ve ever had. Fantastic food and exceptional staff!
S H
So delicious! We will be back. Really recommend the fried ugali and chess pie. Mashama is so talented!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
David Davitte
Been eating here for 40
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kevon Cooper
My first time trying out this place and this place has the most impeccable service all around. The waiter was phenomenal; he knew the menu like the back of his hand. He explained the significance of the Dayboat Catch and how it’s the most popular food choice on the menu. I was sold on it so I ordered it. I was expecting a decent food portion once my food came out; however I left the night hungry still :( I’m grateful to have a friend that was willing to share what was left of her country pasta, which I believe she like. Overall, nice experience. Great lemon drops
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Megan E
Visited on a cold night for “Reverse Happy Hour” and the fried ugali was so comforting! the bartenders were kind and knowledgeable and made great martinis, but we didn’t feel like we chose the popular side of the bar. We also had the burger which was unique, great melted cheese patties with spice and sweetness from bread and butter pickles. I loved the space and lighting. The restaurant was also playing good, contemporary music but at a level where you could still enjoy conversations easily.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Fried Ugali
Spencer Hamilton
I am only leaving 5 stars because 10 stars isn't an option. We sat at the bar for apps before a show and than again for dinner. Billy, Jack and John all took turns helping us and they were all spectacular. All of their stories and suggestions on things to do around town were awesome.Now for the food, I am not normally a fan of oysters but the 4 I tried were so fresh and meaty. The bread and butter was a great start to the meal. I got the pork schnitzel and it was life changing so crunchy with a juicy inside I cleared the plate and went back to clear the bone. Also had a cake and a sherbet for dessert. The cake was rich and moist and the mango sherbet was the light finish after an amazing meal.The thing the chef is doing in the kitchen are magical. After meeting her you can tell she takes pride in her work and the dishes put out by the kitchen. Staying in the Tommie hotel made it easy to stop in for food but it would be worth the drive from anywhere in town for a great meal and experience!
Dined here last night and really enjoyed the food. Everything was delicious, especially the deviled eggs. However the service was so lacking that it brought the experience way down. We were stuck waiting so long to order and then even more time between every course that it started to take the joy out of our date night. We unintentionally closed down the restaurant waiting on our check. Again the food was great, but the cost really warrants a better service experience.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 2
Recommended dishes: Deviled Eggs
Tatiana K.
While in Austin for New Year's, I dined at the Diner Bar and enjoyed a delightful experience. The beef tartare was delicious, the steak perfectly cooked, and the attentive servers made our visit memorable. We look forward to returning on our next trip to Austin
Edward S.
Came in late and had some appetizers. Sunday and Monday nights are all day happy hour. Southern/ fusion/new American cuisine. Got the following:Trotter Toast- sweet and savoryFried Ugali- like fried polenta but WAY better with a nice sauce Rabbit Dirty Rice - this was by far the best dish. Rabbit did t sound that appetizing to me but these flavors were amazing. Great service at the bar.
