Austin restaurants Canje, Este, ranked among Top 10 'icons'

A popular restaurant reservation company has unveiled a list of the top 10 eateries in Austin, and you just might recognize a few names of some of the city's hottest restaurants right now.

OpenTable has debuted its inaugural list of Austin "Icons" as part of a new initiative from the company that launched in July. OpenTable Icons are lists of restaurants and bars in certain cities that make it easier for users to book the "most in-demand tables" because the recommendations are all in one place. So far, OpenTable has lists for places like Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Miami and Los Angeles, according to a news release .

Now, Austin has joined that list as a city with a lot to offer in its culinary scene. OpenTable has put forth a list that showcases all sorts of cuisine, mostly on the pricier side. Here's the full list of Austin Icons from OpenTable:

We've got some Italian, American, Mexican, Caribbean and Japanese flavors recognized as some of the best Austin has to offer. But let's really dig into some of these recommendations.

Canje , which is named after the Canje pheasant, the national bird of Guyana, marries traditional and modern Caribbean cuisine. The restaurant pulls flavors from Guyana, Jamaica and Puerto Rico in its dishes like wild boar pepperpot and classic jerk chicken.

"The music is loud, the jerk chicken is hot, and the cocktails are colorful at Canje, the East Austin hotspot from chef and Guyanese native Tavel Bristol-Joseph. In a lively space decked with palm fronds and tropical wallpaper, dig into Caribbean-inspired dishes like Guyanese-style roti and West Indian curry that earned Bristol-Joseph his first James Beard nod," OpenTable editors wrote of Canje .

Suerte takes its food, drink and decor inspiration straight from Mexico. The restaurant serves dishes like ceviche, tamales rojos and barbacoa, as well as a full cocktail menu.

"Originally from Torreon, Mexico, Eater Austin's 2018 chef of the year and 2024 James Beard semifinalist Fermín Núñez celebrates his passion for handmade masa at Suerte. It's the foundation for tacos, tostadas, and more stuffed with everything from duck carnitas to goat barbacoa and drizzled with a host of salsas," OpenTable editors said of Suerte .

Prélude

The only cocktail bar on the OpenTable list, Prélude serves canapés and cocktails out of a historic West Austin home. Prélude offers drinks like the Corn & Rice, made with tequila, cornflakes, toasted rice, chocolate, Earl Grey tea and soda, and the Apple & Pea, mixed with bourbon, snap pea, clarified apple and citrus.

"The only American to win the prestigious Bocuse d'Or, chef Mathew Peters applies that fine dining precision to playful dishes like corn hushpuppies with Iberico ham and black truffle sauce paired with clever cocktails like a tequila-forward highball topped with cornflakes and toasted rice," OpenTable editors wrote of Prélude .