Zoé Tong

Right down the street from Barton Springs Pool, Zoé Tong is a Chinese restaurant serving a mix of classic small plates and skewers with a few new-school twists. It was previously home to a smokehouse and a cidery, and it still has some of that cavernous feel. But unlike the previous tenants, this is more of a date night spot versus a place you should pop into with your hair a little wet after a day at the pool. You’ll find riffs on classic Chinese dishes, like panko-breaded and fried chicken breasts with “General Tschnitz” sauce or a funky caesar salad with crispy ikan bilis and rice chips. Order a few wildcards to try combinations you probably won’t find anywhere else in Austin, but don’t skip out on more common staples like fried rice. The heavy-handed scallions and garlic play nicely with the saltiness of the Chinese sausage, making it stand out in a city full of great options. 

photo credit: Mackenzie Smith Kelley