Krystine Beneke
My husband and I had the pleasure of joining my mother-in-law for dinner at The Diner Bar and our culinary experience was nothing short of remarkable.The atmosphere was warm, inviting, and the perfect backdrop for what turned out to be an exceptional meal shared with family.For drinks, I started off the evening with an old-fashioned, which is my go-to litmus test in gaging the caliber of a bar. This time I decided to go with Milam & Greene bourbon which did not disappoint. More often than not this simple, traditional cocktail is botched, but I am happy to say this was definitely not the case here. The old fashion was perfectly balanced.For food, we began with an assortment of East Coast oysters that left a lasting impression. The server's expert guidance and recommendations elevated our experience, showcasing the restaurant's commitment to all around quality.As for additional appetizers, the deviled eggs were a revelation—simple yet elevated, perfectly executed, and the addition of roe brought an intriguing complexity of flavors. The shrimp toast was an innovative creation. I really appreciate restaurants which offer unique concepts such as this. We also enjoyed the rabbit dirty rice. Its well-cooked braised rabbit complemented by chicken livers created a flavorful combination.My husband's main choice, the dayboat catch, was equally impressive. The fish, complemented by salsa verde and white beans, displayed a flawless balance of flavors. For our shared mains, my mother-in-law and I opted for the grilled kabocha and pork schnitzel. The sweet and savory pairing of the kabocha was extremely pleasant and the variety of textures added depth to this vegan dish. As for the pork schnitzel, despite my usual hesitation towards anchovy, the anchovy vinaigrette proved to be a delightful enhancement, taking this traditional dish to new heights.Special mention must be made of the service we received throughout the evening. The staff's attention to detail and genuine enthusiasm for the culinary experience added an extra layer of satisfaction to our dining experience.Needless to say, we will definitely be dining here again!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Deviled Eggs
Ryan Kee
Atmosphere and service were great. The food was subpar for the price. Do not get the oysters and the $75 steak was not good. Some of the cheaper menu items might be better. I dunno.
Overall my experience did not go as planned. I came here specifically for the happy hour, only to learn (after being seated and ordering a drink from the HH menu) that you could not order from the HH menu from the dining room. I did not see this listed anywhere on Resy or their website and would have planned this evening differently had I known. When I asked the server about this he pointed out that it was 6:02pm so I had missed the happy hour anyway, but he brought me a menu for it anyway? It was an odd encounter.So I ended up spending way more than I set out to and not getting the food I was going for.But the food was amazing and the atmosphere/design is really fun. I’m happy to have a southern seafood place in Austin.
JOHN IS THE BEAT BARTENDER EVER WE LOVE HIM
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Bring back the beef tar tar!
Perfectly prepared Seafood, comfortable but elegant ambiance, and a great location. A nice high end but low-key spot right near the iconic Austin music spot, Antone’s.The kind crab was perfectly cooked. The braised greens had the subtlest kiss of Serrano pepper. It is seafood with a whisper of the south. The chef is James Beard award winning MASHAMA BAILEY of Savanah, so that makes a lot of sense.The vibe was relaxed but high-end.They bill this as a southern spot. I think it is more a seafood place with a whisper of the South (not to be confused with “Texan cuisine” a cousin but something entirely its own thing.)The restroom is hard to find - it is in the hotel lobby but they do not have good signage. It is buried in the back of a second elevator bank area. They have a neon sign in a different spot announcing that it is NOT the restroom - but nothing of its equal to show you where you should go / where it is.They set up shop diagonally across from Eddie V’s (seafood and chop house) which has been there for decades.Vegetarian options: This was the one area of real opportunity: there were very few options for a vegetarian / vegansDietary restrictions: Greedy for keto and gluten allergy folks!Parking: No garage. No street parking $15 for first 3 hours of valet.Kid-friendliness: Not a kid spot.Wheelchair accessibility: Very wheelchair accessible throughout
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Braised Greens
By far the best restaurant experience I’ve ever had. Fantastic food and exceptional staff!
