Justine's Brasserie

It’s hard to find traditional French food in Austin, but Justine’s hits the mark. The menu is short, and the food is very good—you can tell they’re trying hard to stick to the conventions of one of the most revered cuisines in the world. But the defining aspect of Justine’s is its outdoor patio, which is without question one of the best in town, especially ever since they launched the semi-private tented cabanas with chandeliers.

The old house it’s in is truly charming—complete with a Stevie Nicks-ish meets New Orleans atmosphere. The bar is one of the most delightful places to sit, and you can talk with the bartenders about what vinyl record they're gonna play next. Be warned though, that cramming lots of people in that space creates tons of noise that makes it hard to hear a conversation. If you want a fun bar with hot people and really tasty French food, this is the place.

photo credit: Roger Ho