Birdie's

My husband and I are Birdie’s regulars. This place is our go-to when we want to treat ourselves (which is often!). Concept is great. Staff is always super welcoming. And the food is just top notch. In the world of ‘casual fine-dining’, it doesn’t get better than Birdie’s.

What a find ! You would never know this East Austin Jem was there . Birdie’s delivered exceptional food with amazing flavors in a simple but warm & welcoming setting . Highly recommend & will come back again !

Food was great and the service was kind and welcoming. I think the concept where you need to wait 30 min inline just to order (there was plant of place to seat) is not good

If Franklin BBQ and Hestia had a baby this would be their misfit restaurant “baby”. *Pro tip - sit at the counter if you can: birdie’s has one of the best open kitchens to watch in Austin. It is an amazing free “show” to add to your meal. * UPDATE: I am officially obsessed with the low carb soups. In fall it was butternut. Now in late winter I am obsessed with the “cauliflower” soup. This is like browned butter made soup. You never grow tired of the flavor (or taste blind like when eating a bland fettuccine) because the chef has added just enough contrast in flavor. It is good until the last slurp. The texture of my favorite soups from Birdie’s are the velvety rich, yet airy and light “cream” soups. I dream of Birdie’s soups. Update: I adore the woman running the counter - Suze. She is AMAZING at what she does. Give this woman her own t.v. show on how to handle people. Brava. Her floral arrangements are stunning, too. (Love you Suze!!). Now. Back to our original review. Like Franklin’s there are no reservations. (Some other spots in town should take note - in more expensive but lesser quality places it has become common to require reservation deposits - it’s almost like a warning sign: we need to take your money before you come here = a promise you are only paying to be in that place vs be served good food). Like Franklin’s they have what they have until they sell out. What they serve and how they serve it is where the high end dinning comes in. I had one of the best soups I have ever had the Butternut squash soup is truly world class. It is one of the few dishes I have had in Austin that I would put against any other in the world. It was simple. It was perfect. It was good all the way to the last spoonful. I didn’t care for the salad when I had it on its own - I found the arugula paired with the radish and tart apple to make for a slightly bitter experience. BUT when I paired it with the steak tartar it elevated BOTH dishes. I am low carb so I did not have the cracker or the wheat berries on my tartar - and removing elements from simple dishes can really mess with their textures and flavors. Pairing the salad with the tartar helped elevate both dishes, but the tartar probably does not need it if you can eat the carbs. The dishes are interesting, fresh, and most importantly TASTY. The service is simple and unobtrusive. It may be counter service but it is still high end. Easily worth the wait in line.

One of the best restaurants in Austin, hands down. Unusual dining experience since you have to order in the front as opposed to be seated then have your order taken, but it seems like it frees up time for the servers, who are very attentive throughout your time there. Looking forward to returning.

inventive cuisine and charming service. menu changes frequently

We went for a 77th birthday, and the staff were incredibly kind and went above and beyond. The food was delicious, but the kindness and service were the standout here. I look forward to returning again and again.