So delicious! We will be back. Really recommend the fried ugali and chess pie. Mashama is so talented!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Been eating here for 40
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My first time trying out this place and this place has the most impeccable service all around. The waiter was phenomenal; he knew the menu like the back of his hand. He explained the significance of the Dayboat Catch and how it’s the most popular food choice on the menu. I was sold on it so I ordered it. I was expecting a decent food portion once my food came out; however I left the night hungry still :( I’m grateful to have a friend that was willing to share what was left of her country pasta, which I believe she like. Overall, nice experience. Great lemon drops
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Visited on a cold night for “Reverse Happy Hour” and the fried ugali was so comforting! the bartenders were kind and knowledgeable and made great martinis, but we didn’t feel like we chose the popular side of the bar. We also had the burger which was unique, great melted cheese patties with spice and sweetness from bread and butter pickles. I loved the space and lighting. The restaurant was also playing good, contemporary music but at a level where you could still enjoy conversations easily.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Fried Ugali
I am only leaving 5 stars because 10 stars isn't an option. We sat at the bar for apps before a show and than again for dinner. Billy, Jack and John all took turns helping us and they were all spectacular. All of their stories and suggestions on things to do around town were awesome.Now for the food, I am not normally a fan of oysters but the 4 I tried were so fresh and meaty. The bread and butter was a great start to the meal. I got the pork schnitzel and it was life changing so crunchy with a juicy inside I cleared the plate and went back to clear the bone. Also had a cake and a sherbet for dessert. The cake was rich and moist and the mango sherbet was the light finish after an amazing meal.The thing the chef is doing in the kitchen are magical. After meeting her you can tell she takes pride in her work and the dishes put out by the kitchen. Staying in the Tommie hotel made it easy to stop in for food but it would be worth the drive from anywhere in town for a great meal and experience!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Dined here last night and really enjoyed the food. Everything was delicious, especially the deviled eggs. However the service was so lacking that it brought the experience way down. We were stuck waiting so long to order and then even more time between every course that it started to take the joy out of our date night. We unintentionally closed down the restaurant waiting on our check. Again the food was great, but the cost really warrants a better service experience.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 2
Recommended dishes: Deviled Eggs
While in Austin for New Year's, I dined at the Diner Bar and enjoyed a delightful experience. The beef tartare was delicious, the steak perfectly cooked, and the attentive servers made our visit memorable. We look forward to returning on our next trip to Austin
Came in late and had some appetizers. Sunday and Monday nights are all day happy hour. Southern/ fusion/new American cuisine. Got the following:Trotter Toast- sweet and savoryFried Ugali- like fried polenta but WAY better with a nice sauce Rabbit Dirty Rice - this was by far the best dish. Rabbit did t sound that appetizing to me but these flavors were amazing. Great service at the bar.
My husband and I had the pleasure of joining my mother-in-law for dinner at The Diner Bar and our culinary experience was nothing short of remarkable.The atmosphere was warm, inviting, and the perfect backdrop for what turned out to be an exceptional meal shared with family.For drinks, I started off the evening with an old-fashioned, which is my go-to litmus test in gaging the caliber of a bar. This time I decided to go with Milam & Greene bourbon which did not disappoint. More often than not this simple, traditional cocktail is botched, but I am happy to say this was definitely not the case here. The old fashion was perfectly balanced.For food, we began with an assortment of East Coast oysters that left a lasting impression. The server's expert guidance and recommendations elevated our experience, showcasing the restaurant's commitment to all around quality.As for additional appetizers, the deviled eggs were a revelation—simple yet elevated, perfectly executed, and the addition of roe brought an intriguing complexity of flavors. The shrimp toast was an innovative creation. I really appreciate restaurants which offer unique concepts such as this. We also enjoyed the rabbit dirty rice. Its well-cooked braised rabbit complemented by chicken livers created a flavorful combination.My husband's main choice, the dayboat catch, was equally impressive. The fish, complemented by salsa verde and white beans, displayed a flawless balance of flavors. For our shared mains, my mother-in-law and I opted for the grilled kabocha and pork schnitzel. The sweet and savory pairing of the kabocha was extremely pleasant and the variety of textures added depth to this vegan dish. As for the pork schnitzel, despite my usual hesitation towards anchovy, the anchovy vinaigrette proved to be a delightful enhancement, taking this traditional dish to new heights.Special mention must be made of the service we received throughout the evening. The staff's attention to detail and genuine enthusiasm for the culinary experience added an extra layer of satisfaction to our dining experience.Needless to say, we will definitely be dining here again!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Deviled Eggs
Atmosphere and service were great. The food was subpar for the price. Do not get the oysters and the $75 steak was not good. Some of the cheaper menu items might be better. I dunno.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 5